Category Archives: Character

Something American Schools Can Learn from Japan: You Matter

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Rick

You Matter The minute I appeared in the front hall of Kugayama School the receptionist got up from behind his desk, opened the glass door of the administrative offices and came out to greet me with a smile, a bow … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Respect, School Reform, Social Responsibility, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Epistemology: the Heart of a Good Curriculum

Posted on February 9, 2017 by Rick

What if “epistemology” were written on the whiteboard on the first day of school, and referred to every day after that? What if “To know how you know what you think you know” were universally understood as the point of a curriculum? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement, Authority, Brain Development, Character, Children, decision-making, Discipline, Education, Excellence, First Day of School, Genius, Integrity, Justice, Learning community, Mistakes, parenting, project based learning, School Culture, School Reform, Self-Actualization, Standards, STEM subjects, Success, Teaching, Technology and Education, Thoughtfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

National Take Your Enemy to Lunch Day: Keystone of Democracy

Posted on December 6, 2016 by Rick

Last week on the flight from Washington to Boston, Ginna was reeling from the shock that America had elected a misogynistic, racist, egotistical demagogue for president. She decided to turn to her seatmate and ask, “Who did you vote for?” Please … Continue reading →

Posted in Challenge, Character, Children, Conflict and Issues, Genius, Self-Actualization | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Dynamic Mind; Not a Growth Mindset

Posted on November 29, 2016 by Rick

The antidote for a “fixed mindset” is not a “growth mindset,” but a mind on a mission. One morning ten years ago a kindergarten teacher named John walked into his class wearing a pink shirt. There had been an outbreak of students … Continue reading →

Posted in Achievement, Brain Development, Challenge, Character, Children, Diversity, Genius, Learning community, parenting, Praise, School Culture, School Reform, Self-Actualization, Social Anxiety, Success, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Social Anxiety? Get Smart, not Mad

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Rick

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, –Rudyard Kipling At lunchtime on the first day of fourth grade my best friend Jimmy stuck a deviled egg in my face and said “Eat it.” Back then, a deviled egg … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Development, Character, Children, Collaboration, Conflict and Issues, Creativity, Education, Emotional Intelligence, Genius, Leadership, Play, Resilience, Self-Actualization, Social Anxiety | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments