What Walking the Hallways Taught Me About School Leadership
My career in education has been unconventional, and because of that, there was always a piece of the experience I felt I was missing. Through my work …
Component: Step 1: Establish Foundations
Establish a shared understanding and purpose, a why, and a collective identity. Create momentum and accountability for the school’s purpose that is shared by all. This allows school leaders to look at systems and structures through the lens of what we are trying to accomplish for all students, and tap into the collective wisdom and energy of the entire school community.
How One Superintendent Built a Shared Identity from the Ground Up
When Dave Parker began his tenure as superintendent of Forest Grove School District, he didn’t have a blueprint. He had curiosity—and a desire to …
A Vision Shared: How Anaheim Union High School District Redefined School Identity Through Community Collaboration
When I reflect on my time as Chief Academic Officer at Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD), one of the initiatives I’m most proud of is our d…
Step Back to Move Forward: Engage in a Historical Scan
The Historical Scan is more than just a timeline—it’s an opportunity to identify your school’s Inflexion Points: those pivotal moments where ref…
Sharing Student Stories to Bring Your School Identity to Life
Your students’ stories are already unfolding in classrooms, sports fields, extracurricular activities, and the community. How can you collect and ce…
Use Openers and Closers to Support Authentic Connection
Meetings that start and end with purpose don’t just feel better—they produce better outcomes. Openers and closers create a foundation of trust, en…
Encourage Feedback and Build Consensus: Use the Fist to Five Protocol to Guide Decisions
Building consensus as a school leader is crucial for fostering collaboration, trust, and shared ownership of decisions and direction. By involving sta…
Creating Shared Approaches: Tuning Protocol for Building Consensus
It is critical for school leaders to understand the importance of consensus building within school communities, process feedback, and effectively com…
Refuel & Recharge: Empowering Leaders and Building Inclusive Support Systems
As we head toward the holiday season, educators and leaders are often at their most depleted. This workshop offers a chance to refuel, recharge, and r…
Building Consensus for Bold Action: How Strong Leaders Guide Collaborative Decisions
This workshop dives into the power of harnessing diverse perspectives within your school community–staff, students, families, and the wider communit…