At Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, CO, you could say we’re victims of our own success when it comes to student protests. One thing we emphasize in our school is that students need to have a voice. In the grand scheme of things, the school is their school. It’s not my school, it’s not […]
The importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) has grown exponentially and emerged as an educational priority amid the ever-increasing signs of stress and trauma students are experiencing. As school leaders, we need to create and embody the SEL framework in every aspect of our practice. Throughout history and all over the world, the arts have served […]
The world has no shortage of problems. My generation, Gen Z, is being handed a society that is grappling with wealth inequality, voter suppression, healthcare injustice, climate crises, and much more. Especially during this pandemic, the future has never seemed so bleak and hopeless.
Purpose: To affirm support for the rights, safety, and identity of all LGBTQ+ students, educators, and school leaders; acknowledge historic marginalization and institutional bias associated with LGBTQ+ individuals; state the association’s opposition to legislation and policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals; and provide recommendations for federal, state, and local policymakers and school leaders on how […]
In the movies, the hero is a reflection of the triumph of individual character over the challenge of circumstances. As a society, we have internalized our love for this theme so much that we look for it in our everyday lives by ascribing this narrative to our personal and professional success. In embracing this idea, […]
A recent report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government paints a grim picture of school turnaround efforts nationwide, noting that most have failed. At Brighton High School, part of Boston Public Schools in Brighton, MA, we’re bucking that trend. Since 2016, when Brighton High School fell into “Level 4” status—a state designation that requires the […]
The following interview first appeared on the Human Rights Campaign website as a guest post contribution. As equality and acceptance continue to be top of mind for many, many school leaders continue to ask what else they can be doing to support students who face discrimination within the classroom. Ashton Mota, HRC Youth Ambassador and […]
One of public schools’ responsibilities is to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory education experience for all students. NASSP’s Policy & Advocacy Center maintains it is the principal’s responsibility to provide an affirming school environment in which each student is treated fairly, respectfully, and with an understanding of their individual culture and context. School administrators are […]
I was a curious student who spent my free periods talking to teachers, and I could find my way around the library blindfolded. But for most of my life, I absolutely dreaded going to school.
Americans trust principals to care about others, provide fair and accurate information, and handle resources responsibility. A Pew Research Center survey shows that Americans have an even higher trust for school leaders than police, military leaders, and less surprisingly, journalists and members of Congress. This trust brings tremendous credibility when advocating for students, teachers, learning, […]