This past week, I was privileged to meet with over 50 educators virtually, in SPARK University 1.0. They came one at a time, signed into zoom, hesitantly, not knowing what to expect.One by one, I greeted them at the virtual threshold of my classroom. Some had trouble...
Mark your calendar now! SPARK University is being offered virtually for Summer 2020! SPARK University 1.0 June 15-19 Virtually for New Paradigm Partners – Northwood, WI July 20-24 Now offered virtually for all teachers SPARK University 2.0 Online...
Sam stood nervously behind the podium. It was his turn next. Think! Think! What had Miss Maggie and he practiced for the past two weeks? Stand up straight. Shoulders back. Approach the microphone, lean in. NO JOKES! NO JOKES! No inappropriate comments. He desperately...
Mark your calendar now! SPARK University is now being offered on the following 2019 dates and locations. May 28-31 Humboldt Unified School District, Prescott Valley, AZ July 15-19 Westview High School, Tolleson, AZ July 22-26 Grand Canyon...
I sat in an office listening to a recent SPARK U graduate telling me that as soon as the principal could find a replacement, she was done. She was so discouraged and disillusioned that she felt her only way out was quitting. Her hopes and dreams were crushed and she...
Mark your calendar now! SPARK University is now being offered on the following dates and locations. May 29-June 1 Humboldt Unified Schools, Prescott Valley, AZ July 16-20. Union Elementary District, Tolleson, AZ July 23-27. Grand Canyon...
“I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the UNITED States of America…” This was the way I began my day after the election. Standing in sync with 11 ELL (English Language Learners) that represented 6 different countries, pledging allegiance to their...
Wow! SPARK U completed 5 weeks in three states! I met and worked with some incredible teachers that were dedicated to improving their craft, loving their students and spreading a “spark” to those around them. Every place I went, I met teachers who were...
Imagine a school where children smiled big, white toothy smiles — where every day the entire school gathered to sing. Imagine a school where every hand goes up eager to answer a question — where teachers are respected, care about their students and are eager to refine...
When I was at SPARK U this summer, I set some goals that have been taped to the top of my desk ever since: 1) High Expectations 2) Clear Objectives 3) Check for understanding before moving on to the next step 4) Effective practice more often. Basically, I...
