National Ed Tech Plan – Leadership Quote

“For public education to benefit from the rapidly evolving development of information and communication technology, leaders at every level; must not only supervise, but provide informed, creative, and ultimately transformative leadership for systemic change“

This quote from the National Educational Technology Plan identifies two missing links in our thinking about educational transformation:
1. It calls on leaders [...]

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Engagement vs Ownership

We’ve been hearing and reading a lot about technology making learning more engaging for students. Ask any kid to describe school and they will almost unanimously reply “Boring!” so making it more interesting and engaging would be a huge step forward.
More engaged kids = more possibility for learning, improved attendance, fewer discipline problems. It seems [...]

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Negative Energy

As educational leaders we often encounter people who are not aligned with our vision. They can surprise us by the tenacity of their negative energy. They have already “been there and done that” and know, that whatever we’re trying to do; it will never work. They see few possibilities and are mired in their “victimhood”. [...]

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Seeing What Is There

In the spirit of the summer, I am experimenting with very brief posts. Let me know what you think of this format.
As I left the Aikido dojo last month I turned to Firestone Sensei, who was busy watering the beautiful orchid set on the windowsill and asked, “Next time I come, would you watch me [...]

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The Friendship of Cristal and Queen

Recently, the New York Times ran an incredible story of two girls, Cristal and Queen, who befriended each other as freshmen, met a teacher who took them both under her wing, and, against all odds graduated from the High School of International Business and Finance last week.

New York Times Photo
“The Dominican boys in the back [...]

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