Donald Gately Ed.D.
Category Archives: learning
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: Are you all in?
Regardless of the approach to reopening at your school, you need to commit yourself to your purpose. In my school I am privileged to work with the most amazing staff who are possessed of an unflinching clarity of purpose. They know that our role as educators is to nurture the learning and well-being of our kids, to love them so that they know they belong and that we are their champions. Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: I want to talk like that
Not the only, but one of the reasons we fixated on the nieces from Texas were their accents. They spoke with a deeply appealing southern drawl that was captivating to our ears. My friends and I were fascinated by their use of the “ah” sound in simple words like “faav” (five), “pah” (pie), and “naht” (night).Their way of speaking rendered the native diction of our East Flatbush neighborhood both crude and pedestrian. Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: What she says – A teen’s view of “remote school”
All educators miss the face-to-face contact we have with students every day in the school building. It’s about the learning but it’s also the constant feedback loop between kids and adults that tells us how we’re doing and also, how … Continue reading
Posted in learning, Personal Best, Teaching/Learning, Uncategorized
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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
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-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
Tagged innovation
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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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