(Originally posted at On Principal.) By John Falino It’s hard to believe that the start of another school year is quickly approaching. As school leaders are putting the finishing touches on a summer that was filled with scheduling, staffing, professional development, and a multitude of other tasks that go along with ensuring the successful start […]
Building Positive School Culture: 20 Ide...
(Originally posted on Principal Matters.) By William D. Parker School or work environments are like home environments–it doesn’t take long to figure out if you are in a happy, productive place or not. Last week I was in Oklahoma City for a meeting with OASSP, the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals, when we were […]
Embrace the New Year and the New Teacher...
(Originally posted at Education, Leadership and 21st Century Pedagogy.) By Pam Gildersleeve-Hernandez The Back to School blog posts are appearing. They’re showing up in our in boxes, our Twitter feeds, on Google+ and our Facebook feeds. Where just a week ago, our social media was filled with pictures of smiling couples, groups of friends […]
Gathering Feedback from Staff for Person...
(Originally posted on A Principal’s Life.) By David Ellena As we approach the end of the school year, my thoughts inevitably begin to turn towards the next school year. It is like this every year. I start to look at what went well, what didn’t go so well and things I want to focus on […]
Key Practices of High-Performance Instru...
(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder What does it mean to be an instructional leader? Too many definitions contrast instructional leadership with “mere” management, as if the management work that administrators do isn’t related to teaching and learning. I believe that it’s all connected, and that an effective instructional leader is also an effective […]
On Becoming a School Leader – Steven Web
(Originally posted on ASCD EDge) By Steven Weber School leadership has changed over the past twenty years. The role of a building principal is similar to the combined roles of a chef, architect, tightrope walker, public speaker, supervisor, investment broker, and pilot. As a chef, the school leader stirs the right ingredients and takes risks, […]
Surviving Tuesday – Walter A. Kozlowski
(Originally posted on Servant Principal.) By Walter A. Kozlowski My wife and I usually do not see each other on Tuesday. In fact, we rarely even get a chance to talk. Her shift begins an hour before my day at school ends. I leave the building with barely enough time to pick up one […]
The Corrosive Side of Leadership – David
(Originally posed on DCulberhouse.) By David Culberhouse “Is the question being asked: Whose fault was this? If so, your culture is one that vilifies failure. Failure is difficult enough without it being compounded by the search for a scapegoat.” -Ed Catmull ‘Creativity, Inc.’ If we are going to build up the capacity for more creative […]
If It’s A Contest, I’d Rather Play Offen
(Originally posted on Eknost’s Blog.) By Dr. Eric D. Knost I have been an educator my entire adult life. I have lived and breathed education as I worked with kids in one capacity or another through multiple decades. Just like anything else, when you live something long enough, it becomes part of you. It becomes […]
Advice for First Year Principals – Jessi
(Originally posted on Mrs. Cromer: Leading and Learning.) By Jessica Cromer Whoa, what’s that in your newsfeed? A new blogpost from @MrsJCromer?! Its only been since February people, don’t be so surprised. I’ve been just a little busy with my first year running a school and have not been the best blogger. But have no […]
The Speed of Innovation – David Steward
(Originally posted on One Administrator’s View.) By David Steward Recently, I was fortunate to engage in a chat on Twitter that accompanied a local district beginning to discuss innovation and change for their kids. The chat was extremely interesting (check out #ImagineSPS to see the discussion) and got me reflecting on change, innovation, and specifically […]
Leadership Tip: When to be a Cheerleader...
(Originally posted on @DrMattParker) By Matt Parker Any leader of an organization or school will tell you-cheering on your team is a huge priority. Being the cheerleader for your group is not just an overall morale booster for your team, but it also shows pride in your group, and it can be positive press for […]
Compliance or Commitment? – Dan Butler
(Originally posted on Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat.) By Dan Butler A couple of weeks ago, I had a conversation about instructional coaching with an educator outside of my district. We were talking about the coaching model that we utilize in Western Dubuque, and how we have implemented this in the past seven months. […]
Major League Communication – Walter A. K
(Originally posted on Servant Principal.) By Walter A. Kozlowski I recently read a description of a miscommunication between a major league starting pitcher and the team’s manager. Following the completion of the sixth inning, with ninety-nine pitches thrown, the pitcher assumed he was done for the day. The manager, however had other plans. […]
What is Your Story? – Douglas Elmendor
(Originally posted on ASCD EDge.) By Douglas Elmendorf “You are not merely here to make a living. You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself if you forget this errand.” – […]