The Road to the Principalship

Steven WeberBlog, Leadership, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: The road to the principalship involves the following five behaviors and demonstrated leadership skills developed over time with evidence of action: good leaders ask great questions, build relationships, stand out in the crowd, and are risk-takers and collaborative leaders. The words on the resume should match the leader’s actual work in schools.  Each spring, assistant principals begin applying for … Read More

What If We Had Engaging Meetings?

Bobbie FrenchBlog, Innovation, Leadership, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: It’s important to prioritize our time with staff during meetings to connect, grow, discuss important issues, and allow for collaborative decision-making. Be intentional with how you structure meetings. Flip the staff meeting and share information ahead of time via email, Flipgrid, Smore Newsletters, Padlet, or a Google Document with hyperlinks. Offer an opportunity for teacher voice through the Amplify-Sunset-Create … Read More

Engage and Elevate Better with Data

Martin SilvermanBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Data drives many of our decisions in education. It comes from a variety of sources and is more than just numerical information from test scores. The use of data needs to be intentional and involve not only educators but students and families as well. Elevate data by using it to not only help you see progress but to help … Read More

Revamping Your Communication Plan: Are You Communicating to Connect?

Debbie TannenbaumBlog, Innovation, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Check in with others by focusing on connection rather than action.  Reach out to your colleagues and lean on each other. Revamp your communication plan by considering new ways to reach out to your stakeholders to connect.   I was thrilled to be a guest on the Daily Drop In with Rae Hughart. We discussed ways that we can revamp … Read More

3 Tips to Implement Your New Idea

Kari PitstickBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Trying a new idea can be intimidating when considering all the potential ways it could fail. Implement your new idea by visualizing the lesson, making predictions, finding your people, and being open to challenges and feedback. If you’re anything like me, you are always thinking. Thinking about anything and everything. It’s hard for me to focus at times—or even … Read More