Opinion Blog

Finding Common Ground

With Peter DeWitt & Michael Nelson

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.

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Teaching Profession Opinion What Can We Do to Help the Well-Being of Teachers?
A Seat at the Table focused on the social-emotional well-being of teachers during the pandemic. Here's what we learned from the guests.
Peter DeWitt, April 6, 2021
1 min read
Black Girls Misunderstood
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Equity & Diversity Opinion Why More Teachers Need to See the Beauty and Brilliance in Black Girls
Black girls are often accused of being loud or having an attitude. We need teachers to change that harmful perspective, because it matters.
Bola Delano-Oriaran, March 28, 2021
5 min read
Mindfull
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Classroom Technology Opinion Beyond the Invite: What Is Clubhouse and Why Should Educators Care?
Clubhouse is a new social-media app with clubs, rooms, and stages. Why are so many educators flocking to it right now?
Peter DeWitt, March 21, 2021
7 min read
Common Language
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School & District Management Opinion 5 Words That Are Commonly Used But NOT Commonly Understood
In schools, we have a common language around words like "growth mindset," but we do not have a common understanding of what those words mean.
Peter DeWitt, March 14, 2021
7 min read
Theory and
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School & District Management Opinion Instructional Leadership. Easy to Talk About. Hard to Do?
Instructional leadership has been around for 50 years, but it's still not easily practiced. Here are a few reasons why and how to change it.
Peter DeWitt, March 9, 2021
6 min read
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School & District Management Opinion Will the Hybrid School Concept Continue After COVID-19?
In an effort to move from triage to transformation, schools should look at how they continue the hybrid model after the COVID-19 vaccine.
Peter DeWitt, March 3, 2021
7 min read
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Social Studies Opinion The Insurrection Highlights the Need for Civics Learning
What if the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol had received civics and anti-bias education in school? Would it have made a difference?
Jinnie Spiegler, February 22, 2021
8 min read
Leading for Racial Justice
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Equity & Diversity Opinion What Does Leading for Racial Justice Look Like?
On Feb. 10, A Seat at the Table focused on leading for racial justice. Our guests, Jennifer Cheatham and John Diamond, offered many impactful answers.
Peter DeWitt, February 14, 2021
1 min read
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DigitalVision Vectors/Getty and Laura Baker/Education Week
Student Achievement Opinion What Does COVID-19 Learning Loss Actually Mean?
COVID-19 learning loss is a big topic. Unfortunately, there has been limited discussion on specifically what is being lost.
Tommy Thompson, February 10, 2021
6 min read
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DigitalVision Vectors/Getty and Laura Baker/Education Week
Social Studies Opinion The Need for Media Literacy and Civics Education Isn't Just for Students
Lately, people have been calling for students to learn more civics education. Unfortunately, it may be the adults who really need it.
Peter DeWitt, February 3, 2021
1 min read
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DigitalVision Vectors/Getty and Laura Baker/Education Week
Policy & Politics Opinion Are You Contributing to Truth Decay?
Our political discourse, and what we search for online, is contributing to truth decay. It's time that it stops.
Peter DeWitt, January 24, 2021
6 min read
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Assessment Opinion To Keep Primary Students Learning and Growing, Start With Data
A district’s dedication to gathering and analyzing data provides stability in uncertain times.
Janice Pavelonis, January 17, 2021
5 min read
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Standards & Accountability Opinion What Should School Accountability Look Like in a Time of COVID-19?
Remote learning is not like in person, and after nine months of it, data are revealing how harmful COVID-19 has been to children's learning.
Peter DeWitt, January 10, 2021
6 min read
Image shows a speech bubble divided into 4 overlapping, connecting parts.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty and Laura Baker/Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Here Are 3 Top SEL Strategies That Can Help Improve Student Engagement Right Now
SEL has always been important, but it is now more important than ever. Here are three ways to help engage students right now.
Alex Kajitani, Tom Hierck, John Hannigan & Jessica Djabrayan Hannigan , December 21, 2020
6 min read