Center for High School Success’ Post

The past two days have been two of the most rewarding days of my time Southern Utah University. During these two days, my team put on an amazing learning & development program focused on “finding our why.” Eric Kirby, J.D., Ph.D., Jared Tippets, and Stuart Jones talk to faculty and staff about the importance of remembering our learners. Faculty and staff presented on a variety of topics from online learning to utilizing play as adults. It was a great way to lead into Mindy Benson’s welcome tomorrow. As I sit here and reflect on this event though, I continue to think about what is my why. I got into education to make a difference but moving into administration has taken me away from students. So why did I make this move? Piyusha Singh believed in me. Jennifer McKenzie supported me. Ashley Gosseen gave me opportunities. But that still does not give me my why. What made administration so inviting to step away from the classroom? If I am being honest with myself, it comes down to legacy. When I get to mentor individuals like Chase Krohn, Jill Mallek, and Chandler Hall, I see my efforts continuing beyond myself. When I see team members like Kyle Dillon grow and take on new leadership opportunities, I feel a sense of pride. These are my students now. I still get to teach on the side but my day-to-day why are the people I get to interact with, learn from, and hopefully pass something on to. As educators return to their classrooms this fall, I hope you take time to remember your why. When times get tough, take time to remember that why. And if you feel like you want to quit, think back to your why. #learning #development #teaching #findingyourwhy #professionallearning #legacy #tbirds #suu

3 APPROACHES TO HELP MENTOR NEW TEACHERS #REPLAY Do you remember your first year as a teacher? You were excited about the new job, but as time waned, it seemed overwhelming. Did you get the help you needed? You may have been assigned a new teacher mentor, but there was no formal guidance from your mentor linked to specific challenges that early-career educators encounter in the classroom. As a new principal, are your mentors supporting teachers' entry into the professional community? Do you know new teachers have too much to learn in too short a time? Do you know there is never enough time in the day to complete everything; teaching, lesson plan preparation, assessment, grading, classroom management, parent contact, and more? Our topic today is "Three Approaches to Help Mentor New Teachers". Join me as I have a candid discussion! Let's peel back the onion on: ✅Teachers need training in observation techniques, ✅Teachers need training in methods to identify classroom issues, ✅ Teachers need to know expectations for the school year, (Fullan, 2001; Moir, 2003; Ingersoll and Smith, 2004; Wong, 2004; Boss, 2006; Alexander, 2007) If this was needed information, do the following: :#1. Grab a copy of our Free 10-page Handbook: How to Sustain Your School Success https://lnkd.in/geH-Y-rQ #2. Join our Facebook Group: Principals on the Come Up https://lnkd.in/gDcaASpC Facebook: Barbara Ray Polk Consulting Website: www.BarbaraRayPolk.com

Let's have a real talk about the incredible impact we have as educators. I was reflecting on how much our students have grown, and it hit me just how much influence we wield in their lives, both inside and outside the classroom. You know, sometimes we underestimate the power we hold. We might think our role is just about "teaching," but it's so much more than that. We're here to nurture, mentor, coach, support, and, above all, love every child who crosses our path. Think about it: whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, if you could tally up all the students you've ever taught, you'd realize the monumental impact you've had on the future of our society. So, the next time you find yourself grumbling about the quirks of this generation, take a moment to reflect. Because guess what? You're a significant contributor to shaping it. Dear educator, your influence doesn't stop at the classroom door. It reaches far beyond those four walls. So, when you step into your classroom, remember: you're not just teaching subjects; you're nurturing resilient, innovative, and happy children who are eager to embrace lifelong learning. Keep shining the light!

How do you celebrate your pupil's successes? It might be one of the best parts of being a teacher — getting the chance to celebrate student success and provide them with positive feedback for a job well done. Why is it important to give students positive feedback and celebrate their successes? The researchers tell us that celebrating student success in the classroom doesn’t just make our pupils feel good. It significantly impacts their memory, learning, motivation, and other cognitive functions. When students receive positive feedback for something that they have done, it is essentially a signal to their brain saying ‘do it again’. Celebrating success is an essential element of every classroom. It is the driver behind student motivation, self-esteem, and creating a positive classroom culture. There are many ways that teachers and principals can motivate students by celebrating their achievements and providing positive reinforcement. (as embarrassing as this video may be for me, a pupil of mine begged me to record it as she thought it was so funny. She said, "Thank you Ms Lucy!! I love working with you ❤️.") BTW Take 2, was not as good as the 1st sporadic act! 🤣 Pupil success = Teacher happiness

Your Board Coach LLC is excited to share our recent blog by partner, Linda J. Richards. Has your board of education and superintendent work this summer been focused on impacting student success? How do you know you are working on the right things? Contact us to learn more about how we can assist you in making an impact for your students! #makeadifference #leadershipmatters

Consulting Tip 4 - Bringing the Joy Back Through Relationships & Collaboration Working in education in the post-covid years has been challenging, frustrating, and exhausting. More and more children are struggling at school and at home. In fact, everyone is struggling with higher levels of anxiety and stress. I have thought a lot about how to best support educational teams and families at this moment. I think it comes down to relationships. Relationships that involve ongoing communication and collaboration with the joint goal of supporting student success across school and home. This means focusing on sharing the responsibility for student well-being with others and acknowledging that we need each other to find all the ways we can fully engage a child in learning. It is through these efforts that we develop true partnerships, which are far more reinforcing than working in our own silos. The more we talk, listen, and problem-solve together the more joy we will feel in our lives even if the challenges remain.

🍎 Embracing the Joy of Teaching 🍎 Teaching isn't always everyone's first career choice, and some may find themselves here unexpectedly. Yet, let me share why being a teacher is truly an incredible journey. Yes, it has its challenges. But beyond that, teaching is about making a profound impact. It's about giving back to society and being the reason why some children succeed. That moment when a struggling student finally grasps a concept, or when you see their eyes light up with curiosity—those are the moments that make it all worthwhile. As educators, we have the privilege of shaping young minds, nurturing their potential, and instilling a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. It's about fostering creativity, critical thinking, and resilience in our students, preparing them not just for exams but for life itself. Every day brings new challenges and triumphs, but through it all, we are shaping the future generation. It's more than a job; it's a calling—a calling to inspire, empower, and make a difference. Cheers to all the teachers out there! Your dedication and passion are changing lives. Let's continue to celebrate the joy of teaching and the profound impact we have on our students and society. 📚 #TeachingJoy #EducationMatters #TeachersInspire #MakingADifference #TeacherLife

What steps did you take to advance your career to become an academic head? ✏️ Experience is the cornerstone of growth in any field, and my journey to becoming an academic head is a testament to that. Starting as a Subject Matter Expert, I honed my expertise in my field before transitioning to managing center operations. Recognizing the importance of understanding classroom dynamics, I dedicated 8 years to hands-on teaching, spanning from elementary to graduate levels in various educational settings, including schools, coaching centers, and the dynamic landscape of edtech. As a manager, I've merged administrative prowess with pedagogical insights, fostering environments where both educators and learners thrive.

We all make mistakes, especially early in our careers. 📝  But how do we learn from them? Missy Springsteen-Haupt’s article, “Workshopping” the First Years of Teaching, dives into the common missteps of new teachers and how to grow from them.  Check it out now, and share how you’ve learned from early career mistakes: https://hubs.li/Q02QX4t80  #NewTeachers #ProfessionalGrowth #EdLeadership

people think teaching is an easy job, but instead it's a job with many more responsibilities... creating new enthusiasts, shaping their future and bringing out all the good things from the next generation. Teachers don't have medals or trophies or any special recognition or status. instead teachers feel success in success Stories of their students, they feel content seeing how their students still remember and value them. Being a teacher is a motherly job and I am so proud of it. 😌 #teacherlife #teachingjob #schoollife