by George Goens | Nov 6, 2018 | Bookshelf, Education, Leadership, Life, Other, Politics/Society, Relationships
“You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about.” Hillary Clinton’s advice is exactly what you should not do when confronted by incivility, name-calling, disrespect, and bullying. Incivility...
by George Goens | Aug 24, 2016 | Education
In symphonies of almost any era, the French horn, as a solo instrument exemplifies nobility and heroism: its characteristic strong, mellow tone tugs at the heart and spirit and increases the pulse rate. Metaphorically, the same should be true of schools. They are...
by George Goens | Oct 30, 2014 | Accountability, Education, Leadership, Life, Other, Politics/Society, Relationships
Most leaders and organizations focus on the head and ignore the heart of leadership. Actually, successful leaders “know” in a variety of ways if they are fully aware. Certainly we learn cognitively. The skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation are important. But...
by George Goens | May 12, 2014 | Accountability, Education, Leadership, Life, Politics/Society, Relationships
Golf clubs. Diamonds. Ink pens. Watches. Sunglasses. Clothes. We are familiar with quality products that genuinely produce what they advertise. They are authentic, reliable, and have track records and performance to match their advertising. They are the real McCoy...
by George Goens | Jan 12, 2014 | Accountability, Education, Humor, Leadership, Life, Other, Politics/Society, Relationships
Two infamous streets in New York City — Wall Street and Madison Avenue — have had tremendous impact on the United States and the world. The interesting thing is that the fundamental values of both concern self-interest through marketing and profits. A...
by George Goens | Jan 6, 2014 | Accountability, All, Education, Humor, Leadership, Life, Other, Politics/Society, Relationships
“This too shall pass.” When we are in the dumps, we’ve all heard this advice from someone: hang on, don’t worry, this too shall pass. We don’t seem to realize that nothing is permanent. When we are young and entering adulthood we stupidly...
by George Goens | Dec 3, 2013 | Education, Leadership
“In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day’s work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for 20 years.” — Jacques Barzun. Did teachers have an impact on your life? Most people can identify a teacher or teachers who helped make them what they are today. Many...
by George Goens | Aug 20, 2013 | Education
We hear a lot about data lately – big or otherwise. Data-mapping. Data scanning. Data management. Data analysis. Data mining. Data-based decision-making. We are immersed in – numbers, algorithms, formulas, metrics. Schools are no exception. We now worship on the altar...
by George Goens | Jul 9, 2013 | Education
We hear a lot about data lately – big or otherwise. Data-mapping. Data scanning. Data management. Data analysis. Data mining. Data-based decision-making. We are immersed in – numbers, algorithms, formulas, metrics. Schools are no exception. We now worship on the altar...
by George Goens | Mar 8, 2013 | Education
Teacher bashing has been a staple in conversations about school reform. Some reformers espouse that all we need is a better brand of teachers and all of education’s problems would disappear. As a consequence, the foundation of some reform plans is focused on...