To Do and NOT to DO- First Days of School: Relationships over Nuts & Bolts

Paloma, 8th Grade, 1st Day at CTL Academy Global/Soccer IQ Institute Making an impact the first days of school is essential for kicking off the year right- especially this year- some may say this is the first ‘normal year’ post the pandemic that caused total havoc in education and beyond. This school year schools haveContinue reading “To Do and NOT to DO- First Days of School: Relationships over Nuts & Bolts”

Alas- Mastery Based Grading is Back!

We are in 2024 and just a couple of days ago- 2April24 editor Jeffrey R. Young published an article in EdSurge titled- Is it Time for a National Conversation about Eliminating Letter Grades. This topic has been part of my own career journey for the last 30 years- I remember a university professor in myContinue reading “Alas- Mastery Based Grading is Back!”

Developing a Sense of Urgency

In today’s PD session with CTL Academy Team, three weeks into the start of the school year the teachers shared that their students were showing signs of some bad habits returning. These habits included turning in work late, or not doing it, or not completing assigned tasks. Some of the teachers shared that to helpContinue reading “Developing a Sense of Urgency”

CTL Academy 2023-24 as ‘GREAT’

To become GREAT we need a collective mindset.  As senior coach I have compiled a collection of readings to help build this common mantra. Below is a set of links to check out and come August we will have a launch plan!  Keep in mind CTL Academy is building on our past themes of UBUNTUContinue reading “CTL Academy 2023-24 as ‘GREAT’”

Should a school visit feel similar to visiting a ‘5 star resort’ without the massages, cleaning and restaurant service?

On a recent brick and mortar school visit where I served as a cover teacher I had this realization about our expectations from a 5 star resort experience and wondered why they would not be the same in a school setting? More specifically how often does one enter a school and is greeted by aContinue reading “Should a school visit feel similar to visiting a ‘5 star resort’ without the massages, cleaning and restaurant service?”

Self Directed Learning-Why? How?

More and more we are expecting young people to direct their own learning similar to how they navigate their own social stream or gaming consumption. Sometimes they are assigned a study period during their school day other times teachers set a task for students to do with limited direction or maybe students are at homeContinue reading “Self Directed Learning-Why? How?”

To AI or Not to AI, that is the question….

There has been a lot of buzz in education post New Years with some large school districts ousting the use of AI in their schools. Both professionally and personally we have been having a play with the ChatGPT from Open AI. My first impression is WOW, this pushes me as a teacher and as aContinue reading “To AI or Not to AI, that is the question….”

My 11 year old’s first day at her new school-almost like a continuation school

When I walked my daughter in to school today I could not help but to feel that I am walking in to a high functioning continuation school in Los Angeles. Albeit there are differences but more importantly are the opportunities that can take place in sharing common ground in the models. Continuation schools in LosContinue reading “My 11 year old’s first day at her new school-almost like a continuation school”