Books I read in September 2026
Books I finished reading (or rereading) in September 2026... Horace’s Compromise, Theodore Sizer (education) Captain’s Fury, Jim Butcher (fantasy) The Tapestry of Fate, Shannon Chakraborty (fantasy) The Scarred Woman, Jussi Adler-Olsen (thriller) Greenteeth, Molly O’Neill (fantasy) The Water...
![Prepare them for anything: Innovation, disruption, and the small shifts that matter [NAESP]](http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NAESP-Logo-Square-1080x675.jpg){kind=logo}
Prepare them for anything: Innovation, disruption, and the small shifts that matter [NAESP]
Liz Garden and I had the pleasure of hosting Eric Sheninger, award-winning principal and author, on the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) podcast. We had a wide-ranging conversation about school innovation, taking calculated risks, and finding ways to make small shifts...
Deeper learning, diffusion of innovation, and push-pull, loose-tight leadership
I had the opportunity earlier this year to talk with Patrick Walsh for the NewTech High podcast. Patrick and I have known each other since I was at the University of Minnesota, and he continues to make great things happen in my former state. In this podcast episode, Patrick and I talked about the...
![Supporting principals to make learning interesting [NAESP]](http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/EDUp-1080x675.png)
Supporting principals to make learning interesting [NAESP]
I had the opportunity at the 2026 National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) conference to sit down and talk with Dr. Jacob Easley for his EDUP podcast. It turns out that Jacob is good friends with my dean, Marvin Lynn! We spent most of our time discussing how to make learning...
Why male educators matter
For the past year I served as a Distinguished Educator Fellow for PDK International. The biggest highlight of that experience was getting to serve as an informal mentor for Owen Elsasser, a young educator from Nebraska. Mentor is the wrong word, though, because Owen is such a dynamo that I mostly...
Universal design for learning: Why one-size-fits-all doesn’t work – and what does [NAESP]
Liz Garden and I had the pleasure of hosting Kristan Rodriguez on the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) podcast. We had a wide-ranging conversation about universal design for learning (UDL) and how to build systems that shift from compliance to authentic student...
Books I read in August 2026
Books I finished reading (or rereading) in August 2026... Messy Jobs, Luis Garicano et al. (economics) Light of Impossible Stars, Gareth Powell (science fiction) First Family, David Baldacci (thriller) The Science Fictional Olympics, Isaac Asimov et al. (science fiction) The Marco Effect, Jussi...
Watch the Counted Out documentary (for a limited time!)
If you haven’t yet attended a screening in your area, the Counted Out documentary is available for private viewing through the end of this month for $10 USD. The film is nicely done. The first half focuses more on the importance that math plays in all sectors of our lives. The second half focuses...
Dangerously Irrelevant turns 20!
This blog celebrated its 20th birthday a few days ago… Here was my first post ever! Although I am not blogging as often - or in the same way - as I used to, it still continues to be one of my happy places. Some quick numbers to commemorate the occasion: 2,636 total posts, 13,885 total comments, at...
Books I read in July 2026
Books I finished reading (or rereading) in July 2026... In Search of Deeper Learning, Jal Mehta & Sarah Fine (education) The Purity of Vengeance, Jussi Adler-Olsen (thriller) Beauty and Chaos, Michael Pronko (travel) Tokyo’s Mystery Deepens, Michael Pronko (travel) Motions and Moments, Michael...
Cheating is the most visible and least interesting part of the AI problem
Here is some good thinking about student usage of artificial intelligence from Debbie Millman: A formed mind can argue or wrangle with the machine, reject its false polish and recognize when the language it constructs to redescribe the world has become too smooth or soulless. Someone who has lived...
Leadership for Deeper Learning, Class 05
[I am teaching a Leadership for Deeper Learning elective for one of our doctoral cohorts this summer and thought that I would share what is happening each week.] After weeks of discussing schools that focus on project-based learning, 'no excuses' learning, and the International Baccalaureate, in...
Resources for transformational learning | July 10, 2026
Some things worth investigating... All flourishing is mutual When staff build their own AI apps Play-based learning in New Hampshire’s kindergarten classrooms The evidence base on AI in K-12: A 2026 review 5 ways to integrate ‘place’ into PBL Student influencers, AI’s mirror problem, and the power...
Leadership for Deeper Learning, Class 04
[I am teaching a Leadership for Deeper Learning elective for one of our doctoral cohorts this summer and thought that I would share what is happening each week.] I wasn’t happy with how Class 04 went. I didn’t think our flow was smooth. Our timing felt off. It just didn’t feel right afterward. And...
Coupons from Michael Hernandez!
Coupons from Michael Hernandez?! No way! Yes! Michael generously donated a few coupons for me to pass along to others. If you don’t know Michael, he is an immensely-talented Apple Distinguished Educator who authored the absolutely wonderful book, Storytelling With Purpose. Here are some upcoming...
Resources for transformational learning | July 3, 2026
Some things worth investigating... Using your location as a classroom How to start continuous improvement without stopping everything Create a summer social media plan in 10 minutes with AI A guide to transforming your grading practices Setting the stage for successful change management All past...
Books I read in June 2026
Books I finished reading (or rereading) in June 2026... A Culture of Quality, Ron Berger (education) The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi, Shannon Chakraborty (fantasy) Cursor’s Fury, Jim Butcher (fantasy) Simple Genius, David Baldacci (thriller) Revenge Prey, John Sandford (thriller) Hour Game,...
Leadership for Deeper Learning, Class 03
[I am teaching a Leadership for Deeper Learning elective for one of our doctoral cohorts this summer and thought that I would share what is happening each week.] Class 03 was… interesting. We are following the flow of In Search of Deeper Learning, which sets up a staggering contrast between Dewey...
Resources for transformational learning | June 28, 2026
Some things worth investigating... Â How to incorporate the outdoors into elementary math learning How a California district is transforming education in a rapidly changing world K-12 public systems under pressure: High school redesign as a catalyst to retention and (re)enrollment Should students...
Leadership for Deeper Learning, Class 02
[I am teaching a Leadership for Deeper Learning elective for one of our doctoral cohorts this summer and thought that I would share what is happening each week.] We were missing a few members of the doctoral cohort in Class 01, so our second class was the first time this summer that we were all...