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Evolve
Every so often, educators are presented with opportunities to reflect on the intersection between where we've been, where we are, and where we are going. Three recent experiences have me contemplating...
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Feedback
“We build too many walls and not enough bridges.”Sir Isaac NewtonLately, I'm reflecting on what I'd consider the biggest mistake from my teaching days: the manner in which I chose to perceive feedback....
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My #OneWord2017: Elevate
My first major decision leading up to each New Year is choosing "One Word" on which to focus over the course of the next 365 days.Over the years of accepting this challenge, the sources of my...
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Call Me Coach
Jay Posick, Principal of Merton Intermediate School in Wisconsin, and Dennis Schug, Principal of Hampton Bays Middle School in New York are fortunate to receive daily inspiration from our Twitter and...
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I...
Several months ago, in an effort to become a more dedicated and more skilled writer, I issued a challenge to several friends. These friends graciously accepted, and in turn, extended the challenge to...
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Journeys & Meetings
Each year, my mom ventures to Ireland, to visit with her cousins. While this has been a lifelong dream, she only started the tradition two years ago. This particular year, she returned from her...
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Knowledge. There's more to it than that.
Recently, I couldn't help but laugh when a group of friends and I were in a non-school discussion and I linked it back to learning, to school, and to leadership. Someone in the conversation remarked...
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Learning, Leadership, and Lists
Ask any educator to share a memory of working with a student, a family, or a colleague, and you’ll likely be inspired. These become learning and leadership milestones, cornerstones to how we define...
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Manage Like Munson
"I like hitting fourth and I like the good batting average. But what I do everyday behind the plate is a lot more important because it touches so many more people and so many more aspects of the...
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Names and Norms
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot.Wouldn't you like to get away?Sometimes you want to go...Where everybody knows...
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Optimize (My #OneWord for 2018)
One of the most exciting aspects of becoming an educator who values and appreciates being "connected" is the accountability factor. One annual example of this has been the #OneWord phenomenon, in which...
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Promise, Perspective, and Potential: It's About the People.
Lately, I find myself thinking deeply and critically about the purpose of education. I'm reflecting on K-12 education: first, my own that I experienced, second, that of my own children, and third, for...
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Quitting
"Dad, I want to quit."I am embarrassed to admit it, but three weeks ago, this was the basis for this blog post. This statement, uttered by my nine-year-old son, was upsetting to me. After five years of...
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Of Robots, Rubik's Cubes, and Responsibility
On Saturday, March 24, it was my privilege to attend the Long Island Connected Educators' Summit hosted at W.E. Howitt Middle School, in Farmingdale, New York. Otherwise known as CELI, this event (the...
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Pause: My #OneWord2019
“Dad, look how beautiful the sunrise is…”“Look up, Dad! Look at the stars!”These are the words of our daughter, that reverberate in my thoughts at the start and end of each day. Celebrating her 18th...
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What Are Some “Essentials” for Middle School Educators, Teachers or Leaders,...
This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the country. Periodically, these passionate and dedicated middle school principals share their thoughts on issues of...
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Lessons in Gratitude: Edcamp Long Island
It turns out, what an old friend and mentor told me is true: Life moves fast. And if you're not paying attention, you'll miss it. I guess time does actually fly, regardless of whether or not you're...
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Who is Your Go-to Person?
This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the country. Periodically, these passionate and dedicated middle school principals share their thoughts on issues of...
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Running Fartleks
This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the country. Periodically, these passionate and dedicated middle school principals share their thoughts on issues of...
View ArticleHow do you build belonging in your school and your school community?
This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the country. Periodically, these passionate and dedicated middle school principals share their thoughts on issues of...
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