As a principal, I spent lunch periods in the cafeteria whenever possible. It was a place to deepen connections – and a fertile ground for surfacing feedback and data. I’d sit with a student and say, “Tell me about your experience at this school, in this class, with me as your principal, and put a […]

As educational leaders, we play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Black History Month within our schools. While teachers spearhead Black History Month classroom lessons during February, it’s our responsibility to integrate Black history meaningfully into our school-wide vision and foster a commitment to anti-racist education and equity. I’ve been thinking about this […]

As a K-12 STEM educator who partners with schools, districts and networks to develop inclusive, responsive and engaging mathematics for kids, I get to work with so many different teachers and teacher teams. Without a doubt, this is a challenging time to choose teaching or to renew one’s commitment to teaching. So I am sensitive […]

Planning for Black History Month? These strategies can help you add a little extra joy to your community celebration. School leaders like you have shared with us the joyful and affirming ways you elevate Black stories and voices in your building – especially in the lead-up to Black History Month. Whether you want to honor […]

Serving as a school leader must be so demanding. I’ve not experienced first hand what it feels like to sit in the principal’s seat. As an educator however, I have experienced the incredible power principals have to make teachers feel cared for and valued as human beings, not just as teachers. I wanted to share […]

One of the pillars of my math coaching practice is my belief that the best coaching happens in the moment. In teaching, we have those opportunities for “just in time” direct instruction with students: When a student expresses a misconception, we jump right in and clear it up so the student’s learning can continue moving forward. This concept shapes the way I approach coaching as well, and it’s why I try to co-teach with every educator I coach.

5 ways to create a culture of joy – for teachers and yourself

This is my 25th year in education, and I spent 20 of those years as a teacher. I loved being a teacher. I loved working with kids. When I decided to pursue school leadership, I promised myself I’d keep students at the heart of every decision. But the more I have learned about principal leadership, […]

You and your fellow school leaders have let us know: One thing that makes your team truly great is their investment in growing their practice to inspire students! But during weeks when teacher workloads feel heavy or student engagement lags, it can be harder for your staff to find energy for new professional learning and […]

We have the power to set the tone for our whole team’s collaboration.