Dyslexia Graphic

As the old saying goes, “Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.”

My daughter (an elementary teacher) recently shared this classic graphic from Orton Gillingham. It’s an excellent illustration of how a someone with the characteristics of dyslexia may perceive letters, and why the way his/her brain works is not just a matter of being “wrong.”

It also shows why so-called “learning disabled” children often AREN’T. We simply don’t teach the way that their brains learn. And what wonders are we missing because we can’t appreciate their unique perspective?

That’s definitely something worth thinking about …

 

 

 

 

Impact of Principal Turnover

Principal turnover is an increasing problem. Every year, about 20% of American schools lose their principal. While this is a national average, the rate is much higher in some states. This article from the Brookings Institute explores the impact these turnovers have on test scores, school proficiency rates, and teacher retention.

Skateboarding?!

Here’s an interesting article where researchers report on the surprising link between skateboarding and academic success. Skateboarding makes its Olympic debut next year, and its image is changing with the help of schools and community-based programs that have found ways this emerging sport can help students be creative, resilient problem-solvers.

Communities of Practice

Relationships are the currency of effective school leaders. Too often we skip relationship building and go straight into the technical aspects of leadership development. But school leaders play a pivotal role in creating the systems and structures needed for relationship building.

In this article, James Harrell takes a look at how creating Communities of Practice can enhance your ability to build effective relationships.