Supporting Students Facing Instability or Trauma, by Janice Wyatt-Ross
Before making disciplinary decisions about students struggling to meet expectations, assistant principal Dr. Janice Wyatt-Ross recommends asking this question:
Will this decision expand or restrict the student’s opportunity to succeed?
Read more here: edut.to/4cAVYIB
Love our How Learning Happens videos? Now there’s even more to explore! 📺🧭
Our newest video collection shows classroom-tested practices grounded in the science of learning. You’ll hear from real teachers sharing their strategies—and experts breaking down the research.
Thank you for sharing, John. Sustainability is a topic we see a lot. From your perspective, do you have any strategies that have worked especially well to support what's working well?
School leaders: What’s been on your mind this school year?
🤔 What kept you up at night?
🌱 What filled you with hope?
🔄 What were the biggest challenges or changes in your school community?
Share your answers here: edut.to/3Qrs3v6
“When PD is aligned with individual teacher and broader school goals, it has the power to energize educators, strengthen instruction, and foster collaboration.” —Kasey Short, Educator
Kasey shares effective ways to facilitate PD for teacher growth: https://edut.to/4sEpvHz
Graphic that says "Make yourself at home!" Below the text is the Edutopia logomark (an orange circle with "edu" inside), a handshake emoji, and two more circle logomarks clustered together: Principal Project and Teacher2Teacher.
Big News! @teacher2teacher.bsky.social and @principalproject.bsky.social have joined the Edutopia family, adding new ways for our community of educators to get just-in-time advice, share high-quality resources, and connect with peers. Stay tuned for more updates!
Graphic with a header reading "Principal Project (handshake emoji) Edutopia." Text below reads: Here’s some of what you can expect: • A personalized newsletter focused on the need-to-know leadership insights of the moment • Ask Us Anything events featuring experts, researchers, and fellow leaders • Direct feedback channels so you can shape what we cover—and when
Principal Project 🤝 Edutopia
Big news! Principal Project is joining @edutopia.org. The goal for this next chapter is simple: provide you with even more useful, timely, and relevant resources. Sign up to stay in the loop: https://edut.to/4ls3Ikn
“Meeting the challenge of keeping pace, facilitating communication and aligning with our overarching goals as a new-to-the-building leader is no small task.”
Principal Joseph Bostic Jr. shares his approach to leading through seasons of change >>
principalproject.org/leading-thro...
"Yesterday a student told me that he always looks for me because I give him a 'sense of home.' I had no idea he felt that way. Relationships matter. Let's make that our priority." ––AP Amy Limerick
Sometimes, school is where the ❤️ is.
(Via AP Amy Limerick)
"We don’t always know what our teachers are going through. Check on them. Take their class for a moment. Get a coffee. Grab those donuts. Write a card. Offer a shoulder or word of praise. Relationships matter!" —Principal Adam Mokelke
This time of year can be tough for teachers. Here's some inspiration for lifting them up.
(Inspiration from P Adam Mokelke)
Reimagining PLCs as instructional impact teams, by Principal Erika Kersey via Edutopia
"I feel the constant pull between wanting to be fully present in instructional work and needing to manage the daily realities of running a school."
Sound familiar? Read on to see how PLCs can help, via P Erika Kersey in @edutopia.org.
www.edutopia.org/article/usin...
"I thought stay interviews would be a challenge to organize during our busy spring season, but they’re actually very simple to execute."
Check out why – and how – P Melissa Harvey schedules "stay interviews" as part of her teacher retention strategy:
First page of the ISY Crisis Decision Matrix, showing policies for "low risk" situations.
As a school leader, you can't predict disasters. But you can make sure your school community is prepared for the unexpected.
Explore guidance for creating a Crisis Handbook, via @edutopia.org:
www.edutopia.org/article/prep...
Looking for ways to develop student leaders beyond student council?
Check out these insights via Principal Xavier Reed and the Change Agents leadership program!
Navigating tough conversations with care can ultimately strengthen your school culture.
This three-step process from @edutopia.org offers a guide for moving forward with Ss' families in challenging moments:
www.edutopia.org/article/hand...
Black History Month may be ending – but the learning never should!
Explore 5 ways to make Black history part of your year-round leadership:
What’s one way your school community supports students and staff observing Ramadan?
Share your approach to supporting students and colleagues during this important month. 💡
"Leaders, lead with love, empathy and hope! Build those strong relationships and connections with trust and authenticity! Listen and become compassionate before the passion takes over! Tough times require not only tough choices, but grace and love as well!" —Principal Salome Thomas-El
❤️❤️❤️
An intentional system-level approach to effective AI use, by leader Tony Frontier via ASCD
There's a gap between how frequently teachers and students are using AI tools and the guidance they've received for using them well.
Explore strategies that can help close the gap, via leader Tony Frontier and ASCD:
ascd.org/blogs/an-int...
Happy Black History Month!
Check out these insights from leaders Twyla Hynes and Aisha Atkinson to help carry the energy forward all year long!
The first page of the linked resource, a graphic organizer for educator teams to use to analyze student attendance data and identify next steps.
The second page of the linked resource, a graphic organizer for educator teams to use to analyze student attendance data and identify next steps.
What stories does your attendance data tell about your school?
What story does your team want to write for the future?
🔎 This tool from Connecticut RISE Network empowers your team to surface actionable student interventions from your attendance data.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
To build coping skills successfully, students need consistency. By educator Lindsey Paricio-Moreau via Teach Plus
"Students who have a consistent SEL program perform, on average, 11% better academically than those who haven’t."
🧭 Why SEL isn't a side quest, but a guide, by educator Lindsey Paricio-Moreau, via @teachplus.bsky.social
medium.com/whats-the-pl...
Screenshot of a spreadsheet with a place for students' names down the side and a list of common IEP accommodations across the top, allowing teachers to see all needs in one view.
As teachers plan new ways to meet student needs, this spreadsheet to organize IEP accommodations might help.
Make a copy of the template from leader Ranesia Edwards: ➡️ docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Wishing you ALL the joy and ALL the rest, leaders. ❤️
The front of a postcard that shares a middle school's mission statement with a plant illustration.
The back of a postcard with a checklist. The title of the checklist is, "Thank you for..." The checklist items include "Developing strong relationships" and "Engaging students in instruction." There are also blank lines to write in items. The bottom of the postcard says, "You are appreciated! You are seen! You are amazing!
🍁 It's always gratitude season when it comes to your staff! 🍁
(Via AP Kelly Cosgrove)
"At staff meetings, we draw two names of staff members. Then everyone in the meeting writes an affirmation on a card. I punch those cards and place them on a ring to give to those drawn. Gratitude takes team effort." —Principal Mindy McGinn
Here's a team gratitude booster to try at your next meeting!
Thank you x 1 million, leaders.
“A core part of ensuring that our staff feel heard is to follow up deep listening with clear action.”
Check out these tools for self-aware, solutions-focused conversations via Principal Rob Robledo →
Two people write on a bulletin board with the header "Cross Curricular." Along the left side of the board is a list of subject areas (ELA, Science, Math, History, etc.)
The best professional learning might come from the teacher next door!
That's the idea behind this whiteboard strategy, where teachers share what they're working on to surface collaboration opportunities, via P Nicki Slaugh.
