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
Are Schools Prepared for Uncommon Learning?
The world is changing but are our schools prepared for uncommon learning?
Education
Opinion
The Problem With Having a 'Growth Mindset'
The problem with the growth mindset, and why it's sometimes a low-hanging fruit, is that school leaders and teachers do a book study on it, but their practices really don't change as much as their monologue does.
Education
Opinion
The 'Strong Black Superwoman' Syndrome
Mindfulness-based interventions are at the vanguard of addressing the health disparities that manifest in The Strong Black Woman.
Education
Opinion
Improving Instruction: 8 Areas That Matter Most
We have so many things flying at us in school, wouldn't it be nice to work on one we believe in? Here are 8 ideas that are based on research that may provide a good starting point.
Education
Opinion
When Our Lives Are Followed by a Question Mark
Our lives are always followed with a question mark, which scares many of us. However, question marks shouldn't scare us because they are a part of life, and we have to make sure our students are prepared for them as well.
Education
Opinion
Educators: What Will Happen When Twitter Ends?
Twitter has been used by hundreds of thousands of educators, but recent news should make us wonder whether the social media platform is seeing its demise. What will educators do?
Education
Opinion
Even Instructional Coaches Need Coaching
As teachers, we are only one step away from a bad lesson, which is why instructional coaching is so important. However, a recent bad performance made me realize that coaches need some coaching too.
Education
Opinion
6 Stories That Address the Challenges of School Leadership
Principal churn is an issue leaders and schools have to face, but some leaders are doing better than others. There are six stories that will help leaders want to stay in their school, get out of their office and really connect with students.
Education
Opinion
The Charter Funding Conflict: Where's the Accountability for State Ed.?
Over the years the NY State Education Department has forced accountability and compliance through mandates, but a recent story by WNYT (Albany, NY, NBC affiliate) should force us to ask why the State Education Department doesn't play by their own rules.
Professional Development
Opinion
3 Ways Instructional Coaches Are Used as Compliance Officers
Instructional coaching can offer enormous benefits. Unfortunately, there are at least three ways that coaches are used more as compliance officers.
Education
Opinion
What 'Teacher Voice' Is and Isn't
The words "Teacher Voice" are met with some interesting reactions because of confusion over what it is, and what it's not. Teacher voice is about a shared responsibility among staff, but administrators have to give them a place at the table first.
Education
Opinion
Does Education Need a Software Update?
The technology industry hasn't just fostered a culture of change, it has gotten consumers to expect and embrace it. What can the education profession learn from that?
Education
Opinion
How Do We Contribute to the Stories of Our Students?
On any given day we contribute to the stories of our students. Some of us continue the tragedy while others help inspire a new ending. How do you contribute to the story of your students?
Education
Opinion
Flipped Leadership Is Collaborative Leadership
Flipping for the sake of flipping is not enough to move the dial of learning. In this co-authored blog between Peter DeWitt and John Hattie, they discuss the reason why true learning in school needs collaborative leadership.