Category Archives: Communication

5 Ways School Administrators Can Best Partner with the Teachers Union

In many districts, the relationship between school administrators and the teacher’s union is often portrayed as adversarial. Negotiations over contracts, compensation, and working conditions can create tension, and it’s easy to fall into an “us versus them” mindset. Yet, at its core, both administrators and unions share the same mission: supporting teachers so that studentsContinueContinue reading “5 Ways School Administrators Can Best Partner with the Teachers Union”

5 Ways To Learn About Your School Community

Starting a new role as a principal is an exciting, yet challenging endeavor. Beyond managing the daily operations of a school, understanding and connecting with the community you serve is crucial for fostering a positive school environment and driving student success. Here are five essential steps that every new principal should take to effectively learnContinueContinue reading “5 Ways To Learn About Your School Community”

5 Ways Principals Can Reduce Conflicts Between Teachers

Decreasing conflicts between teachers is essential for maintaining a positive and productive school environment. Principals can play a crucial role in fostering a collaborative and harmonious atmosphere among the staff. Here are five ways principals can reduce conflicts between teachers.

5 Things New Principals (and principals that are new to their school) Should Do Their First Year On The Job

Each year, thousands of new principals begin their journey in school administration. The first year for a new principal can be challenging, exhausting, and frustrating, but also extremely rewarding at the same time. Education Week reports that nearly half of new principals leave their school after three years, and nearly 20 percent leave every year.ContinueContinue reading “5 Things New Principals (and principals that are new to their school) Should Do Their First Year On The Job”

5 Ways To Work With An Angry Parent

Working with angry parents is a part of the job of all school administrators. There are few things more anxiety producing in the profession than working in your office and hearing “I need to speak to the principal now” being yelled loudly from the lobby of the main office. Many of these intense meetings areContinueContinue reading “5 Ways To Work With An Angry Parent”

How A School Administrator Can Deal With Unexpected Hiccups

Principals plan for every possible situation that can happen during a regular school day. By doing so, they can prepare to pivot on a dime to meet the current needs of staff, students, parents, and the school at large. Principals worth their salt can quickly organize recess on a rainy day, serve lunch when theContinueContinue reading “How A School Administrator Can Deal With Unexpected Hiccups”

5 Ways to Reimagine Your School’s Vision Statement

A school’s vision statement is often overlooked, hidden, or inexplicably non-existent. It can be found on most school’s websites, hidden among bells schedules, lunch options, teacher websites, and PTA pages. Teachers, administrators often don’t know what is written in their school’s vision statement. Parents don’t either. Students … well, you get the picture. However, shouldn’tContinueContinue reading “5 Ways to Reimagine Your School’s Vision Statement”

5 Ways Principals Can Build Trust

One of the most important books that I have read in my career is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. In his book, Lencioni outlines the elements needed to build strong, cohesive teams. Here is a link to the book: Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Trust is the foundation in which productive teams areContinueContinue reading “5 Ways Principals Can Build Trust”

5 Ways You Can Be a More Involved Parent

Parents are an integral part of a school’s community. Without parent support, schools would not be able to perform certain aspects of the curriculum, programming, or culture at preferred levels. With many parents working full time, and some with two jobs, it might seem hard to find the time to volunteer at their child’s school.ContinueContinue reading “5 Ways You Can Be a More Involved Parent”