Goodbye Dear Friend
Most of you know that Skip Olsen was my best buddy and partner in our Learning Ominvore get togethers. He was the man behind the scenes, never taking credit for his hard work. I am sad to tell you he passed away on Friday, January 1st. I want to take […]
CHaD: Courage, Humility, & Discipline
Here is the link to understand the basic requirements to work with Bill. Leaders must be able to: Possess the courage to look at situations, data, and feedback honestly Have the humility to listen and learn from multiple sources Discipline to follow through with plans which are co-developed Please click […]
Thank You John Lewis
As I reflect on losing Elijah Cummings and now John Lewis, I am sad that leadership and voice may be diminished. I am grateful for their contributions to the values, commitment, and actions to move our country toward the ideals of the constitution written over two hundred years ago. When […]
Beware of Cats in the Dog House
Teachers Matter Magazine published my article on Dogs and Cats. It is a metaphor I heard Michael Grinder use in the 90s. Kids are not animals but the attributes fit. Most of us were taught to teach dog-like behavior. The cat-like behavior is increasing at a high rate. Start learning […]
Engage Your Kids during COVID
I keep hearing from friends who are parents, friends who are teachers, and people who are bored. I am on the board of directors for Stevie Rays Improv Group. Yes, I have taken several sets of classes to get better at presentation skills. I encouraged Steve to offer improv classes, […]
Mugged by 360 degree Feedback
Mugged by 360o Feedback Frank Wagner, PhD Have you ever been assailed by a gang on the street? Feedback from all sides, in the form of 360o feedback, can feel akin to such a confrontation. Surrounded on the street, the more vocal assailants seem downright combative. Other gang members appear […]
Power of the Badge
The Power of the Badge A DEA officer stops at a ranch in Montana, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, ‘I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.’ The old rancher says, ‘Okay, but do not go in that field over there’ as he […]
Thank You Shirley Hord
Since Shirley’s passing last month I have done a lot of reflecting on her influence on my professional life. Long before I ever met Shirley, in the 80s, I was using her work, and that of Gene Hall, as a principal and as a staff developer. I taught Concerns-Based Adoption […]
The Martyrdom of Andy Drake
This story is adapted from a 2nd helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul Andy Drake was a nice young man whose classmates liked but they harassed him. He took the kidding in stride and warmly said, “Thank You.” The fifth graders seem to use Andy as their relief from […]
The Sense of Wonder
The Sense of Wonder They say all things are wondrous to a child. I say the sense of wonder grows with age. The child accepts the faceless voice that speaks through telephones, takes moonwalk in his stride, nor doubts that man can fly in winged machines. He knows the sun […]