The purchase of new school materials to support student learning is the subject of much discussion among educators. Oftentimes, conversations center on there being inadequate resources in many of our schools. This may certainly be the case in a number of schools, but there are some cases where schools waste the resources that they are... Continue Reading →
In schools, one mistake can have huge consequences even when it is a tiny fraction of what we do
In our schools we have huge responsibility beyond just focusing on teaching and learning. The level of compliance that schools now have to adhere to, some things for good reason, has placed significant strain on the human resources of a school, namely teachers and school leaders. While governing bodies surrounding education and child welfare have... Continue Reading →
Viewing the problem from ‘my perspective’ – a significant challenge in leading schools
School leaders spend a considerable amount of their time in problem solving mode. There are those problems that leaders create ourselves through their own actions or the change initiatives that they are either leading themselves or requiring of others. Added to this, are those problems that emerge from factors beyond the control of school leaders.... Continue Reading →
The problem of presenting a ‘deficit model’ to teachers
One of the greatest challenges, I believe, facing school leaders today is the doom and gloom in education. There is so much material out there about what is wrong with schools and what we are not doing. We are often faced with so many problems, all of which are appear urgent, in a society where... Continue Reading →
Circumvention without a conversation – what it means for school leaders
Going around someone in order to ensure that something gets done is not uncommon in most workplaces, including schools. Yet it can create significant issues for school culture and challenges for school leaders wherever they may be in the hierarchy of operations. People circumvent when they feel the person in front of them is blocking... Continue Reading →
What is reasonable? When great teachers make other teachers look bad
In every school there are teachers who may be fabulous and make teachers who are good look quite ordinary in comparison. In so many ways it is wonderful to have committed great teachers who may go beyond the norm in delivering their classes, communicating with parents and contributing to the school as a whole. There... Continue Reading →