Dear colleague, The second-to-last strategy in The Will to Learn is one that’s easy to sleep on: Unpack Outcomes, Good or Bad. You can read a full explanation of the strategy on pp. 206-219 in your copy of the book, so today I won’t re-explain it here and will instead give a recent example from […]
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The Trouble With Sitting Behind Our Desks
Dear colleague, A couple months ago, I was asked at a PD workshop I was leading whether or not teachers should sit behind their desks while students work independently on their learning. Let’s talk a little bit about this. So first of all, it’s important we create classroom cultures where our students are sometimes independently […]
Are We Becoming Grumbles?
Dear colleague, Recently I came across this article in my archives from 2017 and found it very helpful, in that it both convicted and encouraged me. Gotta say — it’s uncomfortable for me to read at this point in my life, afflicted as I often am with concerns regarding rapidly advancing AI, the student motivation […]
Busy About the Business
Dear colleague, An important promise I make to myself and to my students is that we will never do busywork in my classroom. We’ll be busy, for sure. Time is precious, the fruits of learning are priceless, and you only learn by doing work with care. But it won’t be busywork. Here it’s helpful to […]
Focused Finish: MGCs Aimed at Purpose, Goals, and Growth
Dear colleague, Thanks for those who’ve supported my work via registering for the Focused Finished Seminar (details/registration here). It makes what I do possible — truly. Recently I took a day off school to visit Ravenna, OH. While there, I led colleagues through the student motivation/engagement methodology found in The Will to Learn. Whenever I […]
Let’s Finish the Year Together
Dear Colleague, In my last article, I asked what your Focused Finish might look like for this school year. And y’all are wise, sane people — so many of you are seeking that sweet spot between limping to summer and overwhelming yourselves with All The Things. Based on these conversations, I’m pumped to unveil my […]
What’s Your Focused Finish?
Dear colleague, At the front of my classroom hangs a simple poster with the words “Do Hard Things.” It reminds my students—and me—that growth happens when we embrace challenges with purpose. Doing (the right) work with (belief-fueled) care = the core of the Do Hard Things ethos. As we enter the final quarter of the […]
How an 8th Grade Teacher Made an Everest Statement for Reading and Had Her Students Make One for Writing
Dear colleagues, Earlier this year, our colleague Mrs. Ariella Kranczer wrote in to me about her clever “I do, you do” implementation of Everest Statements in her eighth grade ELA classroom. Wanted to share it here because it is excellent! Hi, Fellow teacher and follower of you. I love what you model and share- thank […]
How David Reese Mini-Sermonized an Assignment’s Instructions
Dear colleague, Our colleague David T. Reese wrote in to me earlier this year with a pretty phenomenal example of a written mini-sermon. I wanted to share it here on the blog in case it helps or encourages someone like it has me! Best, DSJR 3 Part Writing Task: Letter, Annotated Writing Moves, Writing about […]
An Incredible Moment in Caleb N’s English Class
Dear colleagues, When our colleague Caleb wrote in to me with this classroom story (below), I was covered in goosebumps. What a phenomenal example of the power that is possible in everyday classrooms like yours and mine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Recently, my 8th grade language arts students have […]
More Caroline Ong Mini-Sermons
Below are some mini-sermons from the practice of our esteemed math teacher colleague Caroline Ong, from the 24–25 school year. Week #1 of the school year, PreCal: Week #2 of the school year, PreCal: Week #3:
Just Three Types
Dear colleague, There are only a few basic ways to end a school year now that we’re in countdown territory: So what’s the better alternative? I didn’t invent it, but I’ve seen it’s power in myself and in others too many times to count. It’s called “the Focused Finish.” The Focused Finish is how I’ve […]
It’s the Final Countdown 
Dear colleague, It’s March. Good gracious, do I ever love March. It’s just hard not to love… But Dave, you might be thinking, you’re not one of those burnt out teachers that counts down to the end of the year, are you? No, I’m not currently burnt out. (Though that ebbs and flows often, as […]
Live Talks
Dear colleague, Here’s a list of YouTube Live talks I’ve given so you have them all in one place.
School’s PERMAnent Value
Dear colleague, Yesterday I gave a (very rough draft) recorded talk on whether or not school and its definitions of success are outdated. Basically, I argued that: These were the three most important slides I used: 
First up, this is what schools are for: the promotion of long-term flourishing via teaching students toward mastery […]
Have We Entered the Student Motivation Apocalypse?
Dear colleague, Today I gave a YouTube Live talk on what I’m calling the Student Motivation Apocalypse. Yep — kind of doomsday-ish, I know. But that’s not actually what I mean. Don’t have time to listen to the talk? Here’s the gist: I hope you find it helpful or encouraging. Teaching right beside you, DSJR
