In the eight years since the schools on my campus chose to reopen our library, I have circulated thousands of books, taught research skills to hundreds of kids, hosted author visits, led National Novel Writing Months, and (once)...
I began this school year with a lofty goal: I wanted to facilitate the transition of my large, comprehensive high school into a more inclusive space that welcomed more students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) into the general...
As a lifelong learner and believer in inquiry, I have many questions. One of the first questions I developed as I was leading circles with 10 and 11-year-olds during my first year of teaching 5th graders was the...
“Can I change my answer?” That was the question a student asked after a quick partner discussion about Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime. She had just shared her response aloud and heard...
My school district has an eligibility process that an aspiring leader must pass to be considered for a principal job. I failed it twice. Once eligible, a school’s individual school board has its own process to hire the...
When I became the principal of a school in need of transformation, I brought with me 21 years of leadership experience and a track record of success. I was recognized as an effective principal, and I was excited...
“Why do I have to do that? You should be happy I’m doing anything.” Two students, with very different personalities, are both experiencing difficulty succeeding in our traditional public school. Both students have traumatic experiences in...
My goal for this past school year- to increase students’ sense of belonging at school- was based on one of my own insecurities. As the school social worker, I would walk around the hallways and classrooms, thinking I...
If you spot a school psychologist walking down the hall looking dazed and confused, don’t panic. Chances are they’re switching between five metaphorical hats, rehearsing three Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings in their head, and trying to remember...
