I’ve been thinking about the word “milestone,” a term I’ve found applicable, both personally and professionally, quite a lot lately. In the 1925 edition of Webster’s Elementary-School Dictionary – a dog-eared tome that still comes in handy – the word has only one meaning: “Stone serving as a milepost.”  (“Milepost,” the preceding entry, is defined as “A post to indicate the distance in miles from a given point.”)  My electronic Encarta Dictionary offers a second definition: “important event – a significant or important event, e.g. in the history of a country or in somebody’s life.” Now, that’s what I’m talking about.This past weekend, we watched our youngest daughter receive her Masters degree in piano performance from Manhattan School of Music. What parent can adequately describe the emotions that wash over us as we watch our children accept a diploma and officially take another step toward achieving their potential and living their dreams? This commencement proved a joyous milestone, not just for our daughter, but for all of us who have shared the journey with her. I’m sure that many of you have had a similar precious experience, or will next month when your own children graduate from elementary, middle or high school…or from college. (more…)

Who is your favorite teacher? Does one name immediately come to mind, or, like me, do you find yourself recalling so many unique and wonderful educators that you can’t possibly zero in on just one? Well, perhaps I should single out one: My wife happens to be a first-rate classroom teacher! But I also think of the instructors whose lessons inspired me as a student, as well as the countless colleagues whose keen insight and enthusiasm have motivated me during my own career in education. (more…)