Week four of a new weekly post, Quotes of the Week.  (For more about QoTW, click here.)

As I noted in the first post, I highly recommend principals, school-heads, and other educational leaders provide their own version of suggested readings/links in a weekly email newsletter.   Curate them: don’t give them too much, but choose the best three, four, or five (max).

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The Mission:

To create and bring mindful change and innovation to Poughkeepsie Day School in order to improve learning and teaching.

As I see it, the idea is for these teams to delve into aspects of the topic while remaining connected with the other teams so that connections and cross fertilization become even more of the norm than they already are.

The basic idea is for affinity groups – not groupthink tanks – but interconnected, cross-divisional teams interested in some of the same big ideas. And for those teams to make change within the school by identifying what matters, what we can do about it and then getting started.

It’s an opportunity to work with others to shape something that has clarity, direction and results. And the accountability is built into the mission.

What Do You Want to Do?  Josie Holford

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People who do not use Twitter and Social Media often state that “real relationships” cannot be formed through these avenues.  This summer was a clear example of how friendships CAN result from relationships formed through social media.

From Followers to Friendship, Chris Wejr

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4) Exhibit Enthusiasm and Encouragement – A spirited mentor exudes a passion for education and a commitment to honing one’s craft.  Mentors are often pioneers as they test out new methods and materials and are willing to take risks.  They revel in the joy of discovery and this spirit is infectious.

7 Traits of an Invaluable Faculty Mentor, Christine Hein

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For me, this past year the blogosphere was the jump rope, and I was the kid who just couldn’t find the right moment to jump in. Daily, I read such thoughtful posts andtweets from teachers and leaders whose thinking and actions I so admire, and I couldn’t find anything the blogosphere wrote or tweeted occurring in my daily experiences at school.

I found the incredible disconnect between the school I want, the schools I read about on twitter and blogs, and the school I’m in each day to be…overwhelming.

Starting at the Beginning, Eric Juli

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3. READ ABOUT ALL THINGS EDUCATION

In the middle of the school year, a good novel sounds much more compelling than a book on education. But books on pedagogical theory can influence your instruction in meaningful and enduring ways even if they are short on immediate, practical advice.

Reading books about math pedagogy have helped educators teach more linear, logical concepts like cause and effect analysis using timelines or even Roman battle strategies.

Five Smart Habits to Develop for Back to School, Ben Stern

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We have come to a time when we need to accept the fact that the concept of 21st century skills is no longer a progressive phase to latch onto but a reality that we need to instill into our school systems. When students bring their own devices it literally transforms the conversations that take place in the classroom. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of work for schools to be prepared for this to happen and that cannot be taken lightly.

Are We Prepared to Let Schools BYOD? , Peter DeWitt

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