Category Archives: adult development

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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Raising a Daughter? Handle with Care- Especially when she’s fourteen….Chicago Tribune, by Elizabeth Egan

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

No truer words were ever spoken. So much of this applies to my experience with my own mother and then as a mother to my 24 year old daughter, Hannah. And I also learned so very much from each of … Continue reading →

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Annabel Monaghan: My teenage sons are the smartest people I know. And sometimes, the dumbest too.

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

This is one of the most true statements about teenagers, and especially boys. I am forever leaving lists on the kitchen counter, mostly with lists of things that could be perceived as almost always “stating the obvious,” to me, while … 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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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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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 , , , | 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 →

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A former student, a personal goal and a happy intersection in independent schools…

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

What I remember most about Mirna as a student living in the dorms in my first teaching job at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. is her voice. She used to bring me to tears when she sang. Her … Continue reading →

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Why some teams are smarter than others? Listening, empathy and more women…

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

As we struggle in schools to quantify the very real needs and uses for social emotional learning and self regulation skills as part of an academic skill set, this Op Ed piece hits the right chords! Read on… Why Some … Continue reading →

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