Over the past week or so, I have been working with a couple new principals. One has experience in previous principal roles but not at the scope of their new role. Another who has been an assistant principal twice, but the new role is quite different from any role they’ve had before. I have told […]
This blog originally was posted last year at just about this time (June 20, 2024). And while I am away on vacation, I still want to bring quality content and support to leaders everywhere. Enjoy this incredibly well received and timeless post for new leaders. _______________________________________________________________ I had the best conversation today with my friend […]
One of my favorite safety features that nearly all newer vehicles have is the blind spot warning. There might be a sound, a light on the side mirror, or some other method that alerts you, but the message and purpose is the same. To let you know there is a vehicle next to you that […]
This past week, I had the privilege of working with a group of passionate, dedicated school and district leaders in Virginia. Over two full days together, we explored one central idea: when school leaders gain clarity and lead with intention, everything changes. We talked about the realities of the job—the constant demands, the never-ending list […]
This upcoming week, I will be working with a large leadership team in Virginia. The district leadership has tasked us, and me specifically, with increasing the focus on high quality teaching and learning. Pushing school leaders to dig deep as the instructional leaders of their campuses is really important work, but where I will really […]
I had the most interesting conversation this week over coffee with two different district-level leaders. In both conversations, they talked about how they have concern with some of their leaders not being focused on the ‘big picture’. We talked about how some leaders will fall into the trap of chasing ‘getting things done’ at the […]
That moment when the call comes and you hear, “Congratulations—you’re our new principal,” is unforgettable. I remember it clearly. I closed the door, hugged my wife, and said, I did it. Ten minutes later, reality hit: I’m the principal. The dream meets the weight of responsibility—and it’s humbling. Whether you’re stepping into your first building […]
I’ll never forget the end of my first year as a high school principal. I walked out of the building that last day in early June feeling like I’d just finished a marathon I hadn’t trained for. I was exhausted, unsure if I had done enough, and more than anything, overwhelmed by how reactive the […]
This past weekend, I came across a post on social media that caught my attention.Someone considering a move into school leadership asked a simple but powerful question:“Is there joy in the job?” The responses poured in. Most were a resounding yes — with a few honest replies from individuals who, at least for now, aren’t […]
When I was a high school principal, the final stretch of the school year always made me a little uneasy. After months of hard work, it was natural for some people—staff and students alike—to start easing off the gas. Energy would dip. Focus could wander. The finish line was in sight, and with it came […]
