The Power of Purpose: Empowering High-Performing Teams in Schools
High-performing teams are essential for a school to accomplish its goals. These team whether comprised of teachers, administrators, or support staff—are pivotal in driving student success and fostering a positive school culture. The reality is, administrators cannot be expected to get schools to reach its potential without the investment and support of the constituents of […]
Five Ineffective Ways to Use Data in K-12 Schools
Data has become a cornerstone of decision-making in K-12 education, offering insights that can help improve student outcomes and inform pedagogical best practices. However, the mere presence of data does not guarantee its effectiveness. In fact, there are several common pitfalls that can render data usage ineffective. Here are five ineffective ways to use data […]
Measuring the Impact of Professional Development
In my experience, the setting often remains the same: I find myself seated with one or more administrators, either facilitating a session or reviewing observation data. Inevitably, we arrive at the same question: What do observation reports really measure? The common response is “teacher performance.” This seems logical; administrators enter classrooms, observe teachers delivering their […]
Five Reasons K-12 Principals Should Embrace AI to Enhance Their Schools
As educational leaders, K-12 principals are always seeking innovative ways to improve student outcomes and streamline operations. One of the most promising advancements in recent years is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools. Here are five compelling reasons why principals should consider leveraging AI to enhance their educational environments. 1. Personalized Learning ExperiencesAI […]
How to Find the Best Second-in-Command: A Principal’s Guide
As the clock ticks down on a Friday afternoon, the school buzzes with that familiar blend of exhaustion and excitement. The leadership team gathers in the principal’s office, a weekly ritual to tie up loose ends and strategize for the week ahead. With a few assistant principals in the mix, it’s always a pleasure for […]
Got a Lingering Issue?
It was a warm fall day. The teachers were slowly trickling into the 4th floor Art room. It was our biggest room to fit us all and tables to host discussions. I also picked this room for the art on the walls. My art teacher was such a hard worker. A bit hesitant to trust […]
The Myth of an Open Door Policy
Seven times. That’s how many interruptions occurred during my meeting with the principal. Someone came to his door, and then another person, then another person… We finished 20 minutes of conversation in an hour and 13 minutes. I wish I could tell you that each case was an emergency. The fact of the matter is […]
Losing the Lesson Planning Battle
We are losing. Some would call it a struggle or a battle or a straight-up war. The war of preparation of lesson planning for our students. We are losing because so many teachers are not ready to teach our students by the time the day begins or the bell rings. Curriculums are being sold to […]
Vagueness Disempowers
If you asked my teachers when I first became a principal in East Harlem, they would have told you that our students were different. They devoted a good amount of time (not a ton as there were levels upon levels of dysfunction) to talking with our students. When they weren’t learning, they used the same […]
Accept the Challenge!
After game-changing research conducted by TNTP where they produced informative reports like the Opportunity Myth, we see evidence that Black and Brown students are getting limited access (if access at all) to grade-level content. It also verified that students are not being prepared for college, which we have known for some time and are reiterated […]