In the January 26, 2017 edition of our local newspaper, a story appeared titled, “Chancellor says state-owned university system ‘unsustainable,’ orders sweeping review” (http://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/11835303-74/state-system-brogan).  Interestingly, the same finding was reported in the Fall of 2015, as the Commonwealth’s budget was not approved until December of that year, causing funding to be withheld from public school…

There’s lots of talk on the Internet, in the news media, and throughout those antiquated communication forms of magazines and newspapers about the Millennials, and how they’re unlike any generation that’s come before them. Actually, they’re a lot like the Great Generation…that wave of children of immigrants that were born between 1926 and 1946 and…

Here’s a note that every “Technology Instructor” should receive from their administrator: Dear Instructional Technology Specialists: Your job is to help the teachers…not implement the latest tech trend. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Principal The problem is that a school may not have an Instructional Technology Specialist.  They have a Technology Instructor…

This suggestion is not for your “run of the mill” administrative meeting where you’re explaining policies or implementing new directives.  This would be for those meetings where everyone’s input is important to generate new ideas, and to break down the silos between teachers, administration, and technology (which, interestingly, has gained a new importance in the…

Over the past few weeks, the articles on this site have had the constant theme of “Continuous Improvement ≠ Transformational Innovation.”  They looked at how we can “start all over again,” by teaching young children with strategies that wire their brains for success, rather than giving them more and more emphasis on the “basics” of…

This is one of the many examples of why our educational system is in peril…not just trouble. Let’s say you’re working for a public school district as a “specials” teacher – that is, art, music, library, phys ed, or perhaps you’re a school counselor, and, as a member of the teacher’s union, you’ve been working…

Several years ago, there was a blog titled Advanced Life Skills (which is no longer accessible).  In one of its article, the concept of approval was discussed, and this particular phrase resonated with me: There are certain core needs shared by every person on the planet. Some of these needs are physical such as food,…

Here’s a great article on traits that make a great school leader – http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/what-makes-a-great-principal-an-audio-slide-show/ But in working with faith-based schools, I wonder how one can earn the title “great principal” if their school’s enrollment has been slowly shrinking over the past decade. Then, if a school closes, those principals are then hired to fill other…