Jigsaw Puzzle Creating a highly collaborative school culture and high performing teams is multifaceted and can take many years to establish. Creating and maintaining a system of excellence is a... read more →
Not in an awe-inspiring, mind-blowing, hoping-Disney-buys-the-movie-rights type of way. But she was a life-changing teacher nonetheless. She was my English teacher in 1985, during my 7th-grade year at Richardson North... read more →
It’s the Monday after Thanksgiving break. As a busy elementary school principal, I spent the previous four days resting, relaxing, and gearing up for the mad dash to winter break.... read more →
[Photo courtesy of Kenneth Williams’ Defenders and Disruptors of the Status Quo: Who Will Educators Choose To Be? (2017)] Great teachers who truly want what is best for their students sometimes engage... read more →
Like many educational terms, we throw them around and often use them loosely. I find we often use the term “team” in this manner. “We are a great team.” “I... read more →
Data analysis. It is a concept that spurs rich reflection from many, but eyerolls or quizzical looks from too many. Some teachers feel that the data analysis they do is... read more →
Meeting the needs of every teacher can be a daunting task for even the most experienced instructional coach. While supporting new teachers is the gateway to establishing a rich and healthy school climate,... read more →
In one of the schools where I work, the principal once commented that it makes a difference if you believe yourself to be a tutor or a teacher. We discussed... read more →
Are you maximizing your Circle of Influence? Bestselling author Stephen Covey (1989) wrote, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on the things they can do... read more →
One question I am often asked by classroom teachers is, “Why should we care about PLCs, Bill?” And as the self-proclaimed “why guy” on my faculty—the curmudgeon constantly asking, “Why... read more →