When I asked my friends to choose a question to help me answer, the pairings of who answered what was left up to them. The greatness that is these two admins combining below is pretty incredible. Add in that they are both named Jessica, and you too will be amazed at the awesome! One, Jessica ... [ Read More ]
Q6: How do I become the instructional leader? #askanadmin
Two of the nicest, most inspiring principals ever contributed to today's question. I am honored to call them friend, and ALWAYS able to call on them for great ideas, reassurance, and innovative ideas! Thank you Sanee Bell and Ben Gilpin for an answer to today's tough question...How do I become the ... [ Read More ]
Ask an Admin Q5: Where do you even start to build a culture of innovation? #askanadmin
Two powerhouses up today answering one of my most favorite questions. Everyone loves a good initiative right? My problem is that starting line. I need a catalyst, a jumping off point. Otherwise I am all inspired and no where to go! Luckily, George Couros, the author of Innovators Mindset, your go to ... [ Read More ]
Ask an Admin Q4: Will this get easier??? #askanadmin
The role in which we play in education is beyond important, we all know and value that. What is even more important is recognizing the balance in learning as much as we can, and knowing we'll never know it all. And be ok with that! Today's question is exactly along those lines... #askanadmin ... [ Read More ]
Ask an Admin! Q3: What is something you wished you knew as a first year administrator? #askanadmin
On Friday at the NAESP conference, I had the privilege of presenting with Ross Cooper on ways to sink or swim as an a new admin, and we basically talked about all of what I am about to share from today's awesome administrators, Allyson Apsey (from Michigan) and Brad Currie (from ... [ Read More ]
Ask an Admin! Q2: What is something you do EVERY year, without fail? #askandmin
Today's question is being answered by two rockstars that I love following on both their personal and school social media accounts, Melissa Kartimas and Amy Fadeji They've both made me a better leader, and a more fun one, just by sharing the greatness that they do on a regular basis. If you are ... [ Read More ]
New series: Ask an Admin! #Q1: What is your go to strategy for team building? #askanadmin
I am SO excited about what I am blogging through the month of July! I have connected with some of my favorite administrators on the planet and they've all agreed to help me tackle questions we've been asked, or hear all the time. These questions will help ya get your mind right, give you differing ... [ Read More ]
My “to don’t do”list…what’s on yours?
Last week we had a guest speaker, Ryan Leak, at our church who spoke on the need to be real. He talked specifically about Elijah, a noted trash talker, who had no problems calling out those around him, because he knew that God had his back...but that even Elijah had moments where he doubted himself ... [ Read More ]
When awards go wrong…
One of the benefits to our downtime in the summer is that we actually HAVE downtime. I have the opportunity to dive deeper into data, start plans for next year, and spend some time deep cleaning/organizing my office. This week, I also had a reminder that even when I think I've covered my bases, I ... [ Read More ]
When connecting hurts…
I woke up today to the heartbreaking news about a former family. There were two years in a row where I only spent one year on each campus. One might think I was there too briefly to make any connections, but of course, any educator knows that isn't true. Each staff spent a year being a part of my ... [ Read More ]