Last week, I was fortunate enough to visit Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta for the 4th time, and each visit reinforces what makes this school exceptional. After visiting, many would think that it’s the vibrant almost Disneyworld-esque campus that makes the magic happen. Some would argue that it’s the eager parents, praying their children […]
Reflecting on RCA: Unpacking the Magic Read More »
Let’s be honest. For decades, classrooms have been filled with compliant work disguised as learning. Neatly filled-out worksheets, meticulously copied notes, and essays that are polished but lack real thinking. Rows of learners working in silence, heads down, obediently completing tasks designed to check off standards but never designed to spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, or
Are They Working or Learning? Read More »
What if assessments weren’t just something learners had to endure but something they actually used? Imagine a classroom where assessments weren’t about measuring and sorting, but about guiding and growing. A space where learners didn’t brace themselves for the inevitable judgment of a grade, but instead leaned in, eager to analyze, interpret, and act on
Building Assessment-Capable Learners: The Real Key to Growth Read More »
Educators love to talk about learner ownership. We want our classrooms filled with motivated, self-directed, reflective, and critical-thinking learners. We praise initiative. We admire resilience. We celebrate deep thinking. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: we expect these qualities to show up, but do we actually teach them? Do we design learning spaces where they can
Imagine walking into a gym for the first time, determined to get stronger. If the space is empty, the machines are dusty, and no one is pushing you, chances are, you’ll stay in your comfort zone. Maybe you’ll do a few easy reps, check your phone, and call it a day. But what if, instead,
We are uncomfortable. The latest 2024 NAEP scores for reading and math confirm what we’ve been feeling for a while now—achievement is slipping, and the weight of that reality is pressing down on us. Reading scores have fallen to their lowest levels in 30 years. Math hasn’t rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. The gap is growing.
The Discomfort That Changes Everything Read More »
First, you probably are humming the song by Pink Floyd already, so let’s run with that analogy. Imagine you’re walking down a road, headed toward an important destination. Along the way, you encounter a massive brick wall blocking your path. You sigh, turn around, and walk away. It seems like an immovable obstacle, an undeniable
Just Another Brick in the Wall Read More »
Imagine a captain steering a ship without understanding the wind, tides, or the stars to guide them. They might keep the ship afloat and the crew busy, but they wouldn’t navigate it to the desired destination. The ship is simply drifting in whatever currents it wanders into. Without a solid understanding of what learning is
Leading, Not Drifting: The Essential Role of Learning in Leadership Read More »
Picture this: A classroom where learners know their teacher not only cares about them but expects great things from them. It’s a space where trust fuels risk-taking, where mistakes are part of the process, and where learners push themselves further than they thought possible. Too often, we hear the mantra “relationships before rigor,” as if
Rigor Because of Relationships: Redefining the Classroom Mantra Read More »
It’s a new year, and like many of us, you might be thinking about how to make this one better than the last. Here’s the hard truth: if we want something to change in our classrooms, we can’t just wish it into existence. We need actionable steps, backed by research and rooted in practice. For
5 Things to Try in 2025 (for Learning) Read More »
