Management Styles: What Kind of a Leader Are You?

If you’re in leadership at a school today, this article is meant for you. When it comes to teachers, it’s been said that even though teachers complete a rigorous curriculum which defines such things as learning styles, multiple intelligences, learning domains, along with preparing pre-assessments, lesson plans which are aligned with curricular standards, and assessments…

The Problem: Students Believe What They Are Told

Six years ago at this time, I attended my nephew’s high school graduation.  Nine years ago, I attended a high school graduation for another family member.  It was great to see so many young men and women excited about their achievements, and the enthusiasm about the world they’re going to enter and affect. It reminded…

The Problem: An Aversion or Dissuasion From Life-Long Learning

If you’re an administrator or teacher in a school today, one of the phrases you have heard, spoken, believe and may even be passionate about is that one of the goals of education today is to create life-long learners. That is indeed a worthy goal!  While it’s a message that can be conveyed to and…

The Problem: No One Teaches About Financial Literacy

The United States has a problem.  It’s called the National Debt. School Districts have a problem.  It’s called eroding tax bases, which means cutting education expenses. Families have a problem.  It’s called credit card debt. College graduates have a problem.  It’s called student loan debt. Anyone see a pattern? A recent article found on the…

The Problem: We Learn to Forget

We’ve all heard the expression, “Use it or lose it.”  It applies to skills; it applies to possessions; it applies to memory; and it applies to learning. “Teaching to the test” simply puts knowledge into short-term memory.  If what we learn is not reviewed through a “spaced repetition” process, we will retain little of what…

Technology: Putting the Business of Education Out of Business?

Technology is becoming more and more prevalent in schools: One-to-one initiatives, giving a computer or tablet to every student in the school, and potentially replacing textbooks; Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives, allowing the school to protect itself from having to repair, service, or replace expensive technology, as well as absolve itself from potential inappropriate…

A New Model: Teacher-Led Mini-Schools?

Homeschooling seems to be a growing trend. According to a report from Education News in May 2012, homeschooling has continued to grow due to the dissatisfaction with the public school system. Looking at the information provided by the families surveyed, we found it costs an average of $1,295 to homeschool an elementary school student in…

“The Advantage”

Consultant Patrick Lencioni published a book several years ago called, “The Advantage.”  In it, he speaks about what gives an organization or business an “advantage” over another.  In a nutshell, the advantage is “Organizational Health.”  It’s all those things that can’t be measured by data analytics. Business leaders like when they can share positive news…