As you begin your new school year, I wanted to share with you something that I did to involve, engaging and build relationships with families----I call them “Family Forums”.  I decided that Family Forums would not only become a normal part of building a successful reciprocal relationship with the families in my classroom but also a time to teach and learn from one another. My forums were a party for my families, not a meeting but a place to come and have fellowship with others. It was also a...

It is the most exciting time of the year as teachers start returning back to school. Teachers and administrators are looking forward to the new school year. Many administrators think that this is a time for team building and professional development in the short time before students  arrive. As a former principal, I learned that teachers are anxious to get into their classrooms and prepare for school to start.

What I was told was that our teachers appreciated how I approached the...

The Tour de France Begins!

Challenge Yourself to Do Something New

As teacher professionals we are all leaders in some capacity.  It is important as leaders that we show others how to be their best selves.  We need to model for others and support choices and decisions. We must also build relationships that are reciprocal with faculty, staff and families we work with. I have been in several leadership positions, from a cheer sponsor, principal, Director of a Program at the University level, Coordinator of an...