The popular trend in education is testing and somehow increased testing and accountability is going to magically improve our schools. Education was better twenty years ago than it is now. We were able to enrich all students more with less Federal and state intervention. Federal and state programs that have been forced upon schools by … Read more
This morning I sit in a library that I used to frequent 41 years ago. The books may have changed, the shelves may be rearranged, but the the place looks much the same. Inside this room is a circle of educators examining how the 1970 model still works today. I feel like I’m at a … Read more
Today I spent an enjoyable day at a neighboring school district listening to a staff development specialist speak to a distinguished group of area school administrators that included mostly building principals, curriculum directors and district superintendents. The focus of the day was on preparing these educational leaders to assess their instructional staffs in the most … Read more
Here’s a great initiative that just came to me in an email. Take time to follow the link to Civic Commons. Visit Civic Commons!
I’ve been reading “The Leader in Me,” by Steven Covey today as I sit in a boat rocking gently on the shores of Lake Murray in steamy South Carolina. It’s been quite a year and just prior to the ISTE Conference I went on retreat. Retreats are restorative. Prior to the retreat I had been … Read more
In a few hours I’ll be traveling to ISTE 2011 with my wife and two other teachers. Four of us with over hundred years experience in the classroom. We’re veterans. Diane , Kim & Dave are real classroom teachers. I’m just a wannabe. I’m a full time technology coordinator and I teach half of the … Read more
Teachers are peacemakers. That may or may not be a no-brainer to you. Recently I’ve been reexamining that after a conversation with a colleague. It’s difficult if not impossible to teach someone who is resistant. You can’t fill a jar with the lid on. Therefore teaching is more about relationships than anything else. it follows … Read more
Saturday will be my last official class at St. Bonaventure University. It has been twenty months since my first class which actually occurred at St. Bonaventure’s Buffalo Campus at Hilbert College in late August of 2009. In that period of time I have completed a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership. I was … Read more
In a few weeks I’ll be a graduate of St. Bonaventure University. I’ll have my degree in hand and I’m looking to make a difference in the lives of children. I’ve got some ideas of applying Franciscan spiritual principles to the education of students. I think you can do it in any setting whether public … Read more
The Latin phrase, “Sit finis libri, non finis quaerendi,” comes from the end of Thomas Merton’s, “Seven Storey Mountain.” Merton’s books and thinking have animated much of my adult life. In a couple of weeks I’ll be officially finished with my studies at St. Bonaventure University but it won’t be the end of my journey. … Read more
