Family – Page 2 – Embrace the Absurd

Through These Doors

I have passed through many doors over the course of my sixty-two years. Some, like the doors to Boston Latin School, were opened by a score on a standardized test. My arrival before others, like the doors at Advanced Systems that welcomed me into a career in large-scale testing, can best be described as dumbContinue reading “Through These Doors”

It Was A Privilege

The focus recently on opportunity-to-learn, equity, access to a high-quality education, etc. makes me think about my father. Today would have been his 89th birthday and his entire life was a testament to the importance of access to a quality education and to making the most of that access when it was presented to you.Continue reading “It Was A Privilege”

I Have Confidence in Me! – Thanks, Mom

I have confidence in sunshineI have confidence in rainI have confidence that spring will come againBesides which you see I have confidence in me I have confidence in confidence aloneBesides which you see I have confidence in me! With the three of us singing these lines from our well-worn The Sound of Music soundtrack album,Continue reading “I Have Confidence in Me! – Thanks, Mom”

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Later this week I will be participating in NEERO 2021 – the 52nd annual conference of the New England Educational Research Organization. This will be my 30th NEERO conference. Starting with the first time I made the trip to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and the Sheraton Harborside Hotel in April 1989, NEERO became a special partContinue reading “Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

The One Constant Through All the Years

Opening Day! Is there a two-word phrase that fills the mind and soul with a greater sense of excitement and hope for what lies ahead – Free Samples, Half Off, I Do, I’m Pregnant, Leave Meeting? No, nothing comes close to the start of baseball season. Coming out of hibernation to reconnect with an oldContinue reading “The One Constant Through All the Years”

On The Road Again

K-12 education and the road to recovery K-12 education is about to head out on the road again. This time it’s the road to recovery from the pandemic. As I think about K-12 education starting this journey, I can’t help but make the connection to a journey of my own that took place 50 yearsContinue reading “On The Road Again”

For Dad

Thinking of my Dad on what would have been his 92nd birthday. The eulogy I delivered at his funeral in June 2009.

The Old “New Normal”

Charlie DePascale As I look out the window and see my wife working in her vegetable garden, I cannot help but reflect on COVID-19, social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and the “new normal” that we are moving toward by fits and starts. No, she is not wearing a mask in our backyard, but …Continue reading “The Old “New Normal””

Ten Years of Taylor

‘The end of an era, but the start of an age…’ In honor of the end of The Eras Tour and Taylor’s 35th birthday, reposting my 2018 post, Ten Years of Taylor.

My 12 Memories of Christmas

As time goes by, certain memories of Christmases past become stronger than others. Most are filled with family, food, music, and fun; but a few other things manage to creep in as well. On Christmas 2017, here is a list of my 12 memories that mean Christmas to me. The First Noel My sister, 2Continue reading “My 12 Memories of Christmas”