Think back to the mentors who have crossed your path, lighting the way at different moments in your life. Some stayed for years. Some appeared for a season. Some may not even realize the impact they had. Who first saw the gift in you? Not your position. Not the accomplished version of you. Not the …
I believe one of the most important responsibilities we share in educational leadership is creating the conditions for others to do important work. Creating systems and structures may not always be the most inspiring part of leadership, but it is the work beneath the work. It doesn’t always feel visible or highlighted on a social …
We were sitting together, teachers gathered around student work from a newly designed performance assessment. The task asked students to engage in a deep study of character in literature. Instead of a single written response, students were given multiple pathways to show their thinking through a multimedia performance assessment. Students could write, speak, design, create, …
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, …
I’ve been sitting with a question from George Couros’ new book, Forward, Together: “After all, isn’t true growth measured by our ability to look back on who we were and appreciate how far we’ve come?” What I keep returning to is not the looking back, but how that pause creates space for what comes next. …
I want to start by saying that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s because the only gifts we are expected to give are the ones that matter most…our presence, our attention, and our gratitude. And as we head into the week, I’ve been thinking a lot about where we choose to shine our “flashlight,” where …
This post is one of my most shared and read blogs, and as I step into my 20th year in education, I find myself reflecting on why it still resonates. I first shared these ideas when I was an assistant principal, co-presenting with my former colleague and principal at a popular local conference on shifting …
Continue reading Observing Through a Coaching Lens: 8 Ideas That Continue to Transform Practice
What will your students and colleagues remember about you years from now and how will you know it mattered? This week, two unexpected moments stopped me in my tracks…moments where my past met my future and reminded me why I chose, and continue to choose, this work. The first moment came at my son’s basketball …
I usually start my Saturday mornings by reading blogs, articles, or newsletters I subscribe to. Some may think there are other ways I could begin my day, but for me, I carve out that time for learning and growth. With coffee in hand, it’s my way of sparking thinking for the week ahead and generating …
Continue reading 20 Education Blogs That Are Making a Difference
This post is a special collaboration between Lauren Kaufman and Dr. Sonia Matthew—two educators reflecting on their parallel journeys, defining moments, and the lessons that continue to shape their work as leaders in education. I'm about to begin my 20th year in education.Yes, 20 years. As I was driving to work the other day, the …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 