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Getting Better in 2022

I know many of you have given some thought to New Year’s resolutions for this year.  And, there are others who after so many failed attempts at reaching your goals, have already abandoned the idea of resolutions altogether.  No matter where you fall on the spectrum of setting New Year’s resolutions, we all strive to be better in 2022.  I know I do.  I have always considered the new year as an opportunity to push the refresh button, a time to right wrongs, a time to be better, feel better and do better.  I am also getting older, wiser, and, interestingly, bolder than any other time in my life. My goals and aspirations for the new year are BIG!  I have been asking myself , “How can I begin to live my best life ever?  What does happiness look like for me? How can I be a better person?  What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What changes do I want to make?” These aspirations, like traditional resolutions, are so big it is difficult to determin...
Recent posts

How are you building your leadership capacity?

How do you lead during a crisis? Build capacity. (Part II) by Donna Micheaux In my recent blog,  How do you lead during a crisis? Build Capacity , I introduced Glazer’s four elements for building leadership capacity: Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical and Emotional.  I recently spoke with several front line leaders about their real-life experiences applying the four elements to build their leadership capacity during the nation’s recent crises.   I was inspired and encouraged by their resilience, resolve and commitment to continue to lead and learn during these extraordinary times.   Here I share a few of their responses in the hopes that they will inspire your own reflections and new ideas. Spiritual capacity: What matters most to you?  “My primary goal is to stay collectively engaged with our students and their families. We center our efforts on the 2 C’s: Connections and Care.  I believe it is important to  connect  ...

Crisis Leadership: How well do you lead in a crisis?

Crisis Leadership:  How well do you lead in a crisis? Education leaders are grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and its unprecedented and uncertain impact on schooling for millions of students across the country. With many schools closing for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year, school leaders are confronted with numerous questions that require their immediate attention.  How will we continue to feed students who rely on schools for meals?  How will we provide learning for students who don’t have access to computers or technology?   How will we train teachers to use technology for remote learning?  How do we support high school seniors who are transitioning to college or the workforce?  How will school closings impact staff salaries and careers? At the same time, education leaders are grappling with questions that force them to think about the future of schooling post COVID-19.  For example, how much of the new learning ecosystem will ...

Ten Traits for Innovative School Leaders

Ten (Interpersonal) Traits of Innovative School Leaders  By: Dr. Justin Aglio and Dr. Donna Micheaux Which traits and interpersonal skills are essential to the mindset of successful innovative leaders? Of course, there are the obvious leadership skills—expertise, the ability to analyze, problem-solve, collaborate and work with others. These skills are also necessary for innovative leaders, but not sufficient. There are other traits and interpersonal skills that are essential to the mindset of successful and innovative leaders, and according to  Tony Wagner , the first innovation education fellow at the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard, most, if not all of them, can be fostered, nurtured and taught. https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/10/10-interpersonal-traits-of-innovative-school-leaders/

Principal Evaluation as a Tool for Growth

Does your principal evaluation system "work"? New principal evaluation systems are being implemented across the United States.  The creators behind each one have good goals.  However... will the systems they create actually meet those goals - or just impose another compliance checklist? How can school districts use principal evaluations as a tool for real growth? Dr. Jennifer Parvin and I tackled this important question in the April 2018 issue of The Learning Professional .  For those familiar with either of us, it won't surprise you that we advocate helping principals learn their way into effectiveness.  Click the link below to read the article (page 53) and our seven strategies for growth-focused principal evaluation: Principal Evaluation as a Tool for Growth (Page 53)