Tag: Observation
-
It All Starts with a Question… and Not Just Any Question
It all starts with a question — and not just any question. Not the kind that seeks the right answer. Not the kind that checks for recall or makes sure the reading was done. But the kind of question that opens a door. That invites curiosity. That sparks a pause. The kind of question that…
-
No Tricks, Just Routines: A Thought on Classroom Management
While flipping through an old journal, I came across a question I once jotted down — likely something I heard at a conference: “What is your best classroom management trick?” I smiled when I read it, because I remember my answer clearly — and I stand by it: Tricks and gimmicks for class management eventually…
-
Start with the Right Question: A Reflection on School Discipline and Parental Support
It’s never easy getting called into school because of your child’s behavior. As a parent, it can feel frustrating, embarrassing, or even unfair. But in those moments, the most powerful and productive question a parent can ask is: “What can I do to help correct my child’s behavior or misconduct?” Unfortunately, that’s not always where…
-
Our Shared Path, Our Individual Journey
There’s a quiet truth we all live with — one we may not often voice, but feel deeply in our moments of reflection: While we may share a path with others, our journeys are a uniquely individual experience. Life often brings us into community with others. We attend school together, grow up in the same…
-
Why Inkblotz?
Yesterday, as I was reviewing notes and drafts for future blog posts, my daughter came up to me and asked, “Whatcha doin’, Dad?” I answered simply, “Reviewing posts for my blog.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “You have a blog? What’s it called?” “Inkblotz,” I replied. She wrinkled her brow. “Why Inkblotz? What…
-
Mistakes Are Moments. Growth Is the Goal.
Rethinking Discipline, Accountability, and Redemption in Our Schools In every classroom, hallway, and lunch line, students are learning much more than what’s printed in textbooks. They’re learning how to be human — how to navigate choices, face consequences, recover from missteps, and try again. And like all of us, they sometimes stumble. What matters most…
-
The Line Most Beautiful
As an art student many years ago, I became captivated by portraiture—not just the structure of the face, but the subtleties that make each human being unique. Over years of observation, sketching, and painting, I came to see that every person carries a distinct line—a natural flow that defines them beyond features or symmetry. It’s…
-
The Crossroads
There comes a time in every person’s life when they stand at a crossroads — a moment that demands not just any decision, but the decision. One that will alter the course of their life forever. There will be an easy way out — the path of least resistance — tempting in its comfort, but…
INKBLOTZ 