21st Century Educational Leadership

Agree to Disagree  by Ken Willers         O nce Upon A Time , there were three tailors, who were very dedicated to making clothes. They prided themselves on how well they got along with each other because they agreed never to disagree.              One day a man came in and asked if he could have a pair of pants made for him. The first tailor looked at the man and from sight attempted to guess his size. The second tailor also looked at the man and from sight attempted to guess his size. It didn’t take long before the two tailors soon realized that they both had come to different sizes so, rather then have a disagreement, they agreed to divide the pants in half each making one side. The third tailor, however, took a measuring tape and sized up the man. When he told the other two tailors that both were wrong with their sizes he was immediately fired for he had broken their agreem...

Ed Tech Innovation must engage and inspire student-directed learning and result in some ‘meaningful’ or value-oriented outcome.  When a student’s experience of an Ed Tech product results in creating something purposeful the following happens:  skills are acquired concepts are deepened  failed attempts are not interiorized as negative but serve as motivation to achieve one's desired outcome  In other words, doing something over until it is ‘right’ sharpens skills, reinforces concepts and is a great lesson on the power of iteration.     Innovative Ed Tech products must achieve these three opportunities for younger students.  Bringing coding and robotics to students, as young as 5, in a platform that engages, teaches and provides ‘meaningful’ or value-oriented outcomes is in opportunity that offers student-directed learning to an age group that have very limited options. Students will acquire skills and concepts around coding and will c...

Dear Parents,  I want to share with you a few personal reflections that I have kept to myself all year regarding my commitment to the Mission of the Madeleine.  I deeply love the Madeleine's Mission. I believe my early years at the Madeleine (1993-2001) were profoundly formative. I imbibed the culture and the Spirit of the Dominican Charism and worked alongside some very amazing educators. These past six years have also been extremely rewarding. Partnering with tremendously giving and talented colleagues, collaborating with the expertise of committed parents and stakeholders to plan and advance the school’s Mission and serving the smartest, sweetest and most exceptional children and their parents has been extremely rewarding.  Reflecting back over the course of this year I realized how precious and vulnerable each and every one of our teachers are and how vital they are to the success of our Mission.  This year, many of our staff members were confronted with life eve...

Good Morning! The words of the prophet Jeremiah this morning: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. Before you were born I dedicated you, to be a prophet to the nations. Wow…think about that boys and girls… Before you were born, God knew you —God dedicated you —which means God had a plan for you. To be a prophet—hmm Someone who speaks truth and brings hope to others. You know when I was little I used to think, why did God make me---what was God’s plan for me? And then, I ask… Why did God bless me to born on January 31 st which happens to be today? But it also happens to be the Feast of St. John Bosco. A saint, who lived about 150 years ago, and who dedicated his entire life to serving and educating youth —boys and girls, especially the poor. I asked myself I wonder if this means something for me --does God have a plan for me being born on this day? Well, I grew up believing that it did —that G...