Focus on What Matters: Cutting Through the Noise in Education I’ve had an incredibly busy stretch of travel and speaking engagements over the past couple of weeks—connecting with school leaders, educators, and district teams in multiple states. From the Thrive Conference to keynoting in Columbus, Nebraska, to speaking at the Montana Principals Conference, and then […]

When I first stepped into the role of principal, I inherited a leadership team that lacked trust and a shared vision. Team members operated in silos, decisions often felt forced or contentious, and collaboration was nonexistent. At the time, I thought I could fix it all by working harder, but what I didn’t realize was […]

Leadership is rarely as straightforward as we imagine it to be. Among the countless decisions we make, some weigh far heavier than others. These are the decisions that define not only our leadership but also the culture and direction of our schools. One such moment in my own journey continues to resonate with me. I […]

My wife and I opened 2025 with a long-overdue getaway vacation. We spent four days on Martha’s Vineyard trying out different restaurants, walking on the frigid wintry beaches, watching the sunrise and sunset at the coastline, and seeing the sights the island had to offer. Among the things that really stood out to me, a […]

I started blogging over a decade ago, not really sure where the journey would take me. Early posts were more reflection than they were meant for others to consume. Over the years, the blog has grown and the focus has sharpened. My goal now, if you haven’t yet deciphered it, is to pour into other […]

As a new principal, I had an abundance of energy, ambition, and the firm belief that I could handle anything. Like many leaders, I was driven by a desire to make a difference, to support my staff and students, and to be the superhero my school needed. But what I didn’t realize was that in […]

The holiday break is a rare opportunity for school leaders to pause, recharge, and invest in their growth. Leadership, like any skill, requires ongoing reflection and renewal to stay sharp. Drawing from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, sharpening the saw means prioritizing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being to lead with clarity […]

I read recently the post of another leadership coach sharing her experience working with a coach. I believe so strongly in the value of having a coach that I currently work with two of them (one as an entrepreneur, one as a keynote speaker). Coaching is game changing so I felt it was important for […]

As a high school principal, I often started my day with the best of intentions—to be in classrooms, connect with students, and focus on the work that mattered most. But before I knew it, my day would get hijacked. A staff member would drop by my office with an “urgent” issue. An email thread would […]

As a high school principal, my days often began with ambitious plans: visiting classrooms, engaging with teachers, and pushing forward the big-picture goals for our school. But all too often, conflicts derailed those intentions. Whether it was mediating a disagreement between staff members, addressing a parent’s concerns, or resolving a student issue, I found myself […]