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 Holds Us Back From Focusing on School Climate?
We all know that school climate is vitally important to the social-emotional and academic progress of students. So, what is holding us back from taking the steps to improve our school climates?
Education
Opinion
Is Your Professional Development a Waste of Time?
In a new report by TNTP, they found that a large percentage of professional development doesn't have a high impact on teacher development. Is that really a surprise to teachers?
Education
Opinion
Leading From Within: Mindfulness Practices for School Leaders
Leaders have a great deal of stress flying at them day by day. Perhaps the recent explosion of research on mindfulness will help them lead with greater strength?
Education
Opinion
Can a Text Message Keep Kids in School?
Research shows that a reminder text to students can keep them in school, but are we enabling them at the same time we're trying to help them?
Education
Opinion
Leaders: Do You Lack Follow-Through?
When it comes to improvement, there needs to be a focus on whether co-constructed goals are met, but often leaders fall down when it comes to following through.
Education
Opinion
Do We Really Want Feedback?
There is a lot of great research around the topic of effective feedback. But is feedback something we really want?
Education
Opinion
5 Reasons You Might Be a Problematic Board of Education Member
We don't focus on boards of education enough, and they have the power to make or break a school district. There are at least five ways to tell whether those who serve might be problematic board members.
Education
Opinion
Are You Sure Your Favorite Lessons Work?
We are so hung up on our beliefs that we are always looking for research that will support our opinions, and never really take the time to look for research that will debunk our opinions.
Education
Opinion
What Are the 'Big 4' in Teaching and Learning Observations?
Observations on teaching and learning are one of the most important places for principals and teachers to create a partnership, but it doesn't always happen. For principals who want to take the process seriously, there are 4 areas to focus on.
Education
Opinion
Social Media: Is It Today's Modern Day Public-Shaming Venue?
In the book So You've Been Publicly Shamed, Jon Ronson examines the depths people will go to publicly shame someone else for a Tweet or Facebook comment gone wrong. Are you one of those people?
Education
Opinion
What Do You Want to Be to the Field of Education?
Education is more than a job, it's a calling. As we all enter into a new school year, we need to ask ourselves what we want to be to the field of education.
Education
Opinion
8 Ways to Prevent Within School Variability
The difference in teacher expertise within schools has a huge impact on learning within the classroom. Instead of staying in silos, school leaders should be harnessing what John Hattie calls the Power of Collaborative Expertise.
Education
Opinion
7 Words to Know When Helping Transgender Students
When the topic of the LGBTQ curriculum comes up in discussion, it brings about very strong feelings. The NY State Education Department's guidance on transgender students will certainly add fuel to the fire.
Education
Opinion
Do Students Have a Brand?
School leaders are beginning to brand their schools to share the positive messages about learning and open up the school walls to let parents in on the secret of school. But are we also responsible for branding students in a way that stifles them?