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.

Education Opinion What to Do About Cheating on Assessments in Virtual Learning?
Lots of challenges have arisen in remote teaching and learning during COVID-19, and cheating on tests has been one of them. Guest blogger Tom Guskey explains how to prevent that from happening.
Thomas R. Guskey, August 30, 2020
4 min read
Illustration of a figure under duress.
Feodora Chiosea/iStock/Getty
School & District Management Opinion We Should Be Concerned About the Mental Health of Principals
Dealing with disasters, on top of increasing job demands, are pushing principals to the breaking point. We need to do something about that.
Peter DeWitt, August 22, 2020
7 min read
Education Opinion First Things First: Trauma Sensitivity Before Initiatives
Isn't it time we make mental health and the healing of childhood trauma a priority in schools, asks guest blogger Matthew Fleming.
Matt Fleming, August 16, 2020
7 min read
Education Opinion 3 Reasons Remote Walkthroughs Are Beneficial During COVID
Walkthroughs are complicated during the best of times, so why should leaders consider doing them during remote, hybrid, and in-person sessions during COVID-19? There are at least three reasons why.
Peter DeWitt, August 11, 2020
6 min read
Education Opinion Social-Emotional Learning Is the Elephant in the Room: Three Challenges to Consider
As teachers and students prepare for the fall, regardless of how they will come back together, social-emotional issues will need to be addressed for learning to occur.
Shanna Sloyer-Martin, August 3, 2020
6 min read
Special Education Opinion Why Are Students With Disabilities So Invisible in STEM Education?
Many of our actions as educators continue to "weed out" students from nondominant communities and those who are differently abled.
Joe Schneiderwind & Janelle Johnson, July 27, 2020
8 min read
Education Opinion Moving Beyond Black History Month
During this time of what we hope will be a great white awakening, we need to expose our children to positive role models who look like them. And it needs to happen more than just one month a year.
Thomas Owira, July 19, 2020
5 min read
Education Opinion How Do We Teach Literacy During a Pandemic When Access and Equity Are an Issue?
Equity has been a focus of constant conversations during COVID-19. How do students receive an equitable education, especially when it comes to literacy? N.Y.C. officials responded in a big way.
Peter DeWitt, July 13, 2020
5 min read
Assessment Opinion Why Should We Allow Students to Retake Assessments?
After Tom Guskey talked about grading and assessment, educators on social media asked follow-up questions. Here's his answer.
Thomas R. Guskey, July 6, 2020
6 min read
Education Opinion 3 Different Approaches to Teaching When Schools Reopen
School communities are devising numerous ways to bring back students in the fall. Still, there are really only three instructional options for teachers.
Peter DeWitt, June 28, 2020
6 min read
Education Opinion 3 Ways to Lead Inquiry-Based Schools
Principals tend to say they want their teachers to do more inquiry and less direct instruction. Perhaps those principals should model what it looks like? Here's how.
Kimberly L. Mitchell, June 22, 2020
6 min read
Education Opinion What Can We Do About Our Racial and Pandemic Educational Issues?
Many people are unsure about what they can do about educational issues relating to race as well as the pandemic. Giving the people who can help us a seat at the table is a good start.
Peter DeWitt, June 14, 2020
6 min read
Education Opinion Balancing Instructional Coaching and Social-Emotional Support During the COVID-19 Crisis
During the pandemic, instructional coaches find themselves working with teachers on many issues. One of the most critical they are addressing now is how to find a sense of peace, balance, and rejuvenation.
Rachel Caulder, June 10, 2020
6 min read
Teaching Opinion How Reciprocal Teaching Can Transform Your Remote Faculty Meeting
For remote teaching and learning, a combination of the flipped model and reciprocal learning may elevate the voices of participants.
Peter DeWitt, June 7, 2020
7 min read