Coach Bill / Dad, Entrepreneur Special Educator, American Political Scientist, Writer, Musician.

1. Who can understand economic oppression without the benefit of a solid education? Who can know how to see opportunity in the absence of an educational curriculum that shapes a lop-sided professional?  2. How can the quality of education, differing across America, lead to different individual outcomes for people?  3. Is it possible that not all education is of the same quality, leading towards the same purpose, and that their are advantageous gains for students in elite, private schools, as compared to inner city public schools?  4. What are powerful, positive actions that can accelerate the social and economic realities of an American citizenry, wherein all are afforded the finest educational supports needed to fully access the opportunities?  5. How would the raising of outspoken, critically-minded citizens be deemed beneficial to society? 6. Should we not have more citizens in tune, in participation, and in conversation regarding how the country move...

Thinking outside the box   is a term widely-used to describe the action of bringing in new thinking to solve a present challenge. It involves mental flexibility to shift between mental models, or perspectives, allowing one or a whole team to ‘see’ different possible routes to problem-solving through to task completion. In this manner, the individual or team allows themselves the liberty to ‘step outside the box’ of established patterns of problem-solving and bring in a strategy, methods and momentum to break through for the ‘win.’   In the case of our public school systems, it has been found that a great many of them across the United States of America struggle to create students who are ready to be part of the twenty first century work force. Many grow up without a concrete vision of what they can become, who they can be or how far they can go. Without a strong vision and belief that they are capable in reaching great peaks, complacency enters their minds and hea...

Money is not everything, but on one level it represents the transaction of what is paid for the sum total of our work.  It is not well understood the impact a Special Educator can have locally or even on a grander scale because Special Education instruction is a tightly controlled arrangement. It flows out of an embedded educational culture. Is it a democracy that we have within the public school special education system in America? Constant meetings, managing paraprofessionals and all the duties that come along with that all rob time and freedom for the Special Educator to lead in ways only a teacher thinks of . All educators know the value of balancing and sustaining motivation levels, picking their battles, rallying the students and keeping things fun and engaging. But oft times, burnout is common for Special Educators who can maybe hope to achieve a 6 digit income after 20 years teaching 'within the system.' Burnout is not so common when you love what you d...

I have read the Common Core Standards found on the website CoreStandards.Org, and would like to offer some constructive feedback to United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Dear Sir and United States Secretary of Education Mr. Arne Duncan, How are you Sir? I hope you and your family were able to get a modicum of rest and relaxation over the holidays. My family and I did, but now it is back to work time. Dear Secretary, I have reviewed the Common Core Standards by which you are putting your full backing at this present moment. I know full well that you are a busy man, so I do appreciate the time, if any, that you may have set aside to reading my note to you regarding the current existent format of benchmark parameters for mathematics, reading and writing. Like a potter that shapes the clay, I say that we don't have to do away with the clay but perhaps add some water and impress some key contours into the clay.   Their is a major benchmark which can guarantee success in your...

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another without loss of enthusiasm- Winston Churchill This statement is a mindset which can be used as a framework for the practice of excelling in rapid time towards short/ long-term goals attainment. Here is another mindset that parents, teachers, coaches, and even professors can use. Praise the process, not the end result. This is the crux of the 'growth-oriented mindset.' It is buttressed by two other flanking mindset that I am identifying; how you say what you say, which is the definition of 'paraverbal skills,' and the second minor-mindset, more aptly called a 'parameter mindset' is ...'kids expect what we  inspect.' This means that kids pick up on what you value and is important to you by what you say and by how you act. Churchill's comment is an attitude with a goal. It voices strong conviction, and a goal-directed persistence that well not be stopped. Think about it.... ...

It has been said that America's business is 'busy-ness.' I think that is true, generally speaking. Work is essential for life to be sustained. Bills need to be paid as our president has pointed out, and food needs to be put on the table. Likewise, financial security that can take care of us in the hard times, or in our 'old age,' is an important goal in America. Sometimes though, it seems that we get too caught up in our work and monetary goals and we forget what we are doing it all for.  The stress and pressure of 'getting ahead,' can be daunting, and cynically take away opportunities to rest and unwind. Moreover, our own kids learn our ways by default. Work is good for the mind, but rest is the other side of this equation that is supposed to render a 'balanced life.' Remember that saying, "all work and no play makes Joe a dull boy?" For example, do you do your best work when you are annoyed and irritated, or  when you are calm, and ...

Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy recently got some heat from Teacher Union leaders about his 163 page solution to revamp the educational system in this state. Getting heat for this is a given! Just imagine, Union leaders will reflex immediately. Their job depends on it. They oversee an army of professionals whom rely on the protection of a union. Unions are important, and they take care of Education professionals. Without them, school districts would be able to do as they please pretty much. Job security would be a tenuous affair. The problem today is that Connecticut public school systems, particularly those in low-income communities are failing to equip the students to go on to college with the necessary skills. Many, not all, kids have minimum paper writing skills, their math skills are dismal, and their own idea of what the future holds for them is skewed. Things look bleak for them. For many African-American children, for example, feelings that the bus has left the station...