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

Japan Day #3 or “How to Write a Postcard”…

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

So it turns out that the art of postcard writing, that is to say, where to write the message, where the stamp goes, what’s a stamp and what constitutes a full address… these are interesting gaps in our students’ knowledge … Continue reading →

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Japan Day #2 Hiroshima and the bullet train to Kyoto!

Posted on June 16, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Breakfast in the hotel, than a walk across the street to the Peace Park. So we had an amazing, somber, eye-opening and memorable morning in Hiroshima, starting with a hotel breakfast and a walk to the Hiroshima Peace Park and Museum. … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, diversity, education, global education, gratitude, helping children cope with tragedy, Japan, leadership, leadership in children, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Japan Day #1 on the ground here: our first 24 hours of travel is complete…

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

We are checked into our hotel in Hiroshima after one long flight and one short one with a layer that included noodles and some treats at the Narita airport. It is 9:30pm on Wednesday in Hiroshima, 5:30 am Wednesday morning … Continue reading →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, education, global education, gratitude, grit, Japan, leadership, Seven Hills Japan Trip 2016 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Landed in Hiroshima and ready for sleep!

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

More tomorrow after we sleep!

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Landed in Japan

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

GettIng through customs 

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Departing SFO for Japan

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Saying farewell in airport 24 8th graders, 4 chaperones and a lot of excitement! Lots of family sending us off Japan here we come…

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The question about errands…

Posted on June 5, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I related to this blog post on so many levels. At Seven Hills, I have been talking to our parents about making their own learning visible, about letting children see their executive function in action. Growing up the oldest of … Continue reading →

Posted in adult development, childhood development, gratitude, grit, leadership, leadership in children, parenting, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

This is an inspirational speech…

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This speech, at the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s commencement ceremony last week leaves me enticed and thrilled about what is possible in education. This speech also reminds of Between the World and Me, Ta’Nehisi Coates , amazing text, made all the … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adult development, diversity, Donovan Livingston, education, Harvard Graduate School of education, leadership, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, Ta'Nehisi Coates | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Parenting Blues during the Middle School Years!

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Parenting Blues during Middle School IN all my work with middle school families over twenty seven years in independent school, this is still a truism: when they are at their most variable and vulnerable, so are we… Thanks, Mary Murphy, … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescent development, body image, childhood development, education, parenting middle school aged children, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, wall street journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Helping children thrive by coaching their parents… interesting results

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Coaching Parents over time has great impact on students’ development This study reinforces the notion that parents can have a profound impact when they actively engage their children…    

Posted in 21st Century Skills, adult development, childhood development, education, global education, new york times, NY Times, parenting, Seven Hills School, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment