As we find ourselves in one of the most challenging times in modern history, nearly all our professional focus is on ensuring continuity of student learning and school operations. But the present crisis also presents educators an opportunity for us to learn as well. If we’re not intentional, what opportunities to learn might we be sacrificing?
Seven MindShift Principles for Christian Education
MindShift: Catalyzing Change in Christian Education features insights from 17 authors on how Christian schools can provide a more deeply and authentically Christian education, reach our neighbors with Christ’s story of love and hope, and catalyze the growth of the Church and the Kingdom into the future. After its release, some of the authors worked together to develop seven principles for Christian educators. Which ones resonate in your experience?
Expand Your World – January 2020
Many of us in America are closely watching the presidential campaigns. On January 14 was the last Democratic presidential debates before the primaries, and it can be difficult to determine whom to vote for in the primaries or general elections. However, we know that in Education, local and state elections often have more of an impact on our schools than … Read More
Top Stories of 2019 and Stories to Anticipate
Top 10 lists always emerge as the year draws to an end and we pause to reflect on the past year. The Inside Higher Education website had its own top 10 list noting “the stories that attracted the most readers in 2019.” Eight of the top 10 articles included topics we have seen in the past such as racism, cost … Read More
Innovation Reflections from the 2010s
Coming off tandem bone-marrow transplants in my fight against multiple myeloma, I entered 2010 defeated and uncertain about my future. Nine years later, as I trekked through Iceland this past summer (video), I spent many hours reflecting on both my personal life and professional work. From my perspective, the 2010s will be remembered as a pivotal time for us in … Read More
School Impossible: Three Principles for Turnarounds
Happy summer, and I hope that you have some time to rest and relax. My encouragement this summer is to take some serious time-off and to actually do nothing, as recommended by this Forbes article. This wisdom resonates with me because of the inundation of stimuli that typically competes for my attention, especially because of my fondness of Twitter and … Read More
Beyond Compliance: The HeartSmart High Five
We make thousands of choices every day. Children do too. How do we help children choose well? The goal is to build character, the ability to make a good choice in any given moment. Sometimes we think that we’re building character in our schools when we’re actually building compliance. Do children choose the same thing when we’re not in the … Read More
A Year of School Visits: Four Lessons
Since April of 2018, I’ve had an opportunity to visit more than 20 schools as a learner and observer, not as an employee or consultant. This opportunity arose because of two MindShift projects I’ve participated in, but also just out of my own curiosity. Rex Miller, in particular, encouraged me to find the “bright” spots in a dark world, and … Read More
A Look Back at 2018: Looking Ahead to 2019
Review of 2018 At the end of each year I put together a reflection of the year as well as a look ahead. See A Look Back and a Look Ahead 2018 where I shared the best of 2017 and themes for 2018. As anyone who reads my blogs knows, I love to hyperlink things, so click through and use … Read More
Suggestions to Unleash Innovation
This past year, I’ve had the opportunity to start the Digical Education* podcast where I’ve recorded conversations with twenty-eight educators, innovators, or leaders. This opportunity has allowed me to ask questions about policy and practice in education that will allow us to be more successful in our work. Through these conversations, I’ve developed the following suggestions that might help us … Read More