How to De-Silo Your Leadership

Posted on November 14, 2023 Written by

The phrase “it’s lonely at the top” is especially apt in educational leadership. Serving as a principal can be a very isolating job, and the resulting pressure plays a huge role in the increasing number of people who leave the profession each year.*

But a network of support built on professional connections is one way to offset this problem. This article attempts to reframe the concept of “individualistic, isolated leadership” and replace it with a new “Communal Leadership” model.

Connecting with others may be just the bridge you need to embark on a more effective leadership path and to create a space where you can thrive.

*National Center for Educational Statistics

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

SEL Redux (cont.)

Posted on October 31, 2023 Written by

Our last post was a summary of various articles and resources about Social Emotional Learning that have been featured in this Blog over the past few years. Here are two more resources on this vital topic:

In March of 2022, HBO presented a five-part series that explored an actionable framework for implementing SEL concepts. It included a dynamic mix of storytelling, film and TV references, guest researcher appearances, and informative role-plays. Since this involved widespread national viewership, you may find it helpful to review what was presented.

On a more scholarly note, the Wallace Foundation worked with multiple researchers to explore several important aspects of SEL and it’s impact on children (2017). The resulting 178-page report, which includes extensive references, is a foundational reference for anyone interested in this topic.

The information contained in this (and the preceding) post can give you a much deeper understanding of this controversial topic, and better prepare you for responding to those who would remove this important tool from a compassionate educator’s toolbox.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , , ,

SEL Redux

Posted on October 17, 2023 Written by

We’ve discussed Social Emotional Learning before, but this topic is becoming increasingly important … especially since more and more politicians are trying to frame SEL as some sort of extremist conspiracy, and are passing legislation to ban its use in schools. But effective teachers and principals have always implemented some form of social/emotional training (self-awareness, empathy, resilience, etc.), going back to the earliest days of widespread public education.

By way of review, here are some previous articles where we’ve discussed this topic before and offered links to resources: here, here, here, and here. And with increasing shifts in societal norms, plus a significant rise in teen (and even pre-teen) suicide, this topic is even more important than ever.

Here’s the bottom line: If we don’t spend time now meeting childrens’ social/emotional needs, then we’ll spend time later dealing with the unacceptable behaviors caused by those unmet needs … some of which may end in tragedy.

Either way, we’ll have to spend the time. 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , ,

60-Second Strategies

Posted on October 3, 2023 Written by

Periodically, Edutopia produces short, focused video clips about specific classroom strategies. In the fall of 2023, they compiled some of the best of these into a single helpful link! This amazing resource is sorted by grade level groups, making it a wonderful resource for your faculty.

Feel free to share!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged: , , , , , ,