God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) My lack of stillness comes from trying to be God. I multi-task, stay digitally connected, keep up with news/sports/entertainment, track my steps and sleep hours — it’s like I’m trying not to disappoint my cell phone. But God reminds me the position of ‘Lord of My Life’ has … Read More
The Intersection of Lament and Hope
One of the great things about working in education is experiencing first hand the excitement of a new school year. Yes, I know not everyone is enthusiastic about summer’s end, but generally speaking, the buzz of a new year and a fresh start is invigorating. For some however, many events of this past summer cast a dim shadow on the … Read More
How Do Schools Get Better? (Part 6)
Doing the right thing…knowing the right thing to do. This is a question that we ask ourselves everyday as school leaders. Richard Elmore, professor of Educational Leadership at Harvard University, published a paper with this title through the NGA Center for Best Practices (can be found here). He offers suggestions and practical advice on how schools can get better. After … Read More
Positive Intersections
As a former driver’s education instructor, intersections were typically the most exciting part of the job. Riding alongside rookie drivers as they figured out who arrived at the four-way stop first, who was on the right, or how to navigate those unique intersections where cross-traffic did not stop, tended to provide some interesting interactions. Great decisions needed to be made at … Read More
Effective Christian Leadership: Take Time to Celebrate
We celebrate many things. When we grow another year older, we celebrate. When we add another year to the length of our marriage, we celebrate. When our favorite team wins a championship, we celebrate. When we graduate – from kindergarten, from high school, from college – we celebrate. When our child is born, we celebrate. When we get a promotion, … Read More
Finish Your Final Assessment Now: A Professional Thank You to Grant Wiggins
As an educator, I love the summers not only for the vacation time and opportunity to go to baseball games, but more so for the opportunity to reflect on the past year and prepare for the upcoming year. There are not many professions that afford such opportunities for significant reflection, revision, and development, but too often we find ourselves in … Read More
What is the Purpose of Education?
As you enjoy reading this summer, I would like to recommend the book, Desiring the Kingdom by James K.A. Smith (2009), Baker Publishing: Grand Rapids, MI. I would venture a guess that every philosophy of education class, at one point during the semester, asks the question, “What is the purpose of education?” The answer to this question will reveal a … Read More
Teaching Towards Shalom
As you enjoy reading this summer, I’d like to recommend a relatively recently published book, Teaching to Justice, Citizenship, and Virtue: The Character of a High School Through the Eyes of Faith by veteran Christian educators, Julia and Gloria Stronks, a mother-daughter team. The authors use a fictional cast of characters at Midland Christian High School to explore what shalom … Read More
Praying for God’s Timing
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:20-22) One of the most interesting-troubling-confusing aspects of our relationship with God … Read More
Three Steps for Recruiting Talent
In my prior blog, “School Buses, Lord of the Flies, and The Right People”, I received comments and questions about my own experience riding school buses, how to develop exciting non-bus orientated analogies, and what dispositions I look for in candidates; however, the most significant interest and conversation revolved around the following comment: Recruit Talent: No offense to those that … Read More