Getting to YES!
Tom Murray
JUNE 22, 2019
Chris Craft (@crafty184) joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
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Tom Murray
JUNE 22, 2019
Chris Craft (@crafty184) joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
JUNE 15, 2019
A.J. Juliani joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
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Tom Murray
JUNE 7, 2019
Tom shares some thoughts from a recent keynote in Kansas on the effective use of edtech for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
MAY 31, 2019
Pedro Noguera (@PedroANoguera) joins Thomas C. Murray for this #FutureReady minute.
Tom Murray
MAY 25, 2019
Monica Burns (@ClassTechTips) joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
MAY 17, 2019
In this #LeadershipMinute, Tom talks about how leadership is defined by one’s actions. To see all of Tom’s #LeadershipMinutes, visit his YouTube Channel.
Tom Murray
MAY 11, 2019
Basil Marin joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
MAY 4, 2019
Todd Whitaker joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute. For more on Todd’s work, click here.
Tom Murray
APRIL 27, 2019
Jennifer Gonzalez (@CultofPedagogy) joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute. To check out Jennifer’s incredible blog, visit cultofpedagogy.com.
Tom Murray
APRIL 21, 2019
Dr. Neil Gupta joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
APRIL 13, 2019
For more #LeadershipMinutes, subscribe to Tom’s YouTube Channel here.
Tom Murray
APRIL 7, 2019
Jessica Cabeen joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute. I’ll start by saying I feel like a complete hypocrite writing this blog post as balance in life is something with which I struggle. There. I said it. I struggle to maintain a proper balance in life. I absolutely love the work that I’m blessed to do. Although the travel can be exhausting, there’s not a place that I go where I don’t connect with amazing people.
Tom Murray
MARCH 30, 2019
Tom shares some thoughts from a recent keynote for a state conference. For more from Tom’s YouTube Channel, click here.
Tom Murray
MARCH 24, 2019
Matt Miller joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute. To see other #LeadershipMinutes, click here. Every day in your school and district, great things happen. How does your community know? One school district that I love to follow, not simply because of the amazing work that happens inside it, but because of the intentional way that they share their story with those on the outside, is Lakota School District.
Tom Murray
MARCH 10, 2019
Traveling the country and working with school and district leaders over the past four years has significantly altered my lens. Spending fourteen years in the same district in Pennsylvania was an incredible blessing. I worked with so many dynamic, kid-loving people. Over my tenure there, our teams had come together during some of the most difficult times and also celebrated together through the joys we experienced.
Tom Murray
FEBRUARY 22, 2019
I’ve had the privilege of working for some amazing leaders over the years. Those leaders that had courage. Those leaders with an articulate vision. Those leaders who valued people first. Those leaders who helped foster cultures of risk-taking and innovation. Those leaders who modeled the way and led by example. Those leaders who were willing to challenge the status quo and do whatever it took for those that they served.
Tom Murray
FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Adam Bellow joins Tom for this #LeadershipMinute.
Tom Murray
FEBRUARY 1, 2019
We all know the feeling… Being overwhelmed. Not knowing where to start.Being paralyzed by fear.Feeling like we’re juggling too many balls in the air. In the #LeadershipMinute video above, I connect with my good friend, Shannon Miller, who addresses this issue in which we can all relate. Shannon is an incredible leader, a dynamic librarian, an advisor for Future Ready Librarians, and most importantly, an amazing person.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 24, 2019
Yesterday, I joined former Illinois Superintendent Dr. Greg Goins, on the Reimagine Schools Podcast. You can listen to the podcast episode here: If you listen to the podcast, you’ll hear Greg and I discuss a variety of resources such as Future Ready Schools and Digital Learning Day, issues that we are all facing, ways to advocate for some of our children most in need, and the work of my home organization, The Alliance for Excellent Education, each of which I share below.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 19, 2019
Each one of us has a story. How much of your story do those around you know? Earlier this week, I boarded the 7:15a train to Washington, D.C. from 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. As I do regularly, I found a seat, opened my laptop, turned up the volume in my headphones, and got connected so that I could do some work. Like I do many times each day, I took a moment and scanned my Twitter feed.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 12, 2019
In the spring of 2002, I was teaching 4th grade in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. As a teacher in my second year, my classroom had a 1:1 student-to-device ratio. That’s right, in 2002, 17 years ago, we were 1:1. Palm Pilots. Yes, Palm Pilots. Remember those things? Image Credit: The Morning Call, 2002 “I’d love to see these units become standard equipment for all students in five to ten years.” – Thomas C.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 1, 2019
January K12 Education Paves Its Own Path, District Administration Magazine, Link.
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 29, 2018
I can remember it like it was yesterday. I was looking back through my notes as I sat next to her in a post-observation meeting, about to give feedback on the lesson from the day before. Two days earlier, I had run our faculty meeting. As a principal early in my career, so many of these meetings looked the same. They were one directional and primarily used to disseminate important information, complemented with the occasional team discussion.
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 15, 2018
Blockbuster. Netflix.Toys ‘R’ Us. Amazon.Radio Shack. Amazon.Kmart. Amazon.Taxicab. Uber. LyftNewspapers. Facebook. Instagram. Snapchat. YouTube. On demand content.…and now Sears. Amazon. Advances in technology are disrupting almost every industry, and in almost every country. No longer do nature’s borders significantly reduce the acceleration of change.
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 14, 2018
Recently, I had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Amy Fast at one of our Future Ready Institutes. Amy is an awesome High School Assistant Principal from Oregon and is the type of school leader that leverages social media in her daily work; to both share the incredible things that happen in her school as well as to grow professionally. Due to the way that she models this for those that she leads, I asked her what tips she has for those leaders, the many leaders, that may be fearful of using soc
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 7, 2018
I often wonder how many times it’s been me. The roadblock. The great idea diverter. The dream killer. The innovation crusher. How many times has it been my own lens that has gotten in the way? …and I never even realized it? I honestly believe no educator gets up in the morning, heads to school, with the goal of being a tremendous roadblock on any given day.
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 3, 2018
“Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” – Jonathan Swift Over the past few years, learning space redesign has become one of the trendiest topics in education. Yet, it’s imperative to remember that redesigning learning spaces is about how design impacts the brain and learning; NOT about being pretty for Pinterest.
Tom Murray
NOVEMBER 25, 2018
You’ve heard it said countless times… “Kids today…” and it’s often not said in a positive manner. Just before or after the phrase, which is typically said in some condescending tone, is a reference as to why this generation of kids does not rise to the value of the last. It typically goes something like this… “Kids today are entitled…” “Kids today are addicted to their phones…” “Kids today don’t know how to
Tom Murray
NOVEMBER 16, 2018
What is it that today’s modern learners need to thrive? How can schools and districts systemically create a vision of teaching and learning that’s personal, authentic, relevant, and harnesses the power of technology? The Future Ready Frame work , a dynamic, research-based support for school leaders, created by Future Ready Schools? (FRS) , is helping thousands of schools create these types of learning experiences for kids.
Tom Murray
AUGUST 12, 2018
This post is dedicated to my new friend, Scott. Thank you, Scott, for challenging me to be a better educator, and more importantly, a better person. Recently, I had an experience that I can’t stop thinking about. The more I reflect on that afternoon, the more I realize it’s likely an experience that I’ll never forget. Like many other days, I was on the go… running, running, running.
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 14, 2017
If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you. – Unknown. In many schools, the community,—particularly parents—feels left in the dark. Within their own walls, schools often work diligently to communicate the latest initiatives, results, and grading practices, or they discuss things such as the Common Core State Standards. However, the community is often unaware of such important topics until they hit a friend’s Facebook wall, an online gossip forum, or become part of the conversation
Tom Murray
DECEMBER 18, 2017
Friends, Regardless of which holiday(s) you may celebrate, we can all agree that the holiday season is more about giving than receiving. Whether it’s a gift during one of Hanukkah’s eight holy nights, presents under the tree Christmas morning, giving in celebration of Kwanzaa, etc., this time of year is filled with giving hearts and love for others.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 1, 2018
July. Flexible Classroom Design: How to Create a Student-Centered Learning Environment, PlanBook , Link. EduTalk Radio w/Tom Murray, EduTalkRadio , Link. The Great EdTech Communicator, EdTechDigest , Link. June. Exclusive Podcast and Mindshare Learning Moment with Thomas C. Murray, MindShare Learning Technology , Link. 10 Fantastic Teaching and Education Blogs to Follow, Tutorfair , Link.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 3, 2018
Being one who travels virtually every week, I often find myself in remote locations, driving to hotels I’ve never seen, in a town I’ve never been. Upon landing at the closest airport, I’ll typically grab my carry-on luggage, proceed down an escalator, and if my destination is too far for an Uber, I’ll find the closest Hertz Car Rental.
Tom Murray
JANUARY 29, 2018
Simply put, educators are some of the most dynamic, creative, brilliant people on the planet. When we work alone, our effectiveness will be capped at our own potential. When we work together, our brilliance will only be capped by our own egos and pride. So how can we best leverage our collective expertise? Attending a large number of conferences each year, and running a number of Future Ready events, I have the opportunity to work alongside so many educators from coast to coast.
Tom Murray
FEBRUARY 19, 2018
“Be the leader you wish you had.” —Simon Sinek. Professional learning in many districts must undergo radical reform, from a model that’s outdated and ineffective to one that’s personal, empowering, and owned by the learner. How can we create such a culture of ownership and empowerment? 1. Clearly define and articulate the vision. Do all stakeholders understand the district’s direction?
Tom Murray
APRIL 1, 2018
This June will mark one year since my coauthor Eric Sheninger and I released Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today with ASCD. I feel blessed to say that the response by school leaders has been overwhelming. Eric and I continue to see firsthand the powerful transformation that is occurring in schools and we are encouraged by the innovative practices that are occurring each day.
Tom Murray
MAY 23, 2018
Over the past few years, districts have been working diligently to close the access gap (coined in D.C. as the “Homework Gap”) to support students, particularly those most in need. According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 5 million families do not have connectivity at home. According to the numbers, it’s our black and hispanic students that make up a disproportionate percentage.
Tom Murray
JULY 22, 2018
Redesigning learning spaces is far easier feat if the money exists to support it. However, the vast reality is many, if not most districts, don’t have the budget available to purchase new furniture, no less at scale. Thus when redesigning spaces, affordability and sustainability most always remain part of the conversation. Educators are some of the most creative, problem solvers on the planet, as many continue to develop cost saving hacks to create dynamic spaces for kids.
Tom Murray
OCTOBER 14, 2017
Few will disagree that over the past few years the notion of 3D printing in schools has gained incredible steam. It’s certainly one of the latest bandwagons. Scan social media on any given day and you’ll find end users pridefully holding the latest “cool” print in the palm of their hand, hashtagging some synonyms of “innovation.” Many times, the social sharer touts their own innovative ideas, how the tool is a “game changer,” or how their printer i
Tom Murray
SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
Good Afternoon, Friends! This Thursday, September 21st, from 3:00-3:45 pm EST, my co-author, Eric Sheninger and I will join former Governor and Alliance for Excellent Education President, Bob Wise, for a free webinar on our new book: Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow’s Schools, Today. We can’t thank enough the thousands of school leaders who have already invested in the book and are using it as a roadmap to transform teaching and learning in their schools and classrooms.
Tom Murray
SEPTEMBER 10, 2017
This past July, after four straight weeks of travel, I’ll admit, I was tired. A few months earlier, I had been asked to join a team of ten authors on a project to benefit an amazing cause, The Will to Live Foundation ; an organization founded to support teen suicide prevention. I signed on to the opportunity and agreed to donate my time and write a chapter; all of which would be completed in 2.5 days over a weekend in July.
Tom Murray
SEPTEMBER 9, 2017
From coast to coast, U.S. schools are buying tremendous amounts of technology, placing these tools in classrooms, and often are left wondering what to do with it. So, what is it that actually works? On Tuesday, September 12th, from 2:00-2:30 pm EST, join author and long time educator, Kristin Ziemke and me as we discuss: Amplify: Digital Teaching and Learning in the K-6 Classroom !
Tom Murray
AUGUST 16, 2017
It was August of 2000. I was about to enter my very first year teaching fourth grade in Pennsylvania. At 21 years old and a new college degree in hand, I thought I had a clue as to what it would take to be a new teacher. I had no idea that my first year teaching would be one of the most difficult and emotional years I’d ever have. My experiences that first year would change me for the rest of my life – both personally and professionally; experiences that I’ll share when I event
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