new teacher supports – Page 7

Season 5, Episode 3 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest William Parker

by Joe & T.J. | Nov 16, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Motivation, Action, Courage, and Teamwork for School Leaders with William Parker

This is Season 5, Episode 3 of FocusED, and it features our guest, William Parker. It was originally recorded in front of a live audience in Delaware and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Wilmington University, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Will Parker says about effective school leadership, motivation in schools, taking action as a school leader, and so much more.

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William Parker Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

William D. Parker is the Founder of Principal Matters. He’s an educator, author, speaker, and executive coach who uses his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with solutions and strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities.

An Oklahoma educator since 1993, he was named Broken Arrow Public School’s South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named the Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012.

As principal of a Title I school, his school’s innovative approaches to collaboration, remediation, and mentoring resulted in marked improvements in student performance.

For six years, he served as the executive director of Oklahoma’s Association of Secondary Principals and the Oklahoma Middle-Level Education Association. As founder of Principal Matters, he provides virtual leadership academies, masterminds, executive coaching, and keynote presentations to equip and inspire educators.

His podcast, Principal Matters: The School Leader’s Podcast, has more than 1 million downloads with more than 360 episodes available. He’s the author of Principal Matters, Messaging Matters, and Pause. Breathe. Flourish.

FocusED Show Notes with William Parker

Will starts with a vulnerable story about his second year as a school leader and almost not making it because of the practically impossible nature of it. Don’t miss the part about the letter that he wrote to himself.

Will dives into the importance of self-care. If the leader runs out of energy, there’s no capacity to continue.

We talk about habits and lowering the bars of resistance. TJ asks about decision-making fatigue.

Don’t miss what Will says about asking for help and networking (borrowing ideas).

You’ll love the story about the composer and his response to preparing for a season of hard work.

His insight about “the capacity to sustain” is important for new leaders.

Joe asks about mindset and perspective, and Will responds with the dynamics of overcoming skill and will problems.

“Who else can I reach out to for help in this area.” This is a prompt that Will uses when he’s reaching his limit.

“One rake at a time.” This is a saying that Will uses to ensure that he’s taking small steps forward.

Will brings up Harry Wongs’ First Days of School as a go-to for every teacher every year.

Will tells us that he takes a ton of leadership lessons from The Lord of the Rings.

Joe digs deeper into instructional leadership books, and Will calls to attention Transforming School Culture by Anthony Muhammad. He also talks about Jimmy Casas’ book Culturize.

Will mentions Hidden Brain and Guy Kawasaki’s podcasts as important to him for learning.

Don’t miss Will’s reflection questions for when he reads and learns.

Will ends with two contradictory statements that are both true. You are less important than you think you are. You matter more than you think. You want to hear what he means by this.

Books that William Parker Mentions on FocusED

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Think Again by Adam Grant

You’re the Principal Now What by Jen Schwanke

Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

Season 5, Episode 2 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Todd Kashdan

by Joe & T.J. | Oct 26, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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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 development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Wilmington University, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Dr. Kashdan has to say about The Art of Insubordination, how to be more accepting of divergent ideas, and so much more.

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Dr. Todd Kashdan Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, a leading authority on well-being, psychological flexibility, curiosity, courage, and resilience.

He has published over 250 peer-reviewed articles, and his work has been cited over 45,000 times. He received the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year Award from George Mason University and the Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contributions from the American Psychological Association.

He is the author of Curious? And The Upside of Your Dark Side, and his latest book is The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent and Defy Effectively.

His writing has appeared in the Harvard Business Review, The New York Times, National Geographic, and Fast Company, among other publications, and his research is featured regularly in media outlets such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, NPR, and Time Magazine.

He’s a twin with twin daughters (plus one more) and has plans to rapidly populate the world with great conversationalists.

FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Todd Kashdan

The reason that Todd wrote the book is because of the negative connotation that comes with speaking up at work.

The reason that we want dissension is to make superior decisions. It might be slower and more uncomfortable, but it makes for a better outcome.

As we open up to dissension, we’re asking people to challenge the status quo.

Don’t miss what Todd says about conformist thinking and what happens when we don’t provide a platform for diverse thinking.

Todd brings up the mixed research on diversity and the fact that diverse thinking works better for decision-making, but most organizations don’t have a good way to ensure diversity.

Listen to what he says about creating meetings and classroom norms to encourage independent thinking. “It takes a modification of the group norms.”

We were reminded of Liz City’s advice when he talked about collecting information before meetings as a new norm.

You want to hear what he says about how we have to treat “minorities of one” to make sure that they feel comfortable sharing. “I brought you into this organization because of your unique background.”

Make sure people know that you respect their views even though you might disagree on everything.

We want disagreement about topics and issues, not relationships.

Todd talks about learning to be clear with ourselves and transforming our thinking. What he says about “conviction bias” is fascinating.

Todd opened up about his background and how all of our backgrounds lend to our biases. “To what degree do you represent the subculture in which you live?”

The more ways that we can view diversity, the more likely we can bring divergent thinking into the decision-making without thinking of people as “representative” of their group.

Todd reminds us as educators that one of the ways to deal with misconduct from students is to bring them into the forefront as leaders. The same is true for adults and co-facilitations.

We have to tell people why we’re amplifying ideas that deserve consideration, especially when they’re divergent.

Todd wants to improve the student experience in schools by improving their sense of belonging. Don’t miss what he says about distinctiveness.

Subscribe to Todd’s newsletter. At the end of his newsletter, he posts resources, books, people to follow, and more.

He mentions Daniel Berlyne on curiosity and aesthetic beauty.

Season 5, Episode 1 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest Liz City

by Joe & T.J. | Oct 18, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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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 development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, Wilmington University, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Dr. City has to say about her book Meeting Wise, how it leads to a stronger culture in schools, and so much more.

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Dr. Elizabeth City Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. Elizabeth City is a Senior Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), where she is Executive Director of Reach Every Reader and previously served as Director of the Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) Program.

Liz has served as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, and consultant, in each role focused on helping all children and the educators who work with them realize their full potential.

She is currently focused on developing successful readers and strategic leaders in equitable, learning-rich environments. She has authored and co-authored several books for educators, including Meeting Wise, Data Wise, Strategy in Action, Instructional Rounds in Education, Resourceful Leadership, and The Teacher’s Guide to Leading Student-Centered Discussions.

FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Elizabeth City

Dr. City starts her discussion with the challenges of adults collaborating effectively to support kids.

She talks about the fact that educators are all pressed for time but that we need to maximize the time we do have.

Joe asks about a practical tip that leaders can do tomorrow. Liz answers that the agenda for the meeting can be used as a place to start. Don’t miss what she says about adult learning.

Dr. City tells us that we should shift some of the agenda items at our meetings to collaborative problem-solving. What if one person brings a dilemma, and we use a consultancy protocol?

Ask this about meetings: Why do we need these people to come together?

The cycle that she explains is critical to what happens before and after meetings to get the work done.

Joe asks about the consultancy protocols that Liz talked about. The give-and-get structure is important because everyone learns, and everyone contributes.

Liz calls for an increase in rigor in schools. “We underestimate what kids can do, and that reflects what we ask them to do.”

We need tasks that engage the hearts and minds of kids. ~ Dr. Liz City

Don’t miss the questions that she asks when we’re analyzing a task that we ask students to do.

Exactly what are we asking students to do?
Assuming success on this task, what should we expect students to understand and be able to do?

Her favorite resource is when we can learn from one another. The profession is too isolated.

Joe ends by asking what Liz wishes would get more attention. She talks about amplifying the voices that don’t always get heard. Powerful way to end.

Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe & TJ: Guest Debbie Silver Talks about Inspiring Educators to Enjoy the Job They Once Loved

by Joe & T.J. | Sep 12, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

When you stop believing that what you do matters, you can’t make a difference anymore. ~ Debbie Silver

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About Debbie Silver

Dr. Debbie Silver is a former Louisiana Teacher of the Year, a best-selling author, and a highly sought-after speaker. She has presented to educators, administrators, parents, and students in 49 states, Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the Middle East.

Her best-selling books include Drumming to the Beat of Different Marchers, Teaching Kids to Thrive, and the recently updated and revised Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8, and Deliberate Optimism: Still Reclaiming the Joy in Education.

Debbie’s high-energy sessions address both the art and heart of teaching. Audiences delight in hearing this 30-year veteran teacher whose presentations are described as “where learning collides with laughter.”

What You’ll Find in this Episode with Debbie Silver

Debbie starts off with the fact that her book Deliberate Optimism focuses on leadership, specifically teacher leaders.

Dr. Silver talks about the need for teachers to have more time without students so they can break the stagnation and build a relationship culture.

Don’t miss what she says about optimism and “what matters.”

Debbie talks about incremental steps rather than massive changes. We need to balance the art and the heart of teaching.

She reminds us to look for glimmers, not triggers.

She dives into the idea of failing better and building our collective efficacy.

She talks about teaching educators to vent properly and not pull the profession down.

Don’t miss what she says about new teachers not having more than 4 hours of teaching a day so that they can spend more time observing master teachers.

T.J. asks Debbie about modeling. Don’t miss her response and her call for unity.

Her insight about teacher training and isolation is thought-provoking. What we expect from teachers, specifically new teachers, is impossible and unlike any other profession.

Joe mentions the potential that PLC has to support teacher capacity and growth. Listen to what she says they cannot be.

Her ingredients for leadership success are straightforward: common vision, shared value system, mutual respect, and optimism.

Debbie brings up Brene Brown, Rick Wormli, Association of Middle Level Educators, and other resources that you’ll want to check out.

The one thing people should do more regularly is to give others the benefit of the doubt. She reminds us that adults want to be treated like adults.

Dr. Silver ends with wanting to learn more about how to use Artificial Intelligence. Our riff on Chat GPT is great.

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing to the site.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Joe & T.J.

TheSchoolHouse302 · Leading Better & Growing Faster with Guest Debbie Silver

Learning to Lead Like A Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky–Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by Joe & T.J. | Jul 25, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

Talk less, listen more. ~ Miriam Plotinsky

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About Miriam Plotinsky

Miriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where she has taught and led for more than 20 years.

She is the author of Teach More, Hover Less, Lead Like a Teacher, and Writing Their Future Selves (W.W. Norton & Company). She is also a National Board–Certified Teacher and a certified administrator.

What You’ll Find in this Educational Leadership Podcast Episode with Miriam Plotinsky

Miriam says that her new book–Lead Like a Teacher–was pretty much an accident. She simply found that the schools with more teachers at the table had stronger cultures.

She talked about teachers’ misconception of school leaders as well as school leaders’ misconception of teachers. She called this “the empathy gap.”

Miriam points out that “if you don’t know the story, you’ll create one. And, it might be wrong.”

Miriam acknowledges that we often learn from the models we have around us, which is only a good thing when the model is effective. Otherwise it works against us.

Hear Miriam discuss why visibility is so critical for a school leader.

Miriam gave us some insights into how the book unfolds, including what she calls “macro” and “micro” aspects of school leadership.

She calls for more classroom visits. We couldn’t agree more.

Don’t miss what she says about “Wait Time 1” and “Wait Time 2” as both teaching and leadership strategies. We can’t disagree with talking less to learn more.

Miriam mentions Twitter as a place to go to find like-minded people and new ideas.

She identifies some well known and not so well known resources that are valuable for all educators. She points to Teachers Going Gradeless as a cool organization. She also calls out Edutopia and ASCD as well as Solution Tree as great resources.

Miriam uses the ten-minute reset each day to make sure that she does something that she loves. Tune into what she says about movement and breaks.

She talks about being a “dabbler” in a bunch of things, and she wants to learn how to write more nonfiction. And, we all agreed to learn how to be more funny.

Joe reflects on the need to get more people involved early in our process for any given initiative.

Don’t miss what she used to think about those who wanted to go into administration and how her perspective has changed.

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing to the site.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Joe & T.J.

TheSchoolHouse302 · Learning to Lead Like A Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky

Season 5, Episode 3 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Guest William Parker

Motivation, Action, Courage, and Teamwork for School Leaders with William Parker

William Parker Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

FocusED Show Notes with William Parker

Books that William Parker Mentions on FocusED

Related School Leadership Content Based on This Show

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

Dr. Todd Kashdan Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Todd Kashdan

Related School Leadership Content Based on This Show

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

Dr. Elizabeth City Brings a Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

FocusED Show Notes with Dr. Elizabeth City

Related School Leadership Content Based on This Show

Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe & TJ: Guest Debbie Silver Talks about Inspiring Educators to Enjoy the Job They Once Loved

About Debbie Silver

What You’ll Find in this Episode with Debbie Silver

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

Learning to Lead Like A Teacher with Miriam Plotinsky–Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

About Miriam Plotinsky

What You’ll Find in this Educational Leadership Podcast Episode with Miriam Plotinsky

The Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe & T.J. Show

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