The Power of Purpose: Empowering High-Performing Teams in Schools
High-performing teams are essential for a school to achieve its goals. These teams—whether made up of teachers, administrators, or support staff—drive student success and foster a positive school culture. Administrators cannot reach a school’s full potential without the investment and support of the school’s members, especially teachers. The effectiveness of these teams depends on two […]
Five Ineffective Ways to Use Data in K-12 Schools
Data plays a central role in decision-making in K-12 education. It can help improve student outcomes and guide teaching practices. However, simply having data doesn’t guarantee its effectiveness. Many common pitfalls can make data use ineffective. Below are five ways schools often misuse data—and how to do it better. 1. Making Decisions with Incomplete Information […]
Measuring the Impact of Professional Development
Professional development (PD) is a cornerstone of school improvement. Yet, many leaders struggle to measure its true impact. In my experience, this often comes down to a familiar scene: sitting with administrators, reviewing observation reports, and asking the question—what do these reports really measure? Beyond Teacher Performance The typical answer is “teacher performance.” Administrators enter […]
Five Reasons K-12 Principals Should Embrace AI to Enhance Their Schools
As educational leaders, K-12 principals constantly seek innovative ways to improve student outcomes and streamline school operations. One of the most promising advancements in recent years is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools. Below are five compelling reasons why principals should leverage AI to enhance their educational environments. 1. Personalized Learning Experiences AI […]
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. Teachers slowly trickled into the 4th-floor Art room, our largest space with tables to host discussions. I chose this room also for the art on the walls. My art teacher worked tirelessly, but she hesitated to trust others—especially me, her boss. She wanted to excel but struggled to receive […]
The Myth of an Open Door Policy
Seven times. That’s how many interruptions occurred during my meeting with the principal. One person came to the door, then another, then another… We spent 20 minutes of conversation in an hour and 13 minutes None of these situations was an emergency. One person asked about an afterschool program; another wanted confirmation that a document […]
Losing the Lesson Planning Battle
We are losing. Some might call it a struggle, a battle, or even a full-blown war—the war of lesson planning. Teachers are often not ready to teach by the time the bell rings, and our students feel the consequences. The Paradox of Abundant Resources Today’s curricula come with online platforms, decks, teacher guides, student workbooks, […]
Vagueness Disempowers
When I first became a principal in East Harlem, my teachers told me our students were “different.” They spent some time talking with students, but not much, given the layers of challenges in the school. When students struggled, teachers blamed my background: a white man raised in rural New Jersey with privilege. My understanding of […]
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 […]