Time is magic. It may be our greatest resource, and the one we never seem to have enough of. Yet it’s not magic because it appears out of nowhere; it’s magic because of what happens when leaders intentionally create it. When leaders carve out time to learn with teachers, meaningful professional learning doesn’t just happen. …
How can students show what they truly understand, not just what they can remember? This question sat at the center of our recent work with sixth-grade ELA teachers, and it pushed us to rethink what meaningful assessment should look like. While there is an important place for both formative check-ins and traditional multiple-choice measures, we …
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 …
Every day in schools, our relationships are built one conversation at a time. You know these moments well: the hallway hellos, the quick “Do you have a minute?” at the door, the whispered check-in with a student after class, the after-school email to a parent you want to reassure. When you look closely, these aren’t …
Continue reading The Space Between What We Say and What We Do
As I celebrate my 200th blog post, I’m reminded that every word, idea, and story shared here has been shaped by the people who have encouraged me to keep going. This post is for them and for all of us who believe in the power of lifting others. Five years ago, my good friend George …
One of the most unsettling thoughts I continue to have as a leader is that I might drift too far from the classroom, too far from what’s real, what’s possible, and what’s happening in the moments that matter most. Sure, I can do my classroom visits and walk-throughs, and I do, intentionally. I can conduct …
The night before work, I have a habit of looking at my calendar to mentally prepare for the day ahead. I noticed that a regularly scheduled meeting had been removed. I looked again… and then texted my team to confirm it was correct. That canceled meeting felt like an open door, an unexpected invitation to …
Continue reading Canceled Meetings AND Serendipitous Moments
Note to readers: I often write about leading with a coaching mindset. This post focuses on one part of the observation process, the pre-observation. Each part of the process matters, but here I’m honing in on how the pre-observation conversation can set the stage for growth, reflection, and connection as I mentor a new administrator …
Every season of life brings something new to grow. Some arrive with fresh energy and opportunity, others ask us to slow down and reflect, and most are a blend of both. In every season, we learn, stretch, and discover new parts of ourselves. In education, this cycle is always present. We celebrate milestones, navigate obstacles, …
What do instructional coaches do? That’s a question I’ve heard a lot. Why? Because I’ve lived it. Over the course of my career, I’ve served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, assistant principal, and now, district leader. Each role has shaped me, but stepping into the role of instructional coach allowed me to see beyond …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 