Recruiting Great Teachers

Principals... want to have an edge in hiring those really quality teacher candidates???  Deidra Gammill has an article sharing the key variable.  You can read, and apply, these secrets by clicking here.

One Sentence That Principals Hate to Hear...

While this article is actually about pastors, it totally applies to school principals.  Read the article (by clicking here) to find out the sentence so hated.

Teaching Bright Girls

I found this study very interesting... and it's core message has a lot to say to how we should be teaching our gifted female students.  According to the findings presented in this Psychology Today article, for women - ability doesn't always lead to confidence.  Read more by clicking here.

Motivation vs. Maslow

We all have hear about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs... but this article rebuffs these needs if you really want to tap into the motivation potential of your adult staff.  This Harvard Business Review study looks at the three actual factors to consider.  A must read for the modern administrator... click here go to the article.

THAT Child

This should be required reading for all parents.  Click here.

Reading Within the Common Core

I found these two audio reports on NPR very interesting; and they both use very "parent-friendly" language to describe the how and why Common Core has changed the way we teach reading.  Click on the following links to read and/or listen to the short segments.

The High Achievers

The Struggle Over Struggle

Change in NC School Funding

Subtle, but very significant, change in funds - especially for those systems dealing with growth.  Click here to read the N & O article.

Starting the Day Right

Yet another example of a "duh" issue... one in which we all know what's right, but refuse to change.  This editorial from the Washington Post says it all.  Click here to read the obvious support (highlighted by a new policy statement issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics) for moving high school start times.

Teacher Empowerment

Interesting news story about teacher independence.  Watch this short video by clicking here.

This great blog, by Richard Byrne, highlights free technology resources for educators.  This particular entry features an online collection of the best commencement addresses.  'Tis the graduation season...

Click here to go to the blog link.

21 Things That Will Be Obsolete by 2020

Schools are interesting institutions in that they are intentioned to prepare students for the future, but quite often they are asked to represent the past by multiple educational publics.  This article, by Shelly Blake-Plock, describes a student day very different from their parents'.  The article begs the question, "What is the role of the teacher in the 2020 'classroom'"?  Be sure to check this list out by clicking here.

What Students Really Need to Hear

This blog post, by Chase Mielke, is one that would ring true with many teachers.  It echoes the earlier post of mine (January 2014) regarding the development of "grit"in our students.  This is definitely worth the few minutes it takes to read.  Click here to go to Mr. Mielke's blog, and this most interesting letter to his students.

Leading by Relationships

This blogger is a district superintendent; but his article about leadership has a lot to say to building administrators as well.  I especially like his first suggestion regarding visibility.  In my opinion - this is one of the overarching deficiencies in many of today's principals.  Read about it by clicking here.

PowerlessSchool

Whether it is the faulty software package by Pearson, or the rushed rollout by state officials - most would agree that PowerSchool has been a classic case of how not to implement a new program.  In this excellent entry (click here), the blogger does an good job of summarizing the situation.  In this era of mega-accountability, is there no accountability for the vendor or the state officials who implemented this initiative?

Measuring the "Value" of Teaching

How, exactly, is the best way to measure the "value" a teacher adds to his/her students???  Click here to read this interesting entry by Valerie Strauss of the The Washington Post, where she details Gates Foundation's concerns.

Writing Prompts (Engaging, and with a Purpose)

My son, a middle school social studies teacher, shared these with me.  They are terrific.

Click here to view tons of cool prompts.

In loco parentis

Click here for a great story.

How would this teacher and coach rate on Standard Six?

(who cares???)

Community/School Relations

There is a lot of talk about including/involving our communities with our schools.  This an example of an authentic, organic, and reciprocal relationship that adds value and worth to all involved.

Filling Bubbles

I certainly know my preference.

Eight Rules for Writing

“Perfection is like chasing the horizon. Keep moving.”

Click here for a great resource for young writers.

Job Readiness vs. College Readiness

I caught this segment on PBS Newshour this week.  It has a lot to say about what our educational goals for our students should be, as well as relevance in the curriculum.  I mean... how many times have students asked their math teachers, "When am I ever going to use this?"?

Check it out by clicking here.

Teaching Mindfulness

"When we look at low performing schools it's not that these children are unable to learn, it's that very often they are unavailable to learn."

Click here to see this innovative program to still the mind for learning.

Fostering Grit

How do we help develop persistence in our students?  This article, by Andrew Miller,  (click here) suggests some interesting ideas to promote grit.

Like Driving in the Fog

Interesting NPR radio segment regarding the Common Core movement via  the "Race to the Top".  One of the interviewees is a North Carolina administrator.

Click here to hear the five-minute story (or read the transcript).