As I jump in on the #Reflection2017 train, I feel like my brain is overloaded with a spaghetti-filled array of memories. To begin, my #OneWord2017 was #Advocate; I believe I nailed this the best I could. Not only was this my mantra in work and at school, but in my...

It dawned on me today while listening to a guest Rabbi, speaking to our Christian congregation about mountains, paths up them and the mysterious uniqueness of each one. Now, I’m not the brightest bulb in the box, but it really resonated with me; Children are...

I often hear that with #Reflection comes #Change and with #Change comes #Growth, but how do we find the place that is the honest gauge of our #Reflection? Do you ever ask yourself at the end of the day “Why did I do that?”, or “How could I have said that?”, even “I...

Wow! And just like that: School. Here it is. Some of our #PLN have already started, but others are about to begin. Are You Ready? For 180 days of awesomeness, fun, and laughter. Are You Ready? For ALL kids to be included, loved, cared for and noticed. Are You Ready?...

Wow! I’ve just spent one of (if not THE) the most memorable, educational, emotional, and reflective weeks of my life on a field trip with the 7th and 8th Grade students from my school, and we aren’t even finished. We have traveled from Portland, Oregon to Birmingham,...

I believe in reflection on a very regular basis. For some people, it may be weekly, or once in awhile, but for me, it HAS to be daily, and even sometimes more frequently. I felt compelled to check in with myself and look back on my January 3, 2017 post, titled...

I was reading a blog today by Eric Sheninger (@E_Sheninger) about his awesome Science Teacher, Mr. S, and this really hit me: Caring. Is it that hard for some? Should it be part of our job description? Why can't we give kiddos positive lasting impressions, memories,...

One Shot The other night, while having a family dance party, I shouted to Alexa, “Alexa, play Lose Yourself by Eminem”. As my wife, two kids, and I were busting moves, it hit me, especially the first few lines: Look If you had One shot Or one opportunity To seize...

I don’t recall if I chose #ONEWORD2016, but when so many of my PLN friends began posting their #ONEWORD2017 this past week, I could not hold back. Here they were, right in front of me. For example; @lmstump - BOLD, @awelcome - SUFFER, @bethhill2829 - CHAMPION,...

This is a post written by two school leaders; Jeff Kubiak, current Head of School at The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences in Vancouver, WA, and Eric Ewald, current lead learner and chief storyteller at Van Allen Elementary School in North Liberty, IA. fail·ure...

New Life. Where does it start? We are born so helpless, fragile, and delicate, yet we are brought into this world with expectations galore. I was fortunate to spend time with my day-old niece this past weekend; Amelia Grace Connolly. Wow! What a joy and bundle of...

I know "Punitivism" is not a "real" word, but it sounds cool right? From the many definitions around, here is what it really entails from what I see in schools "inflicting or intended as punishment". What's the point? A consequence for the behavior? Punishment? Being...

About a year ago, I wrote this post after a reflection from my visit with a student at the school I was a Principal at, Cordelia Hills Elementary, in Fairfield, CA. This is an update from my previous post: This past Thursday, June 1st, Jacob Valdez lost his battle...

Words: When They Uplift and Inspire The following is the third installment in a series of blogposts written by two principals on opposite ends of the state of California (you can see the last two here:...

A few weeks ago, Jeff and I did our first co-blog on our character education programs and how we noticed a need to focus on the power of words as well as actions. (http://tsschmidty.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-conversation-on-character.html and...

Here is my 1,2,3,4,5 Connected Educator Challenge via Kas Nelson and Todd Schmidt. A special shout out to TS as he and I found similar beliefs, ideals, goals, and are on to something big with #wordsDOmatter. Thanks to all of my @voxer group friends, my @Twitter mates...

This blog is cross-posted on tsschmidty.blogspot.com Have you realized the power of Twitter and Voxer in building a professional learning network (PLN)? These two platforms have allowed two elementary school Principals who have actually never met face-to-face...

F’s, N’s, Retention Letters and the Art of Reflection. OK, here it goes my friends, we need an action plan, and perhaps for some, a CALL TO ACTION NOW! It was very eye opening to read the Progress Reports last week. I was actually shocked to see the high number of...

Spelling contests have gone on for hundreds of years, but from what I can find, the first documented case of an actual spelling bee called such was in 1825. The first National Spelling Bee was held in 1925 and the winning word was “gladiolus”, spelled by 11 year-old...

Ha! I love when I hear this from people in and out of education about how much an Education Administrator "makes". My true joy comes when I actually get to have a discussion about the wording and the actual thought about "MAKES". Yes, I "Make SO MUCH"... difference?...

It’s not everyday you GET to be someone who can positively impact the lives of others. Me? Yes, I GET TO DO THIS EVERYDAY! I Get to hug that sullen-faced child I Get to play Tetherball, hula hoop, and kickball I Get to READ to classes I Get to celebrate WINS I Get to...