It is that time of year again where millions of K-12 students and over 3 million teachers head to school. Not back, forward. Remember that you were once sitting where your students are and it may be at least partly because of that experience that you are where you are today as educators. What
Last week, Dan Rather, in his weekly post to his Substack community said this: “…despite all of this dysfunction, education remains one of our greatest hopes. Teachers heroically forge onward despite the challenges — inspiring young minds, percolating new ideas, and fostering energy for a better and more just nation.” At the end of another
What tipped me over the edge this week were the two pictures of elected officials’ families with children holding lethal weapons and the sick joke from one of the parents’ note to Santa, “Please bring ammo.” Enough already, more than enough, over the top. I can opt out of the news and social media and
A crisis is not a tragedy. A crisis is a crossroads, a crossing, a time when careful, thoughtful management and making difficult choices are required. The current crisis in teaching kids has to do not only with history but also with values and beliefs. We have seen the great divide in the USA between those
With gratitude to Peter Senge, who talks often about decentralizing the role of leadership in order to enhance the capacity of all people to work toward healthier human systems, I offer these observations, insights and experiences. As leaders, we are acutely aware of trying to meet the needs of multiple constituencies – directors, associates, colleagues,
Some recent news reports indicate “culture wars” going on in schools with parents divided over curriculum issues having mainly to do with race. There are other related social issues that schools must deal with and they are not going to please everyone and as professional educators they have to make choices about what to include
