There is something in our affinity for the institution of education that makes it seem immutable and timeless. Schools that have been part of our lives will always be there. New schools will rise as communities grow, but it seems unfair or tragic when schools disappear as communities wane. Yet the reality is that the [...]
Most educators who read my blog or follow me on Twitter are already in the "deeper learning" choir. You believe that learning should be increasing student-centric; inquiry, project, and thematically-based; incorporating creativity and design more than recitation and regurgitation. Some educators need to re-tool their skills to shift classroom practice to "get there". I don't [...]
In his new book, Technology vs Humanity, futurist Gerd Leonhard explores the really big changes that are driving fundamental shifts in how we all lead our lives, and may, within our own lifetimes, challenge the very paradigm of what it means to be human. These shifts will have tremendous impact on the role and relevance [...]
How might we educate the rising generation to be more empathetic and understanding of what it means to be an American? How might we help heal increasingly deep divides by allowing young people to experience our world through the eyes of “the other” in ways that are both intellectually and emotionally engaging? If you have [...]
What is the nature of empathy? Can we really see through the eyes of those with radically different life experiences? Are we getting any better at this critical social construct, or just hoping that we will? Over the winter break I read two profound must-read books, written by or about women who have lived lives [...]
What is it that REALLY keeps independent school leaders up at night? For much of 2017 and early 2018 I was collecting feedback on a series of simple, provocative, open-ended prompts from independent school heads, senior administrators, and trustees. I have just published some results in Independent School Magazine. Check it out; I think you [...]
Over a relaxing holiday break I had plenty of un-scheduled time to just hang out with family. As I get older, hopefully a bit more reflective and a smidgen wiser, I know how sacred are these times when we set aside our devices and "things we have to do", and just be together. And play [...]
I am doubling down on the critical role of real strategy for schools. I have read a lot of school strategic plans, and most share one thing in common: they are not strategic at all. They are almost all tactical. Strategy is, simply, about making choices that gives your school or district the best opportunity [...]
Is your school contemplating a significant change in the year ahead? Is your team prepared with the skills and processes to make sure that change is well-designed? That your community stakeholders have had input and are on board? That you have the knowledge base to move forward with a set of first prototypes and pilots, [...]
In the last week I have posted two blogs about Harrisburg School District in South Dakota, where they are implementing a remarkable program of personalized learning. Here is the final of three posts; focusing here on the evolving program in the middle and high schools. For more details, look at Travis Lape's blog: Teachers [...]
