Author Archives: sutterlearn

A New Decade

Posted on January 17, 2012 by sutterlearn

In about 24 hours I will have been a father for ten years.  I am occasionally reminded of romantic times when I didn’t just teach children about writing poetry, but I followed my own inspirations to create; this was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting | Leave a comment

Community Conversation – You’re Invited!

Posted on December 29, 2011 by sutterlearn

Over the past five years I have become increasingly aware of the importance of an educated and engaged citizenry regarding effective education systems for our future generations and the children in front of us today.  At the height of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Politics, School Reform, Teachers | 7 Comments

Funding Backpacks

Posted on December 22, 2011 by sutterlearn

Paul T. Hill, of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, often has forward-thinking reform ideas that I would like to see implemented to scale.  Recently, in a paper called “School Finance in the Digital-Learning Era”, he submits an idea to … Continue reading →

Posted in Parenting, Politics, School Reform, Students | 1 Comment

High Quality Tutoring

Posted on December 22, 2011 by sutterlearn

Did you know that the ESEA legislation (or No Child Left Behind) has provisions for supplementary educational services (SES)?  In short, if a school is not achieving, the government allocates money for additional tutoring support.   Vendors providing this support must … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Teachers | Leave a comment

Transformational Leadership

Posted on December 12, 2011 by sutterlearn

I informally rejected and have laughed with people when I talk about the “transformational” aspect of my job, until today.  An educator who has been in this business since I was a child stopped me to share that some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, School Reform | 1 Comment

Specific Feedback

Posted on December 7, 2011 by sutterlearn

Few things are as meaningless, yet hurtful, as general criticism.  When I work with a child, professionalism guides me to be specific in my first instruction and even more specific in my expectations when I provide feedback on the next … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Teachers | 3 Comments

What are you transforming?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by sutterlearn

Transformation is such a lofty word that implies a huge overhaul of something. With the odd name of the team I’m on right now, “Transformational/Instructional Coaches”, we’ve received plenty of jabs and jokes.  I’m still hoping someone does give us … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, School Reform | 2 Comments

What Do You Read?

Posted on November 13, 2011 by sutterlearn

From time to time people ask me what I read to keep up with things from the classroom to the world.  Wide reading is a requirement at Sutterlearn.com and here are some of the sources I read regularly: Education Week … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Politics, School Reform, Teachers, Technology | Leave a comment

Elements of the Vision

Posted on November 13, 2011 by sutterlearn

I have a vision of how schooling can become learning for most kids.  Maybe one day I can articulate the details into a plan.  Maybe one day someone will care with me to try and make it happen and reframe … Continue reading →

Posted in School Reform, Teachers | 1 Comment

More Technology…Thinking

Posted on November 10, 2011 by sutterlearn

Have you ever talked with an IT person?  In my previous career I loved hanging out on “the 5th floor” where the IT people listened to my clients’ and my dreams, then like magic made them come true: a website, … Continue reading →

Posted in School Reform, Technology | 3 Comments