No one could have foreseen our frightening circumstances, but having an NHS chapter made all the difference. I have been a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser for three years. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that I have been the sole adviser for that long—I had previously been co-advising our chapter with my wife for […]
Category: Student Voice
In Times of Crisis: Why I Became an Adviser
A Big Impact on a Small School: Why I Became an Adviser
The Honor Societies are the best way for a student population of any size to learn how to connect with its community. I was given the opportunity to take over the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) chapter at my school when the previous adviser had to go on maternity leave. That was 14 years ago, […]
The Art of Giving (and Receiving): Why I Became an Adviser
Through NHS, my students learned that the more you give to the world, the more you get back. By teaching upper level students, I’m able to get to know them inside the classroom. When the chance came for me to work with them outside the classroom as a National Honor Society (NHS) adviser, it was […]
Giving Students a Voice in School Improvement
Guest post by Kasey Teske In secondary schools, the greatest untapped resource is our students. Most of our students care deeply about school and have numerous ideas about how to improve their campus community. But how often do we, as principals, involve students in our school improvement efforts? Do the students in our school even […]
iCARE, Part One: Students Making a Difference
Guest post by Thomas Kachadurian In 2011, I attended a character education summit at Sage College with my fellow associate principal Chris Robilotti. After attending a seminar on cultivating stakeholder ownership, we walked away with a new mission to take our successful middle school bullying prevention program and build it in the high school setting. […]
School Safety Advocacy From a Student’s Perspective
Following the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, which claimed the lives of 17 students and educators, advocates around the country organized a national movement demanding change to better protect our schools and communities from gun violence. Leading that movement are student survivors of the shooting joined by thousands of young […]
Student Voice: The Most Important Sound in the School
Guest post by Bobby Bennett In 2012, I became principal of my alma mater—only the second alumnus since the 1890s to have such an opportunity. No pressure! Eager to begin the work of serving my community and school improvement, I held a series of meetings with staff and the school community over the course of […]
Considerations for Principals When Students Are Planning an Organized Protest or Walkout
When students’ free expression evolves into an organized protest or walkout during school hours, principals and other school officials find themselves in a conflict between supporting student voice and fulfilling their custodial duty toward students. Here are some considerations if students are planning an organized protest or walkout during school hours: