relationships

  • “We” not “I”

    Language is powerful. People hear and listen to what educators say. When a principal or vice principal says “my schools”, what message is inferred? When a teacher says “my students”, what message is implied? Next time you are tempted to use “my” or “I”, try using “our” or “we”  instead. Do you see the difference?…

  • Five Reasons to Smile More

    I’ve been thinking a lot about smiling lately. I read Sue Stephenson’s new book, Kidding Around: Connecting Kids to Happiness, Laughter and Humour.  She talks about helping the children and teens in your life find happiness. Being mindful about all that is good is an important component. Smiling and laughing is just as important. Children tend…

  • Why Leaving School is Hard

    I have been connected to the heart of education for the past 15 years. Where’s that?  In a school. School is where the learning action is. School is where the lead learner in the building can have the most influence of anyone in the district. I enjoyed that privilege every day. I talked students anytime, explored…

  • A Guaranteed Pick-Me-Up

    Do you ever have those days at school or work where things just don’t go right? Where it seems like the world and her sister are against you? Where you feel pretty bleak? Here’s something GUARANTEED to help you feel better: Yes, it’s a basket of cards. Let me explain. A few years ago, when…

  • Listen More Than You Talk

    “One thing is certain about the role of a school leader – it is people intensive!” (in Coaching Conversations: Transforming Your School Culture One Conversation at a Time, by Linda Gross Cheliotes and Marceta A. Reilly). Not only that, but every day as a principal or vice principal is filled with all kinds of conversations…

  • Commenting is Connecting

    ETMOOC Post #1 When I blog, I do it for me.  The act of writing provokes more focussed reflection. It takes my thoughts about a topic or issue and forces me to bring them to order.  Every time I blog, I learn about what is really important to me and how to communicate it. I…