A couple weeks ago I shared John Hattie’s recently updated list of the most profound influencers of student achievement. (Here is a link to that list if you want to see it again: Visible LearningPlus 250+ Influencers of Student Achievement) Hattie identifies “Collective teacher efficacy” and “Teacher estimates of achievement” as two of the highest … Continue reading Belief, Part III
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I Understand
Recently, I witnessed an interaction between a student and a staff member. The adult and the student were discussing a personal issue that the student was having and the student was getting increasingly frustrated. During the conversation the adult was trying their best to show empathy and kept saying, “I understand.” Finally, the student reaching … Continue reading I Understand
Meet My Expectations
I talked to a friend this week who was frustrated at her new job. She feels that there are so many new directives being put on people, the demands are seemingly too high, and the leadership seems disconnected from the reality of what everyone working for them is feeling. In this conversation, there is an … Continue reading Meet My Expectations
Teach to Learn
I had a conversation with a parent a couple of weeks ago and it has stuck with me. I am, as I am sure many of you are as well, constantly questioning whether I have made the right decisions or have handled things in an appropriate manner. The more I have thought about this conversation, … Continue reading Teach to Learn
Right or Wrong
We tend to judge others by their actions, and judge ourselves by our intentions. This statement is a challenge that we all face as we interact with others on a daily basis. It is very easy to assess our own behaviors as right when we only take into account our intentions. It is also very … Continue reading Right or Wrong
For to From
I recently came across the following video. I know I have seen it before, but it has been a few years. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2MORc0ZCo8 I am always amazed how things seem to come to us at the right time, just when we need to hear them. I love the line at the end of the video from … Continue reading For to From
What You See
I saw the follow video recently and it instantly made me think about our schools: If your reaction was like mine, your thoughts went to the expectations, personas, and biases we place on our students. We often say things in education like “I believe all students can achieve at a high level”, but then our … Continue reading What You See
Be Our Guest
I read the following quote from Between Parent and Child by Haim G. Ginott this week and it really hit home, literally. “What do we say to a guest who forgets her umbrella? Do we run after her and say "What is the matter with you? Every time you come to visit you forget something. … Continue reading Be Our Guest
Don’t Give Up
I had a little time at home one evening this week. The kids were all working on various things quietly and with no meetings to plan for and emails to respond to, I turned on ESPN to watch college basketball. As soon as I turned the channel, Jim Valvano’s famous speech at the ESPYs was … Continue reading Don’t Give Up
My Intentions
I have been working on a personal goal this school year to be less judgmental. I have Matthew 7: 1-7 posted in my office to read every day. If you are not familiar with the verse, here it is: Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge … Continue reading My Intentions
Leading and Learning 