Tag: teachers

Whenever traditional public school districts say they are “reimagining,” or “innovating,” or “creating” a better system for learning, be skeptical. Most have no idea what that means, and if they do, have no idea how to execute such a goal. For example, take the Des Moines Independent Community School District. The Des Moines Public Schools…

If you’ve read my column, you know I not in love with the title of “teacher.” It suggests that the focus should be on the act of “teaching” something, instead of the value of “learning” something. I like “learning coach” or “learning facilitator” way more. But, until we change our language around what we call…

For my last column before Thanksgiving break, I thought we would explore the world of school finance – specifically Vermont school finance. Now before you hit delete and start fixing your pumpkin pies, stay with me here. Vermont isn’t the only state struggling with how to best pay for their kids’ public schooling. And school…

Another report warning us about our dysfunctional K-12 public school system was released last month. Chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and convened by the Hoover Institution, the Education Futures Council published “Ours to Solve, Once – and For All.” The 74 shared an article highlighting the report’s contents: “A year after it was…

Vermont is struggling trying to figure out how to pay for their public school system. While the Green Mountain State isn’t the only state finding itself in financial straits, the Vermont’s commitment to pay top dollar to provide its kids a quality education has historically been above reproach – until now. Last month, Vermont Public’s…

For the longest time public schools in this country have held a near monopoly on who it is that gets to educate our children. But recently, primarily in Republican-led states, public funds have been applied to non-public learning organizations, like private schools. Recently, Mark Lieberman, a reporter for EducationWeek, provided an analysis of what we…

When I worked in the traditional K-12 public school world, we were constantly frustrated with our inability to do what we already know works. In other words, pay attention to research and then apply that research to classroom practice. We were never able to attain the organizational discipline to execute this goal. Very few traditional…

Over twenty years ago, UCLA’s John Wooden delivered a Ted Talk titled “The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding.” Nicknamed “the Wizard of Westwood” (the location of the UCLA campus), Wooden won ten NCAA basketball championships in a 12-year period, including a record seven in a row. Within this period, Wooden’s Bruin teams won an NCAA…