TL;DR: Advance teacher-leadership by transforming yourself, mentoring, identifying needs, clearing obstacles and distractions, and focusing on self-care. NOW is the time for mentors and school leaders to challenge self-doubt, soothe despair, and invest in our teacher-leaders. The COVID-19 crisis has proven that extraordinary change can happen in a short period of time. Nearly every aspect of educational practice—planning, teaching and … Read More
Rethinking Leadership in a Post-Pandemic Landscape
TL;DR: Rethinking leadership in a post-pandemic landscape means schools should carefully consider the qualifications of future leaders. It is important to be flexible and adaptable when considering schedules for the upcoming year. Establish an ongoing dialogue to empower staff. Develop plans for mental health support to be proactive in the upcoming year. The United States has finally reached a point … Read More
Building a Runway for Student Success
TL;DR: Teachers and administrators need to build a runway to ensure student success in the 2021-22 school year. Assessments, interventions, social and emotional learning, and priority standards are among many things that need to be considered for the upcoming year. W.I.N. time provides daily or weekly time for academic interventions, enrichment, or tutoring. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the … Read More
Students Want Adults Who Care
TL;DR: Students don’t want adults who dispense information. They want adults who care. Create thought-provoking learning experiences for students and avoid lecture-style teaching. Make learning relevant for students by connecting what they are learning to the real-world. If building relationships with students is difficult for you, start by talking to students about their lives. I sat speechless in a grade-level … Read More
Navigating Self-Care Through the 3 Ships
TL;DR: Navigate your self-care through the 3 ships: relationships, leadership, and partnerships. Teachers are more stressed, overwhelmed, and past the point of burnout than ever before. Implementing self-care is something that needs to be done proactively and often. When I first started on my maiden voyage into education, our school had a part-time wellness coordinator. As a stipended paraprofessional, her … Read More