School & District Management Blog

Leadership 360

Leadership experts in the K-12 field Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers wrote about challenges and possibilities for administrators in the 21st century. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: school leadership and district leadership.

Education Opinion Throwback Thursday: Teacher Tenure
No matter the pressures, perceived or real, in order to move the conversation away from tenure and toward offering students the best education possible, investment in developing all teachers is paramount.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, July 3, 2014
4 min read
Science Opinion Values-Based Leadership: Goochland County Public Schools
Most of us spend more than 1/3 of our day at work and if you are going to spend that much time in one place, then you will never truly maximize your own leadership potential unless the organization aligns to your personal values.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, July 1, 2014
6 min read
Teaching Opinion Include Music in the 21st-Century Plan for E-Learning
We have a responsibility to move toward more blended, flipped, and online learning. Music has its place in this shift. We watch with interest as more K-12 schools, colleges, and universities have successful transitions as they include more students in learner-centered online educational experiences, including music.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 29, 2014
3 min read
Education Opinion Our Neighbors' Children Are Our Children Too
It is ultimately the responsibility of those who have chosen to step up and lead schools to be those bridge builders, who understand how to balance the power, listen to all voices, and be the rudder to the ship that is our changing educational environment.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 26, 2014
4 min read
Classroom Technology Opinion Want to Incorporate Online Learning? Invest in the Teachers
In order to use the potential that technologies offer our learners, investment in teachers is required. Knowing teachers' mindsets, their fears, and concerns and attending to them while leading forward is crucial. Developing their interest in and their appreciation for the application of these technologies is essential.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 24, 2014
4 min read
Curriculum Opinion Can Boundaries Be For Crossing?
Our contribution to the next generation of leaders in our country begins with our interactions with our students. If we included the concept of understanding other perspectives in our curriculum and our practice with students and each other, over time, perhaps we could contribute to a more compassionate graduate.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 22, 2014
5 min read
Education Opinion Commencement Speakers: A Lesson in Understanding Perspectives
We are suggesting flipped learning with the purpose of teaching empathy; learning how to listen to, truly hear, and understand other perspectives. The practice of designing learning that embeds the understanding of perspective and the valuing of those who hold other perspectives may yield future graduating classes that offer welcome to commencement speakers with a wider range of views.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 20, 2014
4 min read
Professional Development Opinion Summertime Video Gaming
Behaviors are influenced by outside forces. We know that and see it all the time. But does playing a video game turn someone toward anti-social behaviors?
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 17, 2014
4 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion Tenure Is Neither the Problem nor the Solution
Teachers cannot work at the "whim" of a board or leader. School faculties cannot be turned over every time a leader changes. Employment cannot be threatened every time a teacher speaks out in support of an unpopular idea or against a policy or disciplines a child or doesn't pick the "right" child for the play or team.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 15, 2014
5 min read
Assessment Opinion Standards, Assessment, Evaluation: Now Is the Time for a Thank You
To maintain an environment built upon teachers' care and concern about the wellbeing of their students, care and concern need to return to the conversation.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 10, 2014
5 min read
Curriculum Opinion 11 Questions to Answer Before Beginning Online Learning
Whether or not the use of any new technology is successful depends upon how much we know and understand, not only its capacities, but also how it is best used in our environments.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 8, 2014
3 min read
Education Opinion Open Up Camp Philos
Creating the environment for an education summit such as this is laudable. But, we want in. We all want what is best for children. We are the closest to the heart of the matter.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 3, 2014
6 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion Holding The Conversation About Mental Health
Mental illness is confusing and frightening and has been ignored or pushed aside as an issue for our schools and for our country. Beginning by learning more, opening conversations in our districts, with our colleagues and with experts will be a step forward.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, June 1, 2014
4 min read
Teaching Profession Opinion We Need to Get Better at Doing Our Own Public Relations
Word spreads easily when we are against something. Negativity loves company. But public relations is a profession and it is not in our training. It is not a matter of defending our profession. Rather, it is a matter of being better at sharing what it is we do and inviting conversations with those who do not understand.
Jill Berkowicz & Ann Myers, May 29, 2014
5 min read