Dec 6, 2016BUILD A COMMON VISION DURING YOUR NEXT STAFF MEETINGIf you are embarking on a new initiative or need a re-boot on a current one, developing a common vision is critical. However, you most likely do not have several days to devote to a strategic planning session complete with future searches, consensus building, and trust falls. …Meetings4 min readMeetings4 min read
Nov 8, 2016Our Favorite TeachersRecognizing and Rewarding Educators that Care Last year a teacher surveyed her students to determine what they believe makes a great teacher. The results of the survey stated that a teacher who shows he/she cares is the most important factor in determining a good teacher. Having content knowledge and providing…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Oct 6, 2016Four Steps To Developing A Single Vision of Increasing Student LearningOf course we have room for instructional improvement. …Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Sep 14, 2016A Pre-Assessment GuideFive Steps To Ensure Lessons Are At The Correct Level Of Difficulty Teaching a lesson without knowing what the students already know is like salting your food without tasting it first. Not a good idea! Using pre-assessments is a great way to check assumptions about students’ current levels of understanding…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Aug 5, 2016Stop Trying To Fix Your CultureIf you’re focusing on the overall culture, you might be focusing on the wrong thing. Focusing on changing the culture of the school is like attempting to lose weight by reading weight loss books and attending support groups while eating delicious donuts. Losing weight is an outcome of eating less…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Apr 14, 2016The Collective Purpose; Building a Googlesque School CultureCollaborative culture is a great buzz term. It evokes images of happy employees gathering around tables strewn with papers and markers and maybe a few Starbucks cups. People are brainstorming genius ideas, exchanging high fives, and basking in the gloriousness of their productivity. A collaborative culture built around a collective…Education4 min readEducation4 min read
Mar 14, 2016Equity of OpportunityEquity In his keynote address at Arizona School Boards Association’s (ASBA) Equity Event, Pedro Noguera stated that equity is addressing the academic and social needs of all students which often means that those with less need more. More time, attention, and support. To achieve equity in a school system, there…School Discipline2 min readSchool Discipline2 min read
Feb 3, 2016Five Characteristics of Great School LeadersFor the past five years, MCESA has worked with pretty amazing school leaders — leaders who have committed themselves to building learning environments where all children can succeed and all educators can thrive. Through this work, five characteristics have stood out in these leaders. The characteristics are:Education6 min readEducation6 min read
Jan 10, 2016Four Different Types of STEM SchoolsIt seems like every day a new “STEM school” pops up; which is awesome because we need them. We need a lot of them. But what does “STEM school” mean? What makes one school more STEM than another? MCESA and Arizona STEM Network created an instrument to help better define…Education3 min readEducation3 min read
Dec 1, 2015Probably the Most Important Study You Have Never Heard OfOver the past few weeks there have been numerous stories published about the economic impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Although the financial reality of this issue is troubling, we have known about the devastating impact of ACEs on children’s well being for over a year. Sadly, the word has…Mental Health4 min readMental Health4 min read
