My First Schoolwide Read Aloud Experience
If we don’t run our day, our day will run us. If you are a school administrator or educator, then you know exactly what I mean! We must set priorities
Costumes Show You Care
Recently I was cleaning out my office closet and noticed that most of it was full of my costumes and accessories that have accumulated over the years! I thought to
Dad and/or Principal? #dadsasprincipals
Work all day. Exhausted. Finally sit down at the kitchen table to shovel in a late dinner. And…out…comes…my cell phone…Why?? It’s like an automatic reaction that I can’t even control!
Every Month is The Month of the Military Child at Ashland
April is the Month of the Military Child, but this takes on more meaning in our school. Secretary of Defense Casper W. Weinberger, in 1986, started this movement to remind
Students Share their Stories in Many Ways #MonthoftheMilitaryChild
A recent visit to Washington, DC reminded me of the importance of sharing our support for our military families outside our school community. Led by Amanda Woodyard, our Military Student
Ours, not Mine: The importance of shared decision-making
I originally wrote this reflection as part of an assignment for my Virginia Tech Government and Policy in Education class a few weeks ago. Recent decision-making regarding changes at the national
Good evening! How may we serve you at the Decimal Diner?
Education does not have to be miserable. All of those things we complain about in the great system of education can be improved. It starts with us. With our thinking,
What, Why, & How of Instructional Technology: Our School’s Story
Using new technology just because it looks cool or because it makes you feel innovative is not enough. Culture, instruction, and the needs of students come first, technology comes after. At
Lone Nut or First Follower: Building a Culture That Celebrates Uniqueness #WEIRDPRINCIPALS
The #WeirdPrincipals effort is all about energy and starting movements that inspire others. Similar to #PrincipalsInAction and #KidsDeserveIt, we seek to unleash leadership potential by inspiring others to be themselves,
How to Be Happy in Your Work
Are you happy in life? Are you happy in your job? Do you even know the things that should make you happy? As a renewal of motivation in our school, I
Some Gifts Are Not So Obvious
Virginia Tech security just taught me a life lesson this week, but probably not the one you would expect!
Dyslexia is Not a Mystery
For many, dyslexia is a mysterious and strange word of a disorder that sounds like it is really difficult to support in school. The reality is much different. Parents have
If my students are Batman, then I must be Alfred…
Usually, I’m looking for any excuse I can find to dress up and act like a nut for our students at school. If you follow anything of mine, you’ve probably
Weird Principals
Weirdness isn’t weakness! It’s a way to celebrate the unique ways we can engage our school community by any means possible. We try so hard in leadership positions to be what
“I Believe” Staff Video
When inspiration, reflection, and engagement comes together with your staff, this is an example of what you can accomplish. At our 1st staff meeting in January, we asked teachers to
Keep it Simple, Less can be More
The easy. The obvious. Why are we spending so much time coming up with complicated plans and strategies when the best ways to connect are so simple? Before winter break,
My #OneWord2017 is FOCUS
My #OneWord2017 is focus! If you know me at all, you wouldn’t be surprised that this is my one word for the year. You may be muttering under your breath,
Life is like a box of…puzzle pieces
Sometimes inspiration for writing comes at the oddest times. As we were putting together a puzzle as a family for the holidays, I was struck with how much this was
Effective Leadership Starts with Positive Thinking -This I Believe
I was recently tasked in one of my graduate classes at Virginia Tech (Go Hokies!) to write a statement about my beliefs in the form of “This I Believe.” This
Hustle Like It’s the Last Game of the Night
What do you think? One more game or we done for the night? Can we see the ball? Yea? Then let’s get one more game in! Sometimes the best inspiration
Sphero Ideas for Teachers
Finally! Robotics & Coding finally are far enough along to create amazing engineering lessons for students! This post is just a mish-mosh of visuals and ideas to help you think
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