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From the Desk of John Walsh If you agree that classroom walk-throughs should provide you with the necessary data to help you assist your teachers in improving their classroom practices but you find yourself short on data, here are some tools to help. You should observe these key activities on a daily basis in your classrooms. Five Keys to Effective Instruction Introduction should include a written objective Flexible Grouping with purposeful tasks Teacher serving as facilitator and moving amongst groups Frequent assessment of all individuals Ticket out the door Introduction should include a written objective The students’ expectations should beContinue Reading

From the Desk of John Walsh As a consultant, everywhere I travel I find administrators in search of the “Silver Bullet.” What unique master schedule will maximize instructional time in order to make the biggest difference? Various changes in schedules are probably the most common solutions attempted. With many assortments of time manipulations from forty-five minute classes to ninety minute time periods and the number of days a class meets as seen in an A/B schedule being tried. I must admit that I have attempted many of these variations myself during my career as a building principal trying to identifyContinue Reading

From the Desk of Lynn Hill While bowling with my senior bowling team today, I observed a husband and wife team that epitomized the importance of good teaching strategies.  As the wife stepped up to bowl, the husband patiently observed her stance and delivery of the ball.  He then modeled for her a couple of techniques that might improve her delivery.  Each time, she approached the lane, he quietly observed from behind.  After each release, he asked her what she felt she did well or needed to adjust based on what he had modeled for her.  I was surprised toContinue Reading

From the Desk of Stephanie Clark I recently had the opportunity to work with a central office staff in a large school district.  They had lots of questions and concerns about how they could influence campuses when they do not have direct supervisory authority over the teachers or principals.   I can remember working in that kind of position, and how challenging it was– but there are things that can be done to increase overall effectiveness. First, central office leaders need to build trust at the campus level.  Some of the words and phrases that our group used to describe peopleContinue Reading

From the Desk of Stephanie Clark I recently read Motion Leadership: The Skinny on Becoming Change Savvy by Michael Fullan.  Communication without action is almost meaningless is one of the key concepts discussed in Fullan’s book.  This really stopped me in my tracks and started me thinking about how many times as school leaders we talk and talk, but nothing happens.  Maybe it’s because we focus all of our energy on communicating a message, but we run out of steam when it is actually time to take action.  Or maybe our message was so confusing that our staff couldn’t identifyContinue Reading

Just in time for Holiday Shopping! From the Desk of Toni Riester-Wood While I love to get lost in the drama of an intricate and finely written crime novel, nothing invigorates me more than researching a professional question. My daughter thinks that I need to get a life, but what I’ve come to realize is that this IS my life! For me, professional literature- journals, books and blogs, etc. hold the key to learning, solving, making connections and progress with just about anything- even raising teenagers! So, you can imagine my delight that I have the opportunity to share whatContinue Reading

From the Desk of Dieu-Anh Nguyen As a consultant, I spend a lot of time at airports.  Often, I am just sitting around waiting for a flight.  Don’t misunderstand, I am not complaining.  Sitting around waiting for a delayed flight or just waiting for the only flight available (or suffering through any other inconveniences of traveling) is such a small price to pay for a job I love.  Nevertheless, with all this spare time on my hands, one might assume that I have read every book on my e-reader, caught up on every personal email, or knitted a sweater forContinue Reading

From the Desk of Alicia Swedberg Now that you’ve had time to let the technology soak in, here are a few more tips that will save your sanity! It is an interactive Web 2.0 World, so pack light. Gone are the days of keeping up with the latest software installation discs. Software of today lives on the Internet in “The Cloud” where is can easily be accessed from any computer with a network connection. A computer without a network connection is not a 21st century learning machine.  Google Edu Apps and Web 2.0 tools such as Wix.com and Prezi.com areContinue Reading

From the Desk of Alicia Swedberg Long past are the days where teachers lecture from the chalkboard. The clumsy unforgiving tools of overhead projector transparencies and rote worksheets have been replaced by more intelligent, interactive devices and applications that previous generations never imagined. At their fingertips, teachers have access to multiple classroom computers, web cams, interactive whiteboards, student response systems and so much more. In the ultra competitive world we live in, teachers are not only expected to embrace the new and improved technology hardware, but seamlessly integrate it into their curriculum in order to motivate 21st Century learners.  AllContinue Reading

From the Desk of Cathy Giardina My Homework—“The dog ate it!” As a teacher, I have heard many answers to the question, “Where is your homework?”  In fact, I have often thought it would be a great title for a children’s book.  As a parent, I think more arguments probably occur in households regarding homework than most any other school issue.  Here are some ideas that work to keep the homework under control in your household: Make sure your child stays on top of school assignments.  The longer a child procrastinates the worse it gets!  Many kids need help making homeworkContinue Reading