Three years ago on President’s Day weekend, I posted a blog to not only commemorate the holiday but also reflect upon thoughts and statements some of our leaders have made about education. If you’re interested, you can find that post at https://ericlfox.com/2017/02/20/do-it-for-them-this-presidents-day-and-each-day/ This year I decided to revisit the topic. Perhaps we’re already tired of…Read more President’s Day reflections on education redux
Do it for the Disengaged!
What I never want to hear….“school sucks.” Or even worse, “my school sucks.” I don’t believe that teenagers are naturally apathetic. I think apathy and disengagement are learned behaviors or defense mechanisms deployed out of necessity. When children start school, they have dreams of what their lives could be. If they lose hope by the time…Read more Do it for the Disengaged!
Do it for the “teacher-servants”
There is a tremendous amount of literature surrounding the concept of “servant leadership” these days. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states that servant leaders “...possess a serve-first mindset, and they are focused on empowering and uplifting...They are serving instead of commanding, showing humility instead of brandishing authority, and always looking to enhance the…Read more Do it for the “teacher-servants”
Chad Taber did it for others all the time, and I miss him.
I lost a hero of mine. The name of this blog is “Do it for them…” and you can look at other posts to see who “them” is to me, but a guy who gave his best for others on countless occasions just passed on and I will miss him greatly as will many others. …Read more Chad Taber did it for others all the time, and I miss him.
My need for maintenance
I had a conversation recently with an educational leader who gave me some important insight and advice into my calling. He told me that my number one priority as a leader should be to build and maintain relationships. He said that without that ability, all the other tasks or expectations associated with the job description…Read more My need for maintenance
Do it for them, not because it’s easy, but because it is hard.
I've had the great learning opportunity to participate in the McKinsey Management Program for School Leaders through the National Association of Secondary School Principals. It has provided tremendous growth around the area of communication and mastering challenging conversations. Perhaps the greatest challenge any of us faces in our personal and professional lives revolves around the…Read more Do it for them, not because it’s easy, but because it is hard.
Around the globe, teachers do it for them!
I recently returned from a great trip to China accompanying students from my high school to a sister school in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in the People's Republic of China. I'm so proud of the students and our district and school leadership for continuing this relationship for the past 16 years. I'll…Read more Around the globe, teachers do it for them!
To fear or not to fear?
I had fun Saturday night. My wife and I took our teenage daughter to her first “scary” movie at our local drive in. Our family has been enamored with the drive in for a long time and this weekend the weather was gorgeous and the new Halloween was playing on the big screen. It was…Read more To fear or not to fear?
Vacation Reflections from Antelope Canyon
Man, did I need to get away even more than I realized. My son and my mom did most of the planning and I was basically along for the ride — or the 3000 miles of driving. One of the spots that was a “must” for our family was a slot canyon on the Navajo…Read more Vacation Reflections from Antelope Canyon
Readings and reflections for Independence Day
I sit in an office that says “Associate Principal” on the door, but I’ve been fascinated with history since I was a kid. I started my career as a social studies educator, and my passion is still in learning more about those who came before us, their contexts, their dilemmas, their challenges, their courage, their…Read more Readings and reflections for Independence Day
Eric L Fox "Do it for them!" 