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
Lost in Translation: Why Success Criteria Is Important
A 15 minute Twitter chat revolving around 1 question seems like an easy task, but not when the moderator thinks it's a one-hour chat revolving around 6 questions. Success criteria is important for students and adults.
Education
Opinion
I'm a Principal Without Teaching Experience
Does it really matter whether principals have teaching experience before they take a position in leadership? Perhaps it's not the position you come from that matters...as much as the experience you bring.
School & District Management
Opinion
3 Reasons Why Faculty Meetings Are a Waste of Time
There are at least two areas where school leaders waste the time of teachers. The faculty meeting is one of them and here are 3 reasons why.
Education
Opinion
Effective School Leadership: Leverage the Big-Winner Practices
The 80/20 rule is vital to effective school leadership practices. Here are the ways to leverage those practices.
Education
Opinion
What's Worse ... Failure or Success?
In the Teacher Voice Report by the Quaglia Institute, teachers say they are afraid of failure. Ironically, even more are afraid of success.
Education
Opinion
High Noon: The Showdown Over High-Stakes Testing
In NY State high stakes testing is quickly approaching and it seems that we have hit High Noon. On one side are those who want to opt out and on the other stands the state education department and funding.
Education
Opinion
21 Trends & Their Implications for Leadership
What are 21 trends for education AND what are the implications for leaders?
Education
Opinion
Leaders: Are Your Teacher Observations Active or Passive?
Too many observations result in passive conversations and very little learning. Principals need to approach observations like an instructional coach, but are they prepared to do so?
Education
Opinion
Caught on Tape: Using Video to Enhance Instruction
Using video is an excellent option to truly see how we engage with our students, but too often it won't happen because of a lack of trust in the building. Here are some options to overcome those obstacles.
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
Unwrapping the Standards: A Simple Way to Deconstruct Learning Outcomes
In the 2nd in a series of guest posts by Larry Ainsworth, he helps teachers unlock the standards.
Education
Opinion
Teacher Voice: 8 Conditions That Are Harder Than You Think
In order to foster teacher voice, there are 8 conditions that are needed in every school, but that's not as easy as you may think. Which conditions are missing in your school?
Education
Opinion
What Role Do You Play in Social Media?
Social media is supposed to create a connection between people but lately more stories show how it leads to isolation. What's the lesson for our students...and ourselves?
Education
Opinion
Focused Leadership: Fish Don't Rot From the Tail First
Editor's note (6/20/2019):
Dear reader,
Dear reader,
Education
Opinion
Making Your Voice Heard: The Power of the Teacher Brand
Teachers are getting bashed on one side and praised on the other. Is it time for teachers to create their own brand?