0 Assessing New Ideas

How do you assess new ideas and practice?Human nature often negates new ideas rather than embrace them.Yet, if we think of new ideas with relation to...

0 Professional Practice Priorities

Again and again I prioritize.  Why? I prioritize because there is unlimited potential in education today, but time and energy are limited.Hence,...

0 Why the Protestors at UW Madison are Right

This post is from Professor Chad Goldberg.In his April 29 statement on Palermo's Pizza, Interim Chancellor David Ward wrote: "On November 29, 2012, NLRB...

0 Math MCAS Prep: Math Sing Along

We've been practicing our math vocabulary with song.  With a host of YouTube songs and others, we've been having a bit of fun with our test...

0 Idea Roll Out

How do you roll out new ideas?  I've always thought that everyone rolled out ideas in similar ways to me, but I'm learning that's not true.Here's...

0 Student Activism Continues at UW-Madison

UW-Madison has a rich history of activism among its students, and that history evolves today as students stand in solidarity with the workers of Palermo's pizza and the good folks of Voces de la Frontera. What...

0 Making Dull Learning Interesting

Yes, not every lesson can be exciting  Sometimes due to time and content, a lesson has to be direct and dry.This morning I have a lesson like that....

0 The Move-Up Letter

In a couple of months we'll meet our new class. The students go to their next year's classroom and teacher for a short time to meet and converse. I typically...

0 Who Do You Work For?

Yes, we all work for organizations, but who do you really work for?  Who is at the center of your creation, activity, and effort.In the end, I work...

0 Edcamp Boston Enthusiasm

Edcamp Boston is right around the corner. I'm really looking forward to this event as it is a chance to connect with many dedicated educators I confer...

0 Massachusetts New Teacher Evaluation System: Reflections

9/2/2013 Note: An updated collection of timely posts and information related to the MA evaluation system can be found on the TeachFocus website.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This...

0 Creating a Collective Infographic: Ideas?

I've been wanting to engage students with infographics. My students are fourth graders hence they're just beginning to use data and statistics to gain...

0 Today's Blended Math Program

The Math MCAS test is right around the corner in Massachusetts, hence we're in heavy math mode. As I've mentioned before, I really enjoy teaching math....

0 The Education Journey: Rerouting One's Path

Sometimes the answers you seek are not readily available.You ask and ask, but the answers are not there.That's the time to shift directions and find another...

0 The Synergy of Tackling Big Problems

I like to tackle big, meaningful problems with collaborative groups.I like the energy, learning, debate, and outcomes this kind of problem analysis and...

0 Questions?

Truthfully I ask questions because I want to know the answer. Answers fuel my inquiry, direction, and journey in the education sphere.Yet at times questions...

0 There's No Time for Grudges

While the temptation to hold a grudge is great, there's no time for grudges if you're thinking ahead towards positive action and endeavor.Conflict happens....

0 That Quiz: Terrific Math Review

I've been using the wonderful website That Quiz for tailored math practice, review and assessment.Today we had a wonderful math tech hour featuring That Quiz as we prepped for the upcoming math MCAS...

0 Developing Craft: Survey

A survey can provide educators with valuable information with regard to developing his/her craft.The way the survey is created is important as surveys...

0 Community, Culture, Relationship

No matter how wonderful new tools and strategies are, the success of schools depends on community, culture and relationship?What kind of community do...

0 Too Much Money?

Money is simply a currency of exchange. We assign monetary value to events, services and products, and we affirm those values with the way we spend and...

0 A Simple, Imperfect Voice

I read an excerpt about pundits ridiculing a leader recently about his "voice."  They sought to minimize the leader's words and oration. I felt a...

0 Education Change?

As I get ready for the next leg of the school year, I am wondering why I am so married to the notion of change. Why not leave things as they are?The simple...

0 Relentless Attention: Boston Marathon Reflection

Last Saturday I had no idea that a Boston Marathon criminal event would take center stage in my vacation week. First, I was sad and angry that criminals...

0 It's Good to Be an Education Optimist

Once in awhile people ask me how I can continue to call myself an education optimist when the "new normal" is so grim.  They ask, "why do you continue...

0 A New Learning Landscape: Perspective?

It's vacation week in Massachusetts. Essentially, for me, it has been a catch-up week of personal matters and school thought--a needed reprieve from daily...

0 Students' Rights: The WISPIRG Debacle

I had the privilege of serving alongside a representative from U.S. PIRG during Senate testimony yesterday, and so today, in support of the hard work...

0 BAM Radio: Terrific Learning Menu Entree

BAM Radio, The Voice of the Educator Community is another wonderful entree on the educator's learning menu. In today's learning world, educators have numerous choices from which to choose when it...

0 Learning Conversation: Focus Effort

In this digital age there are numerous paths to follow.  Yet, to do your work well you must choose a few paths that really matter.  As you consider...

0 The Case for Ending Student Loans

Sometimes public problems deserve massive public solutions. This is one of those times.  As I explained in my testimony to the U.S. Senate HELP committee...

0 My Testimony to the U.S. Senate

This morning, I testified before the United State's Senate HELP committee on the topic of college affordability. My written testimony can be found here.  The text of my oral testimony follows, and...