Do it for the “teacher-servants”

There is a tremendous amount of literature surrounding the concept of “servant leadership” these days.  The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states that servant leaders “...possess a serve-first mindset, and they are focused on empowering and uplifting...They are serving instead of commanding, showing humility instead of brandishing authority, and always looking to enhance the…Read more Do it for the “teacher-servants”

My need for maintenance

I had a conversation recently with an educational leader who gave me some important insight and advice into my calling.  He told me that my number one priority as a leader should be to build and maintain relationships.  He said that without that ability, all the other tasks or expectations associated with the job description…Read more My need for maintenance

Do it for them, not because it’s easy, but because it is hard.

I've had the great learning opportunity to participate in the McKinsey Management Program for School Leaders through the National Association of Secondary School Principals.  It has provided tremendous growth around the area of communication and mastering challenging conversations.  Perhaps the greatest challenge any of us faces in our personal and professional lives revolves around the…Read more Do it for them, not because it’s easy, but because it is hard.

Around the globe, teachers do it for them!

I recently returned from a great trip to China accompanying students from my high school to a sister school in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in the People's Republic of China.  I'm so proud of the students and our district and school leadership for continuing this relationship for the past 16 years.  I'll…Read more Around the globe, teachers do it for them!

Readings and reflections for Independence Day

I sit in an office that says “Associate Principal” on the door, but I’ve been fascinated with history since I was a kid.  I started my career as a social studies educator, and my passion is still in learning more about those who came before us, their contexts, their dilemmas, their challenges, their courage, their…Read more Readings and reflections for Independence Day

“Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon it’s goods…”

My computer crashed towards the end of the school year and I panicked.  Yes, I know I'm supposed to back it up to the server.  Yes, I know that I give that advice to others.  Yes, I know that I can perform some regular functions to make the calamity less likely or less devastating.  All…Read more “Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon it’s goods…”

We do what we’re set up to do – no more and no less.

I got back late yesterday from Dallas where I attended AVID Summer Institute.  I’ve attended Summer Institute more times than I can remember in the last 13 years, so to be perfectly honest, I wasn’t pumped about going.  I’d been there, heard it and gotten tshirts, so I wasn’t sure I was going to benefit…Read more We do what we’re set up to do – no more and no less.