I often find myself reflecting on the parallels between education and sports, particularly the role of a goaltender in hockey. Just as a goaltender’s performance is influenced by the team’s defense, a student’s learning is affected by the educational system surrounding them. In hockey, if the defense consistently allows breakaways, the goaltender faces immense pressure, […]
A few years back, I found myself in a classroom filled with eager students, each bringing their unique perspectives and questions. One particular session stands out—a student boldly shared an answer that was, well, not quite right. Instead of correcting them immediately, I paused and asked the class, “What do you think about this response?” […]
While speaking with a dedicated Spanish teacher who had attended one of my workshops, she expressed enthusiasm about implementing new strategies in her classroom but was uncertain about how to adapt certain ideas to the unique challenges of teaching a world language. Her concerns resonated with me. Reflecting on my own experiences studying languages like […]
Most educators I’ve met care deeply about their students and their schools. They truly do want to grow and improve. But the idea of asking for honest input tends to bring up feelings of fear and anxiety. Why? Because in many schools, feedback is associated with evaluation—and evaluation, especially when linked to rankings or job security, can feel threatening.
How to move away from the familiar “carrot and stick” model of behavior management.
Who wins when teams and team members compete with each other? In this final episode in the Role of a Manager in Education series, David Langford and Andrew Stotz discuss why cooperation beats competition, particularly in schools.
What are unhurried conversations, and why should managers prioritize them? In this episode, David Langford and host Andrew Stotz talk about the kinds of conversations managers should be having with their team members.
Business, Education, Podcast
Do You Listen to Speak or Listen to Learn? Role of a Manager in Education (Part 12)
Listening to understand and learn is often harder than not-really-listening because you’re thinking about what to say. Dr. Deming emphasized learning and was excited about ideas he heard from others every day. In this episode, David Langford and Andrew Stotz talk about why and how managers, including teachers, should listen to staff or students.
Perfection may be your goal, but unless you create an artificial environment, you’re not going to get it. David Langford and host Andrew Stotz discuss how good managers/teachers let go of perfection and, instead, understand variation, then work on the system to produce better and better outcomes for everyone.