Examining student data with colleagues requires a willingness to be vulnerable and honest about teaching and learning, how our actions serve our students, where we are succeeding, and where we need to grow. At...
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)...
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...
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...
At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, I had the pleasure of joining the El Cerrito High School staff as an Assistant Principal. My first experience on staff was a zoom meeting with 15 other teachers and...
Student voice is not a new concept at De Anza High School. For over a year, a new school climate has been created where students have been empowered to know they have a say in their education. Everything...
“What if we formally planned and started hosting our Science and History department meetings together?” As chairs of two separate departments – History and Science – we initially viewed our leadership roles as two parallel rivers,...
