A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 19, 2018

This is a sound investment indeed, but research from the Wallace Foundation empowers schools to expand support to a group that is most often left out – leaders. Historically, however, professional development has been limited to periodic workshops and training that focus mostly on administrative, operational, and compliance issues.

Leadership 365

Leadership Professional Development Pedagogy High School 365

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 5, 2014

Image credit: [link] As I was doing some research recently for a presentation, I came across a fantastic slide that really put into perspective the concept of excuses. “If Sustainable changes leading to cultural transformation in schools can and will only happen when one moves from a fixed to a growth mindset.

Leadership 404

Leadership Professional Development Humanities Cultures 404

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. Traditional Grading Practices and Homework There is a great deal of research out there that supports changes to how educators grade and the use of homework. What will you do to improve these practices?

Professional Development 340

Professional Development Leadership Tradition Research 340

Digital Promise

FEBRUARY 7, 2022

Culturally responsive education is not a one-size-fits-all approach. In my experience as a teacher, instructional coach, district leader, and education researcher, it has been critical to foster spaces where adults can first reflect on their own identities, biases, and lived experiences. Selecting culturally responsive texts.

Cultures 149

Cultures Education Professional Development Library 149

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

We live in exciting times as unprecedented access to knowledge, research, and effective strategies at our fingertips can assist educators in creating meaningful experiences for students that align with both needs and strengths. This is yet another testament to the culture of learning that has been established. The rest is now history.

Junior High 482

Junior High Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership 482

TeachThought

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

It outlines strategies and principles for fostering a culture of mutual respect, trust, and shared vision, highlighting teachers and principals’ critical roles in student success. A collaborative culture where teachers and principals work closely is crucial for overcoming these challenges.

Professional Development 269

Professional Development Cultures Leadership Tradition 269

NCHE

APRIL 1, 2025

Eligible applicants can include educational institutions, cultural organizations, historical societies or museums, community or civic groups, libraries, and literacy organizations. These regional grants will help fund projects that expand and explore innovative methods of teaching and learning with Library of Congress materials.

Library 130

Library Primary Sources Museum Historic Sites 130

A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 16, 2016

It is in these carefree moments that kids and adults develop and enhance certain skills that will play a huge role in personal and professional development. Research has found that play develops students in four ways: physical, cognitive, social, and emotional. Why you ask?

Professional Development 419

Professional Development Critical Thinking High School Cultures 419

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 24, 2020

During my years as a teacher and principal, I would spend countless hours planning, researching, and attending professional learning events to hone my craft in order to become a better educator. While others might disagree, such as my mom, I pride myself on being extremely resourceful. However, this was not always my strength.

Geography 545

Geography Humanities Cultures Professional Development 545

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 25, 2019

Over the years, I have not shied away from discussing the need to align ideas and strategies to research as well as evidence that shows in some way that there is an improvement in student outcomes. How has the learning culture changed? How has professional learning changed? Seems fair and reasonable, right?

Leadership 335

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Cultures 335

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. The fact that there is no valid research base to support these mandates just builds greater resentment for the change process.

K-12 352

K-12 Leadership Professional Development Cultures 352

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 12, 2015

One must realize that change is really hard and a commitment to see the process through is vital if the end goal is cultural transformation that sticks. From that point on several change initiatives were implemented and sustained resulting in a culture that worked better for our students and staff.

Leadership 371

Leadership Cultures Professional Development Teaching 371

A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 11, 2013

Image credit: [link] It was our desire and quest to create a school culture and learning environments that were more reminiscent of the real world that our learners would soon be a part of that drove change in this area. This is fairly significant as we only have 650 students and 53 staff members.

High School 355

High School Professional Development Cultures Education Policy 355

ED Surge

MAY 20, 2024

While thoughtful assessment design and implementation are necessary for student success, building a strong assessment culture in schools is often overlooked but equally important. ISTE is collaborating with the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment (NCIEA) to explore the characteristics of a healthy assessment culture.

Cultures 130

Cultures Professional Development Teaching Research 130

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 20, 2018

Makerspaces have moved from fringe initiatives to vibrant components of school culture. People craving more than a drive-by event, traditional school professional development day, or mandated training have an authentic outlet that caters to their interests. Research has shown how crucial digital leadership is to organizations.

Leadership 298

Leadership Cultures Professional Development Tradition 298

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 5, 2024

As I engage with districts and schools regularly, they frequently inquire about ways to gauge the outcomes and efficacy of their innovative strategies, such as BYOD, 1:1, blended and personalized learning, classroom and school redesign, branding, makerspaces, and professional development. The IPA doesn’t just look at innovation.

Artifacts 274

Artifacts Leadership Digital Resources Lesson Plan 274

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 28, 2017

Professional development consisted of two mandated days where everything was basically dictated to staff based on district or school needs. Research underpins each key to provide greater rationale and substance for the ideas presented. The 8 keys are outlined below: Leadership and school culture lay the foundation.

Leadership 292

Leadership Cultures Professional Development Economics 292

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 21, 2014

With all the many state mandates and district directed professional development, as well as time after school devoted to grading and lesson planning, in her mind and many others, time was not readily available. Who was I to disagree, as her words were stark fact. Now you see why my Assistant Principal was not happy with me at first.

Artifacts 315

Artifacts Professional Development Lesson Plan High School 315

A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 13, 2011

As a result you use this time to engage in professional growth opportunities, read the latest research, and prepare innovative lessons. Treat professional development as an opportunity as opposed to an annoyance. Create and foster a student-centered learning culture. In your eyes the glass is always half full.

Education 299

Education Professional Development Public School Cultures 299

TCI

FEBRUARY 13, 2025

Teacher Support Materials: Lesson plans, pacing guides, and professional development resources are often included. Key considerations include: Professional Development: Allocate resources for comprehensive teacher training before and during implementation. All teachers receive HQIM professional development.

Social Studies 98

Social Studies Primary Sources Civics Professional Development 98

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 20, 2019

The content they shared included policies, procedures, pedagogical techniques, and professional development, but more importantly, tangible improvement results. Motivated and inspired I then began to seek out research and more examples of successful implementation that aligned with our goals while addressing specific challenges.

Professional Development 301

Professional Development Cultures Research Teaching 301

A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 16, 2017

Mandates and top-down directives rarely become embedded and sustained components of school culture because once the focus changes (and it always does) then all the time, energy, and frustration transfers to the new initiative. Do your research - In this case, we had to adopt a new evaluation tool and there were many choices available.

Leadership 255

Leadership Professional Development Cultures Tradition 255

A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 13, 2013

In collaboration with my staff and the support of District leadership, my efforts have laid the foundation for an innovative teaching and learning culture that focuses on preparing all students for success. Instead of viewing student-owned technology as a hindrance, it is now wholeheartedly embraced as a mobile learning tool.

Leadership 291

Leadership Professional Development Educational Technology Critical Thinking 291

Edthena

OCTOBER 12, 2023

Improving school culture is high on many school leaders’ lists of building priorities. But cultivating a strong school culture doesn’t happen without intentional thought and planning. Why is this key to improving school culture ? Check out the highlights of what we’ve been reading below, as well as links to the full resources.

Cultures 105

Cultures Psychology Professional Development Classroom Management 105

Cult of Pedagogy

APRIL 14, 2024

” Research Partnerships When you assign a project to students that requires research, you don’t have to navigate it all on your own. Your school librarian is a gold mine of information that can help students get that research done right. .’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, dude. I am the loudest one.'”

Library 360

Library Pedagogy Advocacy Professional Development 360

TCI

NOVEMBER 12, 2024

It has enabled states to expand access to culturally relevant content, address equity concerns, and enhance students’ digital skills and civic readiness. Diverse Perspectives: HQIM represents diverse perspectives and experiences, providing tools for culturally responsive teaching.

Civics 98

Civics Teaching Civic Engagement Social Studies 98

Edthena

AUGUST 29, 2024

Research shows that 68% of new teachers feel unprepared to address the cultural needs of their students effectively. Bryan Carter have developed a practical, research-based framework that addresses this challenge, significantly impacting teachers’ self-awareness of culturally responsive teaching practices.

Cultures 98

Cultures Teaching Education Professional Development 98

ED Surge

DECEMBER 10, 2024

Researchers have shown that districts around the country dont use the same criteria when grouping students into higher or lower math classes. Performing the Autopsy Proponents of the detracking effort see themselves as fighting against the tide of the countrys education system and, even more difficult, its culture.

K-12 117

K-12 Tutoring Advocacy Private School 117

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 25, 2018

Decades of solid research have laid the foundation for current studies that bring to light how we can improve teaching, learning, and leadership. As Tom Murray and I highlighted in Learning Transformed , this research has been taken to heart by schools across the world as they have transformed learning while improving results in the process.

Pedagogy 266

Pedagogy Professional Development Leadership High School 266

ED Surge

APRIL 29, 2022

EdSurge researchers conducted surveys and facilitated focus groups, small-group virtual convenings and in-depth interviews with more than 90 educators to learn more about their experiences. Reducing Systemic Barriers to Getting Mental Healthcare Receiving mental healthcare in this country is no easy feat.

Cultures 122

Cultures Education Elementary School High School 122

A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 5, 2017

That is why innovative ideas must focus on improving existing culture. This includes curriculum, standards, mandated assessments, and other elements associated with school/district culture. They should also be aligned to research, evidence, and professional development. New is not necessarily better.

Professional Development 211

Professional Development Cultures Research Education 211

Edthena

MARCH 14, 2016

As a professor of teacher education at University of Washington, Morva McDonald spent years researching and designing professional development for teachers. How does video fit into your larger vision for professional development and coaching at the school? This year Morva changed roles from professor to principal.

Professional Development 53

Professional Development K-12 Critical Thinking Cultures 53

The Hechinger Report

MARCH 23, 2025

Alabamas First Class Pre-K program, ranked among the nations best, prioritizes small student-teacher ratios, play-based learning and high-quality professional development embedding relationship-building into early education.

Humanities 72

Humanities Economics Professional Development High School 72

A Principal's Reflections

MAY 21, 2017

Individuals and organizations that embrace this mindset shift develop dynamic behaviors that impact their organizational culture while leading to school improvement. See what’s worked for successful entrepreneurs who’ve met their own goals, and find a fit for your continuing professional development.

Leadership 235

Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Critical Thinking 235

ED Surge

MAY 1, 2024

At that moment, it dawned on me that traditional SEL approaches might not suffice for students entrenched in adversity, necessitating a more nuanced and culturally sensitive framework to effectively meet their emotional needs. However, these efforts have not effectively addressed the underlying issues.

Professional Development 134

Professional Development Elementary School Cultures Tradition 134

Edthena

NOVEMBER 22, 2015

It’s a research-proven way to help teachers improve their practice. . But sometimes video self reflection mixed with other types of evidence analysis can improve the professional development experience. Not only were they Edthena users, but many of them were published researchers on using video as a tool for teacher learning.

Professional Development 45

Professional Development Artifacts Cultures Research 45

Digital Promise

FEBRUARY 3, 2020

As classroom coaching grows rapidly as a form of teacher professional development, districts are increasingly outfitting schools with not just one, but multiple coaches, with each playing a different role. When coaches establish norms around sharing resources and asking questions, it builds a culture of openness and collaboration.

Professional Development 165

Professional Development Cultures Research Teaching 165