It was the third week of September, and I remember walking into class already tired. A young man in the front row had his head down on the desk, earbuds in. Another student was scrolling her phone under the table, not even bothering to hide it. I felt the familiar rise of frustration—why won’t they […]
Finding presence in the middle of upgrades, glitches, and shifting systems It was the third day of the semester. I had my lesson lined up, the students were settled in, and I clicked open the brand-new attendance system our college had just rolled out. And of course—nothing. The screen froze, the system wouldn’t load, and
Technology: Tool or Barrier to Connection? Read More »
Kelli and I just returned from a week in Scotland. I had to relearn driving on the left of the road, from the right side of the car, manual shifting with my left hand, and making sure to stay in the center of roads half the width of ours. Let me tell you, it took
Grading Isn’t the Goal: Rethinking Assessment Through a Spiritual Lens Read More »
We are in Germany visiting Sabrina, our Exchange Student back when she was in high school, and her family for a wedding. It’s been beautiful weather and a wonderful time visiting and sharing lives with this family. Yet, it’s still August, and the familiar feelings still arise. August always carried a strange rhythm
The Work Will Always Be There; What Changes Everything is The Lens You Bring to it. Read More »
I was watching the dog the other morning, coffee in hand, when a breeze carried that faint, unmistakable hint of change in the air. The light was softer, the edges of the leaves just beginning to blush toward autumn. And it struck me: this wasn’t just the season outside shifting — it was my own
Seasons of the Soul: How Nature Mirrors Our Inner World Read More »
I know in my current posts I’m focusing a lot on teachers and reframing their thoughts, but it’s August and I know teachers are getting ready. The way a teacher sees their work, their students, and themselves—especially at the start of the school year—shapes their energy, effectiveness, and joy more than the physical preparations they
Teaching Through a Fresh Window Read More »
My wife, Kelli, and nephew, Gavin, and I drove to Florida the other day. We drove the 17 hours switching off and on, the kind of trip that stretches your patience as much as your mileage. The open road always has a way of slowing you down, even when traffic isn’t. There were stretches of
Sacred Space on the Highway: What the Road Taught Me About Teaching and Letting Go Read More »
areI. A Slow Exhale Before the Rush It starts quietly—an aisle at Target filled with bins of crayons and colorful planners. A newsletter in the inbox. A few friends texting about bulletin board ideas. And suddenly, summer begins to tighten into structure. I remember that shift so well. Even in retirement, I still feel
Reconnecting to Your Why: Preparing the Heart, Not Just the Classroom Read More »
Introduction: More Than a Job When I first stepped into a classroom over four decades ago, I thought I was simply beginning a job. But as the years unfolded, I more and more realized I had stepped into something far deeper — a calling. Teaching, at its core, is a profound invitation to serve, to
Teaching as Calling: Beyond the Classroom Walls Read More »
This week, Kelli and I find ourselves among thousands of passionate educators at the National Education Association Representative Assembly. It’s always a source of energy and renewal — a place where stories echo from rural classrooms to bustling city schools, and where a single hallway conversation can reignite our sense of purpose. One thing
Setbacks as Silent Teachers: Lessons in Growth from the NEA Assembly Read More »
