KIPP New Jersey’s Post

🌟 Celebrating National Principals Month! 🌟 During October, we take time to honor the incredible impact current and past principals have on our schools and communities. Being a great principal goes beyond the title—it's about fostering growth, ensuring student achievement, and creating an inclusive, thriving environment for all. 🔑 Signs You’re a Great Principal: ✅ Student-Centered: Every decision you make puts students first. ✅Empower Staff: You trust and uplift your team, helping them grow as educators and leaders. ✅Leads with Vision: You communicate a clear vision for success and guide your school toward achieving it. ✅Resilient Problem-Solver: Challenges fuel your drive to innovate and find solutions. ✅Culturally Competent: You foster a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming school culture. ✅Visible and Approachable: Students, staff, and families see you as a constant, caring presence. Let’s celebrate principals who are guiding schools to greatness, one student at a time! 🙌 #PrincipalLeadershipMonth #SchoolLeadership #GreatPrincipals #edleaders #edleadership

Title: Leading in Service to Schools: Every Leader Matters School districts are in a precarious state..... #changing #collaborativeleadership #District #districts #Enfield #Leader #Leadership #Learning #management #Role #School #schooldistricts #Schools #superintendent #Susan

Superintendent Tenure: An Urgent Call to Action!!! I just read a story about a former colleague and successful superintendent being asked to step down. Unfortunately, this has NOTHING to do with student achievement or teacher retention, enrollment, or violence on a campus, but everything to do with politics. Recent data from sources, like AASA and others, show that superintendent turnover remains a pressing issue for districts across the country. On average, the tenure for superintendents is around 2-4 years, with notable variations based on district demographics and size. Superintendents in districts with high poverty levels or larger populations of students of color tend to have shorter tenures—often up to three years shorter than those in wealthier or majority-white districts. Women in the role also experience shorter tenures compared to their male counterparts(District Administration)(TASB). For black males, the tenure is two years, and for black women it is 1 and half years. For Latino/a superintendents the tenure is lower, but on average it is about the same as black leaders. Given these challenges, maintaining consistent leadership is crucial for ensuring district stability and student success, it is also critical to our profession. Sitting superintendents can greatly benefit from resources that support their leadership journey. Cognia, in partnership with AASA, offers robust and real solutions designed to extend superintendent tenures, promote deep relationships with community and political leaders, and provide ongoing professional development tailored to the unique needs of districts and their leadership teams. Now that you are in the seat, let us help you keep it and thrive internally and externally. It starts with a unique conference for superintendents and your board chair for 30 pairs. Contact me ASAP!

As school leaders, trust and honesty are not just ideals to strive for, they are the foundation of the culture we create within our buildings. Without trust, our relationships with teachers, staff, and scholars begin to crumble. Without honesty, the shared vision for scholar success gets lost. Leading a school means serving the people, not holding onto a title. In my studies this week, Brené Brown reminded me that "clear is kind, unclear is unkind," emphasizing the need for transparent communication. In the fast-paced environment of a school, clarity and honesty aren't just appreciated, they're essential. When we lead with vulnerability and consistency, we model the very trust we wish to see in our staff and scholars. Trust isn’t a given; it’s earned over time through our actions, words, and transparency in both successes and challenges. As an Ed.D. scholar and servant leader, I’ve learned that trust is the heartbeat of school leadership. It’s about putting people first. Teachers, scholars, families, and creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. Robert Greenleaf's words ring true to me every day: "The servant-leader is servant first." In education, this means ensuring that the needs of our school community are always at the forefront, building authentic connections rooted in respect and care. Leadership is a privilege that comes with the responsibility of building trust through honesty, transparency, and compassion. Our school’s success, and the success of our scholars, depend on the relationships we foster and the culture we build together. I am committed to earning that trust every day and creating spaces where both staff and scholars can thrive. #SchoolLeadership #ServantLeadership #BrenéBrown #Trust #EdDScholar #DareToLead #EducationLeadership #SchoolCulture

As news of the latest accountability list for school districts in New York State surfaces, I'm reminded of a time back in 2002 when my own school's name was publicly shared alongside others. The memories come flooding back, along with the whirlwind of emotions that accompanied that moment. Back then, the weight of seeing our school's name on that list was profound. It was a time marked by a sense of urgency, a feeling of pressure to address the challenges head-on and to rally our community around a shared vision of improvement. Fast forward to today, and I can only imagine what current leaders must be feeling as they navigate similar territory. The landscape may have evolved, but the core emotions remain unchanged—the sense of responsibility, the pressure to perform, and the determination to chart a path forward despite the odds. Sharing such news with my staff and even with our students back then was no easy task. It required a delicate balance of transparency, empathy, and unwavering resolve—a balance that I know current leaders are grappling with as they tackle the challenges of today's educational landscape. But amidst the uncertainty and the weight of expectation, there's also a glimmer of hope—a recognition that every challenge is an opportunity for growth, every setback a chance to rise stronger than before. Today, as an education consultant, I have the privilege of working closely with leaders, supporting them every step of the way as they navigate the complexities of accountability measures. From guiding them through the process of engaging stakeholders to craft their District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP) priorities and School Comprehensive Education Plans (SCEP) commitments, I'm here to provide the expertise and guidance they need. But it doesn't stop there. I roll up my sleeves and dive deep into the heavy lifting—meticulously asking all the right questions, facilitating planning sessions, and ultimately crafting detailed, actionable plans that reflect the input of all stakeholders. Am I the only one who takes on this level of responsibility? Perhaps. But what matters most is the impact it has on the leaders and communities I serve—the confidence it instills, the clarity it provides, and the tangible steps forward it enables. To all the leaders facing the daunting task of addressing the accountability list, know that you're not alone. Let's partner! www.iwritenysedplans.com #superintendents #principals #schoolleadership

October is National Principals Month, a time to recognize the incredible work of school leaders. Principals face constant challenges—balancing budgets, managing student behavior, handling crises, and supporting teachers—all while keeping their school’s mission at the forefront. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and question if your efforts are making an impact. But here’s the truth: principals are pivotal. Your leadership sets the tone for the entire school. Research shows that effective school leadership is one of the most significant factors in student achievement. Your work matters, even on the hardest days. To stay grounded, remember to focus on the core of your role: instructional leadership. By prioritizing classroom walkthroughs, supporting teacher growth, and staying connected to the learning happening in your school, you create a thriving learning environment. As you reflect on your role this month, know that the difference you make is profound. Keep going, stay focused on what matters, and lead with intention. Read my latest blog to explore strategies for overcoming challenges and reclaiming your time as a leader. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gffG-aeb And don’t forget to sign up for my VIP mailing list at roadtoawesome.net for special insights and updates on my upcoming digital course! #NationalPrincipalsMonth #SchoolLeadership #InstructionalLeadership #PrincipalLife #RoadToAwesome Lauren Kaufman Sean Gaillard Todd Bloomer Rob Watson, EdD Summer Stephens Pam Teel Amy Scott Avila Donya Ball, Ed.D. Martin Silverman Casey Hallgarth Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder, Ed.D. Todd Nesloney National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) Katie Powell

Gresham Barlow School District admin talking about how they leverage their leadership to facilitate students engaging in deeper learning. That means carrying the cognitive load and tapping into collectivism, and sustaining their cultural identity. All of this sounds good, but what is a leader supposed to do? What do we add to our plates? What do we take off of our plates? what do we push? What do we build collectively and co-generatively? One of my takeaways from continuing to do this work, deeply with Districts over multiple years, is that the work has to be in concert and responsive to each other. That means that the professional development and goals that instructional coaches are working on, need to be in tandem with the same work of central office and school administrators. And that work needs to be connected to our observation metrics and structures. That work needs to be connected to the teams that we have spread throughout schools to distribute leadership. Coherence is great, it it matters more when it’s focused on Racial Equity and Inclusion. Glad that there are districts willing to past the one-and-done PD.

Wayne Hoy and Megan Tschannen-Moran, leading experts in educational trust, define trust as “one party’s willingness to be vulnerable 😬to another based on the confidence that the other is benevolent ☺️, reliable 📆, competent 📝, honest 😇, and open 🗣️.” This definition of trust emphasizes the interdependence of individuals and groups within schools. They argues that trust is essential for accomplishing school goals and establishing a positive school climate. Trustworthy leadership significantly influences school effectiveness, and leaders who demonstrate the five facets of trust can more easily develop trust with faculty. Whether you are new to leadership or have a lot of experience, TRUST IS FOUNDATIONAL. I wrote this one to serve as schools in creating discussions about trust in a digestiable way. Consider using this and a text protocol from School Reform Initiative to have some discussions. I hope it works well for my friend Todd as he leads his new team this year. 😍💪 Check out the most recent substack article: https://lnkd.in/gqkY-N84

I believe there are crucial and sometimes critical consequences for not taking action on your ideas and opportunities. Imagine, as a charter school principal, starting the school year with grand visions for academic improvement, filled seats, fully staffed, excited parents only to end it with regrets due to faulty strategies or poorly communicated plans. “We should have done that," "We forgot to make that change," "We wanted to, but didn't," "We were afraid to act." It’s my goal to help you avoid being “should on” I experienced it as principal. I see it every year with those I coach. These missed opportunities cost more than you think—lost time, productivity, resources, momentum, school reputation and credibility as a leader. But it doesn't have to be this way. Join our upcoming 30 Day Challenge and book study on "The Ten Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools." Gain: ✅ An action plan to kickstart the year ✅ Measurable key performance indicators for school operations ✅ Membership in a vibrant community focused on success and high performance We will meet live five times over 30 days. You get a weekly action plan and daily support in our community to ensure your start of the year is the best ever. You might think you don't have time to participate, but the consequences of not having a clear vision and executed strategic plan for all aspects of your school far outweigh the time investment. Transform your leadership and school performance—don't let another year pass with "what ifs." #Leadership #SchoolImprovement #HighPerformingSchools #ActionPlan #BookStudy Ready to make a change? Sign up today! https://lnkd.in/eW8zd7UU

My 2024 conversations with school leaders have had a recurring theme. It’s not what you think it is. Our school districts are being forced to completely reinvent themselves. For many leaders it’s scary - but exciting. It seems like everyone I speak with echoes the evolving landscape of public education. Expectations are changing. There are challenging financial constraints, critical safety needs, competition from charter schools, home schooling and virtual learning, difficult staffing and retention issues. Meanwhile our communities’ want (and deserve) the best for their kids. We recently sat down with Dr. Anthony Mays, Superintendent of Alief ISD in Texas. He echoed the sentiment of so many other leaders in education. He also gave some raw and sobering perspective. “My outlook for schools. It’s scary. When I think about some of the challenges we are facing financially, and it’s not just districts in Texas, you have districts all over the country facing these financial challenges. But at the same time, I’m excited because we get to recreate ourselves. We get to think about how we do our work differently.” If you are a business working with schools, this is a critical moment in time to be close to them and understand what their needs are for today, and what they will be going forward. It’s through this type of collaboration that the best results for students emerge. I’m grateful for my connections to leaders in education. These relationships make all the difference for our students. To watch the full interview and more, check out leadership-voices.com/ #EducationLeadership #InnovationInEducation #Schools #PersonalizedLearning