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Building a Better Student: The Death of Ego

There comes a time as a parent when you transition from coddler and cheerleader to adult life coach. That means you become a messenger, bearing news from the real world. It catches many young people by surprise, and the fallout can be intense. A friend of mine –...

Building a Better Student: Rich and Famous

For whatever reason we’re entertained by surveys, and when the subject matter is kids we’re entertained even more. (Kids and puppies always make for guaranteed interest, right?) We’re suckers for the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe...

Building a Better Student: Spell Check

One of my co-workers at the radio station said something interesting to me this week. He said, “Spell check made me into a good speller.” At first I thought he was kidding, but no. He told me that he was horrible at spelling when he was younger, but through the years...

Building a Better Student: Circles From the Air

The flight from Austin to Denver was routine. We pulled away from the gate right on time, the guy next to me had already drifted off to sleep with his earbuds snugly tucked, and I settled in with a million-page Michener novel. (Is that redundant?) After so many years...

Building a Better Student: Intellectual Arrogance

I never thought I’d write an article like this. After working with students for more than twenty years to help them embrace the idea that Smart is Cool, I have to call out some students who have abused the notion. This might sting a little. We know that many bright...