Welcome to the Long Beach Portal
The Holder Backer
Someone who thinks something but who doesn’t say it for a variety of reasons.
The Ambiguoist
Dont be ambigous with your words. It’s not helpful. It’s better to be direct than to be flowery. and that goes for both praise and corrective feedback.
The Excuser
A leader who makes excuses for teacher and or student performance.
The Generalist
Don’t be a generalist as a leader or you’ll cancel any attempt at being candid. Candor requires specificity. The Generalist never says anything specific anough to install pride or require a specific change.

The Avoider
Don’t be a leader who avoids problems. Leadership requires a voice, and when we keep quiet or allow others to silence an issue. we concede to a continuation of the issue.
The Smoother Overer
Don’t be a leader who tends to smooth things over whenever conflict arises without a meaningful resolution.
The Opposer
Don’t be a leader who barks and orders, resists every idea, and creates dissention. Candor requires an arrangement through professional dialuogue.
The Osmosist
Leaders can’t make assumptions. Period.
The Easy-Inner
Never ease into a difficult conversation. Beating around the bush trying to bait someone into an admission doesn’t work.
Stay Up to Date With The Latest Blogs, Lessons and Podcasts
Additional Resources from The School House 302

Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe & TJ: Guest Donya Ball Talks about How Administrators Can Adjust Their Sails to Weather Any Storm
When you stop believing that what you do matters, you can’t make a difference anymore. ~ Debbie Silver About Donya Ball Dr. Donya Ball is a leader, author, and national keynote speaker. She currently serves as a superintendent of schools in California and, for over...

A Three-Pronged Approach to Building an Environment that Attracts and Retains Talented Teachers
Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J. In this episode of the Leading Better and Growing Faster podcast for school leaders, Joe and T.J. tackle strategies for building an environment where teachers want to work and want to stay. As our good...

Amanda Holdsworth: Telling Your School’s Story #OneThingSeries
Stop trying to be everything to everyone. Know your area of expertise and stick to it. ~ Dr. Holdsworth About Amanda Holdsworth Dr. Amanda Holdsworth, APR, is the founder of Holdsworth Communications, a PR and enrollment marketing agency in the education sector; the...

Season 5, Episode 2 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Todd Kashdan
Using the Art of Insubordination as a School Leader with Guest Todd Kashdan This is Season 5, Episode 2 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Dr. Todd Kashdan. It was originally recorded in front of a live audience in Delaware and provided as a professional...

Season 5, Episode 1 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Liz City
Running More Effective & Efficient Meetings in Schools with Guest Elizabeth City This is Season 5, Episode 1 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Dr. Elizabeth City. It was originally recorded live for a live audience in Delaware and provided as a professional...
Browse Our Book Collection

Candid and Compassionate Feedback
Too often educational leaders are caught in a “culture of nice,” finding it difficult to give their teachers and staff critical feedback to improve their practice. This important book helps leaders become both candid and compassionate, unrelenting and supportive, and demanding yet caring.

Retention for a Change
More often than not, generic solutions used to boost teacher retention are failing (i.e. increased salary, better working conditions, lack of induction support). Low teacher retention rates in schools negatively impact student achievement for all the students in a school, not just those in a new teacher’s classroom.

Passionate Leadership
An inspiring call to action for teachers and principals around the world to recommit to passionately serving children, building the communities children deserve, and celebrating our successes. The authors of this book examine what it takes to be a passionate leader and take courageous actions which lead to student growth and success.
Have Questions? Drop Us a Note
Book us to speak at your next event!
Keynotes, 1- & 2-Day Institutes, Book Talks, & Principal Induction Programs...let us know what your leaders need today.