The title of the video below is “Rock Bottom.” It is apt title and well worth your viewing time, Educator customer service needs to be at the top of the list of things we need be addressing this BOE election cycle. Our best principals understand and work at this every, […]
Part 4 Election Primer: Invest in People
Many years ago, I was watching Billy Graham on Larry King Live one evening. One thing led to another, and I don’t remember the exact quote. But Graham noted that one of the most important things which we can do is to invest in people, not money. That stuck with […]
St Patrick: A Testimony to Faith and Steadfastness
Ireland during 5th century AD was devoutly pagan. Many were Druid. At best, Druids conformed to what today we would call witchcraft and dark stuff at that. Some historians believe Druids even performed human sacrifice. It was an island that had conformed to darkness. And yet God sent a man […]
Part 3 Election Primer: The Importance of Hiring and Retaining Top Teachers and Administrators
This is one of my favorite topics. I think BOE candidates should address several things about how teachers are prioritized. It might be the second most important thing they address. Why? Any school system is only as good as they teachers they hire. Great administrators don’t focus on data. They […]
Part 2 BOE Election Primer: Growth vs Achievement?
While I am no fan of the data driven model, if we are forced to use data as the main indicator of school success, then what data metrics should we use? Do BOE candidates prefer growth or achievement(proficiency) metrics to measure school success? The answer to those two questions is […]
Part 1 BOE Election Primer: What is the job of the board of education?
I want to lay out one basic tenet before addressing a wide range of educational issues. The power of government rests with the people – period. In the Declaration of Independence it reads: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed […]
Introduction: Primer for Upcoming BOE Elections
In Kingsport and other areas, primary elections for the BOE are set to be held. I am going to be writing a series of education articles about important educational issues which we face in NE TN and Kingsport. Hopefully, that information can help you in making informed choices when voting. […]
Matthew 23
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear,[a] and lay […]
The Mighty Men of David
A good friend of mine in Mississippi often reminds me of the Mighty Men of David. While reading a book this evening about the persecuted church in North Korea, the Mighty Men of David were mentioned right off the bat. Who were they? They were men who defended David. They […]
What can we learn about learning from Steve Jobs?
If today was the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?…Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool that I have ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything…all external expectations, […]