Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

How an individual reacts when challenged in a respectful and professional manner is the most important aspect of one’s personality.

A leader who helps “put out fires” but doesn’t realize they are the same fires everyday needs to pay greater attention... and take the take action to prevent them from distracting from the work.

Your tech support is great... I just wish I didn’t have to call everytime I used your product.

“Human individuals are attuned to the common ground they share with others....” at least that is how we evolved... now... not so much.

Can we agree to stop using PowerPoint templates if the default colors do not follow the 4.5:1 rule?

So much talk of #data #assessment #achievement #standards #scores in #education. Too bad none of that time, money, human capital is directed towards learning.

Ideas are different from information... and more interesting and useful.

Innovation does not happen when you copy successful models.

“Seek to understand as much as you seek to be understood.” These are the wisest words I heard today.

“Art at its best can a add dimension to our perceptions.” -Stephen Jay Gould

Interpretation of observation/ information/ data is the most important aspect of any “data-driven” leader. No... evaluation of one’s interpretation of one’s observation/ information/ data is most important. #Leadership #school #education #DataDriven

“This does not seem to be working.” If #educators had the insight and resilience to make that observation.

Can we all *try* to use “less” and “fewer” properly? If you can count ‘em you have fewer. If you can’t you have less. “That aquarium has less water, so it can support fewer fish.” Thanks for listening to my rant.

Despite rhetoric, leaders don’t want critical, creative, insightful members of their organizations, especially If they work in education.

If your “research” does not seek to answer a question, then it isn’t research.

I’m starting a list of “things leaders did to make me start job searches.”

“You can just read a book” when declining my request to attend a conference to learn about an innovative new practice is on top of the list.

“But I’ll be dammed if nature can validate, or even address, such cultural hopes and preferences.” -Stephen Jay Gould

OK, so I remember events that I know happened during the year covered in the “50 years ago” column in Scientific American. How did that happen?

Design it the way they are going to use it. Of course, they are going to do with it what they want, but design away.

Hey students... don’t set goals you are not in 100% in control of it. Your goal “improve my grade in math” for example is controlled by your teacher. Sure you can affect it by studying, but the grade is determined by your teachers’ judgement (and bias).