School of Thought Blog
My Path to Winning the 2022 NHS Scholarship
“Today, we make NHS history,” said Ronn Nozoe, CEO of NASSP, “by announcing an additional four $5,000 scholarships for each of the four NHS pillars: Character, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service.”
(more…)Together, We Are Stronger
This National Principals Month, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for your strength and stamina in these tumultuous and uncertain times. From the pandemic to politics, there’s no doubt that being a principal has become increasingly challenging these past few years.
(more…)Seven Tips for Posters That Pop!
Did you know that the average person will spend eight seconds or less looking at a poster? What’s the difference between a hallway poster that students walk by and one that grabs their attention for all of those eight seconds or longer? Here are seven tips for student leaders to keep in mind for their next posters. The tips also apply to digital posters and street-side ad signs for student events.
(more…)“I Can Promise You Right Now We Will Listen”
The stoic sheep presided above the fray in her latest regalia as down below old friends and new ones broke into intense discussions about the state of education.
While it might be a strange sight to outsiders, the woolly mascot “Betsy the Sheep” is a familiar friend to members of Region 7, NASSP’s western affiliates. At the group’s annual meetings, Betsy is usually covered in the latest swag from Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington administrator associations. Last week was no different. School leaders from these states gathered in Juneau, AK, to make connections, improve their practice, and advocate on behalf of their students and staff. After a first-night mixer, attendees shared innovations from their states to address the top issues their schools face, including mental health challenges, student re-engagement, school leader professional development, and addressing the educator pipeline crisis.
(more…)The Twitterverse and Back to School
You know it’s September on Twitter when school leaders begin sharing the anticipation and excitement that surrounds a new academic year. We’ve collected a few of our favorite back-to-school tweets from our members and hope you enjoy a dose of new-year positivity as you peruse them. But be warned: The enthusiasm is contagious.
(more…)Five Easy Service Project Ideas for Your NHS Chapter
As advisers it is our main job to hold our National Honor Society (NHS) chapter members to the four pillars: leadership, scholarship, character, and service. This time of year, you may be looking for easy service projects to address that last pillar. I can help! I have been an NHS adviser for over 15 years and have done several service projects that aren’t heavy lifts. Below, I’m sharing five ideas you can look into right now. But also don’t forget to check out the many service projects on the National Student Project Database that you can reach through the NHS and National Journal Honor Society (NJHS) websites.
(more…)News Accounts Tell the Stories Behind NASSP Survey Findings
In August, NASSP released results from the NASSP Survey of America’s School Leaders and High School Students. Designed by school leaders and students, this nationally representative survey explores their opinions on the challenges of leading and learning at school as well as their thoughts on mental health, school safety, and how to better meet the needs of all learners.
(more…)The Growing Need for Latino School Leaders
As our schools see increasing enrollments of Latino students, one thing many of those students aren’t seeing is school leaders who look like them.
(more…)Still Learning from a Long Career in Education
After being an educator in Alabama for more than 30 years, mostly working with students of color from low-income families, I decided I wanted to share what I’ve learned over all those years with school leaders who work in similar settings. By this time next year, I should have finished my research for a doctorate in education on a subject I know well: the lived experiences of minority principals leading school transformation at high-poverty, low-performing secondary schools.
(more…)NASSP Survey of Principals and Students Reveals the Extent of Challenges Facing Schools
Last month, NASSP released results from the NASSP Survey of America’s School Leaders and High School Students. Designed by school leaders and students, this nationally representative survey explores their opinions on the challenges of leading and learning at school as well as their thoughts on mental health, school safety, and how to better meet the needs of all learners.
Here, we highlight five posts from the last year that reflect key survey findings.
(more…)Where to Begin? What New Advisers of Honor Societies Should Know
Welcome to your new advising role! When I first started as an adviser, I was handed a box from my predecessor containing chapter bylaws, some plastic containers, and folders. I had no idea where to start or what to do. So, I printed out and read the handbooks for both National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), which turned out to be a lot of reading. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed.
(more…)Meet NASSP President Kip Motta
Spend five minutes with NASSP President Kip Motta, and you’ll quickly understand how much he cares about kids. From the compelling way he speaks about the work of school leadership to the way he sees students for who they are and hope to become, it’s evident that his passion for education runs deep. We asked him about his career and his presidency—and here’s what he said.
(more…)How to Get Your Students Real-World Ready
Soon your students will be sitting in their desks, or at their screens, ready to begin a new school year. Where will your instruction take them? Can they see a clear path to a promising future? What can you give them, as an educator, a mentor, an ally? Now’s the time to imagine how you might enhance your curricula and bring invaluable, hands-on learning experience into the classroom.
(more…)Celebrating Women’s Equality Day
Today is Women’s Equality Day, a holiday observed every August 26 to commemorate women’s suffrage in the United States. In honor of this day, which also celebrates the challenges women from all walks of life have faced in their struggles for equality and freedom from discrimination, we are re-upping this post from March. Here’s to women school leaders everywhere!
(more…)New Guide Helps School Leaders Who Experience Gun Violence
Twenty-three years ago, 13 people were killed at Columbine High School in one of the first mass school shootings in the United States. Since then, there have been at least 943 incidents of gunfire on school grounds that have resulted in 321 deaths and 652 injuries.
(more…)Changing Advisers Without Skipping a Beat
Note: This post first appeared May 20, 2022 on the Adviser Online Community blog.
Each year we say goodbye to amazing Honor Society and NatStuCo advisers who are handing over the reins to their chapters and councils at the close of school. A little bit of planning for those departures will go a long way to help new advisers transition more smoothly into their roles and keep the groups’ momentum going. If possible before the school year ends, schedule a time to meet with the incoming adviser. If the new adviser is not yet confirmed, have a transition meeting with the principal or other assigned administrator.
(more…)Celebrating International Youth Day
In honor of International Youth Day, we’re re-upping this post by NHS alum, Esha Singhai. This school year, Esha begins her first year at the University of Maryand. Her words reflect how student leaders continually make a difference in their communities and in the world at large.
(more…)Why the SAT Remains Important in a Test-Optional World
All students deserve the opportunity to succeed. When I’m asked why students should take the SAT®, that’s my answer. Because in today’s test-optional admissions landscape, the SAT allows every student—regardless of where they attend high school—to be seen and to access opportunities that will shape their lives and careers.
(more…)Keeping Students at the Center of Your Device Rollout
A year ago, the American Rescue Plan provided billions of dollars in federal relief for K–12 education. Many districts used these funds to purchase devices for every student. However, these devices can’t just be given to students without a plan; they must be distributed intentionally so that students understand how to use them responsibly.
(more…)An Eye-Opening Trip to the Nation’s Capital
When I came to Washington, DC, in March for the NASSP Advocacy Conference, I walked by the National Museum of the American Indian. I thought about what a great experience it would be for our Native students back in Lincoln County, OR, to have the opportunity to visit the museum as a way to wrap up their high school education. I just needed to figure out a way we could logistically make it happen.
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