Middle School Changes?

Posted on September 2, 2025 Written by

In my “School Organization and Leadership” course (EDLD 6013), we explore the pros and cons of local school configurations. That’s because there’s an ongoing debate over such configurations (especially for the middle grades) as districts across the country experiment with different models to reflect societal changes and to better meet the needs of their students.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, traditional K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 schools remain the norm. HOWEVER, K-8 schools are growing in popularity, increasing from 2,500 in 1994 to about 7,000 in 2024.

Education Week recently posted an article that provides more information on this growing trend. It’s a must read for any administrator involved in discussions about the configuration of their local schools.

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Five X Factors of Leadership

Posted on August 19, 2025 Written by

Here’s a fascinating article from the world of business that outlines five key factors that distinguish effective leaders. As the author points out, “Charisma and credentials aren’t enough. In the pressure cooker of leadership, it’s the subtle, often invisible factors that determine who lasts—and who doesn’t.”

To paraphrase his closing thoughts, you likely won’t see these Five Factors in a workshop or PD training. But they often define the difference between short-term control and long-term trust. And over time, they can help change you from simply being the “school boss” to becoming the kind of powerful leader that others choose to follow.

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What NOT to Say!

Posted on August 5, 2025 Written by

If you want your team to hear and understand what you’re trying to communicate (and not roll their eyes), then avoid trite, dismissive, or insincere phrases such as “We’re a family.”

Corporate communication coach, Joel Schwartzberg, offers nine “say this, not that” tips that can help you flip the script for better team interactions. While this article was written for the business world, the basic principles apply to schools, too. As Schwartzberg points out, “Being direct makes a significant difference in your impact, especially when you’re communicating solutions and their intended effects.” And that’s a common goal of all highly-effective principals!

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Small Acts – Big Results!

Posted on July 22, 2025 Written by

Being a supportive principal doesn’t require grand gestures (although those are occasionally fine, too). It means being present in each moment so your team members feel seen, heard and affirmed.

Zach Mercurio (author of “The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance”) offers these five key tips for making the most of your interactions with your staff. He reminds us that when you make people feel irreplaceable, they tend to act irreplaceable And creating a positive “culture of significance” in your school can result in amazing changes!

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