A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 4, 2022

While no one can deny that some exciting changes have taken place in schools across the globe, the reality is that traditional schooling remains firmly in place. The question we should all be asking is why traditional schooling is still perpetuated in light of what we experienced and learned during the pandemic.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 18, 2020

It is also vital to think about moving from traditional requirements such as the school calendar, seat time, and Carnegie Units (first rolled out in 1906, by the way) to competency models. Now, this is not to say that some “traditional” methods won’t still have value.

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A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 23, 2020

Tasks and assignments can be completed over a specific time period using strategies addressed in this post as well as more traditional options such as research papers or projects. They can also free up the teacher to work with those learners who need targeted instruction or extra help.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 24, 2021

While an array of successful strategies associated with more traditional methodologies still have value today, we need to rethink how and when they are used. SEL There are reasons that these learners have not experienced success in traditional education settings.

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Pedagogy Project-Based Learning Leadership Tradition 498

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 3, 2023

Physical Learning Spaces The traditional classroom setup, with rows of desks facing forward, may not be the most conducive environment for personalized learning. Beyond the traditional confines of classrooms, the outdoors provides a dynamic setting that stimulates curiosity, creativity, and a sense of exploration.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 9, 2024

Here is the synopsis: Not Just One Way Are you an educator stuck in the traditional teaching or leadership mold, yearning for a spark to reignite your passion? Where the rigid structures of traditional education give way to flexible, student-centered learning environments.

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A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 13, 2020

Remote teachers also need time, which is why having them follow a traditional school day schedule doesn't make much sense, especially when asynchronous tasks can be employed, freeing up much needed minutes or even hours. Some set aside a half-day. Administrators can even cut any non-instructional duties to free up teachers.

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Pedagogy Cultures Tradition Leadership 542

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 15, 2022

Traditional does not always mean better, regardless of the fact that it might have worked for you or your stakeholders. In order to be our best selves—and best serve our students—what we embrace can and should evolve over time. Take a look at the chart below to see where there is an opportunity to think differently and grow.

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A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 22, 2021

Now I am not saying these gestures aren’t effective, but if you can go with a more traditional option the act of kindness can be amplified. The note David wrote would not have had the same impact or value if it had been in the form of an email or text. In our busy lives, we often overlook the little things.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 24, 2018

As a supplement to traditional discussion strategies technology can serve as a catalyst to increase engagement by getting more people actively involved during lessons. It can also take conversations to new levels of interactivity and expression.

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A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 22, 2023

Up until this point, my thinking was relatively traditional and as such, so was the culture of my school. I remember vividly as a young principal when I started to drink the “edtech” Kool-Aid many years ago. It represented a true turning point in how I thought about change in education.

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A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 27, 2020

Personalized learning quickly became a focus area based on impressive outcomes from some of the schools I had been working within in an on-going and job-embedded fashion. It is always an honor to share the incredible work of educators in the field. Everything changed in March, not just for me, but the entire world.

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Pedagogy Leadership Tradition Cultures 515

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 3, 2021

The traditional goal of any education system is to prepare students for either college or careers. Over the years, I would say that while this view still holds value, the context has changed dramatically. The world has radically evolved as a result of constantly advancing technology and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Leadership Tradition Education 513

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 29, 2023

In today's fast-paced world, traditional one-size-fits-all educational approaches need to be updated. Unlike traditional delayed feedback, which can lead to confusion and frustration, real-time feedback allows students to correct mistakes, clarify doubts, and adjust their approach instantly.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 18, 2021

What you will see are traditional elements of effective instruction at the front and back end. We need to get past the perception that this is just an "elementary" strategy. To assist in setting up station rotation, I have created a pedagogical framework, which you can view below.

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A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 16, 2023

Flexible Use of Time In many cases, digital tools provide an asynchronous response and inquiry platform, which is impossible in traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. Whether written or video-based, online discussions offer diverse perspectives, collaborative opportunities, and time for contemplation and planning before responding.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 3, 2018

As a supplement to traditional discussion strategies technology can serve as a catalyst to increase engagement by getting more learners actively involved during lessons. Our results indicate that peer discussion enhances understanding, even when none of the students in a discussion group originally knows the right answer.

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A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 8, 2021

Below I have taken the traditional RTI pyramid of supports and added how personalized learning strategies could be implemented to ensure better learners are getting what they need. Successful personalization hinges on the use of high-agency strategies such as voice, choice, path, pace, and place throughout a lesson or unit of study.

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Pedagogy Middle School Leadership Tradition 545

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 30, 2021

The study shows that, though students felt as if they learned more through traditional lectures, they actually learned more when taking part in classrooms that employed so-called active-learning strategies by scoring higher on tests. A Harvard study suggests it may be important to let students know it.

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Psychology Pedagogy Research Tradition 545

The Hechinger Report

APRIL 29, 2024

The post As more youth struggle with behavior and traditional supports fall short, clinicians are partnering with lawyers to help appeared first on The Hechinger Report.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 13, 2021

A shift to remote learning and social distancing forced schools to revert back to more traditional arrangements, but new opportunities came in the form of virtual environments consisting of vibrant bitmoji classrooms, breakout rooms, purposeful use of technology, and the effective use of learning management systems.

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A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 31, 2023

From exploring the nuances of a post-COVID world to offering fresh perspectives on traditional teaching methodologies, each post has been a testament to my commitment to advancing educational discourse.

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Leadership Tradition Teaching Education 379

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 17, 2024

Embrace Choice and Variety Move away from the traditional "sit-and-get" PD model. This allows you to tailor professional learning opportunities that address specific skill gaps, teaching styles, and career goals (Guskey, 2000). Offer teachers a diverse menu of learning opportunities.

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Professional Development Leadership Cultures Educational Technology 454

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 29, 2020

Early on, I used more traditional strategies since this was a new arena for me. It is nearly impossible to create a culture of learning if there are elements of boredom, inactivity, and lack of relevance. This is a lesson I learned most recently as a presenter and workshop facilitator.

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A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 12, 2021

Portfolios Traditional assessments never tell the whole story and can mask what students actually know or can do. When content is taught in isolation, a common outcome is students' lack of engagement, becoming either compliant or complacent. This inhibits potential.

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Lesson Plan Professional Development Tradition Education 513

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 4, 2021

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still, many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. The first-grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. And they were. But Douglas made a different kind of picture.

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A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 2, 2020

To be honest, these groups are not in my traditional wheelhouse, but I saw it as a learning opportunity to branch out and expand my level of knowledge. Recently the district asked me to be a part of their professional development day, which consisted of seven different learning strands specific to the needs and interests of their teachers.

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EdTech K-12 Pedagogy Professional Development 539

TeachThought

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

15 Alternatives To Report Cards In The K-12 Classroom by TeachThought Staff Like lunchboxes (or brown paper sacks), field trips, and textbooks, report cards are iconic–symbols of traditional classrooms and traditional approaches to education. In its name, the purpose of a ‘report card’ is plain enough: to report on progress.

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Critical Thinking K-12 Tradition Teaching 289

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 16, 2022

Curious leaders inspire while also breaking down traditional barriers when it comes to transforming culture. It’s not always about being right or wrong but instead seeking out ways to make the best decisions for the people you serve.

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Leadership Tradition Humanities Cultures 495

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 7, 2019

These can range from traditional electives or more innovative options that align to student interests and current trends in the workforce. Makerspaces function as an oasis for learners who will never do well on a standardized test or succeed in a traditional classroom environment as that is not how they learn.

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Cultures Elementary School Middle School Pedagogy 419

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 17, 2022

Transitioning from a traditional to a more personalized culture emphasizes equity while providing learning spaces that are more reflective of the real world. A pedagogical focus grounded in research and evidence is critical to improving outcomes for kids both with and without technology.

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Leadership Cultures Tradition Research 417

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 11, 2024

This approach shifts away from the traditional one-size-fits-all model, allowing students to learn at their own rhythm and delve deeper into concepts that pique their interest. In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, traditional one-size-fits-all approaches often leave many students behind, leading to disengagement and frustration.

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K-12 Tradition Educational Technology Teaching 350

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 9, 2020

Having kids meet at the same time for a synchronous Zoom session as they would for a traditional face-to-face class just doesn't make sense and is counterproductive, in my opinion. Flexibility Rigid schedules and expectations didn't work particularly well prior to COVID19. They sure don't facilitate an engaging learning experience for kids.

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Tradition Cultures Teaching Research 545

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

Under the current circumstances, I would agree. That is why it is not the time to re-create the wheel and work harder. One pitfall is trying to teach traditionally under the current circumstances. Without a doubt, this will be and has been, more time consuming for educators. So, where do you begin?

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Pedagogy K-12 Elementary School Middle School 540

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 31, 2021

None of the pathways above are meant to replace summative assessments, but using varied formative means caters to a learner's preference by giving them the best opportunity to show what they have learned.

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Classroom Management Tradition Research Education 417

A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 20, 2021

While I am not opposed to grades, I do feel that they often lack true clarity in terms of what a student has learned but are still an overused element in a traditional classroom. They are as follows: Grades Zeros Homework Feedback Reflection Grades Numbers and letters are synonymous with education.

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K-12 Tradition Cultures Research 478

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 17, 2023

Relational learning matters because it addresses the shortcomings of traditional memorization-based approaches, something we have emphasized as a critical tenet of personalization. Rather than viewing topics in isolation, this method encourages students to explore the interconnectedness of ideas.

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Critical Thinking Tradition Education 417