Blog Archives

Tech Tip: Bookmarking Favorite Tweets

Did you know you can record your phone screen while you model how to do something new and innovative? I met Ryan Foran @RyanPForan at the #NSPRA2018 conference and we hit it off right away. He’s doing amazing things in

Posted in Guest Posts, Instructional Tips

Five Tips to Maximize Video Communication

There are a handful of key considerations when using video to maximize engagement in your school community. These concepts are important because they will help others share in your journey and success in a way that is meaningful and interesting

Posted in Instructional Tips, Leadership Lessons

Video Introductions

School is about to begin again and there is nothing is worse than an excited parent that goes to the school’s website to meet the administrator or teacher and all they see is a boring letter, or even worse, the

Posted in Instructional Tips, Leadership Lessons

Read Alouds & Book Talks

The Power of Read Alouds Reading to every classroom is by far one of my favorite things I do as principal. It is a fantastic opportunity to build personal relationships, set the tone for expectations, and prioritize literacy as a

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Posted in Instructional Tips

Mobile STEAM Labs – Update

This year, our teachers At Ashland led by 5th grade teacher Jen Young, created mobile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) carts that are housed centrally in our STEAM garage and checked out by teachers to use in their classrooms.

Posted in Instructional Tips

Modeling Should Be Exact for Student Success in Lessons

As principal, I have the honor of observing classroom lessons to learn about instruction and student motivation. This week I was able to directly see the positive impact that specific and direct modeling had on student performance in a 4th

Posted in Behavioral Tips, Instructional Tips

Kindergarten Readiness Top Tips Video

As Hannibal in the A-Team used to say, “I love it when a plan comes together!” This year our kindergarten team decided to create a new program to help communicate to parents what helps students be successful in school. As

Posted in Behavioral Tips, Instructional Tips

Twitter Teacher Tips

I’m often asked by teachers and schools how to get started using Twitter. Our school team has been fortunate enough to help many other schools begin their social media journeys by providing social media workshops. At these workshops, we typically

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Posted in Instructional Tips, Leadership Lessons

Let Student Lead! Making a Case for Student-Led Conferences

Purpose of Student-Led Conferences It is critical that students know how they are performing and what they need to do to improve on their skills to be fully invested every day to achieve their learning goals. Student-led conferences are one way to support

Posted in Behavioral Tips, Instructional Tips

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 myself, I wonder how many other principals’ closets look like

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Posted in Instructional Tips, Leadership Lessons