#HackingEarlyLearning – Principal in Balance: Learning to Lead in Work and Life

July 18, 2019July 3, 2019

Cultivating strong relationships with all stakeholders. #HackingEarlyLearning

Change The conversation With Parents #HackingEarlyLearning Listen When we frame interactions with families coming from a place of building opportunities to learn from their child’s first teacher we can start having a meaningful conversation with parents. Finding time to build those relationships requires creativity, effort and time to engage with parents in any way … Continue reading Cultivating strong relationships with all stakeholders. #HackingEarlyLearning

July 12, 2019July 3, 2019

Innovating, aligning, and providing time for play and learning. #HackingEarlyLearning

Please Put Play Back In the School Day. #HackingEarlyLearning It really is as simple as that. Leaders take the time to listen, learn and then lead in this essential component of a student’s school day. The research is available, play is integral in developing skills in all students. Many teachers are ready to go with … Continue reading Innovating, aligning, and providing time for play and learning. #HackingEarlyLearning

July 3, 2019July 2, 2019

Using ABC’s, 123’s and PLC’s.

So here is a funny story. I became a principal of an kindergarten center and had no idea what or how to use Pinterest, seriously. Initially I took some time to look into this platform as a way to collaborate and gain ideas from others. Teachers Pay Teachers, Pinterest and Social Media have a great … Continue reading Using ABC’s, 123’s and PLC’s.

June 30, 2019

New to K? No Worries.

Happy (almost) new school year! Following friends on social media lots of people are taking big leaps into new schools, new positions and new grade levels. Jumping back into Middle School from Kindergarten last year proofed challenging, exciting and invigorating and I can only imagine the same for those of you taking a leap and … Continue reading New to K? No Worries.

December 9, 2018December 9, 2018

Leading from your feet, not your seat…take two.

Last year when writing Hacking Early Learning I had been spending a lot of time in classrooms. Coming from years at the secondary level, kindergarten students and staff almost spoke a different language than I did. Seriously, I had no idea what a Riso Machine was for the first 3 months on the job (and honestly 6 … Continue reading Leading from your feet, not your seat…take two.

September 10, 2018August 24, 2018

Hacking Early Learning with Better Leaders Better Schools.

Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast-Listen HERE! Jessica Cabeen Show Highlights: What it’s like to be a recovering Middle School AP The importance of shadowing students and teachers Jessica’s system for writing a personal note to every single student at the beginning of the year Jessica has no email on her phone … could you? “Leaders … Continue reading Hacking Early Learning with Better Leaders Better Schools.

August 3, 2018August 3, 2018

Red Shirting and Retention. #HackingEarlyLearning

In the spring every year the conversation comes up among educators, school leaders and families. Do I send my child to school, or keep them back? As an educator you question if a child is ready for the next grade or not. Two years ago I had an opportunity to meet with the Minnesota Commissioner of … Continue reading Red Shirting and Retention. #HackingEarlyLearning

June 23, 2018June 21, 2018

Hack 1: Dream Big for Our Littlest Learners! #HackingEarlyLearning

Listen Dreaming big means understanding where we are starting so we can shoot for the stars for our students. If you are new to early learning, having a foundation of why this time in a child’s life is integral to their future learning is key. What is your personal learning plan for this work? Finding what … Continue reading Hack 1: Dream Big for Our Littlest Learners! #HackingEarlyLearning