Pronounced Chiz

Pronounced Chiz

  Throughout my entire life, my name has been pronounced wrong. There have been a number of variations, and the age old Wheel of Fortune joke that I have heard…
Take the Day

Take the Day

  There’s only one thing better than hitting the snooze button in the morning. It’s getting out of bed and accomplishing your goals. Start early.Start often.Take action.Take the day.   …
Showing Up

Showing Up

  Showing up can be hard. Think about the kid who struggles. The outsider. The kid without friends. The one who gets picked on. They show up. Everyday. Anticipating the…
Intervention as Intervention

Intervention as Intervention

  For many of our struggling learners, we often provide as many interventions as possible. The word intervention can be used to cover any number of strategies, prescribed, scripted programs,…
Late Bloomers

Late Bloomers

  In a a few weeks I’ll turn 44. In just a few days my first book will be released. By any definition, I’m a late bloomer. My book is…
Measuring Smiles

Measuring Smiles

  What if, when a principal observed a lesson, he or she focused on how many times the kids and the teacher smiled? How would that change instruction? How would…
Just Like Norm

Just Like Norm

  Hopefully, there are still some out there that remember the Norm greeting from 80’s TV Sitcom Cheers. In case you don’t here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNP5OEaarjU In the theme song,…
Push (Through)

Push (Through)

  I've heard educators talk about how our students aren't willing to push through when things get difficult. And yet, I've seen some of these same educators bristle as soon…
This Year

This Year

Let’s make this year the year. We’ve been waiting a long time. There are enough of us now to drown out the naysayers. Enough of us that see the path…