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…

It seems that everyone today is “working hard.”  In the marketplace – “We’re working hard to serve you better.”  In management – “With hard work, anything is possible.”  In education – “Our first graders are working hard this year to learn how to add numbers.” Weren’t computers supposed to make our lives easier?  Why are…

So many articles on are being published today on what’s wrong with our educational system. References are made to common core, standardized testing and classrooms that were designed when the factory was the identified workplace as culprits. Administration is built on a military model of top-down direction, leadership and supervision, because the military is where…

Every year, our high schools pay homage to the graduating seniors.  I think every valedictorian includes the line, “Graduation isn’t the end; it’s just the beginning of the next step of our journey,” in the their perfunctory speech at the graduation ceremony. It’s been uttered at the four high school graduations I was privileged to…

The title of this article was originally going to be titled, “Administrators, New Teachers Care, But May Not Understand; New Teachers, Administrators Understand, But Probably Don’t Care.”  It’s then that I realized a couple of things: There are only two elements in play, and, for any successful system to function properly, there needs to be…

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…

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…