Just because it’s overused doesn’t mean it isn’t important. And lately, there has been a lot of questioning about just what does sustainability mean? One of those words that you’ve said so often that one day, when you are using it in conversation it sounds foreign and you aren’t sure if you are even pronouncing it right. Anyway, here is an interesting analysis, a short version. And a longer, legal case study . Both of which really make me think about what sustainability means, and how to achieve it.

This Report, by the Aspen Institute provides some good points about how to recruit, support and develop the best quality teachers. The model is… Singapore. Interesting.

Key points include high standards and professional (rather than self) selectivity, as well as strategic use of financial resources, including throughout the teacher education process/ college and ongoing career development and long term professional investment throughout the course of a career.

I gave a grants writing seminar at the NYS Positive Behavior Intervention Specialist Coach’s Forum. This is a strong program with many types of evaluation metrics, indicating strong success with children from all backgrounds. What I like best about the program is that it doesn’t buy into excuses, but works with a wide array of strategies to make classroom time learning time, and keep kids (especially those prone to referrals and trips to the principal’s office) in the classroom. That’s a great example of equity for our children.

Looking at underlying motivations and finding strategies that work is not easy, but this program and the resources that it puts into action make a strong case for making everyone’s classroom time count.

Lots of good news and insights here.