Recently, I conducted a workshop for instructional coaches who wanted to learn more about how to promote and support rigorous instruction in their schools. I had about 150 K-12 instructional coaches at the training, and we started the day by looking at some classroom video footage. I asked the coaches to watch each five-minute slice […]
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Don’t you just hate it when you go to a workshop and learn a new technique, return home all excited to try it, only to find out that it won’t work with your curriculum, or your teaching style, or your district process?Me too.That’s why I work so hard to make sure that every resource we […]
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Okay, here’s another embarrassing story about when I first became an administrator. I only ask that you remember how naïve I was back then and please be kind.When I was a new administrator and eager to make an impact on the teaching and learning at my school. I thought that in order to exercise my […]
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There is a difference between traditional accountability and TRUE accountability.The best way I can explain it is that it’s kind of like the difference between a renter and an owner.You see, a renter lives in a home they do not own. Thus, they cannot paint a wall, adjust a light fixture, or make major repairs […]
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In my previous post, I shared my secret to planning interesting, engaging, meaningful learning experiences for my students that I can’t wait to teach.Oh yeah, They also helped cut my lesson planning time in half.I call them Rigor Triggers and in this article, I’m going to share with you what Rigor Triggers are and how […]
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Can I admit something to you?Years ago, in my early years of teaching, my district shifted to a more standards-based approach to lesson design.Whereas before, I would simply use those old blue planning books (remember those?) to map out my lessons, now I was required to use a lesson planning template and actually submit my […]
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A little over a year ago, I took a workshop from a woman named Annie Pratt. Annie is a seasoned CEO who trains business owners on how to build and maintain highly productive teams. She’s amazing and I love learning from her.On the second day of the workshop, Annie introduced us to a tool she […]
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If you’re like me, finding time to get into classrooms is a real struggle.You’ve read all the time management tips and hacks out there…You’ve tried to “put the big rocks first” and block off time in your schedule…You’ve set ambitious goals such as “get into 5 classrooms per day…”And each day, something comes up that […]
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Ever wonder why the amount of effort we put into supporting students has zero effect on whether or not they fail?I mean sometimes we spend a few minutes and it is all a student needs to get back on track.Other times we spend hours and weeks of intensive support and the student STILL fails.So just […]
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One of the main reasons students struggle in school is that they do not do their work.Period.So what do you do with students who are unmotivated, won’t turn in their homework, won’t come in for extra support, and won’t access any of the supports you’ve put into place for them?This was my struggle about mid-way […]
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