INSPIRE Much attention is given to what constitutes a great leader. A quick google search will yield countless thoughts on the characteristics, habits, and attitudes of those leaders we hold in high regard. Among these lists you're sure to find qualities like integrity, courage, communication, a sense of humility, strong work ethic, and high emotional... Continue Reading →
Affirmation Station: Three Simple Ways to Create Positive Change
INSPIRE Want a simple way to change your behaviors and achieve your goals? How about an easy strategy that will connect and uplift others? Are you ready for a straightforward method that will strengthen your team? We're all looking for ways to quiet that nasty little voice of doubt in our head. The one whose... Continue Reading →
Fight Burnout One Staff Meeting Remix at a Time
INSPIRE Out for a run, I was listening intently to an episode of Work Life with Adam Grant, Burnout Is Everyone's Problem. Burnout is a topic that doesn't get enough attention and has, as a school leader and purpose-driven educator, always been a concern of mine. Having fought it both as a teacher and administrator... Continue Reading →
Lesson #3 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Creative
This is the third post in a three-part series. (See the first: Lesson #1 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Human and second post: Lesson #2 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Persistent.) INSPIRE Leading during normal times is challenging enough. Throw in a world-wide crisis and the stress to be effective and do what is... Continue Reading →
Lesson #2 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Persistent
This is the second post in a three-part series. (See the first: Lesson #1 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Human and third post: Lesson #3 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Creative.) INSPIRE Leading during normal times is challenging enough. Throw in a world-wide crisis and the stress to be effective and do what is right... Continue Reading →
Lesson #1 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Human
This is the first post in a three-part series. (See the second: Lesson #2 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Persistent and third post: Lesson #3 of Leading through a Crisis: Be Creative.) INSPIRE Leading during normal times is challenging enough. Throw in a world-wide crisis and the stress to be effective and do what... Continue Reading →
Rally Your Crew with a Squad Challenge
INSPIRE Within a matter of hours, our entire world seemed upside down and out of focus. While we had known for a while of the possibility it could come, the domino effect for our family had been shockingly quick and surprisingly unsettling. Our story in those first days of the COVID-19 shutdown is is not... Continue Reading →
5 Ways to Ensure Positivity Doesn’t Become Toxic
INSPIRE A staff member entered my office, sat down at the table with me and sighed deeply. She began, "This conversation is going to be uncomfortable." She looked up from her notecard at me with a nervous but hopeful glance and then continued, "And that's ok. I know we'll get through it and I know... Continue Reading →
2019 Letter to the #TMGenius Tribe
To the loyal and awesome members of the #TMGenius tribe (aka TM leaders, geniuses, and proud families): I was inspired to begin this tradition of writing a letter to our tribe this year when my good friend and leadership coach, Danny Bauer, shared his third annual letter and the reasoning behind this valuable practice. (Interested... Continue Reading →
Our PLC Story
INSPIRE After an all-call, many unfamiliar faces gathered to greet me in the lobby. While I can’t remember the exact words I said, I do remember the gist of my very first message to my new staff, “My first objective will be to learn. Learn about you, what your hopes are, who our students need... Continue Reading →