I have worked in public education for 20 years. I entered the profession because a freshman sociology class in college introduced me to the idea that there were two institutions that impacted socioeconomic mobility—the military and education. The end of segregation in America’s public schools in 1954 is considered a landmark case. But given the critical disparities in graduation rates between Black and white students, how far have we really come? (more…)
School of Thought Blog
Reconsidering Ability Grouping Through an Equity Lens
Leading Majority-White Schools as a Black Administrator
As educators prepare for the start of the 2020–21 school year, we are facing unprecedented challenges as we seek opportunities to innovate, collaborate, and implement necessary changes to do what is best for our students. Here’s something you need to know. The combined effects of the murders of Amaud Abrey in Georgia and George Floyd in Minnesota, the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus, the recession, massive job loss, and overall feelings of isolation have forced people to become more aware of race, equity, inclusion, or a lack thereof. It’s been interesting to witness history repeat. I also wonder, why now? And now what? As we grapple with the coronavirus and racial unrest, I have been reflecting on my experience as a Black administrator who has led three majority-white schools. (more…)
Financial Education: The Proof is in the Pandemic
In tough times, I frequently find myself turning to this quote from Ovid, “Be patient and tough; someday this pain will be useful to you.” As principals, you undoubtedly are facing some of the greatest professional challenges of your careers. In the midst of this global pandemic, you are working fervently to deliver the best education you possibly can while doing your best to protect the health and well-being of your faculty, staff, students, and families. (more…)
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Sea Glass and Hope: Reflections for the Year to Come
There’s always that one teacher—the one whose content they taught pales compared to the lessons you learned from them. One of my favorite teachers growing up was the art teacher in my hometown. I say “the” art teacher because, as with many small midwestern towns, the teacher is there the entire time we are in school and even beyond. And as we entered a summer unlike any other we’ve faced as educators, Mr. Holdren’s approach to life offered a personal lesson that helped me reflect on the school year to come. (more…)
‘Flatten the Walls’: Communicating During the Pandemic
When we shut our doors in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my inbox almost became unmanageable with the flood of questions from parents. Being the senior class assistant principal, you can only imagine the number of questions about graduation. We quickly developed a blog as a means of sending out information about graduation and other announcements. However, while creating a virtual graduation program, we realized that the need for interaction went well beyond just posting daily announcements. We needed to do more virtually to connect with all of our stakeholders. Redefining our communication with our stakeholders and cultivating partnerships became my central focus for the summer and is informing my approach to connecting with our school community during the new school year. (more…)
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Finding Your Why Before Your Way: Setting Vision and Creating Missions
Hey there, remember me? Honestly, I don’t fully recognize myself right now either. What a marathon we’ve been through. From flipping how we teach and lead, to navigating conversations and learning around racial equity and social justice, there has been a lot to do, a lot to reflect on—and truthfully, more to come. This summer, I really needed a reboot on my leadership. (more…)
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Presenting the 2021 Principal of the Year Finalists
Principals work tirelessly every day to support their schools, ensuring the success and well-being of students and adults in their learning community. The NASSP National Principal of the Year program recognizes outstanding middle level and high school principals who have succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students as well as demonstrating exemplary contributions to the profession.
The search for the National Principal of the Year begins every spring as each state principal’s association selects its State Principal of the Year. From this pool of state award winners, a panel of judges selects three finalists as contenders for the National Principal of the Year Award. (more…)
Principals Say Pandemic Conditions Are Accelerating Their Plans to Leave the Principalship
According to a poll conducted August 14–19 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), 45 percent of principals report that pandemic working conditions are accelerating their plans to leave the profession. The departures will exacerbate an already challenging principal attrition crisis. (more…)
10 Steps School Leaders Can Take to Support ELL Success in 2020–21
What are some steps that school leaders can take to help English-language learners (ELLs) succeed in the coming year? These tips are based on feedback that ELL educators shared with Colorín Colorado, the nation’s leading ELL website, during the spring and summer of 2020.
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Student-Led Celebrations of Diversity and Identity
Supporting more than 65 nationalities, the International School of Kenya is committed to ensuring that we have created a safe place where a foundation of trust, openness, and transparency prevail. At the same time, we need to continually support the development of cultural competence and have regular conversations to build cultural proficiency in our students and staff. (more…)
Communication and Planning in the Time of School Closure
In March of 2020, schools all over the country were physically closed. However, teaching and learning continued. In Saluda County Schools (SCS), we made clear and consistent communication one of our top priorities. Here are four things we believe we did well that may help other school leaders communicate and plan for what may be an uncertain fall. (more…)
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Supporting Students This Fall
When I reflect on what the school year might look like this fall, like all administrators I am filled with a certain amount of uncertainty maneuvering through the COVID-19 pandemic as well as our commitment to focus on equity and diversity. Most of us are spending our time this summer planning for the education of our students. While we make plans for the fall, we also need to be prepared for the trauma our kids have experienced, the behaviors we may encounter, the need for students to hear their voice and express themselves, and develop a plan to be able to respond to a new normal and the increasing needs of all of our students. (more…)
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4 White Lies We Tell Ourselves About Race as Educators
It’s time we shatter barriers to success and learning for people of color, stand against the social injustices in our world, and stop hiding behind the mantra, “I’m white, I can’t speak out on race.” One of our greatest callings as leaders is to bring our school together toward one purpose, unity. This requires leaders to be courageous, bold, and take action in the midst of pushback, uncertainty, and the racist ways that have held people of color back for centuries. (more…)
Fostering Collective Teacher Efficacy
Change is hard. Organizational change is harder still.
How might leaders take action to make engaging with change less difficult? The key may lie in developing efficacy. (more…)
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Together, We Can: Six Steps to Prepare to Lead This Fall
Brian McCann found guidance for leading during the upcoming school year in, of all places, a young adult novel he picked up in his school library. “It began with this preface that says nothing goes back to exactly how it was—which was what I was trying to do,” McCann, a 2018 Digital Principal of the Year, said during NASSP’s Principals Power-Up Virtual Symposium earlier this month. (more…)
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Four Steps to Shift Perceptions of Feedback
In education, we value communication and feedback. We know that growth occurs when we take action on feedback we get. Even so, no one likes unsolicited advice. When discussing what supporting teachers does not look like during a Twitter chat, the comment “unsolicited advice is about the worst support one can offer” led to a lengthy conversation. (more…)
Creating FOMO Experiences
When I took over as principal of Powell High School in the suburban Knoxville community of Powell, TN, in 2015, I walked back into a building that, for the most part, had not changed since I graduated in 1992. Aesthetically, the building looked and smelled the same; yes, my 11th-grade locker was still in the same place with the same locker combination, and there were seven faculty members who had me in class. As I continued to transition into my new role and talked to our students, one thing became clear, and that was that Powell High School was not a fun place anymore. (more…)
A Busy July for Congress
Following the July 4 recess, Congress returns with a laundry list of bills and policies to complete prior to August—and a limited amount of time in which to do it. As of now, there have been no indications from either chamber that Congress is planning to eliminate August recess, so the time crunch to complete these projects is significant. The House may have the easier path of both chambers, as their main goal is to pass all 12 appropriations bills by the end of the month. While this is still a difficult task, House Democratic leadership has a path forward and work has already begun. (more…)
Wisconsin Principal Gregg Wieczorek Chosen to Serve as NASSP President-Elect
During last week’s virtual 2020 NASSP Members Assembly, Gregg Wieczorek, principal of Arrowhead Union High School in Hartland, WI, was elected to serve as the NASSP’s new president-elect. He will succeed Maryland Principal Roberty Motley as president on August 1, 2021. (more…)
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Engaging All Students in Civic Learning
As principals, one area that can get lost among our responsibilities is placing an emphasis and value on civic learning. Civics is not a government-mandated assessment, but rather a measurement of how we create an educated citizenry to progress the ideals of democracy and sustain and mold America for future generations. Creating a community, state, and country while preserving democracy is the ultimate test for which we are preparing students. (more…)