No, It’s Not Magic, It’s Work: How to compliment music teachers and students after a concert

We are rapidly approaching one of the peak seasons of the school year for concerts and performances. Depending on your school you could be in the midst of it already. It's a thing of beauty to have a school filled with the sounds of young musicians creating music, some of them for the first time, … Continue reading No, It’s Not Magic, It’s Work: How to compliment music teachers and students after a concert

The Importance of a Network

I have the great privilege of being involved with the Westchester County Arts Leadership Association (WCALA). WCALA is a group comprised of people with a variety of titles and job descriptions within their school districts, but all with one prime purpose: leading arts programs in our school communities. Some of our members are full time school … Continue reading The Importance of a Network

My New Video Series: ARTISTIC OSSINING!

It's an exciting time for Arts Education in New York State. Last year the state officially adopted new learning standards for the arts, which are being implemented this year. This makes it a great time to discuss how we go about meeting those standards in our schools, as well as what the actual foundations for … Continue reading My New Video Series: ARTISTIC OSSINING!

A New School Year – Take Time to Reflect

One of the many hats I wear is President of the New York State Band Directors Association. I'm currently in my second year of my two year term. My participation in this organization has helped me grow so tremendously as a band director, but also as someone who supervises teachers in the arts... but more … Continue reading A New School Year – Take Time to Reflect

Mindfulness in communication

As a school administrator my summer "break" has already come to a close. This week alone started with three day-long meetings with other district leaders, planning and strategizing for the upcoming school year. However, my summer reading goals continue on, and I have just completed book number 4: The Art of Communicating, by Thich Nhat … Continue reading Mindfulness in communication

Book Review – The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

One of my all time favorite book series is the Ender's Saga by Orson Scot Card. In the second book, the Nebula and Hugo Award winning Speaker for the Dead, we are introduced to the concept of the speaker for the dead - a humanist "priest" of sorts who is called when someone dies. The speaker … Continue reading Book Review – The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

My Summer Reading – 2018

I recently wrote about my goal to read more this summer. Here is an ongoing list of the books I've read so far this summer. There is also a link to my thoughts on the book, if I've written them. I will update the list as the summer progresses. The Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros … Continue reading My Summer Reading – 2018

Some thoughts on The Innovator’s Mindset, By George Couros @gcouros #InnovatorsMindset

The Innovator's Mindset - A Review As part of our school district leadership team's annual professional development retreat, we spent some time in focused conversations on the book The Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros. As would be expected, the book almost reads like a collection of essays or blog posts. Since George Couros began his … Continue reading Some thoughts on The Innovator’s Mindset, By George Couros @gcouros #InnovatorsMindset

Being a Reader

I've never been a particularly prolific reader. Growing up I never enjoyed reading. Partly because I didn't enjoy the books we were asked to read, but also because I didn't like the act of reading. As a child I preferred the stimulation of video games, television and movies. To my mother's dismay, our uncle bought … Continue reading Being a Reader

Tri-M induction

So this evening I had the opportunity to return to my Alma Mater, Sleepy Hollow High School, to address the newly inducted members of their Tri-M Chapter (a Music Honor Society). I was honored to be asked to be their Key Note Speaker for the evening. Below is a copy of my address to them. … Continue reading Tri-M induction