(Originally posted on Love the Learning.) By Jessica Hanson One of my awesome first grade teachers shared this with me and I couldn’t help but chuckle at the first grade humor within the story. But, after closely reading the story I thought, “Wow, this first grader may be on to something.” Principals can command kids. […]
5 Tips to Help Teacher Morale – David El
(Originally posted on A Principal’s Life.) By David Ellena In this day and age of “education reform”, it seems that teachers and public education are under attack from all sides. The media and politicians continually erode the public confidence in the very people who we watch dedicate themselves on a daily basis to our students. […]
To Inspire and Be Inspired – Annabelle’s
(Originally posted on Expanding Learning Frontiers.) By Brad Latzke Last October, Annabelle, a grade seven student at Shanghai American School, came to school just like any other day. She felt a little dizzy before going home. Within hours, Annabelle suffered a devastating stroke brought on by several undiagnosed brain tumors. She underwent emergency surgery and her […]
3 Administrative Non-Negotiables: How I ...
(Originally posted on Hallway Access.) By David Hochheiser School administrators bear the weight of myriad responsibilities. Our days are filled with diverse questions, interactions, scenarios and tasks. Some of these happen predictably and can therefore be planned for, but many realities in our purview present themselves organically, with little forewarning. Schools are living systems, hopefully […]
You Better Stop…Make Mistakes…and Listen
(Originally posted on Love the Learning.) By Jessica Hanson From August 21st, 2014: “This week I am having my teachers write letters to themselves. The prompt is: “I want to teach somewhere that….” They are to return them to me, signed and sealed. I am not going to read them. At some point in the […]
4 Steps a School Administrator Can Take ...
(Originally posted on School Administration Mastery.) By Sam Rangel Beyond the horizon, across the vast expanse of the ocean, the captain envisioned a new world. He was certain that a better world existed, but he just needed to get there. He knew he couldn’t get there without some help. As strong as he was, and […]
Personal Regard: Why Being Gruff Isn’t W
(Originally posted on Eduleadership.) By Justin Baeder The principalship is tough work, so it’s no surprise that it both attracts tough-minded people and makes people tougher over time. It makes sense to be increasingly realistic and pragmatic as you gain experience, but too often we forget a key element of effective leadership: personal regard. Our […]
4 Ideas To Have A Successful First Year ...
(Originally posted on The Principal of Change) By George Couros #147205418 / gettyimages.com I am so intrigued with the number of people that are jumping into principal positions as I think it is truly one of the best jobs in the world. It is also one of the toughest. Isolation within a school (even […]
What Legacy Will You Leave Behind? – Dan
(Originally posted on Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat.) By Dan Butler Over the past few years, I have attended a number of retirement parties for teachers, administrators, and support staff members. Within these gatherings, I have interpreted a common theme from the comments and speeches centered around what type of legacy has been left […]
Don’t Have A Good Day – Walter A. Kozlow
(Originally posted on Servant Principal.) By Walter A. Kozlowski I don’t recall when or where I picked up this habit, but I do know why. Instead of kindly suggesting to somebody that he or she “Have a good day”, I prefer to suggest they “Make it a great day.” I, especially like to do this […]
Seven Questions to Guide Decisions of an...
(Originally posted on DavidGeurin.com) By David Geuring Over the years I’ve had some great mentors in education that have helped me to be a better decision-maker. I realize a leader’s decisions impact the school and the students. Therefore, I recognize the great responsibility I have to make wise and thoughtful decisions. Of course, I often […]
Make it a Priority to Stay Engaged All Y...
(Originally posted at A Principal’s Life. ) By David Ellena As a new year begins, hopefully we have all set goals and determined things that we will do better this year than last. I know I have. I always say that I am going to spend more time in classrooms (is there ever a time […]
Six Reasons to Make Walkthroughs a High ...
(Originally posted on Servant Principal.) By Walter A. Kozlowski Sign posted to my office door. An eighth-grade student sitting outside my office nodded toward chart on the wall and asked, “What’s that?” I explained to him that it is how we keep track of the classrooms we have visited. His response: “That’s cool.” For years, I was […]
Leadership at Its Most Powerful is by Ex...
(Originally posted at A Lighthouse.) By Dr. Daniel L. Frazier I once knew an executive who routinely displayed displeasure and sometimes contempt for his subordinates. Meanwhile he would preach to his team how they needed to improve staff morale. Unfortunately, the lieutenants emulated the leader. His team may have been told what to do, but […]
Guiding Principles of a Learning Communi...
(Originally posted on Inquiry to Results.) By Chris Hubbuch Effective leadership on any level requires reflection about core values. Through this process your principles are identified and tested. Actual core values consist of what you live out, as opposed to your idealized principles. The challenge for any leader is achieving consistency between expressed values and […]