A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 21, 2021

One of the joys and challenges of blogging regularly is trying to come up with original content that has substance. Without these opportunities of working side by side with educators, I would have run out of things to write about years ago. However, this doesn’t imply that it is still easy to come up with blog ideas.

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Lesson Plan Education 422

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 26, 2021

Through it all, though, educators found a way to forge ahead in the midst of adversity. On the one hand, I continually empathized with educators as the struggle was, and continues to be, very real. Most people would agree that this was not the case. Writing this past year has been bittersweet for me.

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Leadership Education 531

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 7, 2024

It goes without saying that AI is a hot topic of conversation in education circles and beyond. While there are legitimate concerns and anything generated by AI needs to be fully vetted, the most profound benefit is how it can save educators precious time. It can convert my blog posts to podcasts that sound very professional.

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Leadership Teaching Lesson Plan Research 494

TCI

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

Civic education is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy, yet recent evaluations reveal significant gaps in how it is taught across the nation. However, recent studies indicate that many states are falling short of providing students with the educational foundation needed for active civic participation.

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Civics Teaching Civic Engagement Social Studies 98

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 1, 2023

A s readers of my blog know, I am incredibly passionate about pedagogically-sound personalized learning. What is even more intriguing is that there is no one best way to personalize, something I wrote extensively about in Disruptive Thinking in Our Classrooms and this recent blog post.

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Education 459

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 15, 2021

It has been a wild and bumpy ride during the pandemic, but through it all, we have witnessed firsthand the resilience of educators across the world. While COVID-19 represented the most disruptive force ever to impact the field of education, educators did what they always do – go above and beyond for kids and each other.

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Cultures Research Education 545

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 16, 2020

The past couple of months have been challenging for educators, to say the least. I recently facilitated two intensive virtual workshop days with educators from the Shaler Area School District in Pennsylvania. Below are some of the most common strategies I use to help educators implement remote learning using the tips above.

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Education 546

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

The 420 lessons in the program, called Ripple Effects, cover core SEL skills as well as personal topics ranging from anxiety, bullying and marijuana to managing fears around an undocumented parent. Knowing what the issues are and how recent events have amplified them, the time is now to be proactive.

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Leadership Education 546

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 29, 2021

On the front lines of this endeavor are educators tasked with balancing mandated curriculum and testing with the responsibility to prepare students for college and careers. Now I didn’t refer to them as these in the book, but the purpose of my blogging is to share my reflections and expand on ideas.

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Project-Based Learning Cultures Pedagogy Education 545

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 31, 2022

Hence, I try to have an original image to go along with most blog posts I write. During my coaching work with educators, I always try to make the concept as simple as possible by showing the unique pathways to help kids learn. At times I find myself claiming that I am a visual learner. I am not alone in my affinity for pictures.

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Research Education 505

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 5, 2019

On the contrary, I have seen this firsthand from some fantastic educators whose schools I have been blessed to work with on a long-term basis in the role of job-embedded coach. We should all want to do better in this area as the field of education needs more practical strategies that are weaved into the rhetoric. More on this later.

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Archiving Artifacts Leadership Pedagogy 357

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 24, 2014

The new school year has begun for many educators across the country with others soon to follow after Labor Day. This is quite often the most deflating part of the new year as the real reason for education is temporarily masked by misguided emphasis on elements that do not equate to real learning.

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Artifacts Cultures Tradition High School 391

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 24, 2022

Another driving force for this book was to bring a shining light on all the fantastic practices spearheaded by educators both prior to and during the pandemic. I regularly create supplemental material through this blog that weaves together additional research connections, practical examples, and deeper insight.

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Leadership Cultures Research Education 527

TeachThought

AUGUST 17, 2024

Education has gone beyond acquiring knowledge to acquiring skills using EdTech tools; students learn digital literacy, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. These technologies make learning more interactive, allowing students to engage more hands-on with educational content.

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EdTech Tutoring Critical Thinking Teaching 310

Studies Weekly

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Consider doing fun, educational songs, rhymes, chants, hand jives, and other movements. Tip #4: Have Realistic Expectations With classroom management, it’s important to know developmentally how long instruction times can be and what you should expect from your students.

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Primary Sources Classroom Management Lesson Plan Professional Development 98

A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 7, 2015

With 1:1 technology initiatives and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs increasingly being implemented in schools across the globe, the need for digital literacy education has become more important than ever. Educators need to embrace the creative and collaborative aspects of digital literacy.

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Critical Thinking Leadership Teaching Education 418

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 24, 2024

The landscape of education is constantly evolving, and artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for educators. Below are some ways educators can leverage AI to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment while also getting professional learning support from Five Star Technology Solutions.

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Interactive Learning Critical Thinking Humanities Teaching 452

Dr. Shannon Doak

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been heralded as a transformative force. This trend echoes concerns I raised nearly five years ago in my blog post, “ What are we doing? It’s imperative that we shift our perspective on technology integration in education.

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Education Project-Based Learning Tradition Critical Thinking 80

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 30, 2014

In case you didn''t know there are thousands of educators and an array of learning communities over at Google+. From my point of view educators become quickly attached to one specific social media tool as their go to source for his/her Personal Learning Network (PLN). blog posts) and lurk for a little bit.

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Archiving Leadership Education 397

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 31, 2023

As we reflect on the past year, it's evident that the realm of education continues to be influenced by an array of disruptive forces, most notably artificial intelligence. Through my blog, I've aimed to create a platform that not only informs but also empowers and motivates educators and learners to explore new horizons in education.

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Leadership Tradition Teaching Education 390

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 19, 2023

To support educators and build capacity, consider applying the tenets of pedagogical leadership, which naturally aligns with components in the PUTL Framework shown above. Below you will see visuals for both and links to blog posts offering detailed insight.

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Cultures Leadership Teaching Research 477

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 8, 2023

Most of my blog ideas materialize during these times of bliss. In life, this might be the most critical competency that educators can cultivate in the classroom. Educational psychology: developing learners (7th ed.). Self-regulation of learning and performance: Issues and educational applications. Ormrod, J. Pintrich, P.

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Junior High Psychology High School Research 507

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 13, 2023

Blog post and image credit My call to action to all educators is to become the storyteller-in-chief. Educators are making a difference every day and these success stories resonate with local, national, and even international stakeholders. Below are two images that provide additional context. Be proud and share.

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Leadership Research Education 396

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 11, 2021

Educators navigate uncharted waters that continually fluctuate as a result of COVID-19 and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Even with all of these challenges, opportunities have arisen to take education in a different and better direction to create a new normal that better meets learners' needs.

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Library Pedagogy Education EdTech 456

Digital Promise

JUNE 2, 2021

As an educator, understanding AI and its ethical implications is critical to making sure the new technologies introduced to classrooms ultimately help your students. What should educators know about AI? We have the latter view as we believe teachers are essential to education, and that AI should be used to better support them.

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Education K-12 Learning Science Humanities 174

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 26, 2015

The idea then popped into my head that I should archive all of these in a blog post. Illustrate how your opinions have been implemented in some way to change educational practice. Technology will not revolutionize education. Educators who effectively integrate technology to enhance and support learning will.

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Leadership EdTech Archiving Cultures 401

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 27, 2015

This framework, based on traditional elements of education yet encouraging movement from acquisition of knowledge to application of knowledge, charts learning along the two dimensions of higher standards and student achievement. Education and digital have become inherently intertwined.

Artifacts 477

Artifacts Pedagogy Leadership Cultures 477

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 19, 2021

While learning recovery remains a needed area of focus, virtually every educator I come in contact with explains that students are a year or two behind socially. HERE are some great ideas from the HMH Shaped blog. While students get most of the attention, educators are also in desperate need of social and emotional support.

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Pedagogy Lesson Plan Classroom Management Cultures 495

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 17, 2021

At the individual level, intrinsic motivation drives educators to actively seek opportunities that support their diverse learning interests and needs. There are countless ways to grow and improve. Being a lifelong learner in the digital age is quite empowering.

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Professional Development Leadership Elementary School Tradition 467

Passion for Social Studies

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Topics include social stratification, race and ethnicity, gender, families and socialization, education, and more! By joining the email list, you will receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers! Sociology Review Games Students love learning about interactions with others! Sociology Review Games $ 7.00

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Social Studies Sociology Government Critical Thinking 130

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 30, 2018

There are many reasons I continue to blog regularly, but the biggest is trying to add a practical lens to many of the ideas we either see or hear about on social media. Image credit In my opinion, you don’t have to be a great writer to blog. Education remains the key to the future. Don’t prepare students for something.

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Pedagogy Cultures Research Education 290

Passion for Social Studies

DECEMBER 27, 2024

Honestly, this is the perfect way to turn blank space and daydreaming into key educational components. By joining the email list, you will receive freebies for blog exclusive subscribers! So, this timeline is the perfect way to turn any wall into a vibrant learning tool. They are always fascinated to learn how this process works!

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Teaching Lesson Plan Government US Government 130

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 8, 2015

“The hardest challenge you will face is not changing yourself, but convincing or empowering your colleagues to embrace change.” – Eric Sheninger If you are reading this blog, trying out new ideas, implementing innovative strategies, or attending meaningful professional learning opportunities then chances are you embrace change.

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Professional Development Research Education Leadership 415

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

A great deal has changed since I began writing this blog back in 2009. Additionally, my views on education regarding teaching, learning, and leadership were beginning to evolve in ways that would eventually help my school experience innovative success while also pushing my professional practice into a whole new dimension.

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Pedagogy Middle School Leadership Cultures 412

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 8, 2018

In a previous blog post, I wrote about the importance of focusing on the why as it relates to learning. Here is a piece of my thinking that I shared: The why matters more than ever in the context of schools and education. The paragraph above represents the importance of making the educational experience relevant.

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Pedagogy Lesson Plan Cultures Teaching 388

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 9, 2014

Image credit: [link] Almost ten years ago, I was presented with an opportunity to begin my educational leadership career at NMHS. Little did I know that these ten years would profoundly shape me as a leader, educator, and person. We all go into education to positively impact the life of a child.

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Leadership K-12 High School Cultures 419

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 25, 2024

Establishing engaging and educational station activities for primary-age students in the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum is essential for fostering literacy skills, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The conversation provided the spark for this blog post.

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Elementary School Education 421