In 2012, I spent countless hours with groups of parents, faculty, coaches, and youth workers. It was eye-opening, to say the least. Each conversation became a candid disclosure of the fears, the struggles, and the preoccupation adults have with today’s youth. I made some observations along the way that may prove helpful to you. It became clear that over the…
Recently, I read about a father, Paul Wallich, who built a camera-mounted drone helicopter to follow his grade-school-aged son to the bus stop. He wants to make sure his son arrives at the bus stop safe and sound. There’s no doubt the gizmo provides an awesome show-and-tell contribution. In my mind, Paul Wallich gives new meaning to “helicopter parent.” Setting…
“I see leadership differently than my parent’s generation does.” Those are the words of Brandon, a college sophomore, who had ended his semester at home when the entire student body at Vanderbilt University left due to COVID-19. The coronavirus changed us and Brandon believes it only accelerated a change that was taking place already. In those days, I hosted a…
My wife and I have two adult children, Bethany and Jonathan. In addition, I’ve spent a great deal of my life with students, as a leader and an educator. One of the most meaningful elements of my work is helping young people discover their superpowers. My daughter, Bethany, has always been discerning. At eighteen years old, she got a jury…
I’ve argued for years that students need more “ownership” of their education. Teachers, parents and coaches have not empowered them to practice metacognition and engage in greater levels of inquiry and exploration. To be specific, allowing students to own their learning process implies allowing them to make more of their own choices. But there is a downside to all of…
Recently I read two news stories that left me stunned. One young man chose to sue his parents for giving birth to him. He argued that he never asked to be born into this crazy world and he wants some cash for having to endure it. I am not kidding. Another news story reported that a set of parents chose…
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