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Latest Blog Posts
March 2020 Results & OKR Reflection
Each month I post my dashboard results. I do this for myself first because these metrics are important and by making a post it holds me accountable to do the work. But I also do it in public to teach and inspire you to do the same. This month’s post is a bit longer...
Protect those who leap
The best educators have a “can do” attitude. They don’t look for a timesheet, ask about compensation, or worry about what the union thinks when deciding what is best for kids. When there’s a need, they are already there doing the work before a principal can even ask...
My Friend’s Favorite Educational Leadership Quotes
Quotes are powerful and quote posts, popular. Bur rather than write a post by myself, I figured I’d invite some of my friends from our leadership community, “The mastermind.” It’s always better to look for a win-win in any situation. Today’s win-win: create a helpful...
COVID-19 District Plans
Some leaders have asked about district and school plans during this pandemic. In addition to those one-to-one conversations, I thought it would make sense to ask some leaders in my network to share what they are doing. I am proud to know all the leaders. I hope these...
212 Ideas to stay connected
The mastermind is about connection. Since 2016, I’ve been fascinated at how deep bonds can grow even in a virtual setting. I’ve had the privilege of meeting maybe 25% of the members face-to-face. The rest I know through Zoom, text messages, and phone calls....
Ben Owens: Creating Innovation in Schools
Ben Owens worked as an engineer for 20 years before becoming a STEM teacher for 11 years at a wall-to-wall PBL school in rural Appalachia. He founded the non-profit, Open Way Learning, and now works to help schools create the cultural conditions for localized,...
The best time to plant a tree
“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.”-Chinese Proverb The same is true of an ideal week. I was inspired to see one of my favorite school leaders tackle her ideal week recently during the pandemic. It makes sense to do...
Unhelpful stories
The stories we tell ourselves are powerful and at times, unhelpful. When you have repeated a story to yourself for years, it is easy to slide into these mental grooves and accept them as a fact. In time, you begin to resist certain actions because ‘that’s not who I...
Where productivity goes to die
Here are a few ways we get distracted and get less done … Social Media. There is no way your lizard brain is disciplined enough to avoid the allure of social media. It is designed to interrupt and then keep your attention. And there is both an ungodly amount of...
