At the Maine Principals’ Association conference last month, I spoke about what I feel are the most important tools in an administrator’s toolbox. These are the tools I’ve relied on in my 28-year career as a school leader. As the school year draws to a close and you take some much-needed time to rest and […]
Category: Instructional Leadership
My “Go-To” Tools for Leading My School
Leadership
Leadership Network Helps Connect Assistant Principals Across the Country
Assistant principals are a crucial, but sometimes overlooked, part of a well-run school. They take on a variety of important duties that often leave them little time to talk to colleagues and share ideas. NASSP’s Leadership Network for Assistant Principals is designed to help connect APs across the country, who experience many of the same […]
Assistant PrincipalsAssistant Principals Leadership NetworkLeadership
Embracing the School Leadership Journey
A question that I’m asked many times is how I manage the work-life balance of being a principal. I try not to laugh in response because most times I feel like I’m barely keeping it together. Each day is a juggling act, and some days are much more about surviving than thriving. As I reflect […]
Leadershipmental health/wellnessprincipal pipeline: recruitment and retention
Six Inclusive Practices for School Leadership
According to cognitive scientists, we make most of our decisions without even consciously thinking about them. As a result, it’s important to take note of biases that may be negatively influencing our decision-making.
BelonginginclusionLeadership
A Conference for Women Leaders by Women Leaders
“I have never seen more laughter. People were intensely engaging in conversations, remembering each other from last time they met, and celebrating each other’s accomplishments during the hardest two years of our lives.”
BelonginginclusionLeadershipWomen in School Leadership Network
Now Is Not the Time for School Leaders to Give Up
As the 2021 Minnesota High School Principal of the Year, I had the honor of speaking at the recent Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals Winter Conference. Everyone there already knew firsthand that these have almost certainly been the two hardest years of our careers as school leaders. Let’s face it: Being a principal is […]
BelonginginclusionLeadershipprincipal pipeline: recruitment and retention
Appreciating the Role of School Counselors
With the start of National School Counseling Week, I want to express my appreciation for the vital role counselors play in our schools. As a principal and former school counselor, I can say without question that if you don’t have counselors in your building who develop lasting relationships with students, it’s hard to be a […]