When changing school culture, we’re often told to point to the heroes. Create examples of people who are doing what you wished “everyone” else would do....
Continue reading...Culture
School culture is the engine of your school’s success. Some say school culture is everyone’s responsibility, and that may be true. But only the school leader is uniquely charged and positioned to strategically lead to stronger school culture.
So what is culture? How is it crafted?
9 Change Resistors That You Must Manage Successfully
Like gravity, old ruts constantly pull us into their path. Also like gravity, only a bigger mass can free us from their pull. Question is, how...
Continue reading...Injustice and Oppression
Maybe it’s time that schools stop teaching fairness. Maybe instead, it’s time to begin teaching this…
Continue reading...At a distance without norms
In a building, we can walk through classrooms. In the hallways, we can be visible and hold conversations. At bus duty, we can high five and...
Continue reading...Empathy Speaks
Actions do the talking. What words speak when you’re walking? Leading with empathy is not merely a feeling – it may not even be a feeling...
Continue reading...Actionable Ideas for Emotional Safety
Emotional safety and classroom culture go hand in hand. We often say these are important, but what are some actionable ideas to increase emotional safety? That’s...
Continue reading...Maneuverability and Mandates
How do you maintain maneuverability among all the mandates? I was sailing last night, and we almost hit a channel marker. It was just 20 yards...
Continue reading...A Yes Culture
While it’s good to be able to say no to good ideas to leave room for great ideas, it’s better to say yes. And to say...
Continue reading...Craft, Draft, Graft
Craft – skill in carrying out one’s work. Draft – selecting a group of people and leading them somewhere. Graft – a form of political corruption,...
Continue reading...High Performing Teams
Every team has the potential to perform at high levels. Every team is stronger than any one individual. Likewise, every team is subject to the force...
Continue reading...Four Phases of Team Problem-Solving
Team problem-solving can be divided into four distinct phases. The phases require different types of collaboration and thinking. Learning Together – Identify what we know, deciding...
Continue reading...Back to School Tasks as Vehicles
There’s so much to plan for as a school leader: master schedule, student schedules, hiring, handbooks, facility repairs, new student registration, instructional materials, and the list...
Continue reading...When Narratives Collide
The topic of school culture has gained importance in the professional literature in the last decade. That’s a good trend. But we must always remember that...
Continue reading...Teacher Appreciation, 6 Ways of Being
A few years back, I wrote an article Teacher Appreciation is Not One Week of the Year. The premise was simple: Teachers can take control of...
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