Essential Teaching and Learning

 Photo credit: (C) 2003 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger Turn the page and open your eyes. This is no Disney fairy tale.  While it may seem as though we have been strapped in for months on the Wicked Twister , the time has come to step off the ride and step up for families .  As we enter a new chapter in the continuing evolution of the home-school relationship during the days of Covid-19, transparency becomes paramount as truth equates with trust.  How do you soothe parental nerves during a pandemic?  Here are five trustworthy tips for singular school leaders. 1. The Equation is Straightforward: Transparency = Trust First, report continuing, relevant developments on a consistent basis, and ensure information is available in a variety of languages .  Even if unsure, inform parents that you will try your best to unravel answers, and be sure to follow up as soon as humanly possible.  After 164 visits to Disney theme parks, I noticed tha...

Photo credit: Taipei 101 Wind Damper (c) 2019 Scott Freiberger By Scott B. Freiberger  We’ve seen the nascent news.   We’ve contemplated myriad upcoming conundrums and perceive what’s coming down the unpliable pike.   Get your game plan gloves on.   Decisions of gravity require heavy lifting.   In these turbulent times, this instructional coach and aspiring school leader delved into data-driven dialogue with several top school leaders , recognizing research-based, nouveau realities. Which prudent path should school leaders pursue to reimagine learning?   Here are five considerations for professional learning in the new normal. 1. Soft-Serve a Superabundance of SEL This is a tumultuous time for everyone: administrators, educators, and chiefly, children, and I had penned about the importance of infusing social-emotional learning (SEL) into curricula both here and there .   Now nearly  everywhere , children need to feel connected with authent...