Can you relate to the feeling of wanting to be in two places at once? The first few weeks of school can feel like a whirlwind. There is the anticipation of a new year, the excitement of seeing colleagues and students, and the pressure of trying to navigate personal and professional responsibilities well. As a …
This week, I had the privilege of spending a lot of time with our newest teachers. It is always one of my favorite weeks of the school year. There is something about welcoming educators at the beginning of their journey that always brings me back to the people who helped shape mine. My appreciation for …
I have a routine…Every morning, I read a few pages from a book to spark my thinking and frame my day. Recently, I returned to The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest and paused at this line: “Comfort becomes a vice when what’s familiar becomes the only thing that feels possible.” As a district leader planning …
A couple of weeks ago, I rushed into a local retail store because I needed an outfit for an event that evening. I glanced at my watch as I walked through the door. It was 6:30 p.m. The store closed at 7:00 p.m. Plenty of time, I thought. Within ten minutes, I had found an …
Have you ever felt like your days are moving from one item to the next? Meeting to meeting. Task to task. Conversation to conversation. I am going to assume that no matter what field you are in, this happens. There are times when I feel fully present, savoring the moments and appreciating what is unfolding …
Recently I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes learning, leading, and educational ecosystems thrive. Over my two decades of serving in many roles in education, I have been witness to receiving change, implementing change, and leading change. All are hard. As Richard Gerver shares in his book Change, “You cannot thrive alone. Innovation and …
What helps you lead well when the days feel full and the expectations feel high? If you’re reading this, it’s likely because you care deeply about your work. You care about doing it well. You care about the people you serve. You care about growing, even when growth feels uncomfortable or unclear. And while many …
When leadership and learning feel heavy, what helps us decide how to move people forward with care and intention? This is a question that continuously rests on the shoulders of those leading complex work in schools. And if you are reading this post, perhaps this resonates with your own thinking. In his new book, Forward, …
Before I stepped into a formal leadership role and even before my career in education began as a teacher, I thought a leader's role was to be a manager. I believed their work was about organization, structure, and oversight. It wasn’t until I encountered leaders who inspired me to become the best version of myself …
Throughout the trajectory of my career, nearly two decades spanning classroom teacher, literacy specialist, instructional coach, building leader, and now district leader, I’ve experienced just about every form of professional development. I’ve devoured books, tuned into countless podcasts, attended energizing conferences, and participated in more professional learning experiences than I can count. But if I’ve …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 