This is Part 3 of a six-part series on the Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching. Part 1 –  A “Compass” for Our Times Part 2 – Cultivating an Open Heart Being Present Since we last wrote, another school shooting has turned the world of educators upside down. This tragedy, which irrevocably changed the lives of everyone in […]

This is Part 2 of a six-part series on the Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching. Part 1 –  A “Compass” for Our Times   “We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs.” ~Lisa Delpit, Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom     We have a […]

  With all that is present in our country and world—we wanted to offer some practices and principles to support us all to navigate the intense and volatile times we live and teach in. The Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching (as explored in our book by the same title) can serve as a powerful “compass” or […]

The days grow shorter, the season shifts, and we turn now towards the final days of 2017. This time of year can be both joyous and stressful for teachers and students alike—as calendars fill with everything from holiday events, to mid-term exams, to semester end projects and report cards. Emotions can run high –as the […]

These are challenging times in our country—a time when there is much racial, gender, class, and political division in our communities. While schools are deeply affected by these times, we can continue to remember what our commitment is to young people—and how we make a positive difference by creating environments where all students are served […]

In engaged classrooms, we see inspired teachers supporting students to discover and pursue their passions and strengths and take risks in their learning. In this “learner-centered” approach, teachers empower students with practices, principles, and content that engage them to think creatively, understand their emotions, communicate effectively, excel academically, and work with people who are different […]

Just Say No: The Path to Simplicity Begins with a Refusal of the Nonessential and Unproductive. It’s been several decades since Americans were first introduced to the idea that they should “Just say no.” While the context of this was originally about saying no to drugs, I believe this recommendation has even greater potential for […]

Last weekend, I was in a circle of friends who gathered to honor a 17-year-old young man’s transition out of high school— into the great beyond.  Over a two-hour period, I watched James move from initial discomfort to delight and relief as he was recognized for the passage he was making. As James was showered […]

In our world, there is a pervasive emphasis on achievement, outcomes, growth, and strategies. With school change work, we often see a kind of “turnaround” mentality— where there is an expectation that when we implement or “roll out” a program or initiative, we will see immediate results.  As part of this approach to change, educators […]