A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 22, 2023

With the suggestions in hand, the leaders were empowered to review what we had seen and my recommendations to determine the focus for an upcoming professional development day I would be facilitating. Feedback is a critical catalyst for professional learning and growth.

Psychology 405

Psychology Cultures Professional Development Leadership 405

Dangerously Irrelevant

JULY 27, 2021

[To celebrate our upcoming book, Leadership for Deeper Learning , I am publishing an excerpt each day for a week before its release. We think that this book makes a unique contribution to what we know about leadership in deeper learning schools. Also, every main chapter concludes with Key Leadership Behaviors and Support Structures.

Leadership 110

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 110

ED Surge

OCTOBER 27, 2023

Too often, teachers are rapidly elevated from the classroom to school leadership positions, whether to fill an unexpected vacancy, act as an interim administrator or to take on a permanent leadership role. It is essential to recognize that the premature placement of teachers into leadership roles comes at a cost.

Leadership 123

Leadership Elementary School Professional Development Teaching 123

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 5, 2018

As a result, the learning culture does not evolve or becomes stagnant for both learners and educators. My point is that the focus should be on taking a critical lens to traditional practices and determine if the way in which they are being implemented is actually in the best interests of a vibrant and prosperous learning culture.

Cultures 228

Cultures Tradition Professional Development Research 228

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 29, 2013

This post is the seventh and last in a series that outlines the foundational elements of my new book, Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. Pillar #7 - Opportunity The interconnectedness of the Pillars of Digital Leadership leads to continuous improvements in school culture and professional practice.

Leadership 268

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Educational Technology 268

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 12, 2020

Leadership must and will be different. Most of all, the learning culture will most certainly be different, and it will be a travesty if it is not. Drive-by professional development did not work in the past. Teaching will and must be different.

Pedagogy 523

Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership Cultures 523

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

This means looking at key practices such as Tier 1 instruction, pedagogy, assessment, feedback, differentiation, RTI , real co-teaching , and professional learning to see where there is an opportunity to grow. It starts at the top with leadership. This is yet another testament to the culture of learning that has been established.

Junior High 456

Junior High Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership 456

Digital Promise

AUGUST 11, 2021

Establishing a strong culture of coaching, however, requires structures to be in place in a school or district such as designated time for coaching, and ongoing professional development for coaches and administrators. Popular micro-credentials included: Visionary Leadership for Technology. Creating Digital Citizens.

Cultures 122

Cultures Professional Development Leadership Tradition 122

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

No matter your position in education, you have gone through some form of professional development. In many cases, the act of being “developed” comes in a variety of standard types such as workshops, mandated PD days, presentations, conferences, book studies, or keynotes. Effective teacher professional development.

Professional Development 414

Professional Development Artifacts Leadership Research 414

Digital Promise

MARCH 3, 2015

As instruction becomes increasingly personalized for students, teachers are ready for those same principles to drive their on-going professional development. "Teachers If we focus on learning and development, teachers know where they need to go." ” Drive Professional Growth. "I San Jose, California.

Professional Development 100

Professional Development Leadership Elementary School Tradition 100

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 25, 2020

If you can't, consider developing a schedule where administrators and other support staff can fill them in lieu of teachers. Choice in professional learning Forcing educators to engage in one-size-fits-all professional development at this time will tend to be hit or miss depending on the person.

Leadership 520

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Tradition 520

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 31, 2021

Continue to advance learning and equity in your schools with professional development. While progress has been made in many schools, there is always a desire and a need for job-embedded professional learning that is practical and on-going, something that I emphasize in Digital Leadership.

Leadership 546

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Education 546

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 25, 2019

I’d even go as far as to say that it is our duty, something I elaborate greatly on in Digital Leadership. Below is my evolved take: "When investing in technology, programs, professional development, and innovative ideas, there needs to be a Return on Instruction (ROI) that results in evidence of improved student learning outcomes."

Leadership 326

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Cultures 326

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 17, 2019

However, a convergence of styles separates generalists from specialists when it comes to leadership. Moving from Specialist to Generalist Below are some common styles prevalent in leadership today. Managerial Whether we like it or not, management plays a pivotal role in leadership.

Leadership 385

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 385

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 19, 2018

It is really about helping kids develop many of the qualities and characteristics in life that cannot be measured with an actual number such as leadership, commitment, perseverance, motivation, self-discipline, teamwork, resilience, enthusiasm, and reliability. Coaching is so much more than the result of a game, match, or competition.

Leadership 353

Leadership Professional Development Pedagogy High School 353

A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 8, 2020

For the better part of my educational career, I always referred to any type of learning to assist me as a teacher or administrator as professional development (PD). Up until this point, professional development was always done to me as opposed to something that I wanted to be an active part of. Thus, my thinking changed.

Professional Development 346

Professional Development Leadership Humanities Cultures 346

Digital Promise

JUNE 9, 2021

This initiative provides devices with monthly data plans to every student and teacher in hundreds of under-resourced middle and high schools nationwide, as well as professional development for educators on how to leverage the technology in their classrooms in meaningful ways. Always-available technology and broadband access.

Cultures 102

Cultures K-12 Professional Development Leadership 102

ED Surge

JULY 23, 2024

The Let Teachers Teach workgroup released its list of recommendations in May, and their ideas span improvements for dealing with issues including professional development, student discipline and what one of the state’s top education leaders calls “the art of teaching.” “To

Professional Development 102

Professional Development Government Leadership Cultures 102

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 19, 2014

During my ten years as a school leader I dreaded professional development days in my district. I am not sure any educator looks forward to these monotonous experiences (developed under the guise of learning!) I attended many of these events just to meet the required hours of professional development.

Leadership 343

Leadership Professional Development Tradition Cultures 343

ED Surge

APRIL 29, 2022

As workplaces, schools can intentionally structure systems and provide resources that decrease some of these barriers, such as addressing the scarcity of dedicated services and supporting educators through convoluted insurance hurdles that make it even harder to seek professional help.

Cultures 116

Cultures Education Elementary School Professional Development 116

The Hechinger Report

SEPTEMBER 5, 2024

Melissa Hedges, the math curriculum director for Milwaukee schools, shows teachers at a professional development seminar how folded paper can be used to demonstrate the solution to a fractions problem. He helped develop a “spectrum” that became the centerpiece of the program. We had such a strong leadership base,” she said.

Professional Development 111

Professional Development Leadership Public School High School 111

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 7, 2018

In a sense, I wasn’t pushed to be innovative or bring about substantive changes that genuinely impact school culture in powerful ways. However, we must understand that opportunities will not just drop in our laps if a culture of possibility is not developed. Challenges morphed into excuses, and in the end, nothing changed.

Cultures 315

Cultures Leadership Professional Development Education 315

ED Surge

APRIL 26, 2023

A report published in Transforming Education in 2019 examined what happens when school leaders establish a culture of trusting relationships. When principals acknowledge the efforts of teachers and celebrate our successes, it can boost morale, leading to a more positive and collaborative school culture.

Professional Development 103

Professional Development Leadership Cultures Education 103

The Hechinger Report

MAY 15, 2023

However, one of our greatest potential solutions is often missed in the national conversation: providing professional development for principals. Yet, the significance of the key leadership position in our schools is largely overlooked and under-supported. Principals often lack access to professional development opportunities.

Public School 124

Public School Professional Development K-12 Tutoring 124

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 2, 2020

Digital leadership compels us to meet them where they are and engage in two-way communications using a hybrid approach. Success hinges upon taking and applying the key focus areas listed above and aligning them with your respective classroom, school, or district culture. Each district is unique in terms of resources and demographics.

Pedagogy 546

Pedagogy Social Justice K-12 EdTech 546

ED Surge

MAY 5, 2023

Relationships are critical in engaging students and families in meaningful and culturally appropriate ways, and are associated with increased literacy acquisition, lower dropout rates and improved attendance. Teacher induction involves components such as mentoring, professional development and coaching for those entering the field.

Social Justice 145

Social Justice Cultures Leadership Professional Development 145

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

Ongoing professional development, constant review and analysis of successful attempts at the changes in learning opportunities and the increasing use of technology offer momentum." The Pillars of Digital Leadership provide a practical framework for any leader, regardless of technological proficiency, to improve professional practice.

Leadership 396

Leadership Artifacts Cultures Professional Development 396

Dangerously Irrelevant

OCTOBER 13, 2015

Two years ago I had the incredible opportunity to work with the entire leadership team of District 59 in Arlington Heights, Illinois for SEVEN days. They labeled it their ‘21st Century Leadership Academy.’ No great answer to this is apparent other than a cultural reframing, one that is already underway.

Leadership 107

Leadership Professional Development Geography Project-Based Learning 107

Edthena

OCTOBER 15, 2021

Instructional leadership can take many forms and have many titles: academic coach, curriculum specialist, principal, district administrator, and more. Instructional leadership is [not] about being the smartest person in the building. The three key traits of strong instructional leadership are integrity, consistency, and ability.

Leadership 98

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Education 98

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 23, 2015

This past April I was fortunate enough to have been asked to speak at the Moanalua High School Professional Development Conference in Honolulu, HI. It was an incredible opportunity to get back to Hawaii for a professional event as opposed to a vacation. For more information and to register click HERE.

Professional Development 268

Professional Development Leadership Cultures High School 268

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 28, 2017

It has been quite the ride since I changed my perspective on teaching, learning, and leadership eight years ago. Social media had to be blocked for all and I, for one, wasn’t going to waste any of my precious time using it professionally or personally. The 8 keys are outlined below: Leadership and school culture lay the foundation.

Leadership 274

Leadership Cultures Professional Development Economics 274

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 12, 2015

The onset of the process is typically fraught with challenges such as overcoming the status quo, a mentality of if it isn’t broke why fix it, fear, a void of leadership somewhere in the hierarchy of schools, lack of knowledge on initiating change, no clear vision, too many initiatives at once, naysayers/antagonists, and a one size fits all approach.

Leadership 358

Leadership Cultures Professional Development Research 358

Political Science Now

JULY 11, 2024

Her research agenda focuses on political science pedagogy, campus-based civic engagement, and pop culture & politics. She is the recipient of the Barbara Burch Award for Faculty Leadership in Civic Engagement (American Democracy Project, June 2024) and the Stand Out Faculty Award (ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, November 2019).

Civic Engagement 68

Civic Engagement Teaching Political Science Civics 68

ED Surge

OCTOBER 19, 2022

I say a few affirmative words aloud to center myself, then I reach into a drawer and pull out a small bottle of lavender aromatherapy that my leadership team gave me as a “wellness gift.” Our leadership team knew we were run down so they began planning a strategy to boost morale and prioritize staff well-being. The problem?

Leadership 95

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Middle School 95

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

These commonly arrive in the form of internal professional development initiatives that chew up a great deal of time, but rarely achieve the types of systemic changes that are intended. This is also where it is sustained to the point that it becomes an embedded component of school and/or district culture.

K-12 337

K-12 Leadership Professional Development Cultures 337

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 3, 2017

When it has a tight grip on a school culture, any attempt at change is met with resistance or blatant inaction. Drive-By Professional Development In Learning Transformed Tom Murray and I highlight the research that illustrates how drive-by professional development has little, if any, impact on professional practice.

Professional Development 330

Professional Development Leadership Tradition Research 330

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 5, 2014

Excuses are fueled by elements such as fear of change, a desire to protect the status quo, lack of education/knowledge, top-down leadership, micromanagement, and the unwillingness to take risks. Sustainable changes leading to cultural transformation in schools can and will only happen when one moves from a fixed to a growth mindset.

Leadership 392

Leadership Professional Development Humanities Cultures 392