Vulnerability for School Leaders at the Beginning of the Year: Why It Matters and What It Looks Like
Around the time I transitioned from assistant principal to principal within my school, I had coffee with a friend. He asked me about my plans for my first day with staff in August. I recited my draft agenda, starting with the vision and mission roll-out, a few staff culture activities to add some fun, and […]
Maximizing ESSER Funds: Empowering Educators and Sustaining Student Success Beyond 2025
Maximizing ESSER Funds With less than seven months remaining until January 28, 2025, the countdown to the expiration of federal aid through the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund has begun. This impending deadline looms over school districts, threatening the loss of crucial funding intended to support students in their recovery from pandemic-induced learning loss. […]
Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness: How School Principals Can Use Meditation to Become Effective Educational Leaders
In the dynamic landscape of K-12 education, particularly in underserved communities, school principals stand at the forefront, shouldering the responsibility of steering their schools toward success. They not only manage day-to-day operations but also provide vision, guidance, and support to their staff and students. Amidst these demanding roles, maintaining focus, resilience, and effectiveness becomes paramount. […]
AIC Feedback
Providing feedback to adults can feel daunting. Some of us may not know how to begin or might run out of time. However, these concerns shouldn’t hinder us from delivering valuable feedback. Constructive feedback is essential for educators’ growth. It empowers them to reflect on their practice and enhance student outcomes. Despite any reservations, we […]
African American Classrooms: Leveraging Student Values in Creating a Positive Classroom Culture
We often impose classroom rules with the “why” steeped in productivity. For example, “You can’t listen to music during independent work time because it might distract you from your work”. However, our scholars bring values and beliefs to the classroom that impact how closely they adhere to those rules. Culturally relevant education takes those […]
Leadership Confessions
Sometimes, the pressure for school leaders to know all the answers is overwhelming. Most of us have been taught that to be a good leader we have to lead from the front, never alongside and never behind those we serve. As a teacher, I would often tell my students, “I don’t know the answer to […]
The Power of Leader and Coach Alignment: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success
In schools across our country, instructional coaches work to ensure each of their teachers get the support they need to be successful for students. School leaders are uniquely positioned to provide structure and explicit coaching to these folks, to ensure coach effectiveness as well as their feedback alignment. The steps below support an intentional relationship […]
Feedback for Immediate Impact Part 2
Feedback for Immediate Impact (Part 2) In Part 1, we discussed the transformative nature of leaders delivering in-the-moment feedback to teachers. We even shared some examples of how you might provide this type of efficient and meaningful guidance. In Part 2, we will look at the key components for leaders to consider before they begin […]
Feedback for Immediate Impact Part 1
Feedback for Immediate Impact (Part 1) The Importance of Quality Feedback One of the most powerful tools a school leader has is the ability to motivate their teachers through high quality feedback. An impactful coaching culture takes shape through thoughtful leader moves, consistent systems, and common language. At CT3 and through Real Time Leadership Coaching (RTLC), […]
One.White.Woman
I was recently reminded that One. White. Woman. has a lot of power in this country. This reminder came after our team completed a No-Nonsense Nurturer® Workshop in the South and One. White. Woman. set the district into a tizzy. She claimed our training conflicted with their state’s CRT laws, when in fact it does […]
