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 …
Recently I sat in a classroom where high school students were presenting a group project. They had just read Julius Caesar and were comparing some of the main themes with other historical themes that have transpired in our world. I was excited to see students standing in front of the classroom not only bringing a …
I was scrolling through social media the other day when I came across this quote: “Something I’ve thought about a lot: the people who helped me the most never asked for anything in return. And because of that, I’ve wanted to do more for them than I would have if they’d kept score. Generosity without …
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 …
This week, as I sat in meetings and one-on-one conversations, I noticed something. There were moments where it felt like educators and leaders didn’t need another initiative or plan. They needed space…space to talk, to process, and to be heard. In my book The Leader Inside, I share that “the people who cross your path …
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 …
As I write this post after what felt like a long and busy week, I had many ideas. I thought about giving you another instructional strategy or another protocol to use with leaders and educators. But this time, I want to focus on something more essential to the work we do as leaders—and something we …
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
On January 1st, I sent a message that had been years in the making. I told my fourth-grade teacher, Mrs. Roth, that 2025 would be the year I’d give her a hug and finally make a long-overdue visit to my teacher. If you’ve followed my writing, you know Mrs. Roth has been more than just …
“If we want something to matter to them, they must first believe they matter to us.” —Zac Mercurio, The Power of Mattering Over the last few weeks, I had the opportunity to read through several end-of-year reflections from teachers. Do you know what was beautiful? Each one carried a story of care, creativity, and commitment …
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 