TL;DR: Assessment should be a series of events, each leading to the next moment of improvement. Reimagine assessment by determining what you value and seeking assessment that leads to instruction. Understand that “one and done” is not enough and consider consistency and recency when assessing. As I am writing this, March Madness is ramping up. It is my favorite time … Read More
Leading During Uncertainty: 3 Strategies for School Teams
TL;DR: Leading during complexity and uncertainty is becoming a norm for those in education. Skinny plans, reflection stems, and scenario planning are three proven strategies for school teams during uncertain times. During a crisis, you discover your own strengths and weaknesses as a leader. Leading during the COVID-19 crisis has been an unprecedented challenge for teachers, administrators, and superintendents. Traditional … Read More
Tag Out
TL;DR: Instead of doing a walkthrough, administrators can do a tag out. This allows the teacher a chance to do a walkthrough in a room of one of their peers. With tag outs, educators get the time to learn from their peers. This provides them an opportunity to learn more than they might if they were being observed by an … Read More
Find Success During This Pandemic
TL;DR: Find success during this pandemic by accepting that things are not normal, prioritizing self-care, and extending grace. Self-care is not a myth. You need to allow yourself to unwind and turn school off for a while. We all need to extend grace to ourselves, to our students, and to our families. An Elevated Level of Stress One of the … Read More
Winning Streaks
TL;DR: Build winning streaks in each learner by using formative assessments, providing time for metacognition daily, and making adjustments to instruction. These “winning streaks” will provide students with the ability to succeed not only this school year, but in life. During the pandemic, most students and educators focused on what was lost. It is human nature to face a crisis … Read More