Michelle Cummings Consulting, LLC’s Post

What are your top time-saving strategies? Comment below. I just facilitated teacher workshops in Texas and Oregon and it's clear to me that teachers and administrators need next-level time management skills to get it all done. Participants were delighted when I shared what Brisk Teaching makes possible for them. If you are an educator wanting to reclaim your evenings and weekends, check out my latest blog post filled with productivity tips. #AI #AIforEducation #EdTech #briskteaching #brisk #briskit #principal #teacher #HR #superintendents #Leadership #Learnings #leadershipdevelopment #mentors #education #firstyearteacherssurvivalguide #firstyearteacher #teachereducation #schools #principals #professionaldevelopment #teachersoflinkedin

As a new school year begins, new staff and reassigned staff become members of existing teams. To what extent have administrative and teacher leaders purposefully planned processes to ease and speed up teams forming? While teams naturally build cohesion and effectiveness over time, it is possible to accelerate the team-building process. Consider intentional strategies that focus on establishing trust, clarity, and alignment early on, to speed up the development of high-functioning teams.

Hi, #superintendents #principals and #schoolleaders! Outsourcing realtime support from those with firsthand experience and proven outcomes can be a valid and promising solution to the overload our educators and leaders are experiencing. Building capacity by focusing on top priorities not only increases engagement but grows sustainably. With limited resources of time and energy, investing in resources to support streamlining, care and support can go a long way. We already know these issues are impacting education and we can plan proactively to offset the impact on our students and staff. Small reframes can have significant impacts on: Educator wellness Team effectiveness Staff morale Student and teacher engagement Student and staff achievement Student abd staff attendence Consider the the following reframes: 1). Student behavior and classroom management issues are merely symptoms. By caring for, empowering and mentoring our teachers and staff, we will see improvement. Think about those educators who would benefit from support earlier than later. 2). Staff apathy and inconsistent performance could be a sign of depletion and burnout. Counselors and other support staff need mentors too! Mentor coaches can revitalize purpose, passion and performance. 3). Individuals and teams alike benefit from mentoring, personalized care and coaching. Consider your power teams and strategicallty equip them upfront. Ongoing mentorship and coaching can transform teams as well. My team is scheduling for summer and Fall ‘24. We can provide: 🔵mentorship 🔵coaching 🔵solution mapping 🔵goal setting & personalized plans 🔵team transformation 🔵professional learning 🔵wellness sessions 🔵educator community groups Reach out to learn more. #education #collaboration #innovatingeducation #solutionfocused #burnout #wellness #publiceducation #mentorship #coaching #leadership #prnineducation #interventions #preventions #upstream #proactive

This term marks the shift away from performance pay in education, presenting an opportunity for school leaders to rethink their approach to staff development. Read our latest blog to learn how coaching can you help to bring out the best in your staff: https://bit.ly/3Y56dyP

🌱 As an instructional leader (coach, school leader, teacher leader), your ability to serve as a champion for hope and potential plays a large part in your success guiding teachers to realize and achieve greatness for themselves and their students. It can be difficult to sustain this energy and mindset given all of the other hats you have to wear and challenges you have to constantly mitigate. However, before you can fully assist and support teachers, it’s important to spend time reflecting, “filling your own cup”, and strategizing so that you have clarity on where you are and where you need to go to achieve the year end goals. These questions can help to prompt deep self-reflection and provide a foundation to help you reset and refocus for the new semester. 🌱 In what ways can I prioritize well-being and balance for myself and my team? (prioritize this and make a plan to sustain it) Acknowledge the importance of well-being for both yourself and your team. Reflect on the work-life balance and the emotional well-being of teachers. Consider strategies to promote a healthy and positive work environment, such as incorporating mindfulness practices, recognizing achievements, or providing opportunities for professional rejuvenation. 🌱 How can I strengthen connections with teachers and build a more supportive community? (revisit this question often) Reflect on the quality of relationships with teachers and support staff. Consider ways to enhance trust, collaboration and collective efficacy among teachers. This is the triple threat formula to build a supportive community where teachers can feel valued and supported to better meet the needs of their students. 🌱 What positive teaching and learning outcomes did I witness in the previous semester, and how can I build on them? (celebrate them) Reflect on the successes and positive outcomes from the previous semester. Identify specific instances of growth, collaboration, improved instructional practices and an increase in student learning. Understanding what worked well can inform your approach and help you build momentum and replicate success in the new semester. 🌱 What adjustments can I make to better support teachers to increase student learning? (make a data-informed plan for improvement and implement it) Consider the challenges faced by teachers and students in the previous semester. Ask yourself how you can adapt your coaching and professional learning strategies to address these challenges more effectively. This question encourages a proactive mindset, prompting you to identify areas for improvement to refine your approach for the upcoming semester. #instructionalcoaching #coaching #coaches #coach #instructionalleadership #educationalleadership #transformationalcoaching #transformationalcoach #k12education #teacherdevelopment

Managers, parents, and coaches need to stop managing, parenting, and coaching. When I onboard new employees, I instinctively want to give them everything. Full background information. Detailed SOPs. Pitfalls to avoid. The same goes when I talk to my teenage daughter about school and friends. I want to share all my experiences, hoping she can dodge the mistakes I made. When I coach sports, I aim to provide as much information as possible. The belief is that it will shortcut the skill development process. My intentions are good. Avoid mistakes. Reduce pain. Enhance efficiency. Improve effectiveness. But I've come to realize this approach doesn't always work. No matter how much I want to help others, the person receiving the information often doesn't fully grasp or appreciate it. They haven't lived through it yet, so it doesn't stick. I used to think I was doing them a favor. But now, I see that I may be doing them a disservice. Traditional learning methods like SOPs, textbooks, and lectures provide knowledge and structure. But learning from mistakes offers a deeper, more personalized, practical learning experience. It engages learners in active problem-solving. It fosters critical thinking and builds resilience and adaptability. Experiential learners often develop a stronger, more lasting understanding of the material. This can be more impactful than following instructions or passively receiving information. As leaders, we sometimes need to resist the urge to manage every detail. Instead, we should focus on creating environments for safe exploration, mistakes, and growth. Your colleagues, children, or team's ability to figure things out may surprise you. You may even learn something from them. Your best teacher is your most recent mistake. __ Enjoy this post? Please "like," "comment," or "share" it so others in your network see it, too. 🙏 #marketingagency #mondaymotivation #businessdevelopment #agencygrowth

How many flexible work requests are denied in teaching? 1/3 According to an article in the TES it is 1/3. As a timetabler this is a really difficult subject to cover because making a timetable work with lots of part-time staff can be very tricky. I had about 15% part-time staff in most of my timetables, but I know this is comparatively low. Whatever the number it can be a challenge. However, we need to be able to accept flexible working requests as much as possible so that we have a happy and content workforce. The challenge for the timetabler is definitely how to do this. Split classes? More considered blocking? What are your thoughts and tactics? Comment below. #timetables #school #leadership

💫Hello good people! This professional development sparked excellent conversation around Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice. We were able to clarify principles and practices; discuss real-world case scenarios of best practices and approaches for both. 💫Engaging in meaningful professional development ignites a sense of inspiration, empowerment and rejuvenation. We strive to provide opportunities for educators to learn and collaborate while fostering a profound sense of fulfillment; a renewed passion for being an educator and a greater sense of confidence in their abilities. We deliver PD that creates a positive, invigorating atmosphere where you feel valued, motivated and equipped to make a lasting impact in leadership, the classroom and beyond. 🤔Do you have your next professional-development planned? How was your last PD Day? What did kind of work did you engage in? Do you feel it was engaging and effective? Will/have you implemented your learning? Tell us all about it! ➡️Schedule a call with us to discuss scheduling your next professional development and/or coaching. https://lnkd.in/egCaFWWf #Professionaldevelopment #professionaldevelopmentday #restorativepractices #restorativejustice #restorativecircles #workplacewellness #healthyworkculture #educatorwellness #educatorwellbeing #leadershipskills #educationalleadership #selfcare #educatorempowerment #renewedpassion #empoweredleadership #manifestedsolutions #manifesteducationsolutions #burnouttobrilliancerereat

❗ What you said....... “Challenges; where do I start? TIME, TIME, TIME, improve behaviour, increase attendance, demanding parents, planning for VAT, driving school forwards, strategic thinking, narrowing the gap, improving attainment, getting school to "good" from "RI"....... 👉 These are the most common challenges that people face in our educational sphere. You don't need me to tell you that - you know it - you live it; everyday. 🏠 I used to think that the only real time to think strategically was at home - when I had time, space, quiet - no distractions, no schools bells, constant knocks on my office door, duties, getting called on the radio every 2 minutes. I left all my deep thinking after 8pm on a school night and a Sunday. ❌ This is so wrong - on so many levels. How could I think with creativity, rigour, imagination and courage at the end of a 14hr day? Why should I sacrifice quality time with my family on a Sunday when I prioritise work all week? I know what you will say.... "that's the job!" Yes, that it is the job. I know. 💡 But what if there was another way? 📚 I created my 'Edu-Coach for Impact' programme and it has been a game changer for leaders in education – big time! 🔄 Trust me, this programme turned their journey around. Here’s a glimpse: 1️⃣ Time management - gifting quality time to strategic thinking alongside personal and professional growth. Supporting leaders with their inner demons: anxiety, stress, self-doubt, confidence, imposter syndrome to name a few. 2️⃣ Prioritisation of tasks - time to think with rigour, creativity, imagination and courage. What is the best way forward for your pupils, staff and parents? 3️⃣ Improved Staff Well-Being - looking after your staff so, in turn, they are the best that they can be for the pupils in your care. Staff feel SEEN, HEARD & VALUED. Improving staff well-being will improve the outcomes for your pupils. I’ve offered up a limited number ‘no obligation’ 30 minute strategy calls… This 30 minute strategy call is perfect if you’re a leader in education. Want to jump on a Strategy Call this week? Click the link in the comments to apply for your call today 🙌 #leadership #leadershipcoaching #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/e7_jetiC

  It's #appraisal season again, and with it sometimes comes the dreaded ‘Performance Improvement Plan’ aka #PIP. I came across the below article and it made me want to write about it! Most of us hear ‘PIP’ and think, "Why me? Is this the end of my job?" You're not alone. A staggering 98% of us feel that way, when faced with a PIP, and it seems 75% of managers use PIPs not as a lifeline but as an ‘exit’ sign. But here's the thing - PIP doesn't have to be a bad word. As a seasoned HR professional, I've seen and managed those rare but real stories of folks who turned their "Why me?" into "Try me!" and came out stronger. So, what's the secret? Attitude! Yes, on both sides of the table. When managers and employees see PIPs as a chance to really buckle down, to talk honestly about what needs to get better, to offer and accept the change... the situation evolves. Actions for you 💡 Team managers When you see a problem, be quick to give helpful feedback. Try to help people grow instead of making them feel bad. This will help you evolve as a respected coach and mentor! 💡 Employees on a PIP Really listen to the feedback, take your development plan seriously, and come every day, ready to get better. 💡 HR professionals and leaders Train and prepare your managers to handle appraisals better. Provide support to both sides of the table - they are looking at you for guidance! Let's redefine PIPs as a powerful tool for positive change, aiding those in need to enhance their #performance. My hope? For PIP to stand not for 'pack your bags' but for 'prepare for improvement.' What are your thoughts about this topic? Let me know in the comments below. https://lnkd.in/gAumRnhg