Author Archives: sutterlearn

One Person, Three Themes

Posted on November 8, 2011 by sutterlearn

Last week I experienced a presentation from Jane Mutatu of Zimbabwe.  I say “experienced” because her story is not one merely to be heard.  It is a tale to savor as you would final moments with a loved one, knowing … Continue reading →

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New Language

Posted on November 7, 2011 by sutterlearn

Flooding, blending, flipping, pull out, push in, strengthen the core, on and on goes the new vernacular of schooling, marching its way to become tomorrow’s cliché or maybe it already is. Through this new language comes new understanding about problems, … Continue reading →

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Aha Moments (for teachers)

Posted on October 29, 2011 by sutterlearn

As teachers evaluate all of the new “stuff” continuously coming at us, it is part of our make up to reflect upon how this affects what we do individually.   When teachers have our own “aha moments” it is as exciting … Continue reading →

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No Substitute for Perspective

Posted on October 26, 2011 by sutterlearn

Perspective is a compassionate activity of viewing your situation from another’s position or viewing their situation relative to your own.  Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of observing from other people’s perspectives. Recently I worked with a substitute teacher going … Continue reading →

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What Is A Coach? (3of3)

Posted on October 18, 2011 by sutterlearn

This is the third in a three-part series of posts examining my evolving understanding of the “transformational/instructional coach” role that is new in our district, based directly on conversations I have had. Teacher Friend: You’ve never taught in my (grade/subject/building/classroom) … Continue reading →

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What Is A Coach? (2of3)

Posted on October 18, 2011 by sutterlearn

This is the second in a three-part series of posts examining my evolving understanding of the “transformational/instructional coach” role that is new in our district, based directly on conversations I have had. Parent Friend: So what do you do in … Continue reading →

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What Is A Coach? (1of3)

Posted on October 16, 2011 by sutterlearn

This is the first in a three-part series of posts examining my evolving understanding of the “transformational/instructional coach” role that is new in our district, based directly on conversations I have had. Me: What do you think about the coach … Continue reading →

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The Marathon Metaphor Is A Lot of Simile

Posted on October 16, 2011 by sutterlearn

It was actually my wife’s goal to complete the Detroit Half Marathon today.  I just joined her for the time it provided us alone for early morning and sunny Sunday afternoon walks together as we trained.  As I ran, I … Continue reading →

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Immediate Intervention

Posted on October 12, 2011 by sutterlearn

Schools are data rich and information poor in a lot of cases.  Thoughtfully, systematically analyzing data to inform instruction is time-consuming, then acting on those decisions and collecting more data to continue that process is tiring, but necessary in any … Continue reading →

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Learning Is A Process

Posted on October 6, 2011 by sutterlearn

I’ve been watching the learning process a lot lately, but I just didn’t realize it.  As some teachers I work with are learning to use a new curriculum tool, others are learning to restructure their instructional time to reteach to … Continue reading →

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