The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt articulates something I believe many of us (both inside and outside the world of education) have been feeling for quite some time. The book is both a diagnosis and a call to action. Haidt lays out the deep connections between rising rates of anxiety and depression in young peopleContinue reading “Reclaiming Attention”
Author Archives: Nick
Why Is Change So Hard?
That’s the question at the heart of Switch by Chip and Dan Heath. And to their credit, they don’t answer it with vague ideas or motivational fluff. They answer it with clarity, story, and a framework that actually makes sense. The basic idea is this: if you want change to happen, you must address bothContinue reading “Why Is Change So Hard?”
The Truth Is Not a Luxury
Earlier this summer, I read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. The novel is historical fiction, but it moves like a courtroom drama, a mystery, and a personal reckoning all at once. Set in 1789 Maine and based on the real-life diary of Martha Ballard, the story revolves around a midwife who becomes entangled inContinue reading “The Truth Is Not a Luxury”
Let’s Mean What We Do
I recently finished All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, and I keep coming back to one line: “Do something meaningful, or maybe just mean everything you do.” That sentence is sticking with me. It is simple but pointed, and it captures what the book seems to ask of its characters and readersContinue reading “Let’s Mean What We Do”
The Numbers Don’t Lie. But That Doesn’t Mean We Understand Them.
I just finished The Math of Life and Death by Kit Yates. Yates walks the reader through stories where a misunderstanding of math led to bad decisions, dangerous outcomes, or even tragedy. It’s not a book about how to do math. It’s a book about how math already shapes our lives, whether we realize itContinue reading “The Numbers Don’t Lie. But That Doesn’t Mean We Understand Them.”
The Story of Four Graduations
Yesterday was Del Oro’s 64th Graduation, but only my second as principal. For my second commencement address, I chose to tell the story of four graduations. Here’s the bulk of the message: One of the things that’s really special about Del Oro is how many alumni return—whether to work here, raise their families in theContinue reading “The Story of Four Graduations”
Superblooms and Coaching
It was a typical fall sports coaches’ meeting, with 20 or so coaches sitting around the library discussing athletic clearance, first aid kits, concussions, field trips, and attendance on game days. The meeting felt mostly informational. I had a small section on the agenda where I would share my expectations (as the principal) for theContinue reading “Superblooms and Coaching”
The Body – Bill Bryson
What a fascinating book… offering all sorts of insight into what is known and unknown about the human body. In addition to lots of somewhat technical, scientific, and medical information about different parts of the body, Bryson also shares several engaging and funny stories. My favorite was about an emergency appendectomy on a US submarineContinue reading “The Body – Bill Bryson”
Thank you, Del Oro… and Goodbye for now
I met Morgan (now my wife of almost 18 years) at Cal Poly. She had just graduated high school and as we were getting to know each other, she would often tell these fond stories of what seemed to me like a mythical place. She claimed to have gone to a high school where studentsContinue reading “Thank you, Del Oro… and Goodbye for now”
An Invitation for Outsiders & Insiders
Many people have pointed out that one way of looking at the prophet Jonah is as a classic nationalist. You could say he believes in Israel. Israel should be first. He is with the chosen children of God, not the gentiles, and definitely not the Ninevites. Now, his nationalism… maybe it’s the subtle kind. He’sContinue reading “An Invitation for Outsiders & Insiders”
Mr. Zerwas Teaches Here 