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#memorablemomentsineducation #3:
I worked for a principal for many years who had quite the impact on me (he’d probably say the same about me, but it would sound more like “she was a pain in the a**”). Everyone who worked for him knew he communicated emotionally, not always logically, but we understood what was important to him:

1. Drop everything for a kid.
2. Assume positive intent (of your kids, your kids’ parents, and your colleagues).
3. If they keep score, I want to win.

That last one may seem a little too competitive for today’s collaborative environment, but we also knew #1 was always the essential ingredient for any educator. Every day, I know those ideas still linger and drive what I do.

#memorablemomentsineducation #2:
My teacher, Mrs. Ater, kicked me out of reading group in 6th grade. I don’t think this was the time I actually went to the principal’s office (though that happened a couple times); I think she was just exasperated with me and needed me to go away. The reason? We were asked one of those generic questions about a passage that began, “What do you think?” Well, if you’re going to ask me what I think, then I don’t believe you can tell me my answer is wrong. I’m sure I spent too much time arguing with her about how valid my response was, so she politely asked me to leave. I remember this moment not because I was right (though I was) but because she knew I needed that moment to realize our entire class was not about me, my arguments, or my inflated sense of injustice.