These recent two school years have brought many of us to the realization that reaching ALL students is challenging, but more critical than ever. We use strategies to individualize instruction and make student thinking visible. Believe me, typing that sentence is far easier than putting it into practice. To that end, I like MindTools.com. It…
Just days after a student was harassed by an adult for openly identifying as gay during a school board meeting in Massachusetts, the MASCD (Massachusetts Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) had an organized response to the incident. Gathering dozens of educators and advocates from across the Commonwealth into a webinar to discuss and work-through how…
There are many different characteristics and traits of a good leader, including learning how to recognize missteps. The role of the school administrator is evolving from a building manager into an instructional leader. This shift is not easy, and all leaders strive to be the best they can be. Being a school leader isn’t easy…
Over this past month I’ve had conversations with districts from coast-to-coast that are at a breaking point. District leaders are taking previously unheard-of steps to try to head off… no, it’s too late for that… to catch up to the stress that’s crushing the spirits of educators. The stresses that set upon our educational system…
As I entered high school, I felt confident about the transition and fitting in with my classmates. After a successful three years in middle school, I fearlessly entered high school in 1984, making friends and becoming somewhat popular. PHS (Pittsfield High School), here comes X-Man. I felt I knew something about everything. That sounds about…
I came across this website and video and it piqued my interest. I have a good amount of Swedish DNA and who doesn’t love a tiny cabin drenched in sunshine!??! As it often happens, I thought of you! Now, I don’t have a couple rustic cabins in Sweden to bring my few readers to. And…
Spoiler alert : Schools are social environments, and “Community” has been a major factor in keeping teachers, administrators, students, and parents engaged over the last 24 months. On Tuesday, October 5th Dr. Matthew X. Joseph moderated a conversation with 5 educators to discuss what we thought we’d learned over the last year, and how those…
This is an excerpt from my weekly newsletter – ThreeThingsToTryToday. I hope it teaches you more about TikTok’s dangerous business practices and how they can affect our young learners. Unless you have been lucky enough to live under a rock this week, you probably know about the TikTok Devious Lick and bathroom challenges sweeping…
“Good morning, thank you for calling GWV International Travel Reservations. This is Suzy, how may I help you?” “Hi Judy. Marge from Getaway Travel. I have a couple that wants to go somewhere warm this weekend. Whaddya got?” “Hi Marge! I will look for availability for two adults out of Boston this weekend to our…
The AP posted a story yesterday that should be interesting for any of our data-centric friends… Despite the surge in COVID-19 cases among Massachusetts teachers and students, there’s no indication that school buildings are where those cases are being transmitted. According to Russell Johnston, senior associate commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary…
