Category Archives: 21st Century Skills

helicopter parenting

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

This article has gotten quite a bit of traction in the news in the last week; I do not like the demonization of parents AND I am always trying to help us as parents get out of our own way … Continue reading →

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raising boys who read

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

Raising Boys who read! This is a great resource on books for boys. The secret to raising boys who read, I submit, is pretty simple—keep electronic media, especially video games and recreational Internet, under control (that is to say, almost … Continue reading →

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Sleep Matters!

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

There is amazing validity to paying attention to quantity AND quality of sleep! SLEEP 2015: consolidated research on the importance of sleep for children and their growing brains

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The intersection continues… a former student, her ultra running and her fame…

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

A former student, Mirna Valerio, continues to tear it up gaining increasing attention for her running, coaching, and modeling by doing (read running) as an independent school educator, a cross country coach, a mother and author of a running blog. … Continue reading →

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The JOY in learning; there is joy at Seven Hills!

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

My favorite line from this post on KQED: Finland leads the world in its scores on international tests, and the country has become an educational model for many in the U.S. Rantala and Määttä’s paper is a welcome reminder that academic excellence can … Continue reading →

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Leadership: Nature or Nurture?

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

The beauty of independent schools is that with smaller classes, individual attention and lots of hands on experiential experiences, even our youngest students can practice leadership. Equally important is followership: that is to say, understanding the difference between taking the … Continue reading →

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A great blog post from a new discovery: The Alamo City Mom’s Blog in San Antonio!

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

It is rare to see such a keen understanding of the life of teachers. This mom in San Antonio has done a lovely tribute to the art and profession of teaching. So much more than a job, a vocation! And … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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