By Lisa Leali, Superintendent of Schools, Lake Bluff Elementary School, District 65 If you’ve been in education long enough, you know: the pendulum always swings. Right now, it's swinging back hard. Technology is right in the pendulum’s path with cell phone bans and screen time... Continue Reading
By Brad Gustafson People have the capacity to navigate extraordinary change when the conditions are right. But the conditions aren’t always right in education, and leading in an environment of constant change can be exhausting. Some weeks, I consider it a success if I’m able to stay... Continue Reading
By Delaney Rosenberg How can leaders establish a positive, community-oriented culture for the educators on their team? There is a gaping hole in research literature on this topic, despite the fact that our educators’ perceptions of their work have a direct effect on students’... Continue Reading
By Andy Farley and Eric Hagen At Brookfield East High School in Brookfield, WI, we work tirelessly to develop a culture of gratitude and recognition as we live our mission: “Dedicated to Academic and Human Excellence.” Like most schools, we recognize students and their many... Continue Reading
By Fred Makonnen, Head of Sales & Distribution – Equitable Group Retirement Across the United States, school districts are managing tight budgets, talent shortages, and growing pressure to do more with less. On top of that, the employee benefits landscape is constantly shifting. From... Continue Reading
By Cathy Sork As principals, we understand that the first weeks of school are foundational. Beyond routines and logistics, we are laying the groundwork for the culture and climate that will define the entire year. One of the most powerful ways to ensure students are set up for success is by... Continue Reading
By Maya Brown, Literacy Content Development Manager at the UF Lastinger Center New Worlds Reading[1] is Florida’s free program that mails eligible VPK - 5th graders 9 free books with reading activities each school year to help boost their literacy skills. We often get asked questions... Continue Reading
The Importance of Getting to Know the Students you Serve… As educators, we often focus on providing for a student’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs. But amidst these actions, there's one vital, yet sometimes overlooked, element: eye contact. Taking a moment to look... Continue Reading
By Amy Sams, Principal, SouthShore Charter Academy When I accepted the position at my current school, my best friend challenged me to be involved in my new community. Though I immediately began to worry about the time investment of such a challenge, I knew it was sound advice. I decided to... Continue Reading
Three Communication Practices That Successfully Transform School Culture, Regardless of Your Preference By Julia Ullmann, Ed.D. Assistant Principal, NeoCity Academy, Osceola County Let's be real—between budget meetings, discipline referrals, and the 127 unread emails in your inbox (all... Continue Reading
By Tracy Duval and Leslie Frick In Florida, teacher evaluations are guided by the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs)—a set of standards that outline what effective teaching looks and sounds like. But while these standards offer a clear framework, one essential question... Continue Reading
By Becca Lamon, Superintendent, Ball-Chatham CUSD5 (I.L.) Post COVID, the lives of educators can feel like a constant hustle. Scroll through social media and you’ll see it—reels and posts about burnout, feeling underappreciated, under attack, and, sadly, walking away from the... Continue Reading
