We often credit the TV series The West Wing with being a harbinger of politics in the United States, with the later seasons foreseeing the optimism and potential of the Obama Administration. Looking closer, though, we can find that the series also saw one of the darkest sides of political…

Practical experiences or formal classroom learning? For today’s college students, which is more valuable as they look toward life after graduation? A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to speak to a large group of Latino students at my alma mater, the University of Virginia. That evening, those students…

After far too many years, the fights continuing to rage under the banner of “science of reading.” For decades now, educators, policymakers, parents, and communities have battled fiercely over how best to teach reading — phonics, whole or balanced language, and scientifically based reading. While we have seen pockets of…

Five years ago, I was disgusted by the terrorist actions we saw in Charlottesville. As a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, I was horrified to see the institution that has meant so much to me for so many years being used as a backdrop for hate. And as…

In today’s 24–7 media environment, it is no surprise that non-profit organizations often think public relations is the “holy grail” that will solve all that ails it, programmatically, operationally, and financially. We just need that one press release, one media hit, or one viral video to secure immediate and lasting…

All the science — We must be guided by science. For two years now, American society has demanded that our decisions be guided by science. The economy and inflation. Vaccines. Masks. Even school operations. In each instance, we seek the evidence — the science — to ensure we are making the best decisions possible…

If only I had known that I was a candidate canary in the school board coal mine … It was only a few years ago when I made the decision to (again) run for local school board. Having previously served as a school board chairman in Virginia years before, I…

How does one truly measure their professional impact? For most of my career, I answered that question based on the size of my professional stage. At the start of my career, as I was working for U.S. Senators with names most recognized, I defined my success by winning elections, helping…

A year ago this month, COVID-19 meant the closure of youth sports in New Jersey and the end of my competitive cheer coaching career. December 2020 marked my retirement as a cheer coach. I felt such mixed emotions: joy to have made such incredible memories as well as sadness around…