Speed Kills?

It seems counter-intuitive, but educational leaders can recharge their career success by slowing down … allowing time for self-reflection, pumping up their curiosity, and letting go of habits that no longer serve them.

Here are four specific ways that you can “tap the brakes to reduce your speed,” and begin reflecting on what you might do differently. Why not take a little time during your Christmas break to consider this? It’s an important reflection in these increasingly busy times, and a great way to start the new year!

SEL Fallout

Here’s another update on how certain segments of the public are significantly misinformed about what Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is actually designed to do, or why many teachers consider this an important tool in today’s increasingly challenging classrooms.

This article also highlights the growing political fallout connected to SEL, and how some states are reacting to the public outcry from select groups by either revising SEL implementation or banning its use entirely.

Note: Searching “SEL” will bring up my previous posts on this topic that provide useful background as well as links to other resources and commentary.

Learn to Listen!

One characteristic that model schools have in common is a high level of interaction and effective communication. And that starts with the principal!

This article shares seven tips that can make others feel they’ve been heard. Although these are all relatively simple to implement, actively employing them can make a world of difference in your school culture!

By embracing these simple strategies, you can eliminate ambiguity, leading to better understanding and higher productivity.

How to De-Silo Your Leadership

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