Category Archives: Coaching

Adaptivity, Teacher Leadership Series #2

Posted on October 14, 2014 by sutterlearn

The second critical component of a leadership disposition is adaptivity.  As things change in the educational landscape, and be assured they will, an adaptive leadership disposition supports the teacher to remain effective and reduces anxiety.  Adaptivity is different from reactivity. … Continue reading →

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Problem Solving, Teacher Leadership Series #1

Posted on October 14, 2014 by sutterlearn

The first attribute of the leadership disposition is problem solving.  As we work to empower a system, we must see ourselves and our roles clearly within the system. More than being productive members of the teaching community, teacher leaders are … Continue reading →

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Teacher Leadership Series

Posted on October 7, 2014 by sutterlearn

A colleague and I have been watching our district’s attempt to shift its leadership structure to be more distributed.  The nature of distributed leadership in education expands the roles of teachers and changes their interactions with principals, the community, and … Continue reading →

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We Are Where We Are

Posted on March 22, 2014 by sutterlearn

As engaged parents, we say we want our kids to do their best, but what we often mean in our hearts is we want the best for them.  We even hope for our kids to be the best.  It’s hard … Continue reading →

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Steeper Mountains

Posted on February 12, 2014 by sutterlearn

It was 5:30 and I was still at the school, having waited for parents to get their kids who missed a bus. I was making calls to others who needed updates on how their babies had done that day and … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Parenting | 3 Comments

Not My Job

Posted on February 8, 2014 by sutterlearn

Jim Howitt was a mentor of mine in life.  When I was in my early 20’s working at a marketing company, he was in his late 60’s having returned from retirement to work in our office.  For the first year … Continue reading →

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Caring Hurts…do it anyway.

Posted on February 8, 2014 by sutterlearn

People tend to freak out or get really uncomfortable when you talk about loving others in the general.  It’s either misinterpreted as inappropriate if you talk about love outside of a family setting, or idealistic hippy-talk when you refer to … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Parenting, Teachers | 2 Comments

Are you being sarcastic?

Posted on January 18, 2014 by sutterlearn

Psychologists and counselors will generally tell you it’s not okay to use sarcasm, that it’s passive-aggressive, demeaning, and establishes negative relationships…especially with children. In most cases, if you have a mean intent you are not helping others out by being … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Teachers | 2 Comments

The Hats We Wear

Posted on December 18, 2013 by sutterlearn

The God I believe in has a sense of humor. I imagine God laughing every time I think I have a plan for myself and God hands me the real plan, usually with a new hat. When I look for … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership | 1 Comment

Sisyphus

Posted on November 14, 2013 by sutterlearn

The new banner to my blog site is a picture of a paperweight my dad kept on his writing desk when I was a child. The original allure to me was that a GI Joe action figure was about the … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Parenting | 1 Comment