My comfort zone as a leader was challenged. Boy did I feel uncomfortable. I learned some truths about leadership and challenge…the hard way. Leaders like to push and nudge. We wish to challenge you, but we aren’t too keen on challenging ourselves. Many leaders fall into this trap because they lose sight of the need...Read More

Kids Deserve It Show Episode 97 featuring Brandon Johnson Video Podcast link Audio Podcast Link Highlights from this episode: Childhood experiences in education, Building a PLN, Embracing failureRead More

Every organization creates goals and strategic steps to move them towards achieving their goals. Rare are the organizations that repeatedly go through this process and are successful every year. The successful organizations have something that the others do not have. They have a culture of performance and success. Success separates the top from the bottom...Read More

Eighteen walkthroughs in a week. The hard part was providing meaningful feedback. I set a goal this week to get eighteen walkthroughs in and provide teachers with meaningful feedback on their instructional practice. I knew that this was an audacious goal, but I knew that I would be a better leader even I didn’t achieve...Read More

Another first day of school is in the books. We greeted students with a walk down the red carpet as Paparazzi took their photo behind the news Banner. The kids had an absolute blast. This didn’t stop us from having a few students who were overwhelmed by the whole experience. Our goal was to make...Read More

Instructional Coaching Leads to Skill Transfer The best way to change behavior in schools is to provide consistent coaching and accountability check-ins.  Teachers often attend professional development sessions during the year and over the summer only to fail to take action on the learning derived from these sessions. By providing ongoing coaching and support, professional development...Read More

At the beginning of the year, every educator builds relationships with their students over the first few days of school.  There is talk about “reaching them to teach them”. This excitement however fades to dive into teaching content standards as many teachers feel the time crunch of the total number of allotted instructional.  If we fast-forward...Read More

As we begin a new year, everyone is talking about resolutions.  For educators, we are in the middle of the year.  This is the time that we refocus and shift our mindsets as we enter the “accountability season”.  When I think of resolutions I’m reminded of Jon Gordon and The Power of One Word.  My...Read More