#4. I agree. The thing I am most impressed with when I see a teacher and a classroom that really works, is how much ownership the teacher has over what they are teaching. The more of this that comes from the teacher's own deep thinking about content and how to teach it (and teach it in a way to reach the students, with real particular students in mind), the better the teacher does with it. When we tell teachers "do it exactly this way, and don't think to much about it, or try to change it" we are really missing the boat.
A great list, Chris. I know what you mean about the insomnia. Most of my blogging takes place at 4:00 AM.
To me, the bottom line is that we live in an intensely exciting world, and teaching and learning about that world should be just as exciting. The profession could and should be one that the very best and most talented want to do. I mean who else gets to rest on the shoulders and peer through the eyes of our future.