Author Archives: Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

About Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

an educator in Independent Schools for over 38 years

Early Childhood Literacy? How about from birth?

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

My own memories of books as a young child revolve around visits to the local public library and the concept of choosing a book. When I was a little older, I remember my grandfather reaching high up on his shelf … Continue reading →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, education | Tagged children's books, early childhood lietracy, education, NY Times | 1 Comment

Great opening day advice; thanks Jon Eckert!

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This is a great reminder of why we do what we do. This Op Ed from August 2013 is timely. At Seven Hills School, Jon Eckert would be very happy indeed with his children’s experience! backward design? check make them … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, childhood development, education, parenting 2013 | Tagged childhood development, education, Education Week, Seven Hills School | Leave a comment

Great TIME column on parenting teens…

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This column in TIME magazine is always one where I find useful, relevant, humorous information. I have commented on this writer before. She is fantastic! Since I myself am the parent of two twenty somethings and a teen, I, too, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Advice for Parents re: Happiness

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

What I like about this TED Talk by Jennifer Senior is that she reminds us that Happiness is not a permanent or natural state. Her work is connected in some ways to things I have heard Dr. Rick Weissbourd say … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adult development, childhood development, Uncategorized | Tagged happiness, jennifer senior, parenting | Leave a comment

How ought we to live our lives?

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Great read in the Education Section of the New York Times last Sunday. I had the privilege of listening to Professor Light at Harvard last fall. He is funny and insightful! Richard Light These are simple, easy to follow exercises. … Continue reading →

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Interesting book: How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Thanks to Rhys Miller for this great book suggestion. From the review by Heather Havrilesky: In this anxious age, the future will always trump the present. But even if “How to Raise an Adult” gets thrown onto a growing pile … Continue reading →

Posted in Julie Lythcott-Haims | Tagged book review, How to Raise an Adult, Julie Lythcott-Haims | Leave a comment

Working Mother Guilt?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

There has been a lot of attention to this (relatively) new Harvard study on the impact of working mothers on their children, and specifically on their daughters. There is also a respite, at least for now, from the worry about whether … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adult development, childhood development, education | Tagged Harvard, parenting, working mothers | Leave a comment

Anna Deveare Smith interview on KQED

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

I had never heard the term documentary theatre before, but this show is definitely that. Having just seen it the other night, I was blown away by this one woman (and one musician) show. Both performers were excellent, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, adult development, childhood development, documentary theatre, education, reform, theatre | Tagged anna deveare smith, berkeley rep, documentary theatre, school to prison pipeline | Leave a comment

As we gear up for a new school year, I find this post is helpful to me, as an educator AND as a parent…

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

There is no denying, in the world of a 24 hour news cycle and social media opinions everywhere, that the ability to doubt one’s own parenting skills is never ending. I love this piece in the Motherlode blog because it … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, adult development, childhood development | Tagged education, KJ DELL'ANTONIA, motherlode, NYTimes, parenting | Leave a comment