Using the Expertise of Your School Team

Erik YoungmanBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Maximize the impact of school decisions. Have clear communication, an open mind, and a shared vision. Collaborate with others to solve problems, and involve staff, stakeholders, and students. Reach beyond your school for additional ideas and support. Erik joined Dave Schmittou on the Daily Drop In to talk about using the expertise of your school team. Click here to … Read More

Finding the Slack to Unlock Upstream Thinking

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Reflecting on a book study of Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath, and the educational impacts of the book. Upstream thinking involves addressing problems before they even begin. When we focus all of our attention and energy on the problems right in front of us, our ability to plan and organize is diminished.  Instead … Read More

Upstream Thinking: A Book Study Reflection

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Reflections on a book study of Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath. This book provided insights to institutionalized problems and how they can be solved. Each member of the book study shares their favorite quote from the book with their biggest takeaways. In April, I had the pleasure of hosting a virtual book study … Read More

It’s About Why, Not What – Getting Beyond the Facts and into the Meaning Behind the Learning

Teach Better TeamBlog, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better, Mastery Done Better

In this post: What really matters in learning – and why we so often miss it Please, don’t use the butterfly method or impose death-by-grammar-worksheets How to move from “What” to “Why” 3 ways you can make the shift right now Picture this – you are sitting in your next staff meeting and the district has brought in someone to … Read More