The stretch between October and winter break can feel like a long exhale you never quite get to finish. The excitement of the new year has faded, and routines are set.. Some might be flowing and others failing. The reality of the work has fully arrived. For many educators, this is the time when energy…
Protecting Your Energy As the days grow shorter and the calendar grows heavier, school leaders often find themselves running on empty. Fall brings the beautiful chaos of progress reports, family conferences, behavior spikes, and shifting energy. But here’s the truth: your school’s well-being is tied to your own. Protecting your energy isn’t selfish leadership —…
Moving from Performance Updates to Partnership Parent-teacher conferences are often seen as a mandated and routine checkpoint —a quick exchange of grades, behavior notes, and next steps. But when done right, they can become something far more powerful: a moment of partnership. As both an educator and a parent, I’ve seen how conferences can either…
October Reset: Aligning Vision, time, and Community October can feel like the “in-between” month in schools. The back-to-school buzz has worn off, routines have been established (or are still settling), and the holiday stretch is on the horizon. It’s the time when fatigue starts to show—for students, staff, and leaders alike.As a principal, I learned…
We often mark the beginning of the school year with the first bell, the laughter in hallways, and the hum of classrooms coming to life. But if you’re a school leader, you know the truth: the year starts long before the first student walks through the door. It begins in the quiet moments of planning,…
Most people assume leadership ends in burnout or conflict—but what if it didn’t have to? Transitions can be conscious, healthy, and rooted in growth. The reality, though, is that the average tenure for school leaders is short—just 3 to 5 years—and even shorter for those leading in under-resourced communities. It’s no wonder. The role is…
staff morale matters A happy team lives the dream, right? Several studies cite the importance and correlation of a positive work culture on team efficiency and productivity. In education, staff morale is critical to teacher retention, student achievement, and the school’s health. As a school leader, having a strong pulse on team culture is vital…
What is Self-Awareness? In the last 6-7 years, the phrase “Social & Emotional Learning” has taken a gigantic step into the educational landscape. Educators, researchers, and families are all working to understand the knowledge and skills that promote healthy self-perception, development, and relationships. In short, the goal is for individuals to experience success in all…
My team is working on this list to improve our school community. We’ve read the books and know the statistics and solutions take time and work. These ideas work with suspension, meaning a student is suspended and engages in them. community contract A shared agreement between the student, their family, and the school includes guidelines…
Brought this over from Instagram. It’s a truly personal post that reflect my thoughts as a first year principal. As a principal, one of the most significant responsibilities I have is determining consequences for student choices in the school community. It’s complex and weighs on me. I knew the statistics on the racial disparities in…
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