Change that matters
Recently, I spoke at a meeting of several state-level education leaders to discuss my views on the new proposed regulations covering the Every Student Succeeds Act (the major federal education law,...
View ArticleSupporting kids from cradle to career
This week's column was co-authored with Melisa Rewold-Thuon, vice president of education with YouthPower365. Nearly everyone has heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." Well, it's...
View ArticleFree college — no longer a pipe dream
Springtime is here! And, if you have a high school senior under your roof, or you are a high school senior, then chances are you're both thinking about the next chapter in life after high school...
View ArticleSchools’ tech set to improve
In the fall of 2013, a little more than four months into my tenure as Eagle County's Superintendent, we published a vision document called "Unparalleled Altitude: A Globally-Inspired Vision for Eagle...
View ArticleWhite House whopper
In an administration that has a strained relationship with the truth, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney laid out a whopper at a press conference when discussing President Trump's...
View ArticleIt’s time again for standardized testing
This week, public school students across Colorado will engage in an annual rite of spring: state standardized exams. As a critic of testing and the punishment used as a means of driving instructional...
View ArticleThe education of Betsy DeVos
Last week, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had a big day talking education at a meeting convened to discuss school choice. The meeting was organized by the Brookings Institution, a D.C. policy...
View ArticleMaking learning meaningful
In our schools today (and especially going forward), two profound shifts are underway to transform the learning experience for students.
View ArticleSchool calendars always contentious
With the possible exception of whether or not to call a snow day, there is perhaps no issue which presents itself in more of a "lose-lose" dynamic than anything to do with the school-year calendar. Our...
View ArticleWhat to do about Colorado’s teacher shortage
A December 2016 Colorado legislative report on the number of teacher candidates completing programs in Colorado showed a precipitous 24.4 percent drop between 2010 and 2016. This means, according to...
View Article‘This place will always speak to me’
Many of you already know that I was announced as the sole finalist for the Superintendency with Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado. This means that I am currently negotiating a new contract...
View ArticleSchool district has model partnership with medical center
Our school district goes out of its way to develop meaningful and impactful partnerships with all kinds of groups in our valley. We understand that we can't solve all of our community's problems on our...
View ArticleThanks from a grateful board president
It is long overdue that I use this forum to express my deepest thanks to this community. I have had the honor of serving on the Eagle County Schools Board of Education for seven years and am now well...
View ArticleHiring superintendent is job No. 1 for Board of Education
The Eagle County Schools Board of Education's most important job is hiring the superintendent. The superintendent is the board's only employee. We have been fortunate to have Dr. Jason Glass as our...
View ArticleColorado legislature comes through for schools
In spite of recent fireworks at the federal level relating to education, most major policy decisions (and the vast majority of decisions relating to funding) happen at the state level. The 2017...
View ArticleThe Secretary of Education and the American dream
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has been making the rounds in Congress to answer questions about the president's federal budget when it comes to education spending. While somewhere north of 90...
View ArticleAuthentic community engagement
It can be argued that our nation now stands at a more divided place than possibly any other time in our history, with the exception of the Civil War. Then, the divisions were around region (north...
View ArticleDeparting Eagle County Schools chief’s farewell
It has been a tremendous run, but this will be my last Vail Daily guest editorial column. Throughout the past four years, I've had the opportunity to communicate directly with you about education,...
View ArticleWelcome, Dr. Maggie Lopez
As president of the Board of Education of Eagle County Schools, it is my immense honor and sincere pleasure to introduce to the community Dr. Maggie Lopez, Eagle County Schools' interim superintendent...
View ArticleSchool board as cornerstone of American society
School boards have their roots in the American democratic process, which dates back more than 200 years to the town meetings of the colonial era. While local governance has evolved significantly since...
View ArticleServing on school board is a labor of love
All school board directors in Colorado serve without pay, and this volunteer position is considered by some to be one of the most valuable and challenging in the community.
View ArticleWelcome back to school, Eagle County
Hello, Eagle County. I'm delighted to be serving as Eagle County Schools' interim superintendent for the 2017-18 school year. This will be my 38th year in education. During those years, I've served as...
View ArticleVolunteer and make a difference in a child’s life
For the past three years, I've had the privilege of being retired. The first few months were a transitional time, when, as my family describes it, "I returned to the nest." I had time for more...
View ArticleDespite DACA announcement, we continue to focus on learning for all students
Every week, I visit schools and get to see our students in action. The teenagers soon to be venturing out into the world, the kindergarteners so excited or, in some cases, overwhelmed with this new...
View ArticleStudents’ hurricane relief efforts show the strength of youth
Over the past few weeks, many of us have sat horrified in front of our TVs or have been glued to our smartphones (even more than usual) watching and reading about the hurricanes that have struck,...
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