Baruti K. Kafele | Speaker and Author As a longtime teacher and principal from 1988–2011, my approach to both roles was always reflective. I was obsessed with pushing myself to be better than the day before by being intentionally self-reflective in all aspects of the work. As a teacher, I... Continue Reading
By: Derrick Lawson One of my mantras as a principal in the community where I grew up and have served at each level of K–12 education originates from the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Today, we need an entire community of people to provide a safe,... Continue Reading
By: Jon Gordon Some staff will roll their eyes when they hear a school leader talk about positivity. They think of positivity as pollyannaish, weak, and annoying. They mistakenly think positivity is about rah-rah and motivation. But real positivity is really about optimism, grit, mental... Continue Reading
BY KATIE GRAVES Many studies have shown that the most important in-school factors for student success are teachers and principals. An effective principal can contribute to outcomes like student achievement, reduced absenteeism, and teacher retention. An effective teacher can contribute to a... Continue Reading
By: ExploreLearning There’s frequent talk about math proficiency and proficiency levels, especially when it comes to analyzing student achievement at local and national levels. In Adding It Up: Helping Children Learn Mathematics, the National Research Council presented the five... Continue Reading
By Dianna Weinbaum One of the challenges currently facing our society is the need to prepare more students for the realities of an uncertain future. Though rapid changes in technology and the economy make it difficult to predict what jobs may look like even a decade from now, we do know that... Continue Reading
This week, Paul Burns, FDOE Senior Chancellor for Public Schools, traveled the state to recognize five outstanding teachers who are finalists for the 2025 Florida Teacher of the Year award. The finalists... Continue Reading
By: Krysia Gabenski, NAESP Editorial Director The implementation of technology in schools has brought tremendous benefits but also new challenges that require thoughtful policymaking. We know how critical it is that school leaders are part of the conversation as policy makers consider the... Continue Reading
The first experience I had in student government occurred back in my 6th grade year. My middle school’s student council was incredibly small, with only about 5 people at its largest. The largest event we did was called Red Ribbon Week, where we sold red candy to raise awareness... Continue Reading
A Sponsored Blog from Talkspace It’s not news to anyone working in education that many students struggle with their mental health. The latest research by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on teen mental health found that almost half of all students (42%) felt persistent feelings of... Continue Reading
As a professional educator with four children, a former high school principal, Army Airborne Ranger, and someone who serves on community committees and boards of directors, I understand a little bit about not having enough time or space to thrive. Intentionality is a helpful ingredient and can be... Continue Reading
By: Jennifer Hawthorne Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent, Walton County School District One of my hardest jobs as a principal was also my favorite – finding time to get into classrooms! Each and every day, I found myself wanting to get into classrooms, wanting to watch teachers teach and... Continue Reading
