It Will Be There When You Return: A Guide to Taking Vacation Days
All too often I run across colleagues who are supposed to be on vacation but are often still working. How do I know they are working? Because they are sending me work-related emails while on “vacation!” My favorite is when someone tells me they are going on vacation, but they plan to continue checking email […]
A Technology Coach’s Biggest Mistake: Part One
Getting teachers to adopt new practices with technology isn’t easy, and (despite what many people think) it isn’t because of age or how savvy they are with the newest gadgets. It’s about buy-in. If a majority of the teachers with whom you are working have not decided that your goals are worthwhile, your efforts will fail. It’s […]
A Technology Coach’s Biggest Mistake: Part Two
As we said before, getting teachers to adopt new practices with technology isn’t easy. In our first installment, we provided some tips to keep you from making the mistake of ignoring teacher buy-in. In this final installment, we offer two more tips to help you avoid this common mistake. A Guide to Getting Your Teachers Onboard Listen…no…REALLY listen. […]
5 Reasons Your School Needs a Data Warehouse
What do you think of when you hear the word data? Do you envision numbers rapidly scrolling on a computer screen like in The Matrix? Or of spreadsheets with endless rows and columns filled with figures and formulas? Even worse, maybe the word is anxiety-inducing because you’ve heard the phrases data-driven instruction and data-driven decision-making a few too many times. What […]
One Size Doesn’t Fit All!
It used to be, “One size fits all,” then, “One size fits most.” Finally, Burger King announced, “You can have it your way,” and the floodgates blew wide open. Learners today require that teachers get to know them as individuals and tailor instruction to meet their individual needs to help them gain maximum growth throughout […]
Teaching Without Fear
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The bell rings, and as I stand in front of the class on my first day of teaching, I remember having two very distinct and paralyzing feelings…I’m terrified, and I’m a phony. I wasn’t sure of too many things during that awkward time as a beginning teacher, but I was sure that I had […]
Are You Modeling the “Ask 3” Approach?
Have you ever heard (or used) the phrase, “Ask three, then me”? I heard other teachers use it with their students when I started teaching four years ago. The idea is simple: before students come and ask the teacher for help, they should check with three other sources. They can ask three friends. They can […]
Choosing the Best Phone System for Your District
Choosing a phone system that fits the needs of your district can be tough. How do you know which phone system will work best for your staff, make day-to-day tasks easier, and still be cost-effective? Take a look at our checklist to see which of our phone systems works best for your district. Affordability – Are you paying a monthly […]
Gut Feelings vs. Data-Driven Decisions
Do you ever make decisions based on “gut feeling”? Can you tell within minutes of meeting someone whether you like them or you don’t? Are you a teacher who can tell within the first week which of your students will graduate first in class, last in class, or not at all? Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Blink, talks about […]
Celebrating Student Success With Student Original Work
Like most kids, my son and daughter can’t wait to get home from school on Fridays! Yes, they look forward to staying up later on Friday nights, sleeping in on Saturdays, and spending time with their family and friends on Sundays. BUT…do you want to know what my kids REALLY look forward to on Fridays? […]
