Teach Don't Tell

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; 

involve me and I'll understand.” 

-  Chinese Proverb

There are several philosophies/practices that guide my daily work. Most of them I've picked up from my good friend and mentor.  The philosophy of "Teach Don't Tell" has really been running through my mind quite a bit in my travels.  We tend to do a lot of telling in education.  I see it happen everywhere I go.....

• District Administrators tell Principals what they should be doing.

• Principals tell teachers that they should be instructing differently.

• Teachers tell kids that their answers are incorrect and to do it again.

We are all teachers yet we spend very little time teaching.   We have all spent countless hours in meetings and professional development opportunities where we are told what best practices to use and which manipulatives are best.  


How often are you actually taught how to do things?  I would venture to say rarely because it is easier to stand and deliver.  I am proposing a different way of leading from wherever you currently reside.   Take the time to teach somebody the next time you have the urge to tell them what to do.  There is a simple process to employ that is guaranteed to yield greater results than the typical "I'm going to tell you what to do method."


The Gradual Release of Responsibility Model (Pearson and Gallagher, 1993) is used in many classrooms with students and also in coaching situations.  What if it became the way we did business all the time?  What if it became the way we led?

It begins with the expert demonstrating and it ends with the participant practicing independently.  The shared and guided components are the ones that are typically missing.  This model can be applied to many different situations with all stakeholders.  The process can be differentiated by experience, comfort, skill, etc.  

This is where true change and growth will occur.  What if leaders began employing the best practices that we expect teachers to utilize? 

What is Good Teaching?

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution.
- William Foster

I participated in a workshop recently where everyone in the room watched the same videotaped classroom lesson. We were then asked to rate the lesson on a standard A-F scale. The room consisted of administrators and curriculum supervisors. This is the group of people that evaluates and coaches teachers in their respective districts. The grades ranged from an A to an F with everything in between. How could this happen in a room full of highly qualified educators?

First, I would almost guarantee the same grade distribution would happen in your district. It comes down to the simple fact that everyone has a different view of what quality instruction looks like. It is very difficult to move an organization forward without a sense common vision of quality.

I have been reflecting on the walkthroughs, learning walks, and instructional rounds going on in schools every day.  I spend a great deal of my time out in schools coaching principals through learning walks and reflective conversations.  How effective are these practices without a clear framework of what quality looks like?

Try a similar activity with your staff. Simply view a videotaped lesson and have each teacher grade the lesson. The data is astonishing and the conversation that results from this activity will move your school forward on the journey of defining excellence.

How can we begin to come to a common understanding of what quality teaching is? It begins with a conversation.

How would you define good teaching?  What would you look for?

Are You Surrounded?

It is better to have one person working with you 
than three people working for you.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

My best friend always tells me that you should surround yourself with people that make you a better person.  This is a principle that effective leaders have always employed.  Great leaders surround themselves with a diverse group of people that push them to grow and develop.

Many leaders make the mistake of surrounding themselves with people that tell them what they want to hear which essentially stifles growth.  No one person has all the answers and the concept of group think just leads organizations down the wrong path.

This is an important concept to remember whenever you have the opportunity to hire, add, or remove people from your team.  How can you build a team that pushes you to be a better leader?  B

Do The Unthinkable

It always seems impossible until its done. 

Nelson Mandela 

How often have you encountered the million reasons why you shouldn't embark on an endeavor/adventure?  This happens to us all in both our personal and professional lives.  People line up to tell you the reasons why you shouldn't do something.  The next time this occurs take a look at the doubters to see how they are approaching their work and their life.  

• Are they attempting to do the impossible?
• Are they moving in the same direction as you?
• Are they happy just going day to day?  

Nothing great has ever occurred without risk.  Most people settle because it is easier and safer.  Greatness is always one step away even if we can't initially see it.  It often takes faith to make that first step.  The first step always leads to something greater in the long run.  

We spend far too much time worrying about what other people think and not exploring our passion and unleashing our potential.  The world is counting on people willing to take risks, explore new territory and do the impossible.

A new year is rapidly approaching for leaders everywhere.  It is time to rid yourself of the noise that doubters bring.  It is time to do the unthinkable.  It is time to show the true greatness that is within.  

What are you  waiting for?  The only thing you don't have is time?  Today is the day. How will you embark on this journey towards everything you ever wanted?  B

Moving Mountains and Making a Way

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam 

(I'll Either Find a Way or Make One)

There are many times where it feels like you have to move mountains to get where you truly want to be.  I find that it often looks insurmountable because you are standing too close to the problem.  This happens professionally when you are working intensely on a project or just managing your daily duties.  It occurs just as often personally with relationships, decisions, etc.

The best advice is to just take a step (or two) back.  Decide what you truly want the outcome to be and relentlessly go after it.  You may still see a mountain but you will often see a path that will lead you across.  If no path appears; you just have to make one.   Either way you will find yourself on the other side.  B

New Year

July 1st brings in a new year for many organizations.  It is the beginning of the fiscal year and it is the beginning of the school year for administrators.  This new year is especially exciting to me as I transition into a new role.

I am leaving my role as Elementary Principal to become the Executive Director of Elementary Education.  In this role I will directly work with elementary school principals in my district in an effort to transform all schools.  This new role is extremely exciting and daunting.

It will certainly provide new challenges and new material to write about.  It will also be the first time that I am not in a building working with students.  I will be on the edge of the work trying to push leaders to make the changes necessary to prepare students for success.

How can you transform multiple schools at varying levels of the continuum while coaching principals?  I'll keep you posted.  B

No Excuses

Success is a tale of obstacles overcome, and for every obstacle overcome, an excuse not used.  ~Robert Brault

This is one of my favorite videos because it illustrates the fact that there are a million excuses for not starting something new or making a change.  These excuses tend to be the gatekeepers to greatness.  Figure out what you truly want and go after it.  The worst thing that could happen is that you fail and learn a different way not to proceed.  The terrible thing about making an excuse is that you never TRULY know what could have happened.

What would be possible in education/life if we worked from the framework of making moments happen instead of making excuses?

What is keeping you from greatness? B