Category Archives: Teaching

(#404) Risk, Empty Spaces, and Self: Lessons from the Stage

Posted on February 18, 2018 by stevepiscitelli

“There is no failure in result; there is only failure in process.” Sam Wasson’s Improv Nation: How We Made A Great American Art provides more than an improv history lesson. He deftly lays out a philosophy of life.  For all … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, amplifying, assumptions, authenticity, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, childlike, confidence, Mindfulness, risk-taking, Teaching, teaching and learning, vulnerability, wisdom, Words, Words and Action | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#401) Improv and Leadership

Posted on January 28, 2018 by stevepiscitelli

Incompetent and fear-based managers rely on rigid scripts. Sam Wasson’s Improv Nation: How We Made a Great American Art provides lessons for transformational leadership. As early Improv players experimented and developed the art form, they learned the power of two … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Appropriate Behavior, Choice, Civility, collaboration, collegiality, Communication, effective meetings, generativity, growth, improv, professional development, resilience, self-awareness, self-regulatory behavior, Teaching, teaching and learning, vulnerability, wisdom, Words | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#387) Lessons from Elementary School

Posted on October 22, 2017 by stevepiscitelli

Adults, are we listening? Three lessons from elementary school this week. (1) Mrs. Hullender teaches 1st grade at the Atlantic Beach Elementary School. Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to visit her classroom during a mini leadership conference.  That’s right. … Continue reading →

Posted in accountability, action, Being REMARKABLE, Goals, Gratitude, habits, happiness, initiative, inspiration, Teaching, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#327) Structures for Organization: Implications for Teaching and Training

Posted on August 28, 2016 by stevepiscitelli

Just because it was tossed, doesn’t mean it was caught. Just because it was talked, doesn’t mean it was taught.   How do you define “learning”? And, what causes it? How much of your schooling exposed you to a stream … Continue reading →

Posted in effective teaching, learning, resilience, structures of learning, structures of organization, Teaching, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#274) Igniting Passion: Seven Superlative Student Stars

Posted on August 23, 2015 by stevepiscitelli

They spoke directly to the power of teaching and the importance of relationships in life.  This past Thursday I had the honor to deliver the keynote address for the annual faculty convocation at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). The organizers … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Being REMARKABLE, Gratitude, Grit, Living a remarkable life, Making a Difference, Passion, Teaching, teaching and learning, tenacity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#265) That’s Not Teaching. That’s Talking!

Posted on June 21, 2015 by stevepiscitelli

Teaching and learning need to remain inextricably connected. A few weeks ago I had the honor of being placed in the songwriter’s spotlight at the Atlantic Beach (FL) Songwriters’ Night.  I was humbled to get the invitation and once I was … Continue reading →

Posted in effective teaching, faculty development, leadership, Mindfulness, professional development, Teaching, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

(#261) Mixing it Up with Your Audience

Posted on May 24, 2015 by stevepiscitelli

So, go ahead. Mix it up. It will not only energize your audience, it will keep you fresh. A note to my blog followers: This week’s post marks the fifth anniversary for this blog. Thank you for following and sharing my weekly … Continue reading →

Posted in engagement, Learning Styles, public speaking, Teaching, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#257) Sunsets and Sunrises

Posted on April 26, 2015 by stevepiscitelli

“You are where I was. And I am where you will be.” This week represents a major life demarcation for me.  After 33 years of classroom teaching, I will be retiring from my college. I am not retiring, however, from my … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, assumptions, awareness, Balance, Being REMARKABLE, change, collegiality, effective teaching, Goals, Gratitude, happiness, Integrity, Life's purpose, Mindfulness, Reflection, resilience, retrospective, Success, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

(#255) Did You Make A Difference? How Do You Know?

Posted on April 12, 2015 by stevepiscitelli

While this blog post speaks specifically to my teaching colleagues, we can all draw inspiration and clarification when we stop and examine what we do. On my campus, we have two weeks of classes and a week of final exams … Continue reading →

Posted in awareness, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience, Teaching, Values and virtues, wisdom, Year in review | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#224) Every Student Has A Story: Great Teachers Build On That Story

Posted on September 7, 2014 by stevepiscitelli

A teacher’s calling is to recognize each of these types (and combinations thereof) and reach out with encouragement, challenge and recommendations to appropriate resources. [NOTE to reader: This week’s post comes from my forthcoming book (work-in-progress) on mentoring faculty.  In the weeks/months ahead … Continue reading →

Posted in Being REMARKABLE, Creativity, Education, effective teaching, influence, Motivation, Passion, Personal Wellbeing, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments