Donald Gately Ed.D.
Category Archives: Educational Focus
My COVID-19 Diary: Things I never thought I’d do
Like skydiving, I might’ve said, “I’m not doing that.”
But, like skydiving, I’m doing that.
So, yeah, you’re doing that.
My COVID-19 Diary: Where does the time go?
I’ve been doing the math. Factoring in extra help, clubs and sports, our school day runs from 7:30 AM until 3:30 PM. That’s eight solid hours. So, if the typical student at our middle school is doing 3 1/2 hours of virtual school work, what the heck are they doing during the other 4 1/2 hours when they are inside our school building? Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Principal in the Coal Mine #2
Don’t try to “win the quarantine”. Compelled to remain at home, the restless school leader conjures a host of what seem like reasonable ideas to make an impact during this unusual time. Be suspicious of this instinct. Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Goldilocks Tasks
In layman’s terms, this is often referred to as the Goldilocks Principle, not too hard, not too soft. Your nine-year-old is clearly not excited about cleaning that nasty area behind the toilet in your basement, a burden you’ve been putting off for months, and with good reason. The task should have a finite goal and be sufficiently challenging to take at minimum one hour and ideally an entire day, yes 24 hours! Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Principal in the Coal Mine
As a middle school principal in the New York Metro area, I guess that makes me a “Principal in the Coal Mine”. So I’m going to offer just a few ideas for my colleagues who may be a week or two behind us here in New York (leaving open the possibility and the most ardent HOPE, that we can ALL avoid the dire consequences of this pandemic). Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Were you ready for this?
I appreciate the opportunity to applaud my amazing teachers for all that they’ve done to give us a huge head start and I encourage all of us to see our present reality as part of a dynamic approach to learning that can continue even when we go back to a face-to-face environment (please tell me this will be soon!) Continue reading
My COVID Diary: Friday un-Focused
78 returned emails, a bike ride to the grocery store, an Andrew Cuomo press conference, dinner and it’s time for bed. And I’ve never been so exhausted in my life. Repeat again tomorrow. Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: The “soft launch”
Harry Houdini once escaped from a straitjacket and chains while suspended by a wire 60 feet over Times Square. Do you think this was the first time he ever wriggled out of a straitjacket while hanging upside down? Continue reading
Posted in Best Practice, Educational Focus, Leadership, learning, Personal Best, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Uncategorized
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About intentions: Positivity
I haven’t declared my New Year’s resolution this year because, for me, this practice has become redolent with the stink of failure. I look back on the resolutions I’ve made these past five years and I haven’t successfully achieved any of them. Continue reading
Middle-leaders Collaborative: How do you handle “lame-duck” days?
The holidays are approaching. Working with middle school kids on the days preceding a vacation can be particularly challenging. How do you make it work? This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the … Continue reading
In the middle of learning - by Donald Gately Ed.D 
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