Leadership · Curriculum · STEM
February 20, 2021
About ten years into my career, I was nominated for a major award in my district. Several other educators were also nominated, and I knew that the candidate field was strong. I can’t begin to express how honored and excited I was to make it to the final round! At Read more…
January 26, 2021
Recently, I was invited to be a science fair judge. I could barely say thank you before asking about the very important details, you know… like criteria for judging, rubrics, and awards. Other than that, I was all set for a while. After all, that’s what a science fair is; Read more…
Upon entering another staff meeting, online space, or professional development session later in the 2020-2021 school year, no one says a word. Complete silence. Silence to think and process. Silence to reflect and learn. Silence to pause and feel this moment. At the front of the room, there’s one prompt: Read more…
January 23, 2021
Like millions around the world, I got to see the Inauguration of the 46th President of the USA, Joe Biden. I love watching historical events–with all of their pageantry, fanfare, and orchestration. It’s important to be an informed citizen. Like millions around the world, I got to see famous political Read more…
January 5, 2021
Dear Friends, My one word declaration didn’t go so well this year. I guess, after all the things learned and experienced in 2020, I just didn’t have it in me this time. So much has changed. The world and our nation have changed. Our way of life has changed. I Read more…
December 31, 2020
As another calendar year comes to a close, I just wanted to say: Thank you. I see you. I hear you. I value you. You matter. Your thoughts, perspective, and viewpoints matter. Our connection matters to me more than you know. To anyone who has ever taken a precious moment Read more…
_____ brings me joy. _____ is how I spread joy to others. _____ is how I’m inspiring joy in the world. Have you ever stopped to recognize what brings you joy? If your moments, days, or life are joy-filled, what might that look like? In so many ways, this 2020 Read more…
December 30, 2020
I hate this part. I can’t stand it. Everything inside me cries out against it. I just want to hang on, hang out, and hang around for a few more moments. I never want it to end. Maybe that’s why I’m always one of the last ones to leave. Maybe Read more…
December 28, 2020
On May 4, 2012, I rode with my girlfriend and her parents to Greenville, North Carolina, to watch her graduation. She was in our district‘s first Masters in School Administration (MSA) cohort to graduate from East Carolina University (ECU). It was such a special night for my soon-to-be-wife and her Read more…
December 26, 2020
The last few days of the calendar year can be an interesting time. For me, it’s a soul-searching space where the past 365 days and the next year intersect. There’s a wide range of feelings and emotions that circle these critical crossroads. All the reminiscing, reflecting, and regretting might anchor Read more…
December 23, 2020
Thank you. Have you ever stopped to name the people, things, and circumstances in your life for which you are truly grateful? Not only is expressing gratitude a very positive thing to do, it’s actually beneficial to your mental health. Identifying and reclaiming what you already have shines light and Read more…
December 22, 2020
Being a parent has changed me in ways I could not have foreseen. At first, I looked forward to teaching our two-year-old son all the things. That’s why I continue to be shocked at just how much I learn from him. This example still has me smiling, and, really, inspired Read more…
December 21, 2020
After nestling through shelter-in-place and extended COVID life for nearly a year, I’m reflecting on another gamechanger. Maybe like many others this year, I found myself with more opportunities to get closer to my family… and closer to my devices. For better or for worse, one of those devices was Read more…
November 27, 2020
With the educational infrastructure being pulled and stretched this year, educators, parents, families, and communities invested great efforts to rise to the challenge. No longer was it seemingly guaranteed which associate of the school community would be ensuring that learning efforts progressed toward learning expectations. What are we doing? What Read more…
November 25, 2020
Over the last few years, I must have been a listening ear (or a confident activator) in about 100 conversations related to… Your Expiration Date. The conversation goes something like this: Classroom teachers are extremely overworked, under-paid, under-valued, and under-appreciated, to say the least. Classroom teachers have the most interactions Read more…
November 19, 2020
Our three-year-old son loves to play. Most of the time, he plays on the floor or the ground. When I walk by, he says: “Daddy, sit down! Sit down, Daddy! Right here!“ He likes it when I sit, crawl, and roll on the floor with him. He likes it when Read more…
November 8, 2020
Here’s one more takeaway from the historical 2020 presidential election: One candidate touted his record of success, yet his character came into question after repeatedly spewing divisive, mean-spirited rhetoric. One candidate touted his unifying, empathetic character, yet his policy record, platform rollout, and resulting success remain to be seen. In Read more…
October 23, 2020
Ahhh… Another gorgeous, Carolina fall day for a run around the lake. It’s one of my favorite places to do the self-care thing. I get to unplug, enjoy a few moments of nature, and do some deep processing, thinking, and reflecting. I always embrace and cherish this time. I need Read more…
October 16, 2020
If I’ve learned anything in 2020, it’s the power of listening. I’m constantly working on being a better listener, myself, but in this reflection, I want to zoom out for just a moment… Whether it be amidst a global pandemic, demonstrations of civil unrest, an election season vehemently vile with Read more…
October 11, 2020
Conversations about pandemic grading practices continue to flood social media. While there’s always a conflict, a disagreement, or a debate to tweet about, there’s still space for productive struggle and civil discourse. It’s been fascinating to watch conversations about grading, lately. Then, it also feels like there’s a serious tug-of-war Read more…
October 10, 2020
Coaching can be powerful. Done well, the experience can multiply leaders and transform lives. I’m fortunate to have friends who actually have the word “Coach” in their titles. I’m always learning a lot from them. In addition, part of me thinks that there are elements of coaching interwoven through all Read more…
September 26, 2020
To say that this pandemic has changed life forever would be an understatement. But I’m wondering how much the world of education will be changing, too? Like the world, I believe that learning is always changing. Eventually, schooling catches up. Right? Throughout the pandemic, educators have been working harder than Read more…
What’s a HappyGram? I believe that a HappyGram is a short, handwritten, positive note. Receiving a HappyGram is powerful. Our childcare gave us this HappyGram about our then-23-month-old son. This HappyGram made me cry. Have you given someone a HappyGram lately?
September 5, 2020
I love the show: Shark Tank. There’s nothing better than watching people take a risk to see if they can make a match. Does each side have what it takes to help the team build a dynasty? Do they have the winning combination to sustain long-term success? While I haven’t Read more…
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