Head of School Archives | Page 2 of 4

Hey kids, don’t conform! Disruption, revolution, and transcendence

Dr. Mike DavisDecember 19, 2018

Well, if that title didn’t get you to click this link, I don’t know what will! Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the function of schools and the role ...

Head of School376 views

Looking beyond grades, if you can

Dr. Mike DavisDecember 13, 2018

I am a big fan of organizational psychologist Adam Grant and his recent New York Times op-ed piece titled What Straight A Students Get Wrong. His thesis is that...

AcademicsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of SchoolNews376 views

Season of Hope

Dr. Mike DavisDecember 6, 2018

This is the season of hope. Not only because “Students H.O.P.E.,” which took place just this past weekend—the largest, single-day, student-run, CA se...

All School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of SchoolNews159 views

A tribute to George Herbert Walker Bush

Dr. Mike DavisDecember 3, 2018

As the nation prepares to bid farewell to the late President George H.W. Bush, I am reminded of my own story about our country’s 41st President. During one o...

FeaturedHead of School258 views

What are we trying to do here?

Dr. Mike DavisNovember 29, 2018

“OK, everyone, “ I said to my class on the second to the last day of the term. “We are going to have a 'pop' final exam.” Gasps abounded from my students. “Well...

AcademicsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of SchoolNews486 views

Grateful on this Thanksgiving

Dr. Mike DavisNovember 15, 2018

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There are those who bemoan it. Take, for instance, the opinion of comedian Jim Gaffigan. He notes that it appears ...

Editor's PicksFeaturedHead of School191 views

Veteran’s Day remembrance from the battlefields of Vietnam

Dr. Mike DavisNovember 8, 2018

My father-in-law, Dr. Lawrence Jelsma, passed away recently after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and was buried with Military Funeral Honors. Lawrence s...

Alumni NewsletterEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of School235 views

Caught in the middle

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 29, 2018

On a recent flight, I found myself in an uncomfortable situation. Part of it was because I was in the middle seat, cramped, with no legroom. But, it was more of...

FeaturedHead of SchoolOn CAmpus Newsletter935 views

Bennett Liu at the Mae Ra Moe Refugee Camp

Empowering students to make their learning real

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 25, 2018

I’ve always believed that one of the best things you can do for kids is to show them that you believe in their ability to change the world. It unleashes their i...

All School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of School286 views

Girl with backpack entering to the art classroom, Education concept.

Academic honesty: More than grades are at stake

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 17, 2018

While traveling earlier this week, I dug into the news and found a great article that has a lot of relevance for the experience of young people trying to prove ...

AcademicsAll School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of School208 views

Parent/Teacher Conferences: Honest feedback sets stage for future student growth

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 11, 2018

Thanks to all the parents who took time to attend the 2,997 individual parent/teacher conferences this week at Colorado Academy. It was a former Governor of my...

All School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of School127 views

Megan Ollett is an expert in her classroom.

Pondering Musk, Gates, and the value of Parent-Teacher Conferences

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 4, 2018

Elon Musk has had a hard week. He has to pay a $20 million fine to the SEC and step down as chairman of his company. That can happen when you are public figure ...

All School NewsFeaturedHead of School294 views

Words matter: Looking anew at our Mission Statement

Dr. Mike DavisOctober 1, 2018

Like so many members of our school community, I have always found the mission of Colorado Academy profoundly compelling. As an educator, I value the i...

All School NewsAlumni NewsletterHead of SchoolOn CAmpus Newsletter279 views

“Breaking Bread” and “Breaking Barriers”—Two more reasons to be at CA

Dr. Mike DavisSeptember 27, 2018

This was a great week at Colorado Academy. We had two incredible community-building events that were inspirational—each in their own way. One was Erik Weihen...

All School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of School188 views

CA Upper School students at Mod Market before Homecoming 2018.

Affirmation: Witnessing school culture on display in the real world

Dr. Mike DavisSeptember 19, 2018

At Colorado Academy, we are intentional about the kind of student culture we want to create. Over the past several years, we have introduced mindfulness trainin...

All School NewsEditor's PicksFeaturedHead of SchoolUpper School861 views

9/11 and Hurricane Florence

Dr. Mike DavisSeptember 13, 2018

Beginning with 9/11 earlier this week and the impending arrival of Hurricane Florence on the East Coast, I am reminded of how our reality can change quickly. So...

Editor's PicksFeaturedHead of School107 views

Engaging young minds in kind ways

Dr. Mike DavisSeptember 6, 2018

What I love most about teaching is the opportunity to ignite intellectual curiosity in young people. Some days, this can be easy. The subject matter can be so c...

All School NewsFeaturedHead of School196 views

Taking Off!

Dr. Mike DavisAugust 30, 2018

When my twin girls were born in the year 2000, the prospect of their leaving home for college in the year 2018 seemed so far away. There were times, when my wif...

All School NewsFeaturedHead of SchoolOn CAmpus Newsletter775 views

Displays of Courage and Kindness: Reflections on a Maverick Politician

Dr. Mike DavisAugust 28, 2018

As we kick off the school year, I want to pause and take a moment to honor the legacy of United States Senator John McCain. I grew up in Arizona, and from my ch...

FeaturedHead of School149 views

Getting Ready for Your Return

Dr. Mike DavisAugust 21, 2018

We are excited to welcome our students back to the Colorado Academy campus next week! We hope to see parents, students, and faculty at our annual All-School Pic...

FeaturedHead of School223 views

New School Year Just Around the Corner

Dr. Mike DavisJuly 29, 2018

As I begin my eleventh year as head of Colorado Academy, I am reminded of how much I value the cyclical life of schools. Students begin a new year with the pote...

Head of School277 views