Based on an originating point at my home airport, SFO:
2013–2014
- InstructureCon, Park City, UT (599mi)
- ISTE 2014, Atlanta, GA (2139mi)
- Digital Signage Expo, Las Vegas, NV (414 mi)
- JSEA Tech Coordinator Conference 2013, Washington, DC (2419mi) …
Travel as Educational Technologist
Observed for Graduate School
A history teacher at a nearby school asked to observe me for an assignment he had to complete for graduate school; this is the write-up that he turned in for that assignment.
I would quibble over some specific details …
Economic and Political Systems
Discussing the end of World War I and the inter-war years of the 1920s and 1930s, we introduce seven distinct systems as we move through the various topics of the course. I wanted to pull those together … and then pull them apart again. To wit:
The …
Last week, on Friday, October 2, 2015, Carole Nickolai, our Assistant Principal of Academics, dropped in for an observation of part of my 5* World History 2 class. Her write-up is below:
Observation Notes:
Eric is just finishing up presenting …
Not my best time, but a decent time for 7.45-miles.
<div class="caption">
I was off-campus for almost four days last week while directing our senior Kairos retreat for September, as I have been doing every year. With my seniors, I’m able to …
People who want to change the world need to hang out with people who want to change the world!
— <p><a href=“http://www.swiss-miss.com/2015/09/likeminded.html">Maggie Doyle</a>, co-founder …
It’s the little things that make a history teacher happy, like a new map.
Yesterday, on the final day of instruction for the Research & Methodologies unit in AP Psych, I wanted students to think of a research question, identify …
Derek Sivers on How to Start a Movement. It isn’t really about being the leader, he says; it’s about being a follower. A leader can embrace the first few followers, making the movement …
Awarded First Grant
This is just to note that I’ve been awarded my first grant. I’d never applied for a grant before, and it was therefore slightly nerve-wracking experience. Having just received word that the requested amount was awarded, I’m finally struck by a tinge …
Junior Mints and the long con
I needed to buy milk last night, and as I walked through the grocery store toward the dairy section, my eye was caught by an unusual amount of candy on display.
My first reaction was physiological; I shuddered a bit at that much of such a strong and …
When I have thought-work that needs to be done, I like taking the bus. It combines my commute with psychological space to engage in deep, sustained thinking. …
2015 AP Psychology Exam Results
The results from this year’s AP Psychology exam are available.
I am more pleased with the results from this year than last year. The average then was 3.750 compared to 3.917 this year, despite having four students last year who did not earn “college …
The first five-years of teaching.
As Paul Totah and I continue, for our book, to interview teachers from around the country with innovative courses, we’re finding some commonalities across those classes. One of them, I’m trying to incorporate into the design of my new modern world …
21st century Parenting
I was asked to give a presentation to about 100 parents of middle schoolers, discussing some psychology and some technology. Below is the slide deck, minus two videos (a baby easily working an iPad and then confused by a magazine, and a video of a …
San Francisco Food & Drink
Compiled for a friend, here is a list of the best the City has to offer to regular folks who like good food and drink, with a focus on what’s reflective of the City itself. Places are presented in order of preference, starting with the best-of-breed. …
A sweet, and quirky, note from a graduating senior at the end of the 2014–15 school year.
A very kind note from the mother of a graduating student:
Hi Mr. Castro:
We’re sorry you won’t be able to join us - you are a favorite of both Nick & …
Upon receiving the assignment details for the required sophomore research paper, I copied the list of political figures that students are given as …
Teacher Spotlight
I was honored by being interviewed for The Psychology Teacher Network, the quarterly newsletter of the American Psychological Association’s Division 2, Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools. I post the interview here for my own records: …