A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 28, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the role of leadership is pivotal. The notion of educational leadership extends beyond administrative responsibilities; it embodies the vision, direction, and ethos of a learner-centric environment. Understanding the Role Leadership is about action.

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A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 4, 2016

Instructional leadership was a routine part of the job along with the budget, master schedule, curriculum development, meetings, email, phone calls, and many other duties. With the evolution of social media yet another responsibility was added to my plate in the form of digital leadership.

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A Principal's Reflections

MAY 20, 2018

“ Leadership has less to do with position than it does disposition.” – John Maxwell I am currently working on a new edition of Digital Leadership for Corwin and I am very excited, as it will be in color. A great deal has changed since Digital Leadership was published in 2014. What should be removed?

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A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 24, 2024

By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can uncover patterns and trends that human analysts may miss, leading to more informed and effective strategies. After visiting high school classrooms most of the day, I then debriefed with the leadership team. During a recent coaching visit a modeled how this could be done.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 16, 2017

With so much disruption, new generations and a hyper-connected world where information is a commodity, the leadership paradigm has to shift. The industrial revolution model of command and control leadership is no longer effective." Digital leadership is authentic in nature. That’s where the digital piece comes into play.

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A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 20, 2022

How would one define great leadership? Kendra Cherry provides an excellent synopsis below: The situational theory of leadership suggests that no single leadership style is best. Instead, it depends on which type of leadership and strategies are best-suited to the task. Leadership is a lot like a Swiss Army Knife.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 3, 2022

I shared the following in Digital Leadership : You won’t find an effective leader who isn’t an effective communicator. The best communicators focus on being present, consistent, and engaged in getting the right people the right information at the right time. How will I convey the information?

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 25, 2021

Leadership isn't telling people what to do. Leadership is taking people where they need to be by empowering them to want to be part of the solution. Strategy The real work and testament to outstanding leadership is moving past the visioning process by developing a strategic plan to turn vision into reality.

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A Principal's Reflections

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021

These focused on topics such as school law, instructional leadership, change management, school finance, and curriculum development, among many others. Leadership is hard. Making decisions in a time of crisis is also a topic that is regularly explored in leadership courses. Initiating and sustaining change is even harder.

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Leadership Cultures Research Education 540

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 19, 2023

In a recent post, I shared the Purposeful Use of Technology for Learning (PUTL) framework as a means to develop a foundation and inform how technology can be used to support learner-driven experiences and outcomes. Upon reflection, I discovered that a critical aspect was missing and that was leadership.

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A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 25, 2024

This awareness allows us to identify our strengths, recognize the gaps, and make informed decisions about the steps we need to take. This information can help identify areas of strength and weakness, allowing leaders to target resources and interventions effectively. subject matter expertise, pedagogical skills, collaboration) and why?

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A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 2, 2023

The advent of social media introduced yet another responsibility into my already packed schedule: digital leadership. As a school administrator, one must be proficient in many different areas, but it's essential to maintain sight of the most crucial aspect of the role: pedagogical leadership.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 9, 2023

What is the essence of leadership? However, let’s look at it from the perspective of debunking what authentic leadership is, not to get at the heart of what it really is when it comes to agents of change. However, leadership is not about attracting others to follow. Leadership is about inspiring others to take action.

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A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 27, 2022

When it comes to leadership, there is no one right way or quick fix. From a learning standpoint, this requires a focus on pedagogical leadership , something I learned over time when I was a principal, which required taking a critical lens to my practice if I was going to help my staff do the same.

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Leadership Archiving Lesson Plan Tradition 529

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 3, 2021

When it comes to leadership, the importance of effective communication skills to engage and empower families moved to the forefront. There are many reasons for this, but the most pressing was the need for information related to COVID-19, especially during the early months of the outbreak. Consider having students help you create these.

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A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 19, 2020

In the end, flexibility will lead to success and is a hallmark of empathetic leadership. By embracing digital leadership, you can connect with others near and far to find out what has been successful in other districts or schools and also veer away from roadblocks that others have encountered. This definitely applies now.

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A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 9, 2022

As I was facilitating a model lesson near the end of the school day with a group of teachers and administrators, a staff member came by the room to inform everyone that the district would be going remote the rest of the week. Effective leadership in these unpredictable times is not only needed but greatly appreciated.

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A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 7, 2024

Below is more detailed information on the components of the system. Organizational leadership is a multifaceted and critical component of ensuring the success of educational institutions. Several key aspects underpin effective leadership in this context. Several key aspects are integral to effective pedagogical leadership.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 30, 2022

Since I saw the inherent value that it would have in the hands of my teachers to get information out readily while building relationships in the process, I couldn’t wait to usher in this change. I shared the following in Digital Leadership. Leadership is about action. Most importantly, look for opportunities to model new ideas.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 28, 2020

The concept of leadership hasn’t changed, although the conditions under which leaders work and learn sure have. In the end, though, scalable change resulting in a transformation of teaching, learning, and leadership was more of an exception as opposed to the rule. In times of uncertainty, strong leadership is needed more than ever.

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A Principal's Reflections

JUNE 9, 2019

As such, teaching, learning, and leadership must change if growth and improvement are the goals. Here is where the Pillars of Digital Leadership come into play. With the continual evolution of digital tools and increasing connectivity, schools can no longer be silos of information. Jobs are changing. Expectations are changing.

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A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 2, 2020

Begin with meticulous planning using the information provided in the key focus areas previously covered above. Then think about strategies to inform and educate families as to what their kids can expect. Digital leadership compels us to meet them where they are and engage in two-way communications using a hybrid approach.

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A Principal's Reflections

MAY 1, 2022

We can look to the past in order to inform current practice. If efficacy is the goal, it is critical to embrace a scholarly mindset to inform and influence our work, not drive it. The more we take a critical lens to the efficacy of our work, the more collective goals we have for education, learning, and leadership can be achieved.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 17, 2022

When it comes to leadership, the person making the final decision is often second-guessed if there is a lack of communication or things don’t go as planned. Here are some ideas on how to lead when you don’t have the answers: Embrace candidness When it comes to effective leadership, honesty and vulnerability are invaluable assets.

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A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 16, 2014

His work really made me critically reflect upon my leadership practices. The power of social media then connected the both of us leading to him Skyping with the students at New Milford High School, a personal dialogue over the years, and his endorsement of my new book on Digital Leadership. There is no longer a monopoly on information.

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Leadership Humanities Social Science Research 367

A Principal's Reflections

JULY 26, 2020

One minute, schools are being given guidance to open up for face-to-face instruction, and the next, they inform the masses that they are starting the school year with remote learning. Strong leadership in times of uncertainty is critical to not only get by but also set the stage for success. What comes next remains a mystery for some.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 25, 2020

Now I am not saying that all meetings don't have value, but while the pandemic rages on minutes and essential information can be emailed to staff or made part of a collaborative Google Doc. Empathetic leadership is critical to helping staff get through challenging times. The majority of educators fall into the latter.

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Leadership Pedagogy Professional Development Tradition 530

A Principal's Reflections

JANUARY 25, 2015

The evolution of the Internet allows anyone with access the ability to communicate, collaborate, acquire information, and learn with anyone, at anytime, and from anywhere. Schools and districts need digital leadership. Digital Leadership and Future Ready Recently the U.S. Leadership is central to the FRS effort.

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A Principal's Reflections

FEBRUARY 12, 2014

What is needed is a thorough understanding of what constitutes effective leadership and determining how these characteristics, skills, and practices can be improved and/or enhanced with a new mindset that views technology as a tool to support learning as opposed to just a frivolous add on. The tenets of leadership still apply.

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Leadership Artifacts Professional Development Cultures 405

A Principal's Reflections

AUGUST 14, 2022

While the pandemic has undoubtedly played a monumental role in decreasing morale, other factors continuously play a role, such as leadership, mandates, lack of time, systems that are in place, a toxic culture, inadequate pay, or trying to maintain a work-life balance. However, this is easier said than done. Deci, E.

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A Principal's Reflections

APRIL 10, 2022

Here is where leadership is pivotal. It is here where student agency can be further developed through path, pace, and place (click HERE for more detailed information). Examples include flexible schedules, virtual options, learning academies, use of data, and high-functioning PLCs.

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A Principal's Reflections

NOVEMBER 24, 2019

In the case of education, the choice is to either adapt or evolve in ways that lead to improved outcomes aligned to teaching, learning, and leadership. Neither is more important than the other, in my opinion, but all are informed in some way or another by results.

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Leadership Cultures Teaching Research 429

A Principal's Reflections

MARCH 18, 2020

The Mount Olive Township School District in NJ, under the leadership of superintendent Dr. Robert Zywicki, has been way ahead of the curve. I also tried to articulate the information above in a video, which you can view below. The best way is your way. Once a plan is in place, convey it to parents, guardians, and other stakeholders.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 19, 2014

My epiphany, so to say, changed my entire outlook on modes of professional development and led to the discovery of a practice area in digital leadership. We need to get at the heart of what embodies great leadership and engage in learning experiences that have professional value to us while honoring our precious time.

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A Principal's Reflections

JULY 5, 2020

Education Week provides a wealth of information and resources for schools in this recent piece focusing on developing the right schedule to meet the student needs. Strong and compassionate leadership will be critical to ease concerns while developing a successful plan for reopening.

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A Principal's Reflections

DECEMBER 27, 2015

These students think and act critically to curate content and apply information to address a range of cross­-disciplinary tasks that are both creative and original. As important as teachers are to the purposeful integration of digital tools to support rigorous and relevant learning, ultimate success at scale lies with leadership.

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A Principal's Reflections

OCTOBER 29, 2017

Note: This post is directly related to my work at the International Center for Leadership in Education Efficacy has been on my mind a great deal as of late, and as a result, it has been reflected in my writing. During this reflective process, it is expected that school leadership teams collect and document aligned evidence for each item.

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