It might be saying no to a program or special event that has always been done-but needs to be done. It might be listening to a parent or guardian express frustration because you are unable to share details of a recent event that involved their child-but other children as well. It could even be a … Continue reading Leading with Grace Through Difficult Circumstances.
I admit transitioning from a kindergarten center to a 7th and 8th grade campus has kept me on my toes as a leader. My predictable elementary minded routine has been disrupted with the joy of 750 teenagers. The biggest adjustment for me thus far is the season between Thanksgiving and Winter Break. In my old … Continue reading ‘Tis the Season to Believe
People-it is November, the pace of the race of the year is picking up. While seasons are changing and special events are ramping up-this is the time when our self-care can fall completely off our radar. While giving a keynote with the COSA PreK-3 Early Learning Conference we as educators took the time to really … Continue reading Dream Big-Live Colorfully-Lead Boldly
Last night was the tenth year I was able to volunteer at our high school graduation. It was also the last class I had as the middle school assistant principal. As we were downstairs getting students ready to line up and walk out a former student came up to me and apologized. He said he … Continue reading Mistakes Made.
My professional challenge started on November 14th, 2017 in the Red Bunny room. Armed with extensive lesson plans, and a nervousness I haven’t had in years, I walked into a classroom of 25 students ready to teach for an entire day. This challenge was completed on March 22, 2018 in the Blue Chipmunk room. During … Continue reading Reflections from 13 days of Teaching Kindergarten. #HackingEarlyLearning
The 2006-2007 school year was the last time I was listed as the teacher of record for any classroom. In November a veteran teacher met with me and asked me to sub in a class to get a feel for what teaching is like today. I took this to our Site Team to ask-would any … Continue reading Teacher for the Day. Reflections from a Principal turned Kindergarten Teacher. #HackingEarlyLearning
Happy (Early) New Year! As you are wrapping up the last few days of 2017, taking in those last hugs, smiles, high fives and waves for a few days we (Lindsy, Eric, Jessica, Andy, Todd and Nick) wanted to challenge ourselves-and our PLN-to think about how to ring in 2018 when everyone returns. This post … Continue reading 20 ‘18’ ways to start the New Year.
An honor to speak with Dr. Bill Ziegler at the National Principal Conference during the summer of 2017. Continue reading Lead the Way with Dr. Bill Ziegler
How in the world do you put into words the incredible experience that was had at the first every National PreK-12 Principal Conference? 48 hours after my experience I landed on a visual and six words. PD/PLN Hangover: over the course of four days I connect with hundreds (I am not kidding) leaders passionate about … Continue reading My Six Word Reflection on #NPC17
This weekend I am traveling up to the Twin Cities to celebrate the high school graduation of a former student that really became more of a family member. This guy and I started kindergarten together, he spent time with my husband and met Kenny way before anyone else (kindergartner students have very interesting questions about … Continue reading Summer is in Session: Parent Engagement.
Principal in Balance: Learning to Lead in Work and Life 