Opinion Blog

Peter DeWitt's

Finding Common Ground

A former K-5 public school principal turned author, presenter, and leadership coach, Peter DeWitt provides insights and advice for education leaders. Former superintendent Michael Nelson is a frequent contributor. Read more from this blog.


Peter DeWitt is the founder and CEO of the Instructional Leadership Collective. A former public school teacher and principal, he now facilitates professional learning in the United States and abroad based on the content of many of his best-selling educational books. Former superintendent Michael Nelson is a frequent contributor to this opinion blog. He is the co-leader of ILC and a former superintendent who has been an educator for more than 40 years.

Screen Shot 2024 10 01 at 7.05.34 AM
Shutterstock
School & District Management Opinion Education Leaders, You Can't Do Your Job in Isolation
An unusual way to begin a leadership team retreat leads to a deeper understanding of why teachers and leaders need to work together.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, October 2, 2024
5 min read
shutterstock 1094129717
Shutterstock
Teaching Profession Opinion 3 Ways Educators Can Make Hard Conversations Easier
Conversations around hot-button topics can catch teachers and school leaders off guard. Avoidance isn't the answer.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, September 23, 2024
6 min read
Screenshot 2024 09 07 at 11.41.23 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion 3 Ways School Leaders Can Build Collective Understanding
Initiatives will fail without school staff being included in these key conversations.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, September 12, 2024
5 min read
shutterstock 2402862561
Shutterstock
Teaching Profession Opinion What Makes an Inspiring and Passionate Teacher?
How one teacher inspired a young student to see himself as a reader, a learner, and a future educator.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, July 31, 2024
4 min read
Screenshot 2024 06 12 at 7.16.56 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion 4 Things School Leaders Should Do Before Setting Priorities
Sweeping language doesn't offer a road map for the school community. Here's why.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, June 13, 2024
4 min read
Screenshot 2024 05 17 at 11.00.20 AM
Canva
Professional Development Opinion Why Are So Few Educators Aware of Research in Their Own Field?
Many educators lack the knowledge base built by important researchers, stalling progress in the field, writes Thomas R. Guskey.
Thomas R. Guskey, May 28, 2024
4 min read
Mike Nelson reads to his students.
Mike Nelson reads to his students.
Mike Nelson
Families & the Community Opinion What Student Impacted You Most as a Young Teacher?
Paying attention to students and their families can provide some of the most valuable lessons to teachers.
Michael Nelson, May 22, 2024
2 min read
Screen Shot 2024 04 28 at 6.15.30 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion 8 Steps to Revolutionize Education
Artificial intelligence is just one of the ways that educators can create a system "breakthrough," explains Michael Fullan.
Michael Fullan, May 8, 2024
4 min read
Screen Shot 2024 04 28 at 6.07.46 AM
Canva
Career Advice Opinion Are School Leaders Contributing to Their Own Stress and Burnout?
Focusing too much on your work often comes at the expense of well-being. Here's how educators can regain work-life balance.
Peter DeWitt, May 2, 2024
3 min read
Screenshot 2024 04 14 at 9.54.39 PM
Canva
Student Well-Being Opinion To Boost Student Mental Health, Support Teachers
Once extra federal aid vanishes, teachers will be faced with serving in the role as ill-equipped mental health professionals.
Beth Fisher, April 22, 2024
4 min read
Screen Shot 2024 04 05 at 5.35.06 AM
Canva
School & District Management Opinion Want a Leadership Edge? You Already Have What You Need
School leaders are faced daily with challenging situations. Here's how to prevent the tail from wagging the dog in responding.
Danny Bauer, April 8, 2024
4 min read
shutterstock 1798672534
Shutterstock
Classroom Technology Opinion Get to Know the ABCs of Generative AI. It Could Power Your School Systems
Education leaders can't turn a blind eye to this revolution in technology. Here's how you and your schools can get on board.
Kim Fry, March 19, 2024
5 min read
Screen Shot 2024 03 12 at 6.45.38 AM
Canva
Teaching Opinion Student Laziness Is a Myth. Here's Why
Holding fast to the idea that students are lazy leaves no room for understanding what got in the way of their success.
Kyle Coppes, March 13, 2024
4 min read
shutterstock 1953224254
Shutterstock
School & District Management Opinion Debunking 5 Myths of Self-Awareness in School Leadership
Leaders must understand their strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and impact on others if they want to be effective.
Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson, March 3, 2024
5 min read