Tag Archives: Getting Smart

Navigating the landscape of educational transformation requires leaders to cultivate a reflective process and practice strategic decision-making. More than two decades ago, my involvement in a groundbreaking learning initiative in Alaska paved the way for a transformative approach to education, aligning with many of Deming’s quality management principles. We were working to create systemic approachesContinue reading “Transforming Learning, Deciding Where to Start: Practical Steps for Educational Leaders”

By: Rebecca Jacobson Lillyanne Pham ’20 and Jim Labbe ’95 were part of Oregon’s first-ever experiment in giving community members direct say over how to spend public dollars. Participatory budgeting, a democratic process in which ordinary people decide how to spend part of a public budget, isn’t a new phenomenon. It was first tried inContinue reading “Portland Youth Exercise Power through Participatory Budgeting”

In the spring of 2022, Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) faced a heart-wrenching crisis. The district, which serves 28,000 students, was reeling from the loss of ten students to gun violence. With summer approaching, safety was top of mind and a non-negotiable.  As the summer neared, TPS Superintendent Dr. Josh Garcia addressed the City of TacomaContinue reading “Community Collaboration: The Success Story of Tacoma Public Schools’ Summer Late Nights Program”

By: Norton Gusky At this year’s TRETC Conference AI was on everyone’s mind. According to Bard, the AI tool from Google:  The Three Rivers Educational Technology Conference (TRETC) 2024, held in Pittsburgh on January 15th, was a transformative day for educators, administrators, and industry experts in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The theme, “Students are the future ofContinue reading “TRETC 2024: Revolutionizing Technology and Work”

By Chris Wilmoth Osda Shunale Niagada! O-shi-no-tsi-gv-go-wa-ta! This familiar refrain meaning, “good morning everyone” and “good to see you”, routinely plays throughout the halls of Cherokee High School in Cherokee, North Carolina. Here, mornings are busy. Before the lesson begins, students must record the announcements, create their news backgrounds and videos, upload them into theContinue reading “Students Are Still Telling the Stories”

For nearly two decades educational reformers have been touting the need to create rigorous curriculum, standards, and learning for our students. The result of all these reforms are tepid at best and has damaged children and teachers at its worst. It’s time to ditch the idea of “rigor” and the damage it has caused, asContinue reading “Rigor or Vigor? What do we want for our children?”

By Dacher Keltner I was headed to bed at midnight when I noticed the glow at the bottom of my 18-year-old daughter Serafina’s bedroom door.  “Are you going to bed soon?” I asked. “I just need to finish studying for my math test after I’m done with science,” she said, in the tense and tightContinue reading “Small Wonders: Finding Everyday Moments of Awe”

Every child needs to know the power of their VOICE! Every child needs to know that their VOICE is more than their words. Their VOICE is also how they show up in the world. Written by Dr. Katrina Hutchins (Dr. K.), CEO of and the Founder of the Re-Source Solutions Foundation The My Voice isContinue reading “Elevating Student Voice through Voice Leadership Camps and the MViP Books”

Just north of Bend, Oregon in the shadow of Mt. Bachelor is Cascade Academy, a small K-12 independent school focused on experiential learning. The beautiful building (featured image) sits on 52 wooded acres on the Deschutes River adjacent to Tumalo State Park.   The Cascades staff shares a beautiful set of values: cultivate belonging, empower individuality,Continue reading “Outdoor and Experiential Learning Across the Country”

By: LeVar Jenkins These are hard times for educators. Students are striving to make gains after the biggest disruption to student learning in the history of American education. Students and adults have significant social-emotional needs, staffing shortages are real, and districts are confronting everything from budget shortfalls to political battles. From my own experience asContinue reading “Go Fast to Go Slow: Change Through Focus”