You’re really my boss? Honestly, how old are you? This is so crazy You must have something I don’t I sure hope I don’t catch it I have had a lot of bosses, department chairs and vice principals and such, who have been a good chunk younger than me. Now, I’m not so young, but we couldn’t really say I’m old either…OK…I’m in my REALLY late-30s. In the past five years, four out of six of my direct supervisors have been about 8-12 years younger than me and have had less teaching experience Read more [...]

To reform a school Assume the moral high ground “All children can learn” An improvable theory If they fail, blame the teachers This drives me crazy. “All children can learn.” Let’s “put children first”. If we have high expectations for children, they will reach them. The children are the future. All children can learn at a high level if we engage them in the right way, provide appropriate supports, and on and on. Can they? Can all children do this? Since we can’t blame parents or poverty or Read more [...]

Here’s mine… We have The Program It will be painful, but soon You’ll assimilate Don’t think. Just drink the kool-aid Or do you hate the children? I have worked in three public schools that represent a pretty broad range of administrative styles. First, there was the principal who was sort of a tough guy, but he mostly left you alone. Because this was my first teaching job, and before I had taken any education course work, I could have used a little more guidance. I could come and bitch to him Read more [...]