Author Archives: Eric Wright

Compassion in Schools – It Must be Intentional

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

“I think compassion is the bedrock of leadership, unless you can empathize with ‘other’,… I don’t know that you can lead” – Bo Adams, Former Junior High School Principal Bo Adams Blog and video above made me reflect back on our Advocacy class.  Educational leadership is more than raising test scores.  It is about making [...]
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EDLP 709, VCU EDD Reflections

Does Class Size Matter?

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 4

Tonight in class we had a spirited debate about whether class size matters.  A somewhat dated, yet applicable article called When Politics Meets Practice (1998) weighs such questions as: What does the research say? What are the trade-off’s to small class sizes? How did California’s Class Size Reduction Initiative work out? What are the political [...]
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VCU EDD Reflections

Moving a Barn – Preparing and Creating Change

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

Recently I had the opportunity to work on a family farm.  In addition to bringing in the hay, milking cows and other normal farm tasks, I helped prepare to move a barn.  While doing so, I found myself reflecting on the similarities between leading change in a school setting and preparing this building for its [...]
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Fun, Learning

Create Bold Presentations

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

What goes through your mind right before you have a big presentation?  Are you nervous?  Are you confident?  Below, Olivia Mitchell outlines five ways to be BOLD in your presentations.  This is the second of a two part series on being bold. Ask your audience to take action – What good is the information you [...] Read more »

Leadership, Learning

Bridle that Humility

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

We are all our own worst critics. That is especially true for me. In a recent graded assignment, I was told that I have humility. I know it was meant as a compliment, but my humility has a negative side. I think this holds me back in my presentations and is reflected in my professional [...] Read more »

Leadership, Learning

Murmurations

Posted on July 15, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

Have you ever witnessed the seemingly random motions of a flock of starlings flying about in a cloud of flapping wings?  I’ve often wanted to follow a flock to see where it goes and determine what it’s looking for.  This movement is known as a murmuration.  Don Tapscott linked these murmurations to what he calls [...] Read more »

Collaboration, Leadership, Learning

Intent

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

As I have recently been reflecting on what programs worked last year and how to improve them for next year, I find myself thinking about design. I’m not an engineer, but I realize design must be put into any system in order to produce a meaningful product.  John Hockenberry summarized the importance of intent on [...] Read more »

Leadership, Learning, Program Evaluation

Operation Smile

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 0

The following video is a thank you to the volunteers of Operation Smile by Dr. Bill Magee.  In his address, he notes what is possible with a network of volunteers who have a passion for touching lives.  He discusses the successes Operation Smile has accomplished over the past 25 years and credits it to the [...] Read more »

EDLP 709, VCU EDD Reflections

What is My Brand?

Posted on June 9, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 1

As I reflect on my values, I think about a professional learning experience I had a couple years back.  I had an opportunity to visit Marine Corps boot camp in Paris Island,  South Carolina.  There I witnessed the Marine Corps instilling their values of honor, courage and commitment to the recruits.  Through physically and mentally [...] Read more »

EDLP 708, values, VCU EDD Reflections

Helping Hands

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Eric Wright | Permalink 4

What do students in ISS do, exactly?  Do they sit in a room (cell) and complete work their teachers send down?  Sometimes a time-out is needed for unruly students.  Other times, it’s a precursor to a vicious cycle of ISS, OSS, truancy and eventually dropping out. This year, my school set out to develop a [...] Read more »

EDLP 709, Helping Hands, VCU EDD Reflections