Author Archives: Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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About Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

an educator in Independent Schools for over 38 years

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

At a recent Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting, our accomplished Division Heads and our amazing School Counselor shared our SEL curriculum with parents. We like to say the “the social emotional curriculum sets the table for the academic and cognitive … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the River #3… Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Posted on September 24, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

On the raft with Polly Fredlund, Head of Westover School, CT. One of the best benefits of the Salmon River experience this summer was the ability (and the need) to adopt the pace of nature. We knew when we paddled … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the River…#2 Laughter is the Best Medecine

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Kari Ostrem, HoS at Riverdale Country School, and I, before we “swam” in the river. By the time I found myself in a double Kayak with another Head of School, I thought I had mastered the art of “staying in … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

Posted on September 3, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This summer, I had the tremendous joy and privilege of joining 22 head colleagues on the Main Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Over five days, we traversed 88 miles through Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids. We either … Continue reading →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, global skills, leadership, mental health, mindfulness, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

Paul Simon, A Quiet Celebration

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I had the opportunity to see Paul Simon at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco this summer. His music makes up a big part of the playlist of my life, from Simon & Garfunkel tunes in my youth, to his … Continue reading →

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Welcoming a new school year! Hello 2025-26!

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

As teachers putter in and around their spaces, the promise and optimism of a new school year are in the air. I have always said that those of us who chose education as our vocation are eternal optimists, working through … Continue reading →

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Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a big topic of conversation at our school, and so many others. The right age to give a child their first cellphone is really up to you. Age isn’t as important as your kid’s maturity level, their ability to … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, children and sleep, Common Sense Media, education, global skills, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning, technology, the science of emotion | Comments Off on Common Sense Media: New Year, New Rules Around Tech for Students/Children

The difference between nice and kind…

Posted on November 13, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

At Seven Hills, we often say to students “when you have a choice, be kind…” This is a great distillation of the “why.” There’s a difference between nice and being kind—even our bodies recognize the distinction. Kindness not only pours … Continue reading →

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On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am here in Africa for only the second time in my life, the second time in 12 months, as it turns out, preparing for a personal challenge to climb Africa’s tallest mountain. It is sunrise. I am listening to … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, David Brooks, NY Times, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, empathy, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, the science of emotion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Returning to this writing on 9/11…

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I am not sure why it has taken me a year to get back to this blog. A year ago I was preparing for my sabbatical and planning to take time away, during a school year, for the first time … Continue reading →

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