Donald Gately Ed.D.
Category Archives: Parenting
My COVID-19 Diary: Who are you “at home”
Some of us, working from home, with our families within arms reach, are now both our professional and personal selves under the same roof. Families are confronting the work lives of their spouses, dads, moms for the first time. The reverse is also true, many overworked professionals, are presenting to their families some version of themselves 24/7, and hoping it works. What to do? Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Personal Best, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Uncategorized
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My COVID-19 Diary: Advice for parents of adolescents and teens
f you’re like me, you are probably wondering, “Am I doing this right?” This question applies to my professional life as well as my personal life. Without the normal face to face daily interaction, I typically enjoy with multitudes of people, I need to check in on myself as an educator and as a parent. So I thought I would share some essentials with parents who may feel the same or are seeking advice at this crazy time. 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: Wednesday un-Focused
My son is a senior. The other day he told my wife, “I think my high school graduation is going to be on Roblox. I’m building my avatar.”
There is a science experiment going on in middle school lockers all over our country right now. What happens when ______ ( insert name of food item here ) is left to decay at room temperature in a narrow metal box for three months. 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: Friday un-Focused #2
My daughter’s idea: people can leave the house and go wherever they want but they have to always be riding a bicycle. If you get closer than 6 feet you’ll probably crash, so it’s mostly safe. I told her I would inform the governor. Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Adversity reveals character?
Much as we hate to admit it, this quarantine is highlighting some of our most annoying character traits. What are you doing to drive your quarantine friends and family a little bit kooky during this challenging time? Here’s some of mine*: Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: Grandpa, why don’t you shake hands
My grandmother saved the string that you get on a cake box from the bakery. You know, the really thin red and white striped string. I never once in my life saw that string get used but she had it. She also re-used tissues. They were hidden in her sleeve (you never sneezed in from of Nanny). Continue reading
My COVID-19 Diary: It’s about the bike
I was getting “cease and desist” letters from the legal firm associated with my hips, and love letters from my orthopedist, so I basically had to stop. The Peloton is definitely an answer, I’m not exactly sure what the question is… Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Personal Best, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Uncategorized
Tagged exercise
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In the middle of learning - by Donald Gately Ed.D 
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