“[At St. George’s] I HAVE learned not WHAT to think but HOW to think, and not just HOW to think but HOW to think WITH OTHER PEOPLE.” I have been meeting with my advisees to discuss their upcoming student-led teacher/family conferences. I met with four of the seven of them yesterday, and two more today. My […]
To Students: Teach Me What I Need to Know
As we begin the inevitable sprint toward graduation and the end of my first school year at St. George’s Independent School in Memphis, TN, I realize how much I have learned since last July when I officially began my work as Head of School. More relevant, however, I realize how much more I have to […]
Student Engagement: It has to come First
In response to the question, “What does outstanding academic achievement “look like” at St. George’s?“, faculty members responded with a resounding emphasis on “ENGAGEMENT”. They should. There can be many priorities in teaching and learning, and given different moments in the life of a school, those priorities can, should, and will shift. However, engagement, student […]
W;T and the Purpose of Connection
“Becoming educated inherently includes the demand that we learn not to see ourselves as living in a vacuum, but rather that we see ourselves as inextricably linked to one another. The high purpose of that education is to make the world within our reach better for our presence. This high purpose includes as well […]
Differentiating Instruction but not Message: Giving a JK-1 and a 2-5 Chapel Talk
Yesterday I spoke in Chapel at our Germantown Campus about our theme for February: Courage. Actually I spoke twice–first to grades 2 through 5 and a little later to JK through 1.Planning for the seven minute or so talks served as a reminder for me of the importance of differentiation in teaching. Great teachers are always […]
When Most of the Snow Skips Over Your Snow Day Town
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jibW27hz7dU&w=560&h=315] Eleanor and Middle School Friends Make the Demand for a Snow Day __________ It was the sure thing. 3 -5 inches. High winds. Treacherous conditions. Dire travel warnings. — By mid-morning on Thursday, it already seemed to be a foregone conclusion that Memphis would be paralyzed in blizzard-like conditions by Friday morning. I […]