School of Thought Blog

Every Student Matters

Guest post by John C. Bartlett

When I woke up the morning after Election Day, my to-do list had a new priority: a visit to my English language learner classroom and a conversation with our 50 students who were getting their first taste of American democracy at work. What did these students want and need from me and their teachers? These students wanted to know that they matter, that someone cared about them, and that they were safe. Essentially, they wanted to know what every student needs to know when they walk through the front door of our schools every day. (more…)

January 12, 2017

The Importance of Building Relationships Within the Community

Guest post by Cameron Soester

In my time at Milford Public Schools, I have learned that it truly takes a village to help our students succeed. Schools and communities share a common goal of creating a learning environment that develops strong students who will one day become productive citizens. Working with the community, however, can be difficult as it takes time and effort for schools to engage its residents and businesses. But taking the time to build these community relationships has been essential to the success of our students at Milford. (more…)

January 10, 2017

Building Culture Leading Learning Relationships Strategic Management

Advocacy Update

Apply for a School Ambassador Fellowship

Each year, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) offers a unique opportunity for educators to participate in the School Ambassador Fellowship Program. The School Ambassador Fellowship is a paid position that supports ED’s mission by employing educators to contribute their classroom and school expertise to the national education dialogue and in turn facilitate discussions with educators across the country. For those who are selected, the program grants greater knowledge of educational policy and leadership, allowing them to further contribute to their schools and students. (more…)

January 9, 2017

Education Policy Other

How to Engage Parents as Partners

Guest post by Lenore M. Kingsmore

When I became the principal of Henry Hudson Regional School seven years ago, there was little to no communication between the home and school. Parental involvement was no more than a booster club that raised money. Research shows time and again that students are more successful in school when they have parents who are engaged in their education. I knew that in order to get the best out of my students and make changes in school culture, I needed to engage parents as decision-making partners. (more…)

January 5, 2017

Building Culture Collaborative Leadership Communication Leading Learning Relationships

Raising Wellness in Arizona

Guest post by Jeff Simon

While many of us are making resolutions for 2017 to lose weight, save money, and live life to the fullest, Payson High School students are hard at work planning our annual Student Wellness Conference, an award-winning event devoted to helping students become their best selves. (more…)

January 3, 2017

Building Culture Wellness

Getting the Best Out of the School Community

Guest post by Angie Adrean

After becoming superintendent of the Worthington City School District in 2015, Dr. Trent Bowers has stressed to our leadership team that we must connect, communicate, care, and lead. I have found this leadership philosophy particularly helpful in building a positive school culture that brings out the best in both staff and students. These four words aim to show everyone that they are valuable members of the school community and positive and meaningful partners in the educational process. (more…)

December 22, 2016

Building Culture Collaborative Leadership Communication Leading Learning Relationships

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

ESSA Toolkit

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires your engagement as an education stakeholder as states develop legislation to meet the law’s requirements. Since many legislators have limited background in education, it is important that you as a school leader ensure your voice is heard. The ESSA Toolkit for Principals empowers you to advocate on behalf of your school and students and provides you with the necessary tools. (more…)

December 19, 2016

Education Policy Other

Yesterday’s Video Gamers Are Today’s Engaged Learners

Guest post by Kathryn Procope

Whether it’s Madden NFL 17 and Call of Duty or Candy Crush and Words with Friends, both kids and adults today are spending countless hours playing video games. This time is generally regarded as unproductive or, worse yet, detrimental to one’s well-being. (more…)

December 15, 2016

Other Technology & E-learning

Using Formative Assessments for School Improvement

Guest post by Jessica Ainsworth

The use of standardized or large-scale assessments affect the decision-making of policymakers, educational leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders—as those of us at Lithia Springs High School learned when standardized testing results and other factors placed us on the state’s “at-risk” list. Lithia Springs High was considered a failing school in Georgia, and we had an enormous task before us to change that perception. (more…)

December 13, 2016

Building Culture Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessments Leading Learning Results-Orientation

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

ESSA Toolkit

A new Congress and a new presidential administration could mean a shake-up in many of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) regulations that have guided your state’s efforts to implement the new law. Be sure your state leaders know the important role school leaders play in student success with the ESSA Toolkit. (more…)

December 12, 2016

Education Policy Other

Tell us Why #TogetherIsBetter

In education, we rarely achieve success on our own. In fact, as school leaders, we do our best work when we share our goals and empower those around us to get there. (more…)

December 9, 2016

Building Culture Relationships

Career Academies: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships

Guest post by Darrin M. Peppard

Steve, a veteran math teacher, asked, “Why do we do our learning walks in classrooms that don’t match with our own content area?” With a confused look, I responded, “Because you don’t really teach content, Steve, you teach kids, and kids need transferable skills more than they need content.” (more…)

December 8, 2016

Building Culture Collaborative Leadership Leading Learning Relationships

The Power of Teacher Leaders

Guest post by Clint Williams

Administrators are asked to wear a great many hats to represent a number of roles on any given day. Perhaps most important is the role of learning leader. While that role is often seen as the person who is ultimately responsible for ensuring student learning, it is also important to remember that principals and associate principals are responsible for staff learning as well. (more…)

December 6, 2016

Collaborative Leadership Leading Learning

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

ESSA Toolkit

As we get closer to the 115th Congress, there are many questions left unanswered surrounding the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). A new presidential administration means a shake-up at the Department of Education (ED), which could lead to many of the regulations passed concerning ESSA being changed or removed altogether. (more…)

December 5, 2016

Education Policy Other

2016 #ThankAPrincipal Video Contest Winners Announced

The results are in! Over 62 videos were submitted from schools across the country for the 2016 National Principals Month video contest, and we have three winners! The contest called for students to make a short video giving “props” to their principal—telling us why they love their principal and what he or she means to the students, school, and community. Each of the winning schools will receive a $200 Best Buy gift card.

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December 2, 2016

Other Recognition

What I Learned in D.C.: Advocacy Matters

Guest post by Steve Carlson

A principal has many things to do—too many, in fact. This makes prioritizing crucial.
It can also mean that we also sometimes neglect things that just don’t have the urgency of a student crisis, a concerned parent, or a homecoming dance. But as I expand my personal learning network (PLN) I have increasingly come to realize that advocacy for education is something to which I needed to devote more energy. It’s important that we not only recognize the important work of principals but remember that advocacy—for our students and our schools—is part of that important work. (more…)

December 1, 2016

Building Culture Education Policy Other Relationships

Teacher Evaluations—Creating a Comfort Zone

Guest post by Matthew Younghans

In the ever-changing world of Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR), significant value has been put on teacher evaluations. While once a narrative write-up process, our current systems are a far cry from the past. The power and control of such processes now lie within the domain of state regulation and at the collective bargaining table, which can even differ by district. I have found that creating a comfort zone regarding the process, inclusive of clear expectations, will help to defuse some of the normal teacher anxiety that can be present during these times. (more…)

November 29, 2016

Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessments Leading Learning Results-Orientation

Advocacy Update: Tracking ESSA

ESSA Toolkit

Implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) continues to draw nearer. Now is the time for principals to sit down at the negotiating table to make sure their voices are heard. However, effectively advocating for one’s cause is not always easy. (more…)

November 28, 2016

Education Policy Other

A Letter to the President-Elect

Reports from around the nation of individuals suffering harassment seem to have grown emboldened since Donald Trump’s victory. In schools, students are bullied for their race, religious beliefs, and many more issues concerning individual identity and expression. (more…)

November 21, 2016

Education Policy Other school reform school reform policy

Cultivating Character: One School’s Story

Guest post by Bill Coon, Ed.D.

You enter a social studies classroom and are immediately greeted by a student who welcomes you and introduces himself. The student explains the learning target, or the tangible learning goal he or she can understand and work towards, and then he explains the Habits of Scholarship, or character, target. He shares that today’s Habit of Scholarship is, “I can work collaboratively with my peers to draft a thesis statement for an essay about Peter the Great.” The student invites you to sit down and enjoy the class. After you sit down at a table with three other students, the students unpack the learning targets together and then break into small groups to begin their work for the day. As an observer, you begin to see multiple examples of collaboration in each group.

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November 17, 2016

Leading Learning Vision & Mission