Have a Good Life

This is a continuation of our coaching calls with Eric Makelky. Please check in our previous episodes 527523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501

In this episode we talk about dealing with difficult parents.
- Celebration - Just calling someone who applied.
- Someone applying
- Reaching out immediately
- Making it personal.
- Parents - How to get them on your team?
- 25–30 parents now on the advisory council.
- Challenges with parents
- Being a successful principal is about being popular and making everyone happy.
- Parents can be really challenging.
- Education is the parents’ responsibility and we are here to help out.
- What about when there isn’t a reason?
- I’m recording this conversation…Me, too.
- Would you like me to send a copy to you?
- Intimidation approaches
- Next time: so many things to learn that I didn’t have things in place for helping new staff. How do I help new staff transition in?

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Jack Arend joined the AWSP team in July 2019. He has served in education since 1989 as an elementary, middle and high school music teacher. He began his building leadership career in the fall of 2006 as the principal of Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in the Tumwater School District. After eleven years in the principalship, he served two years at the Central Office level overseeing multiple content areas and mentoring first year teachers.

Jack and his wife are both graduates of Washington State University. Jack received his Masters Degree from Western Washington University and his Administrative credentials from Seattle Pacific University.

Jack and his wife Brenda enjoy living in the Olympia area and love spending time with their three children, Amanda, Emily, and Thomas.

The Move Up Workshop online version is now closed, but if you are interested, you can join the waitlist at my web site

• Move Up workshop
• Do you see your school vision in your classroom observations
• Professional Learning is self-care for the school leader.
• Self-care is how you get your power back.
• From aspiring to retiring
• School Leadership matters
• Are there systems set up that allow you to leave?
• Can you schedule an in-person event and not feel guilty.
• Distributive leadership
• Saddened when people can’t go
• There’s no “coverage for my building” so I can’t go.
• Learning is a part of our job.
• Schools are big machines to keep running.
• It’s no small job that schools run efficiently every day.
• Every moving part is not contingent on moving the wheel.
• It doesn’t always have to be the school leader.
• I thought I was there to take things off their plates.
• Delegation
• Giving people opportunities for others enables me to do other things
• Trust can take so long to develop and take split second to break
• Trust is like walking on a glass tabletop.
• Start with honesty and clarity
• Not taking things off my plate that should be on my plate.
• Let it happen, and don’t micromanage.
• “How’d it go?”
• Drafting a master schedule example
• What are their parameters, and what is out of bounds?
• Importance of understanding the task.
• People want to have a voice
• How to be a transformative principal? Get to know your people. It’s 100% relational.

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Ryan Henton is the Assistant Principal at 450-student Castle Rock High School. He’s in his 15th year as an educator and his first year as an administrator. Previous to administration, he was an English teacher teaching everything from 6th grade to English AP, in California and now in Castle Rock.

In this episode, we talk about Ryan’s experience at the Move Up workshop which you can join virtually starting next week!

• Worksheet hanging on his wall.
• Helped me focus more learning on the job is so fast and furious.
• Show up Lead Up, Level Up
• Ryan’s one thing is “How to make today a WIN.”
• Moving from Prevention to Promotion mindset.
• Focusing on his destination.
• Did I make the right move?
• So many hats to wear and so many things to do.
• I always went home feeling not successful.
• The workshop helped me see things in a different way.
• Connecting with other assistant principals.
• Format
  | Calendar | popped up |
  | ———– | ———————- |
  | Podcast | bullying investigation |
  | JV Practice | Meet with parents |
• This workshop was an upgrade in my thinking!
• Making me think and reflect day-to-day
• Forces me to reassess my goals for that day.
• How the one thing has impacted his leadership
• The principal has seen it, but he isn’t sure if the staff sees it.
• My world was my classroom
• Your classroom is your priority. I’ve become more attentive, more focused
• Important to you, but not important to the whole
• How to be a transformative principal? Lean into your strengths!

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

In this interview, Jethro talks with Lynn Hardin about the Move Up Workshop. 

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

On this episode we talk about the Move Up Workshop, where you will learn how to show up, lead up and level up so you can move up. Are you ready to move up? Take the 2-minute assessment here and see for yourself.

Shaun Cornwall is a seasoned educator and administrator dedicated to delivering top-notch education to all learners. Shaun embraces a well-rounded approach to education, focusing on academic, engineering, artistic, wellness, and social-emotional aspects. With a 20-year background in education, he has served as an Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, and elementary-level classroom teacher. He is currently serving as an assistant principal in the issaquah school district.

Shaun has a knack for incorporating technology into learning environments and has successfully developed STEM programs during his career. With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a principal’s license, he is also an active member of ASCD and AWSEP, and has contributed to STEM conferences and the NSTA’s Science Scope journal.

Apart from his professional life, Shaun is a devoted husband and father to four wonderful children, aged between 7 and 17. In his spare time, he loves designing and playing board games, crafting delicious sourdough bread, and catching the latest films at the movies.

• Most valuable from the workshop was around evaluations and aligning myself around her values
• Our staff will be intervention experts is our vision.
• Rubric-based observations vs. a conversational approach
• Robotic and not super focused or helpful for teachers?
• Feedback is more authentic
• Teachers want to be better teachers and my feedback actually helps them now.
• One thing: going to be in one lunch every day.
• Put it on the calendar and told people they can expect to see me.
• Having a paraprofessional out there with me observing how I was handling it.
• Why you should attend the workshop.
• You are in charge of your own professional growth.
• What has made Shaun a great principal? Other principals.
• A great principal: Mary Kay Summers
• More about being intervention experts: meeting students where they need and what they need
• How to support teachers in that realm.
• How to be a transformative principal? Get out of your office. Be with kids. Connect with kids that don’t see you as much.

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Ben Ziegler started his teaching career in SW Washington back in 2009. For a decade now, he has been a part of the Battle Ground School District, and for the past four years, he has been serving as an administrator. Throughout his tenure, Ben has held various positions, including a Dean for Students at the high school level, three years as an elementary AP, and currently, he is an AP at the middle school level.

On this episode we talk about the Move Up Workshop, where you will learn how to show up, lead up and level up so you can move up. Are you ready to move up? Take the 2-minute assessment here and see for yourself.

• What was most valuable from the workshop you attended with Jethro? 
• Getting our mission/vision statements into our observations.
• How we are aligning in our vision and mission
• Coherence - aligning academics and social emotional. TPEP
• What is your one thing? Being aware 2x a day, ask myself if I’m aware.
• Helping teachers be more willing to try new things and do different things.
• How has your one thing impacted you in ways you didn’t expect?
• Had a really good conversation with a staff member here and made some suggestions to a staff member.
• Believe in myself more and slow down in moments in dealing with people.
• Strategic vs. Tactical approaches.
• Perspective
• Surprised in a good way with how much it aligned with what I already believe.
• Inventory of gratitude
• If someone is considering attending this workshop, what advice would you give them? 
• What is your vision for your career? 
• Started coaching middle school sports at 19 years old. Loved teaching and coaching.
• Be the head coach of a school.
• You work with people to improve their schools but help them be the best they can be.
• Knowing when to pull back and when to push.
• It comes down to relationships.
• It often comes down to the right question at the right time.
• Let people sit there.
• How to be a transformative Principal? Figure out your one thing for yourself - go out and observe and listen.

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Take our free quiz to see if you’re ready to become a principal! Get personalized feedback and actionable steps for improvement. Start your journey to educational leadership success today!

In this episode, we are continuing our coaching conversations with Eric. Please check in our previous episodes 523 519 514, 510, 506, and 501

We are talking about how we finally met in person! We have known each other for years, but haven't met yet! Here's the outline of the rest of what we talk about: 

• Schoolai.com

• Chapter on hiring from How to be a Transformative Principal

• Recruiting and hiring

• What do we need to do differently to be more flexible

• Knowing how few applicants there are, how can we recruit differently? 

• What is good?

• Easy to fill out applications

• Vacancies open sooner

• Early for traditional 

• What do you not feel good about?

• Don’t know how much difference teacher fairs make or not

• Like having a presence at a job fair. 

• Very few graduates in programs

• Internet has changed the application process

• How much schools social media helps?

• Suggestions for Improving

• Attract people to come to your school.

• Get on the phone and talk to them about what you offer at the school. 

• “We need a body”

• Worried to non-renew a teacher because they’re not going to get any applicants.

• Always be recruiting

• Look for talent everywhere

• Build a pipeline and keep in touch. 

• Letter of intent for returning to their home district and get a bonus. 

• Build a longer district pipeline.

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

In this episode, we’re bringing you a conversation from The Authority Podcast, part of the Be Podcast Network. 

Today’s guest is international best-selling author and business leader Mark Miller, Vice President of High Performance Leadership for Chick-Fil-A. 

Culture Rules: The Leader's Guide to Creating the Ultimate Competitive Advantage is Mark’s 11th book. He currently has over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages.

Ross and Mark discuss:

• 71% of U.S. leaders believe culture is their #1 most powerful tool to drive performance, but enhancing culture ranks low on their priority list — why the gap?
• First move: decide and declare what you're trying to create. Culture needs to be explicit. 
• The 3 Culture Rules: Aspire, Amplify, Adapt
• What does culture mean to your customers?
• Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella wanted to shift the company from being “know-it-alls” to “learn-it-alls” — what did Mark learn while working on the book?
• The “magic circle” of game design and how it explains culture. 
• What Mark learned about innovation and purpose. 
• Measuring culture

Culture Rules is now available for purchase, with a number of bonuses available for individual and bulk orders. Learn about them here: https://www.leadeveryday.com 

The Authority is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with leading authors from the education world and beyond. Host Ross Romano, a leadership coach, storytelling strategist and edtech advisor, draws out their invaluable insights on leadership, culture-building, transformation, and student & educator success.

Subscribe to The Authority:

• Apple: https://apple.co/3ePnTea 
• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3JxkyeX 
• RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/425789/rss 

Connect on social media:

Mark Miller is a business leader, best-selling author, and communicator. He began writing almost twenty years ago, and with over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages, Mark’s global impact continues to grow. Connect with him:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/highperformanceleaders/ 
• https://twitter.com/MarkMillerLeads 

Ross Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

This week on Transformative Principal, Jethro Jones shares a special episode where he was on a panel to discuss the current teacher shortage and what can be done. This was recorded for the Better Learning Podcast

In this podcast, we discussed the following:
- teachers that are leaving or doing really well.
- How education has been a pink collar job and the impact that has on our day today
- Empowering individuals
- Addressing mentorship
- Policy change vs. leadership decisions
- Public Impact in North Carolina
- Teacher Buy-in
- Teachers want to connect
- Playing with Teaching
- Motivation
- Leadership & culture
- A discussion of money

About the Panel:ists
Michael Horn is the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and author of Blended and Disrupting Class, and the new book coming out this week called “Choosing College!”, which is the book we are talking about today!

Charles Fournier is a High school English teacher and freelance podcaster at Wyoming Public Radio. Worked as an associate producer on the award-winning podcast HumaNature. Currently working as a sound designer on award-winning podcast, The Modern West, and host The Mountain Time Podcast Hour on WPR. Recently, have been producing the narrative podcast Those Who Can’t Teach

Jethro Jones, 2017 Digital Principal of the Year, is a former principal and founder of the BE Podcast Network. He is also the author of the books How to be a Transformative Principal and SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves! Jethro currently consults schools and districts on redesign efforts that don’t seem like another program. Jethro has worked as a principal at all K–12 levels, including a prison school, a district coach, distance learning team lead, and English teacher.

The Better Learning Podcast is hosted by Kevin Stoller, CEO of Kay-Twelve and author of Creating Better Learning Environments. The podcast is also associated with other organizations that are focused on improving education including the Education Leaders’ Organization (ELO) and the Second Class Foundation

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Dr. Karen Dudek Brannan: A little bit about myself: I spent 14 years as a school SLP while I was working on my doctorate in special education and Director of Special Education credential. In 2015, I launched my business focused on helping IEP teams design services that support language, literacy, and executive functioning; as well as helping all team members be better leaders. As a person who has been on both the service-provider and leadership end in special education, I think I’d be able to offer a unique perspective to your listeners.

Summary for show notes:

In today’s episode we dive into the world of executive functioning.  Dr. Dudek Brannan explains what effective work should look like beyond the traditional model of students working on skill deficiencies in isolation with a counselor or therapist.  She describes how a team can focus on building these skills in students and what practice in the classroom includes.

Best way for listeners to reach out to Karen:

1. https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

• How Eric Taught a student to write a better email.
• Write better emails
• How to prioritize problems.
• Keeping a focus
• What’s keeping you from focusing on your 1 thing in your school?
• 1 thing: getting into classrooms.
• Master schedule -
• Is this even in the top ten list?
• Got into his 1 thing within a month every year.
• Priorities - getting prepared for state testing, getting prepared for next year’s scheduling, graduation, staffing for next year.
• Are your priorities your todo list?
• Big idea behind state testing
  • reflect the efforts of our kids
• What makes or breaks a great school.
• Why isn’t your past experiences translating to the current situation.
• Graduation rate was 85%, wasn’t meeting our goals.
• Goal of learning 1 thing each day.
• I’ve learned something new every day.
• What is the 1 thing that if you
• What was most valuable? Reframing how I prioritize

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Tina Curry, Ed.D is currently Lead Coach at Fernwood Elementary School in Chicago Public Schools and an adjunct professor at DePaul University and National-Louis University. She was one of the contributors to the book Teaching for Racial Equity, which was recently named an Excellence in Equity Award Winner. She is an expert in equity in education and has trained educators in culturally responsive teaching and equity practices. She is a sought- after equity consultant. As a critically acclaimed public speaker and advocate for equity and justice in education, Dr. Curry has delivered keynote addresses locally and nationally. During her 23- year tenure in Chicago Public Schools she has served as a middle school and high school teacher, an equity coach, a literacy coach and went on to become a literacy specialist for three years in the Office of Literacy. Dr. Curry was named National Louis University’s Graduate Faculty of Year in 2019 and received the Most Influential Teacher Award from Sarah Goode STEM Academy that same year. She is a presenter at Illinois Association for Teacher of English (IATE), National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), Illinois Reading Council (IRC), American Education Research Association (AERA), Illinois Writing Project (IWP), and Literacy Research Association (LRA). Her research interests include culturally responsive teaching, equity, literacy coaching, and school leadership. Summary for show notes: In today’s episode we talk with Dr. Tina Curry about her equity journey. She describes some of the many obstacles she faced when confronting racial equity in public school, including her work with other teachers. Tina points to relationships between teachers and students as the most meaningful way to repair and prevent the harm that has been done. Best way for listeners to reach out to Tina: Twitter @DrTina Curry Email tscurry@cps.edu

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Johnathan Cranford is an in-school suspension teacher in Houston, TX and author of The Art of In-School Suspension: A Discipline Program that Benefits Staff and Students.

 On today’s episode we dive into Johnathan’s passion project, making ISS effective.  He emphasizes the importance of having an educator in the room, focusing on a system of doing your work, and building in SEL instruction.  The bar for ISS is often low in schools and he believes some investment will pay big returns for students, teachers, and administrators.

 Johnathan can be reached through his website www.theartofiss.com

<h2 id="sponsors">Sponsors</h2>

<h3 id="transformativeprincipalmastermind"><a href="https://transformativeprincipal.com">Transformative Principal Mastermind</a></h3>

<p>Lead a school everyone can be proud of. </p>

<p>Being a principal is tough work. You&#8217;re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do. </p>

<p>I help you stop putting out fires and start leading. </p>

<p>Learn more at <a href="https://transformativeprincipal.com">https://transformativeprincipal.com</a></p>

<h3 id="justrightreader"><a href="https://Justrightreader.com">Just Right Reader</a></h3>

<p>Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books.
Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English.
Learn more at https://justrightreader.com</p>

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Chad Lang is an assistant superintendent of HR and school improvement in Glenwood Iowa.  He is passionate about grading, curriculum, and professional development.

 On today’s episode we discuss the importance of curriculum and grading when preparing students for the “real world”.  He clarifies the difference between curriculum and resources, and explains why textbooks and companies should never be the curriculum for our students.  Chad also describes the importance of starting with a common definition of grades, with his definition aligning tightly to what we expect students to know and be able to do in reference to specific standards.

 Chad can be reached on Twitter @chad_mLang or through his personal email chadmichaellang@gmail.com

<h2 id="sponsors">Sponsors</h2>

<h3 id="transformativeprincipalmastermind"><a href="https://transformativeprincipal.com">Transformative Principal Mastermind</a></h3>

<p>Lead a school everyone can be proud of. </p>

<p>Being a principal is tough work. You&#8217;re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do. </p>

<p>I help you stop putting out fires and start leading. </p>

<p>Learn more at <a href="https://transformativeprincipal.com">https://transformativeprincipal.com</a></p>

<h3 id="justrightreader"><a href="https://Justrightreader.com">Just Right Reader</a></h3>

<p>Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books.
Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English.
Learn more at https://justrightreader.com</p>

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Last time we talked about evaluation. What has changed?

Put into practice - new frame of reference and mindset.

Talking about blindspots that a teacher has is what makes the evaluation meeting meaningful.
What are some things you want my perspective on in the classroom?

In this episode we discuss:
- How to help the evaluation process be successful.
- What if they don’t want feedback?
- Ask what they want to get out of the evaluation process.
- What if they ask for just a pat on the back?
- Self-evaluation - use that to look for blindspots

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

Just Right Reader

Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books. Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English. Learn more at https://justrightreader.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Darrin Peppard is a school district superintendent, speaker, author, publisher and consultant focused on what matters most in leadership. Darrin’s an expert in school culture and climate as well as coaching and growing emerging leaders. He is known for his keen insight, culture-first leadership style, and dynamic personality. In 2016, Darrin was named Wyoming Secondary School Principal of the Year by WASSP/NASSP and was the 2015 Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year. In 2017, Darrin earned his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Wyoming. This past summer, Darrin was inducted into the Jostens Renaissance Hall of Fame. On today’s episode we discuss school culture and the road to awesome. Darrin describes the moment he knew his school had a culture problem and how he started down the road less traveled instead of the “gotcha” road. He started by changing what he controlled, himself, and then focused on empowering the students and staff to join him and take ownership in their school’s journey. www.roadtoawesome.net 307-371-89447

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

Just Right Reader

Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books. Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English. Learn more at https://justrightreader.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

PLCs in a Small School with Jeff Makelky Transformative Principal 516 Jeff Makelky has spent 41 years in public education and is currently the principal of Big Piney High School in Wyoming. He graduated from Dickinson State and Montana State, was recognized as the Wyoming Secondary Principal of the Year in 2020, and has published articles in Principal Leadership. His email address is jmakelky@sublette9.org In today’s episode Jeff discusses his proudest accomplishments as a building leader, why he thinks more teachers should consider a career in educational leadership, and how his staff has been working toward implementing PLC practices to fit a small school setting.

Sponsors

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

Just Right Reader

Just Right Reader Decodables are a great way to help your students learn how to read, with research-based strategies that are proven to be effective. Each grade level has over 100 books. Send books home in packs of ten, with video lessons accessible via QR codes on each book, with lessons in Spanish and English. Learn more at https://justrightreader.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

Opie Blackwell is the current principal of Ridgeview Charter Middle School in Atlanta, GA.  Ridgeview Charter Middle School is an inaugural recipient of the Association of Middle Level Education's (AMLE) prestigious Schools to Watch designation, a nationally recognized 2022-2025 elite "Lighthouse School to Watch" from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, is a southeast recognized "Showcase School" for AVID, and is an International Baccalaureate program school.  His email address is blackwello@fultonschools.org.

On today’s episode Opie describes the hard work surrounding interdisciplinary teaching and learning that his team has been prioritizing.  He lays out the entire journey and emphasizes why a focus of including student voice is so valuable to the success they’ve achieved at Ridgeview Charter Middle School. 

Sponsors

Pikmykid

Improve your school dismissal and safety response with Pikmykid, the Schools Safety and Dismissal Platform. Help move your dismissal from chaos to calm, get kids to their families faster and safer.  Visit pikmykid.com/be to learn more

Transformative Principal Mastermind

Lead a school everyone can be proud of.

Being a principal is tough work. You’re pulled in all kinds of directions. You never have the time to do the work that really matters. Join me as I help school leaders find the time to do the work they became principals to do.

I help you stop putting out fires and start leading.

Learn more at https://transformativeprincipal.com

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

In this episode, Jethro and Damon Hargraves talk about ChatGPT. This is from a Twitter Spaces that they did in early January. And this has led to some pretty interesting conversations.

Jethro has been contracting with a startup to do user research interviews about how we could use AI in schools. If you are intersected in this and would like to chat with us, please schedule a time here.

We’ve done about 70 interviews since this Twitter space happened, and we are looking for more, so don’t be shy!

New Episode of @TrnFrmPrincipal

In this episode, we are continuing our coaching conversations with Eric. Please check in our previous episodes 510, 506, and 501

• trying to make it a focus to be aware of people
• What’s on your mind? What’s the challenge you’re facing today.

Today we focus on teacher evaluations.

For New Teachers

• 5 informal observations
• 2 formal observations
• 2 formal observation post-conferences
• 2 summative conferences
• start, mid, and end of year with goals
• 14 touchpoints per teacher.

For Experienced Teachers:

• 3 informal
• 1 formal
• start, mid, and end of year with goals
• 8 total touch points.

Evaluation system is homemade. Current concerns:
- Hard to make them meaningful
- Less confident writing up evaluations because it’s my first year seeing everyone.
- Feedback: is it accurate and in alignment with what is really happening?
- What value does Eric see?
- Good to give teachers feedback on a regular basis.
- Good to give formal feedback
- Post observation conferences are good to go over feedback.
- From a teacher’s perspective - Some staff aren’t used to having observations and evaluations.
- Picked one area on the rubric and only scored and gave feedback on that one thing.
- Try chunking it, and then get some feedback.

Suggestions for effective evaluations

• Johari Window
• The only feedback that matters is what people can’t see
• Purpose is to make them meaningful - finding blind spots.
• 1. Jump through the hoops.
• 1. Is the vision for the school actually happening.
• Self-evaluations at the beginning of the year.

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