I had the chance to return to Leander, Texas to be part of their 20th year Continuous Improvement Conference. I was there last year and I wrote about their focus on seven student learning behaviors.  This year’s two day conference offered over 300 staff development learning opportunities. Each session descriptor identified which of the seven student behaviors the […]

I have just started reading, Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman.   I have had it recommended to me by several folks. The author explores two brain systems….One which is fast, intuitive, and emotional and the second which is slower, and more deliberate and logical.  As I read I find myself connecting his reports of […]

I just returned from presenting at and attending the European Council of International Schools Leadership Conference in Vienna. My session was on Instructional Coaching. I had the opportunity to attend Andy Hargreaves keynote where he discussed several elements of teaching that for me point to the value of coaching from peers, instructional coaches, and administrators. […]

My holiday reading list included Flourish… A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well- being by Martin E.P. Seligman. I have written in earlier blogs  about my work with optimism and had read Seligman’s earlier book, Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life. I found that the behaviors of optimists that had positive […]

I had the opportunity while presenting at the Texas ASCD Conference in Austin to attend a session presented by Tom Guskey-Toward More Effective Grading Policies and Practices. (See link for his book.) I’ve always enjoyed listening to and reading Tom’s work as it engages my thinking. I was particularly interested in this topic as I […]

Several times in the last few weeks I have been in conversations or presentations where the topic of trust building in coaching emerged. I was reminded of an activity that I often explore with teachers examining the role of relationships in learning. I ask participants to consider a time that they learned something quickly and […]