The metrics for building better learning leaders by analyzing relationship theory, pedagogical practice, innovative mindsets, and dynamic spaces.
Many schools today consider a move towards new learning methods as they seek to improve on traditional school design. A program in which I am participating, called Change.School, consistently stretches my brain to consider ways in which I lead my school and why I have chosen to do so. Some questions presented by a colleague in... Continue Reading →
I'm on my way back from Santa Fe, NM, after attending a Division Heads conference for area private school leaders. As I sit in the back of the airplane, I find myself surprised to find a unique opportunity to reflect on my practice. For inspiration in this effort, I turn to the May 2017 issue... Continue Reading →
Ice, Ice, Baby This is a great article, and one worth considering as applicable to students and to the adults in the room. I just returned from a conference with other Division Heads during which Dr. Rob Evans, educational psychologist and author, spoke in the closing session about the “tough conversation” between schools and families.... Continue Reading →
Here's a great article worth exploring first as a model for change in schools (especially for those of us into design thinking and "problem finding"). They have rocked the west coast, in my opinion, with a well thought out, intentional move based on how children learn. Second, they are marketing this change with clarity and... Continue Reading →
How will I lead the effort to identify, articulate, and share what my school community believes about how kids learn most powerfully and deeply? An interesting and difficult question for any sort of community, the question posed above is one that may take an initial look followed by considerable re-visiting. So here goes iteration one: I believe... Continue Reading →
Keeping things simple (but crisp), our eighth grade students are meeting the "wonder and wander" time of the year head-on during their Integrated Physics and Chemistry class. Students had to predict the number of connected rubber bands needed to grant a Barbie doll the ability "bungie jump" from our balcony to the base level floor. Barbie had... Continue Reading →
The time of year has arrived: Spring Break has come and gone; Easter weekend appears as a dream of places far, far away. The struggle for daily focus is very real for teacher and student alike, and so the collective mind of all parties begins to wonder and wander. Typically, the wandering starts first. "I can't believe... Continue Reading →
I (Kirsten) shared this quote with my awesome #IMMOOC blogging buddy (Charlie) and even though it is not from The Innovator’s Mindset, we felt like it directly correlates to our work and mission. Here is our buddy blog experiment sharing the wonderings about leadership, empowerment and impact. Most of my (Charlie) teaching strategies have... Continue Reading →
As I complete another chapter in The Innovator's Mindset, I reflect on the value that is added to our community by utilizing Tom Rath's Strengthsfinder program. Yesterday, our headmaster took a moment to recognize the obvious impact that the Strengthsfinder program has made on our collaborative mindset and interpersonal understanding in our school. February was a tough... Continue Reading →
