As a Black man, I have intentionally waited to write this post for several reasons. Among them: first, to allow myself time for slightly less scathing tongue-lashing in my writing in an effort to professionally suppress my intense frustration, disgust, and anger (which, in itself, speaks to systemic oppression!), and secondly – and related – I’ve been wrestling with the embarrassingly absurd notion that a post like this may be “permitted” during this current social time and place, but may have faced harsh criticism and/or consequences just a few months ago – or potentially a few months from n ..read more

I saw my brother, Dr. Alec Couros, share this short and powerful video by Liv McNeil. Please take three minutes to watch it: An incredible video by a student to show one person’s experience during emergency remote teaching.  I have had a lot of conversations with educators about their students during the past few months. The comments have ranged from students thriving during this time to struggling way beyond what this video shows.  To be honest, the same can be said for many adults.  When we talk about social-emotional learning, we too often are focused on the students, b ..read more

Now that the dust has settled from distance learning, school leaders are asking: what worked, and what didn’t work? How did you stay connected to people, or what important milestones did you miss? In this week’s podcast episode, Principal Jen Schwanke shares reflections on ways school leaders can look back at lessons during distance or ..read more

In the post “5 Points To Get Across in a Teaching Interview” from 2018, I wanted to share some ideas for people going through the education interview process.  No matter what questions are being asked, I think we can still bring up some key points that highlight our thoughts on education.   In the accompanying podcast, I share three ideas that will help candidates thrive in an interview, such as the importance of making candidates feel comfortable and welcome, ensuring that the process is less like an “interview” and more conversational and that all people being interviewed grow ..read more

Last week, my guests William Stubbs, Marlena Gross-Taylor, and Don Parker shared feedback on their personal and professional reflections around equity, racism, and inequalities. They each gave suggestions to help you decide how to respond in your own school community. In Part 2 of this discussion, they dive even deeper as they share several strategies ..read more

No community has been immune to conversations surrounding equity, racism, and inequalities. As Marlena Gross-Taylor, one of the guests on this week’s podcast episode explains, these conversations have been going on for at least four hundred years. It seems this time, however, communities have reached a tipping point – with vast majorities of Americans expressing ..read more

Share this article Like many of you, I've had so much on my mind lately. I have several blog posts upcoming that will express more of what I'm feeling. But I wanted to share this quick bit with you.  If we only read and share things that confirm our current thoughts, feelings, and beliefs... If we only pursue our own certainty and confirmation of our current way... If we only listen to the stories of people who are like us... If we only seek to debate "the others" and don't really listen to them... If we gather in our tribes and seek opponents instead of allies... If we dismiss ..read more

Starting a new school year is like preparing for a marathon. The journey begins with training long before the race begins. And once the race starts, you need a lot of endurance for the road ahead. School leadership is the same. As you enter summer, the ways you “condition” in the weeks ahead may help ..read more

Even in uncertain times, it is good to remember that positive ideas can come from even the most difficult situations. Juan David Campolargo, a seventeen-year-old high school student from Chicago, is no stranger to difficulty. Immigranting to the U.S. from Venezuela at age 14, he began to learn English for the first time, and over ..read more

Just some thoughts swirling around in my mind… In the past few weeks, I have been discussing social-emotional learning and mental health with guests such as Tony Sinanis, Jody Carrington, and Mandy Froehlich. Why would I discuss these topics on a podcast about “Innovation” in education? This is from “The Innovator’s Mindset“: “…at the heart of innovation are people, not stuff. If we always keep that truth at the forefront of our work, we are more likely to create an innovative culture.” What has come to the forefront of everything that is going on right now in and out of education is that pe ..read more