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
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?
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Why a 'Growth Mindset' Won't Work
John Hattie's research shows that the biggest reason why the growth mindset may not work is in the classroom.
Education
Opinion
Have You Been Teaching the Same Grade Too Long?
We may think the best grade we ever taught is the one we are teaching in now, when the best grade we ever taught may end up being the one we were afraid to try.
Education
Opinion
Wish That I Could Be Like the Cool Kids
As much as we may try to be a part of one group, we don't totally feel comfortable, so we find that we are marginalized...sometimes even by our own doing. It happens to students all the time.
Education
Opinion
3 Reasons Why Many Schools Won't Offer LGBT Curriculum
The Supreme Court made an important and historic decision in the courtroom, and schools should start to make the same historic decision so topics and issues of all minoritized students can be addressed in the classroom.
Education
Opinion
Summer School: No News Is Bad News
CNN's student programming ended for the Summer on June 5th. Does that mean there is nothing for children to learn all Summer?
Education
Opinion
3 Reasons Why Your Twitter Ego Could Destroy Your Message
In this day and age of celebrities popping up in reality television, Twitter is bringing in a whole new version of "edustars." Unfortunately, their message may be getting lost in their desire to be popular.
Education
Opinion
Leadership: We've Got This!
National conferences don't always leave us as inspired as we should be, but NAESP's Annual Conference had a whole lot of awesomeness and gives us hope for kids.
Education
Opinion
3 Reasons Why We Seem So Angry
If you spend time on social media you have probably noticed a lot of angry people. There at least 3 reasons why they seem so angry.
Education
Opinion
Maker Spaces: What Can They Do for ELL Students?
Makers spaces are a growing trend around innovative schools across the country, and they have benefits for ELL students that teachers may not even think about.
Education
Opinion
2 Reasons Connected Education Needs to Focus on Learning
Social media and technology are being treated like a silver bullet and schools are spending billions of dollars but there at least 2 reasons why connected education needs to focus on learning.
Education
Opinion
School Climate: What Is the Road Map to Success?
School climate is an important issue for all schools, but the direction school stakeholders is dependent on their needs. What road map is needed to provide their direction?
Education
Opinion
School Climate: Is It Fragmented, Piecemeal, and Counterproductively Competitive?
The Carnegie Task Force states, "While school systems are not responsible for meeting every need of their students, when the need directly affects learning, the school must meet the challenge." Is the competition for resources killing their chances?