Donald Gately Ed.D.
Tag Archives: middle school
Middle School Principals’ Collaborative: Beginning of the Year Essentials
This post is a collaboration between a group of middle school leaders from across the country. Periodically, these passionate and dedicated middle school principals share their thoughts on issues of relevance for those “in the middle”. Topic: The 2019-20 school … Continue reading
About school: We can make it special
rincipals and teachers can create singular moments for kids everyday. Like the Brooklyn Nets, these are our schools, classrooms, hallways, gyms, and cafeterias. We are in charge of these settings. We can do extraordinary things to create lifelong fans of learning and of our schools. Continue reading
About middle level teaching: Nobody wants to be the Junior Varsity*
Actions follow our beliefs. If there is one piece of advice that all middle school teachers must follow it is this, “Middle school kids are different, don’t expect to succeed with the same strategies that might work with elementary or high school kids.” Continue reading
About a song: What does it “mean”?
This was only a brief snapshot of a terrific learning moment but I promised myself I would share what I observed because, at our school, we are all LEARNERS! Thanks Bess! Continue reading
About violence and children: What’s a big number?
My daughter is only five years old; she’s in kindergarten. The other day we were watching the news and there was a story about a fire that occurred in my old neighborhood in Brooklyn. Tragically, two people perished in the fire. … Continue reading
Posted in Educational Focus, Leadership, Personal Best, Random Thoughts, Reflections, Uncategorized
Tagged adolescence, children, learning, middle school, students, violence
4 Comments
About Belonging: My “Ted Talk” at NYSMSA “Why you need a GSA at your school.”
I was invited to speak at the New York State Middle School Association (NYSMSA) Annual Conference. I spoke on the topic: Why your middle school needs to have a Gay Straight Alliance. I hope you’ll watch and share. THANKS!!
About teaching: So you think you can dance?
I’m not a good dancer. I’m not sure why really, I guess I’m just self-conscious about the way I look when I dance. I shouldn’t be this way because I believe in a growth mindset. Why worry about making mistakes … Continue reading
About Reading: Don’t take it for granted!
I have been following with great interest a recent series of blog posts by Grant Wiggins about the nature of reading. Wiggins explores the essential question: What exactly is going on in our minds when we read? It’s mysterious really, … Continue reading
Posted in Inside the Middle School, Personal Best, reading, Reflections
Tagged adolescence, Fish in a Tree, learning, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, middle school, Mindset, reading
6 Comments
About Homework: Do you do your homework?
Two months ago I wrote about my One Word for the New Year… It was LEARN. Essentially, I dedicated myself to learning, learning new things and things that are important to my work: Response to Intervention, Classical Music and Spanish. … Continue reading
About Courage: Why don’t we sing anymore?
Why don’t middle school kids dance more? Some do… but at a middle school dance, many students can be found sitting against the wall. Why don’t more adults sing, draw, paint and do art? Why do adults stop playing sports … Continue reading
Posted in Personal Best, Reflections, Uncategorized
Tagged courage, failure, learning, middle school, Mindset
2 Comments
In the middle of learning - by Donald Gately Ed.D 
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