General

Thanksgiving.  That time of the year when we take just a little more time to think of things we’re thankful for.  As I was making a list of things I was thankful for, our students kept coming to my mind.  And how we could view so many of them as having trouble making a thankful…

This past week I had the experience of visiting a friend’s school and seeing what they were up to.  I’ve always been a believer in connecting with others online and learning from and with them. But that is only a piece of the puzzle.  To truly learn from someone you have to see them in…

Every one of us know what is feels like when someone shows interest in who we are as a person.  When they truly care.  Each of us also know what it feels like when someone says something hurtful that feels like it cuts us to the core. Our words are powerful.  Aldous Huxley once said…

So many times I have seen how much our jobs are like those of servant leaders.  We must continually give of ourselves day after day not only to our students, but to their families, our co-workers, and our own families. Because of how our jobs so easily look like servant leadership I think sometimes we…

Every day when we come to work, we have a choice.  That choice looks very simple on paper, but in reality it isn’t quite that easy. What is that choice?  That choice is to come to work with all of our baggage or to leave it in our car. Our students show up to school…

Something I wrote about in “Kids Deserve It!” is the feeling of doubt. The wondering if you’re good enough.  Every one of us at one point or time doubts our gifts, talents, and abilities.  We wonder if we’re in the right job.  If we really know what we’re doing. Sometimes that doubt comes from our…

I just returned from watching the movie “Sully” about the Miracle on the Hudson.  For those of you unfamiliar with the events from several years ago….a plane was taking off from NYC and while ascending it hit a flock of birds.  The birds took out both plane engines.  While deciding if he could turn around…

The metaphor of darkness and light has always been a powerful one for me.  The whole idea that darkness seems all encompassing.  Like it is suffocating.  Like you can’t escape it or that it’s weighing heavy.  But then, with even the tiniest spark or flame, darkness runs.  It clears the way.  It doesn’t take a…

Every chance I get, I talk about the power of social media.  I tell people the value in getting connected, sharing your story, learning from and with others from around the world.  I still get that “alien look” (like we talk about in “Kids Deserve It“).  I still get those eye rolls, huffing and puffing,…

There have been a select few posts I’ve written over the years that have addressed my faith more blatantly than others. As an educator and blogger, I’ve tried to walk the line of sharing without beating over the head.  Of allowing things to come out as they may.  My faith is a part of me…

Over the past few weeks I’ve been writing about songs with lyrics that have been challenging or inspiring me.  I wrote a post called “Rise” about Katy Perry’s new song, and then “Breathe” about Jonny Diaz’s new song. After writing those posts I thought about how much I love music and how much I use…