"Practice doesn't make perfect. Practice makes myelin, and myelin makes perfect." ~Daniel Coyle, The Little Book of Talent

Current research is showing us that talent has more to do with the brain's development and less to do with innate genetics. But HOW does this occur? Myelin serves as an insulator which wraps around the wires of our brain (like electrical tape around electric wires) containing the signals, making them stronger and faster. A hundred years ago, scientists considered myelin to be inert and did not appear to react to any stimulation. Now we know they were wrong.

As we continue to delve into our annual theme: The Power of Voice, readings, quotes, current events, and discussions are utilized during Leadership Breakfast to cultivate individual understanding of personal voice.

I recently read the Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin (aka the author of The Happiness Project). I was so intrigued by her insight into personalities and the ways we tend to meet (or not meet) expectations or follow rules…

At ATA College Prep, we begin the year with student orientation where students engage with one another and begin to build an understanding of the culture, content and climate. We introduce the annual theme, which guides us on our learning quests, and we organize lessons and practices that will strengthen each.

This year we are contemplating the Power of Voice. How do we identify our voice, individuate it, cultivate its clarity, join it together with others', and use it as a tool for change?

Learning takes place when a student engages and interacts with new information. They either construct new neuro-pathways through engaging experiences or connect new knowledge to previous knowledge.  Sometimes, however, challenges can occur in the processes of learning.

"I just don't get it!"  
"My teacher isn't very good."
"I guess I'm just not a good math person..."

A frustrated student can get caught up in these kinds of thought processes, especially when they are feeling challenged by new information. But parents and teachers, acting as caring guides, can help move them forward by…

We are all born curious. We are intrigued to make sense of the world around us and within us.  The challenge then, of a great education, becomes to NOT educate this curious creativity out of our children, but instead to inspire and nurture it.

Einstein said that his successful theories came from…

Building a Path from Here to There

Autonomous learning requires self-regulation of knowledge, and skills to prioritize and monitor thoughts, attention, information, time, and procedures. These are the goal-oriented enterprises of executive functioning, and are instrumental in the transfer of knowledge across domains, and preparation for the advancement of future learning. Students with high metacognitive knowledge, who are aware of the purpose and value of learning, become better problem-solvers because they utilize effective executive strategies to self-regulate, strategize, and adjust their behaviors in order to reach a determined goal. 

At College Prep, we recognize that brains, much like bodies...

Are we helping students take advantage of powerful tools of technology, or losing them to entertaining pleasures of distractions?

This question haunts me day and night. Yet, the answer already seems clear. Increasing research assures us that the screen-entertained brain begins to rewire and become complacent, and links addictive screen time usage to decreased self-esteem, focus, motivation, test scores and physical performance. This so-called "Smart Revolution" is, in reality, creating a numbingly dumb and under performing generation. Bright, creative, potential-rich students fall prey to the beeping and buzzing poisons of cellular fixations.  

Humans are wired to seek...

What is the POTUS supposed to do? What actions make a good president? What characteristics make a good president? 

These were the questions posed in Monday morning’s Leadership in honor of President’s Day. Led by Mr. Rutherford, the discussion began…

"What is POTUS?” many students asked. POTUS is the abbreviation for President Of The United States. Little known fact: the acronym began as a telegraph code in the late 19th century.

With that clarification, students began postulating answers...

Each morning during Leadership at College Prep, we contemplate lessons of life through current events, significant readings, or quotes from the great minds of significant worldly and spiritual leaders. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, last week we set new goals and reflected on this idea:

Life’s most persistent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

Within each of us lies a profound purpose - our life’s mission. It is enlivened by our experiences, our friends, our mentors, our teachers, our parents.  These are the elements...