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Look Closer
Throughout the course of any given day, I have a number of interactions with students, teachers, parents, support staff members, administrators, and community stakeholders about achievement,...
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Beliefs and Actions
I have spent a great deal of time in my career thinking about what I stand for, what I believe in, while defining my core values. All of these things guide my decision making and shape my work as...
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Seeds to Plant...
We all think of a brighter future and constantly discuss ways to get better. I think it is human nature to want to improve while looking to increase the quality of our relationships, improve our skill...
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What Matters Most...
A couple of days ago, I attended an IEP meeting at the end of the day. The beginning of this meeting with parents was typical as present levels of performance were presented, goals set and...
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The Song Remains the Same
One of my all-time favorite bands is Led Zeppelin; I own just about every one of their albums. If you ask me, it doesn't get much better than the 6:45 mark of "Stairway to Heaven," and I have been...
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Lead Like Peyton
I have been watching Peyton Manning play quarterback in the SEC and NFL for more than half of my life. This man has dazzled me with touchdown passes, fourth quarter comebacks, competitive fire and...
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Modeling the Way
Earlier in the week, I had a great opportunity to drop by two fourth grade field trips, each of them taking place at Four Mounds, a high ropes and team-building site that our students visit each year...
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Permission to be Great
More than 25 years ago, I was finishing up my last day of fourth grade and walked out of school with one of my all time favorite teachers, Mrs. Lammers. As we were heading to the walker line, she...
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Reinventing the Game
This post was written with Dr. Todd Schmidt (@tsschmidty); you can find his blog here.In just a few short weeks, students all around the country will be getting ready to start school again. Invariably,...
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The Struggle is Real
When I was a little boy and first learned how to ride my bike, I had all kinds of difficulties. I would struggle with balance, fall down often, and accumulate my fair share of scraped knees. This was...
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Caught in the Moment
There is definitely no shortage of initiatives or focus areas within education; researchers, authors, administrators, teachers, and anyone connected to schools are continually developing new...
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Assume the Best
I’ll never forget one day when I was an eighth grader in junior high school and walking down the hallway with one of my best friends, Michael. I was a pretty good student from a behavioral standpoint...
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Day 1 (21 Days of Gratitude)
Over the next three days, I am participating in the Orange Frog Workshop in Alexandria, Virginia. This work is based on the research on Shawn Achor, author of the The Happiness Advantage and focuses on...
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Day 2:Today is a simple, but important gratitude. I am grateful for the opportunity to work in the Western Dubuque School District as a principal at Epworth Elementary School. This has been the most...
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Day 3 (21 Days of Gratitude)
Day 3:I am a day late with my note of gratitude, but it is better late than never, as I am really trying to make this a habit. I am grateful for airline travel. Some people reading this may think...
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Day 4I am grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally each day. There have been a number of opportunities that have been provided to me whether it is attending conferences at the local, state,...
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Day 5 (21 Days of Gratitude)
Day 5I am not going to go too deep on my gratitude today; quite simply, I am grateful for college football. There is not much that I enjoy more than sitting in my living room and watching games on...
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The Gap
Over the past several years I have had the opportunity to attend a number of professional development sessions and learning opportunities within my district, state, and across the country. These...
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Day 6 (21 Days of Gratitude)
I have spent the better part of my educational career coaching student athletes in various sports. These opportunities were so enjoyable and memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. As...
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We have lived in our home for exactly five years and I couldn't be more grateful to be where we are. Our home and community provide a comfortable place for our children and an environment that is safe,...
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Day 8 (21 Days of Gratitude)
A little more than three years ago, I was asked to serve on a grant writing committee that would put together what I was told would be something pretty special. I am going to be completely honest when...
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Day 9 (21 Days of Gratitude)
I have been off the grid for three days with the Thanksgiving holiday, but that is no excuse. I will be back to blogging my gratitude each evening.In my writing and discussions in the past, I have...
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They Need Us More than Ever
I am going to say what's been on my mind for the past 4 months. After listening to the debates, watching the political events leading up to the election, and the first week in office, I am deeply...
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Watch and Learn
Earlier in the week I spent some time walking through classrooms checking out the excellent instructional practices taking place within our school. I made my way to a third grade classroom where the...
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All In
Over the past few weeks I have been learning about culture, climate, engagement, teamwork, and leadership in a variety of texts, articles, podcasts, and blog posts. As I continued to read, listen, and...
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