What would John Medina say?

1.5 Reasons to Take a Different Path - The Hippy-Cow Way

The Hippy-Cow Way I remember early in my career asking a question something like, "Why don't we try [insert idea here]?" And the quick reply, "Because this is the way we've always done it." Wow. 2020 is teaching us that the way we've always done things..does not work. Yeah. The age-old rut that can trap us all. Frustrating isn't it? As a child growing up in the Aspen Valley, I remember traveling many miles along Highway 82. Glenwood to Carbondale, then to Basalt, and on to Aspen. Two lanes most of the way, it was and is the main route connecting all of these Rocky Mountain towns. The drive can be breath-taking in the Fall. And most take this route because, well, it's the route we always take. It's familiar. Safe. Known. Well traveled. You get the idea. There are other ways to get where you're going. Roads less traveled that hold great sites and great reward. One of my favorites is the Hippy-Cow Way. Known only to our fam...

Prayer for an Educator

It's rare to sit in the staff lounge for the 30 minute lunch break we get and be able to reflect on one's career. Today was one such day...causing a flood of memories. I offer this prayer for educators May you have protection when you do the home visit on the little girl who's father beat her with a 2x4 for getting a C. May you have wisdom when consoling the teacher who gave her the C. Go with courage to sit next to the little girl who all alone weeps at the lunch table because she has lice. Teach her mother with tenderness. Be vigilant when the little boy describes the cigarette burn on his eye given him by his mother because he complained he was hungry. Hold fast at the 9 o'clock hour, still at school prepping for another day, while your own children go to sleep not having seen you all day. Have wisdom when all at home is falling down around you - and you know the children at school need you now more than ever. Be with joy when t...

5.5 Principles of Principals

At present, I'm out of work. Long story, and we don't have time for it here. I've been thinking, a lot, about the things I miss about working in schools, and sort of " if I had it to do again " approach. I believe I will get another shot - I'm very good at what I do, and I believe in second chances. Take note... Kindness - being a school leaders is more stressful than you think. I've been in and out of the mix enough to know the difference between job stress and principal stress. Be kind to yourself. Deliberately schedule time out. Eat the foods that heal your soul and your body. Breathe. Breakthrough - on the advice of someone I admire, I attended The Breakthrough Coaching lead by Malachi Pancoast. Changed my whole way of looking at resource management, secretaries, and clarified my role as a principal. Do yourself, and your colleagues a solid favor, go. Establish a life & a career . Situa...

Principles of Principals

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