What if, instead of differentiation, we simply gave everyone the individualization they need?
Differentiating without Differentiation: Turning You into You
Imagine A New Way of Doing School
In a developmental approach to education reform, we must dismantle outdated and ineffective systems and rebuild from the ground up with a structural shift in our teaching and learning.
Create an Environment Conducive to Learning: A Manifesto
Do you have a manifesto? Image by Jae Rue from Pixabay It's not a question we think about often. But it's an important one. What is a manifesto? The word might invoke thoughts of pirates, politicians, and famous speakers. Manifesto to you might mean Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech or Karl Marx's writings. Miriam-Webster... Continue Reading →
When the World is a Trigger: Understanding Children with Trauma
"For abused children, the whole world is filled with triggers." ~Bessel Van Der Kolk
Three Small Steps for School Success: The Broken Windows Theory
"Staff, come to the library for a quick stand up meeting." Oh no. In my experience, "quick stand up meetings" meant bad news. Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay We sauntered toward the center of the school. Some clutched their belongings, a few murmured together, but most entered the library in silence. The staff of... Continue Reading →
Five Self-Care Tricks for Broke and Busy Teachers
Teachers are amazing people who are fabulous at taking care of others but utter flunks at taking care of themselves.
A Quote and a Note: Two Lessons I Learned from Teaching
Wherever I go, I keep with me two pieces of paper. A quote clipped from the calendar of my first year of teaching, and a note from a student's mother. The quote, by Wendell Berry, says, "A teacher's major contribution may pop out anonymously in the life of some ex-student's grandchild."The note expresses a mother's... Continue Reading →
From Systems to Structures Part 2: Four Models for Learning
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com In From Systems to Structures Part 1, I discussed the importance for a new guiding metaphor in the world of education. We call education a system that requires reform. Instead, we can transform education when we build a structure. To build a solid Education Structure we need a blueprint, a model from which to start.... Continue Reading →
From Systems to Structures Part 1: A New Metaphor for Education
The Education System. Many people today discuss our education system, how it is failing, and what to do to fix it. But the simple fact that we use the word "system" implies a metaphor that may be contributing to education's failure and the ineffectiveness of reform strategies. Metaphors unconsciously guide our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. Metaphorical... Continue Reading →