A View from the Now-Retired Principal's Seat

What did you have as a desk when you were in school? Was it like this? This? This? Maybe this? A quick internet search offers literally thousands of desk choices, and my guess is most of us had some combination of each of these.  None of them were inherently bad.  Each have their pros and cons, but are they relevant for today's students?  Kindergarten students this year are the graduating class of 2034!  What will their world look like when they graduate high school as opposed to when you or I graduated high school, and how are we preparing our students for that world? While none of us have a "crystal ball" to 100% accurately predict the future, we do know that future will be dynamic and different from today.   Our school district is taking active steps to ensure all students are prepared for that future by adopting what we are calling "universal accommodations."  These are Board adopted agreements that will be present in all classes for all students.  At fi

What is the difference between a need and a want?  When I was young I remember wanting lots of toys.  Many involved Evel Knievel, a famous stunt performer.  :) Then my wants grew to video games, music, a real car, etc...  (I still have a want list--some items are practical--like a whole house generator--some are just not necessary--like a planer for my shop.)  Wants, I suppose, are natural. Needs , of course, are necessary.  Everyone needs safety, food, housing, belonging, etc...  We seem to understand needs. Lately,however, I've been thinking a lot about hopes .  While wants and needs are economic terms we teach our students, hopes are more emotional for me.  Hopes convey dreams and aspirations.  Hopes feel like something we should reach for that can hold us up when our wants remain on a list.  (Sorry, Evel Knievel fans.)  Hopes sustain us through hard times and can be celebrated in the good times.  Hopes are cherished much more than the latest toy or tool.  Hopes require faith t