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!

Teens

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 clearly naming tasks or favors that do not even appear on the horizon of my offspring. It seems so obvious to me, so infuriating, at times, that it is not to them. Brava, Annabel Monaghan, for coalescing this concept here.

teenagers? my two can be smart and dumb! by Annabel Monaghan

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Parenting looks pretty different in many cultures, but mostly it’s parenting here that is the odd practice out…

Posted on September 11, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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This post on TED IDEAS underscores many ideas about different cultures’ parenting priorities. Is ours really focused on happiness? Or is it that we are constantly trying to predict what the future will hold, rather than just prepare our children for whatever comes by teaching resilience, humility and an appreciation for delayed gratification?

best quote:

THAT WHICH IS MOST AMERICAN ABOUT US — OUR BELIEF THAT THE FUTURE IS UNWRIT — IS WHAT IS DRIVING US MAD AS PARENTS.

Ideas at TED about parenting around the world. Amy Choi

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What should college freshman read?

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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I am enjoying revisiting which literature COUNTS as literature, depending upon whom you ask. This debate shows many valid perspectives. And given our western civilization-focused heritage here in the US, we cannot ignore that foundation. We must also, I think, embrace the various perspectives that will help create a cooperative populace in the workforce and in diplomatic relations. Ignore the world’s diaspora at your own peril…

Room for Debate: what to read in college

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Families and the talk about alcohol and teens

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

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This scares me as I think back to some of the stories we have heard about students in high school and college.  All things in moderation. This we must address head on.

Is there a family history of substance or alcohol abuse? Does your child know about it?

Do we understand the impact of lowered inhibitions on our decision making? How can your child hear it?

Can students receive and process these messages? From whom?

Best quote from this post:

What is most important is that parent find ways to have those conversations, and even to welcome them. “Anything you say is going to be better than not saying anything,” Dr. Siqueira said. Think of it as a different kind of drinking game: Every time a character on television picks up a drink, every time you see a beer commercial, every time there is a news segment focused on alcohol, you talk.

Read on…

Families and the alcohol talk we are NOT having: binge drinking

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A great piece by friend and former colleague Kyle Redford… a must read for teachers!

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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I love this because it is honest and accurate and a terrific message for teachers to share with students. It is also a great message for students to absorb and for parents to reinforce.  In the best school settings, students learn “agency.” They learn to advocate for themselves and make sure they speak up when they need help. They are striving to be in the driver’s seat of their own education, even if it takes them a while to get there.

Thanks, Kyle!

Kyle Redford Dear Students…

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Great New Yorker piece on teenage brains!

Posted on September 2, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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This very well written article in The New Yorker, by Elizabeth Kolbert, coalesces some great research and opens up the conversation about WHY teenage brains are so different from adult brains.

Fascinating reading, and “sobering” (pun intended!)

The Terrible Teens

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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!

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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 coexist with delight.

The Joy in Learning

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Leadership: Nature or Nurture?

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

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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 lead and following a good leader. The more practice a child has to lead at a young age, this argument about nature vs. nurture goes out the window. Leadership absolutely CAN be taught.

Can we LEARN to Lead?

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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!

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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 yes, the teachers at Seven Hills have spent much time getting ready. And, they are!

http://alamocity.citymomsblog.com/2015/08/20/dear-teachers-youre-not-fooling-me/

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Emotional Intelligence and Social Emotional Learning

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Kathleen McNamara Head's Up!

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In schools where we are placing increasing value on social-emotional learning, here are two great reminders of the connections between learning, leading and being emotionally healthy! The Goleman piece also draws the connection between emotional intelligence and leadership as well.

Daniel Goleman: How to Be Emotionally Intelligent

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Can emotional intelligence be taught?

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