As I write this post at 5:30 in the morning, our ninth-grade and four EAB faculty members are boarding a plane to Manaus and the Amazon rainforest. Their journey is the realization of a dream that began in 2019. The original idea was to create a cross-curricular unit to explore the role of the Amazon rainforest through the lens of climate change. The culmination of … Continue reading A Dream of the Amazon
Each week I send a note to the high school faculty called The Brief. For the past three years, my first entry (below) has dealt with Sisyphus and the start of a new school year. Hanging on my office wall is a piece of art depicting a man strenuously pushing a boulder up a hill. The work was given to me by a member of … Continue reading Sisyphus and the Start of School
On a recent Wednesday morning, our High School MUN director, Marina Procopio, sent me a WhatsApp message informing me that the MUN group traveling to BRAMUN (Brazil Model United Nations) was at the airport and ready to go. George Salmon, our IB Economics and Business Management teacher, accompanied the group as a chaperone because the MUN co-director, James Kessler, was… …in Paraguay, preparing to present … Continue reading 36 Hours at EAB
In his book, The Culture Code, Daniel Coyle highlights the importance of catchphrases to develop successful culture. Coyle admits they are often “corny, obvious, and sound dumb,” but believes they are essential in leadership. Though we didn’t call them catchphrases, three statements were central to our work in the EAB High School before I read the book: We Do What We Say We Do, No … Continue reading To Shine for Hostile Audiences
In my last post, I wrote about joy and Taylor Swift. My recent travels have reminded me of the importance of gratitude. Strangely, that brought to mind Ray Lewis. I appreciate Ray Lewis. I’m from western Pennsylvania and a lifelong Steelers fan. We despise the Ravens, and it would be heresy to say I love, or even like Ray Lewis. Therefore, the best I can … Continue reading On Ray Lewis, Eagles, and Pigeons
My daughters, Nina and Kaya, my wife, Bianca, and I went to see Taylor Swift in São Paulo on Thanksgiving weekend. She was fantastic. I never imagined I would enjoy myself as much as I did. Kaya is a true Swiftie and her reaction to the show was the true joy. When the lights went down and Ms. Swift hit the stage, my eyes … Continue reading On Joy – Taylor and Me
A few weeks ago, my daughter Nina told me, “Dad, you should stop making mad faces when girls on our team miss layups. You seem so frustrated.” I thought a lot about Nina’s opinion and know she probably gets the worst of it. To her surprise, when we began the next practice, I shared my Baby Girl’s thoughts and said, “I’m not going to change … Continue reading Head Fakes
High school principals write a lot. I am no different, and Google Docs tells me I wrote 38,973 words last year in my weekly faculty newsletter alone. I love this part of the job. High school principals also speak a lot. Between assemblies, coffees, ceremonies, celebrations, and meetings, it seems we are constantly presenting to a crowd. Truth be told, I love this part of … Continue reading My Favorite 100 Words
Mr. Kevin Meklin provides small-group support to IB mathematics students. “How, exactly, will you provide individual support to my daughter?” It was a simple question asked by the parent of an eighth-grade student about to enter high school. Unfortunately, this “simple question” caught me off guard, and I did not have a good answer. To make matters worse, I had just been highlighting the central … Continue reading The Wednesday Session: Targeted Intervention in an Area of Need for all EAB High School Students
A few weeks ago, members of the EAB Leadership Team took our newest member, incoming LS Principal Beth Overby, on a hike to a series of waterfalls close to Brasilia called Indaia. The weather looked sketchy throughout the drive and by the time we arrived, the rain had begun. Our goal was to arrive at the largest waterfall on the trip. To do so, we … Continue reading A Flash Flood to Welcome the Newest Member of Our Leadership Team
A Blog by David Bair: Father, Husband, Educator, Leader 