Category Archives: Leadership

Subtract Pride, Multiply Learning

Posted on September 26, 2012 by sutterlearn

Most times I will let something simmer before writing on it.  Perhaps it wasn’t as inspirational as at first glance, perhaps the inspiration needs to grow as I process the event.  Today, there was no mistaking the inspiration I received … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Professional Learning Conceptions, Teachers | Leave a comment

Keep a Smile On!

Posted on September 22, 2012 by sutterlearn

The first full week of school runs everyone ragged, adjusting schedules, teaching routines, and learning your place in a new communal order; kids and adults.  My son must have seen this on my face from across the field during his … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Parenting, Students | 1 Comment

New Teachers

Posted on August 24, 2012 by sutterlearn

Being a new elementary teacher is quite possibly the most unsettling experience known to man (at least to this man) to such extent I cannot find a universal metaphor.  It is a total body insult.  Your self-confidence takes a hit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Teachers | 1 Comment

CREACTIVE

Posted on June 3, 2012 by sutterlearn

I’ve spent years reading leadership books, articles, allegories, and parables about the virtues of “laser-like focus”, “courageous conversations”, and “unapologetic direction”.  I like getting pumped up by such inspiring clichés.  It seems part of our animal spirit that the strong … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Leadership, Teachers | 1 Comment

Does May Exist?

Posted on June 3, 2012 by sutterlearn

May could be the most elusive month of the school year.  November reels from the sugar-laden rise and fall of Halloween into the shortened week of Thanksgiving.  December can feel complete or not, simply based on when the holiday break … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Students, Teachers | 2 Comments

TEDx Lansing 2012

Posted on April 21, 2012 by sutterlearn

Last week I did something I’ve wanted to do for a long, long time.  After posting links to a few different TED talks here on my blog, I took part of a day to attend the Lansing TED conference.  TED … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, School Reform, Teachers, Technology | 4 Comments

Pirates and Cowboys

Posted on April 21, 2012 by sutterlearn

Something bold, ironic, and beautiful is happening in our schools.  National teacher satisfaction surveys are showing decreasing satisfaction with the career (not the work, mind you, the job).  We could have predicted this just by listening to teachers’ desires and … Continue reading →

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Cut the Pendulum Strings and Jump Into The River

Posted on March 25, 2012 by sutterlearn

I’m looking for a new metaphor for educators.  I’m tired of hearing, and using, the overly cliché, “…the pendulum is swinging back again”.  Poet Audre Lorde said, “There are no new ideas.  There are just new ways of making them … Continue reading →

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Book Review – The Dream Manager

Posted on March 14, 2012 by sutterlearn

Last week I read The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly.  This business parable is set at a janitorial company facing huge turnover, as could be expected.  The premise is that the frustrated general manager decides that the key to keeping … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Leadership | 1 Comment

Where Have You Been?

Posted on March 10, 2012 by sutterlearn

Actually it’s me who’s been absent.  I knew I took a break from posting here, but didn’t realize that there are folks who look forward to reading my thinking.   A handful of people have emailed or stopped me to ask … Continue reading →

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