A Sit-down with Daniel Pink

Recently, I had the good fortune to spend some time chatting with author Daniel Pink at his home. I connected with Pink through twitter when I shared with him my work on helping start an Innovation Day at my school. Some of the theories behind the Innovation Day were taken from Pink’s work in his […]

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Focus

This evening I am speaking at my school district’s annual award’s ceremony. I am a big believer in the power of images and I created this one that will be my final slide. The title is simply “focus”. Too often we in the world of education get wrapped up in the many facets of our […]

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Innovation Day…the Sequel

Many of you that have been reading my blog here are aware of my Innovation Day that I wrote about last spring. If not, you can find it here and some follow up by author, Daniel Pink here. Last week, we rolled out Innovation Day…the Sequel. We took our nearly 300 hundred 6th grade students […]

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Teaching Mediocrity

from avitable.com Mediocrity is starting to creep into the world of education and specifically into the practice of teaching. I am afraid that it might always have been there and I am just now becoming increasingly aware of it. While many might want to place the full blame on teachers, I think there might be […]

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We Are All On A Journey

I have been spending my time lately presenting, attending and learning at a whole host of conferences. There is a distinct theme bubbling up in all of these conferences regardless of the location or size. Everyone is at a different place in their learning journey. As I sit through session after session, I am finding […]

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Problems or Symptoms

Lots of topics are at the forefront of discussion in education these days. As I am continually reflecting on these things, I wonder if we might be chasing our tails with a few of them. Are we treating the problems or the symptoms? I have been vocal about my disdain for homework and the negative […]

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Schools Fail Boys

Before you read, understand that this might be offensive or considered sexist, but I feel a need to share some thoughts I have had recently in regards to boys in our schools. We are failing them. I base my argument on the basis that yes, I am a boy myself, as well as the fact […]

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Dallas Takeaways

The past six days I was in Dallas, TX as part of the National Teacher of the Year program sponsored by CCSSO. It was amazing to meet and learn with outstanding teachers from nearly every state in our country and many of our territories abroad. As with any such experience it takes a while to […]

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Kids Are Not Cookies

I spent last night meeting and talking to teachers of the year from states all over the country in my opening event for teacher of the year program. As I went back to my room I reflected my first impressions as well as the vigorous conversations. Throughout the evening I met passionate and dedicated teachers. […]

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