Why Do You Lead? 3 Responses To Consider
A few nights ago as I let the dog out one last time, I noticed an eery glow in the night sky. A blanket of fresh snow was covering our neighborhood, and the all-encompassing-white was casting a hazy light on…
Principal Matters
with William D. Parker and Friends
William D. Parker
Supporting Oklahoma Education
This has been a tough week for Oklahoma public education: Yesterday a bill moved out of committee to the full state senate that would legalize vouchers. If passed, this would allow public funds to be used by private schools. Earlier…
Encouraging A Culture Of Acceptance
Last Friday our basketball teams played at home. Unfortunately, we lost both varsity games. But the night was not a loss. At half time, our athletic directors introduced a team of student athletes who had returned with medals from their…
What is Motivation By Wonder? How It Changes The Way You Work
A friend who is also a reader asked me the other day to explain to him what I meant by being motivated by wonder. “Motivation by purpose, I understand,” he said. “But motivation by ‘wonder’? Can you tell me what…
3 Heads Up On School Testing And ESEA
Education news is a buzz with talk of the federal government taking up the issue of reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The issue will continue to be a hot one over the months to come, so here…
Research Supports Positive Engagement: 5 Ways To Improve Yours
When I was teacher, I would often hear my students talk about their other instructors. It didn’t take long to discover who were the superstars. They were the ones whose lessons were both rigorous and engaging–the ones who greeted students…
Chasing Dreams And Catching Moons
: Play in new window | DownloadDuring Christmas break, we visited my Tennessee family. Our kids enjoyed cousins, and we reveled in time together and making new memories. When I was growing up, I loved the quiet adventures of roaming…
Making Good Memories–For Yourself And Others
Many of my childhood Christmas memories include sharing big dinners at Grandma’s, story-telling with family members, playing on the frozen pond with siblings and cousins, or just singing carols together. In reality, not everyone has nostalgic memories this time of…
Learning To Recognize The Wonderful
Our high school choir students gave us a beautiful Christmas present this past week when they performed the musical It’s A Wonderful Life. I’ve loved the movie version since I was kid, and seeing the story put to music as…
4 Lessons Learned From Daring Greatly
Last weekend, our high school football team came home with a silver instead of gold trophy from their state championship contest. Their experience reminded me of this quote: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points…