While buy-in is necessary for long term implementation of instructional practices that impact student learning, it occurs later in the process not early on.  Especially for experienced teachers, it’s only after the changes have produced improvements in student learning that significant changes in teachers’ beliefs and attitudes occur. Consider how this understanding impacts the role […]

This is the first episode in a three part series of podcasts with Dr. Joanne Foster for parents and their children, especially designed so families can listen and learn about creativity – in particular, what underlies creativity; keys to nurturing creative expression at home, school and elsewhere; and strategies for building a more creative and […]

William Glasser’s Choice Theory states that all human behavior is driven by the desire to satisfy five basic human needs: the need to be loved and accepted the need to be powerful the need to be free the need to have fun the need to survive When I studied Glasser’s work early in my teaching […]

The word “team” is frequently used in schools to describe various groupings of people that are working under different understandings of what the relationships among group members should be and what is required of group members. Teams are accountable for the collective performance and work toward a common goal and shared rewards. Listen to the […]

The first days and weeks of school with new students are important in impacting future learning. Purposeful plans for learning about students and having them learn about you are valuable. Setting the stage for building trust and relationships are worth the investment in time and energy. Listen to Tara Brown’s podcast episode here. Watch Kent […]

“If you listen to kids, they’ll give you a different perspective. They are the primary clients.” (Principal, Kambar Khoshaba) I had the opportunity to record a podcast with Kambar Khoshaba, an experienced middle school and newly appointed high school principal. I learned about him while reading an article in Education Week, titled Students Sought Changes […]