I started taking photos consistently about seven years ago. On an iPhone. I dabbled in photography prior to that, but digital camera technology was still pretty new, WIFI wasn’t as accessible and having the right software and wires made the process clunky and, frankly, a bit of a hassle. Everything changed for me, however, when …
Tag: impassionEd
The “Perfect” School
Years ago, when I was participating in an aspiring superintendent program, I read The Perfect School. While the specific content is a little fuzzy for me today, the title has stuck with me. In fact, it has remained at the center of my thoughts ever since. The dialogue in my head--whether it be about …
Continuum
There’s been a movement in education over the last two or three decades that shifts the paradigm about student and teacher roles. In the 80s, when I was in school, the shift hadn’t begun, or at least I didn't recognize it. What I do remember recognizing throughout my school years was an emphasis on compliance. …
Commitments
Driving a vehicle on the road requires a commitment--several commitments, actually. One commitment is to follow the rules. Another commitment is to work with other motorists as they merge into our path or seek to exit. Still other commitments, perhaps more subtle, include not tailgating, not texting while we’re driving and not allowing our emotions …
You. Now. Purpose.
I was recently asked to talk to a group of 7th grade students as a part of our area “Leadership Academy.” The invitation was specifically to share my thoughts on “happiness,” which is understandable because “happiness” has been my “schtick” at work for the past few years. At work, I basically have a bully pulpit …
Tongue Fu!
In the summer of 1997 I was Recreation Director at a well-known music camp in Michigan’s north woods. I was also a young band director with my eyes set on becoming a principal when my camp boss and soon-to-become mentor, Larry Pye, gave me a book titled Tongue Fu!. Larry was a former band director …
One size doesn’t fit all.
My dad was a reading teacher. Before the war. Before the reading war, that is. As a child, I recall him coming home from school, or later when he was chair of a college education department, and complaining about debates he would have with colleagues about how to best teach reading. I distinctly recall him …
Listen and Learn
A few years ago I was interviewing someone for a leadership position. As we neared the end of the interview, I asked, “Describe what you will do in your first six months on the job.” The response took me back because of its simplicity and brilliance. “Listen and learn” was his response. As I said, …
Isn’t it ironic?
Most of you have heard the 1990’s song “Ironic,” by Alanis Morissette. It’s on my playlist. There’s something catchy about the lyrics, and the melody is relaxing. What’s ironic, however, is that none of the scenarios about which Morissette sings are actually examples of irony. They’re just sad or unfortunate events. I should note that …
Priorities
In my current position, I spend a lot of my time learning about new initiatives, frameworks, and methods so that I can lead, serve or help connect other school personnel to resources that enable them to do the same. Recently, while “unpacking” some of these, I was asked what my “recipe” for school leadership was. …
