Joining the Dark Side

Joining the Dark Side

  Many educators describe the move from teacher to administrator as coming over to the Dark Side. The belief is very much us versus them. The idea is that administrators…
False Prophets

False Prophets

  Be careful. You may see them practicing from afar. Or you may work with them directly. They will seem like they know what they are talking about. They will…
What’s for Dinner?

What’s for Dinner?

What’s for dinner? It’s a common question in some households.  And often the answer is a refrain of “I don’t know. What do you want?” It can be hard to…
The Fishbowl

The Fishbowl

  As a brand new administrator, I had my own office for the first time. In subsequent administrative roles, I’ve had to share office space with others, which I actually…
Brave Face

Brave Face

  When you serve in a leadership position, you are expected to put on a brave face in spite of whatever crisis is happening. The expectation is that you will…
No Expectations

No Expectations

  Trying to manage the expectations when there are no expectations. You do one thing under the guidance that you are given, only for the initial guidance to be obsolete…
The Snow Shoveler

The Snow Shoveler

I once went on a job interview scheduled for 8am at a school with which I was unfamiliar. The forecast was calling for several inches of snow. I arrived early…
Everyone.

Everyone.

  I was recently leaving my building for a District meeting. On my way out of the building, a student stopped me and asked where I was going. I told…
Drinking from the Fire Hose

Drinking from the Fire Hose

  Inspired by Seth today.   Stop drinking from the fire hose.   I was recently having a conversation with another administrator. Like me, he is also in his first…
Ahead, Behind, or Beside

Ahead, Behind, or Beside

  There are moments when you need to walk ahead of everyone else, forging the path, leading by example, expanding the vision, and showing the way. At times, you may…