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educational leadership

In Gusty Times: How School Leaders Stay Steady and Lead Forward

April 23, 2025

Patrick hates wind. Even though I (Amy) lived on a sailboat, I am not a big fan either. We’re not talking about breezes that make for perfect sailing or kite flying. We mean the kind of wind that turns normal tasks into comical or impossible ones. Recently, I was writing in Patrick’s livingroom looking out […]

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We Dare You: Make 3 Shifts to Authentic Feedback for Learning

May 4, 2023

In our last blog, we explored “Two Truths and a Lie” hoping to break the ice of educator evaluation. Now that we have broken the ice, we challenge you to a game of truth or dare, with a bit of a spin on the rules…to take the dare, the truth must be uncovered first. The […]

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Two Truths and a Lie: Let’s Break the Ice of Educator Evaluation

April 6, 2023

You probably have engaged in the game Two Truths and a Lie as a team icebreaker and we wanted to try our own version… see if you can spot the lie among the truths regarding educator evaluation: Statement A = Truth Since 2010 school districts in over 44 states and D.C. have been implementing educator […]

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Spring Forward, Forward March

February 28, 2021

The day when many of us turn the clocks is approaching and we couldn’t be happier. For us, it is not about the loss of an hour of sleep, but the prospect of more light and warmth on the horizon…and we start celebrating well in advance and announcing it to anyone who will listen. But […]

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Finding Balance: Responding to How We Really Are

November 10, 2020

The zodiac offers us a perfect metaphor these days. The heat and light from the sun are waning as it is leaving the sign of Libra, moving away from the sign of balance between the head and the heart and harmony represented by scales.  Each of our coaching conversations are bookended with, “How are you?” […]

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Readying for Reopening: 21 R’s for Summer Planning

June 24, 2020

Summer is finally here! But, this summer is like none other as the school year has been like none other, and we now find ourselves preparing for a highly uncertain upcoming year. So the question is, “How can we use our valuable summer months to ready ourselves for what is ahead?”  Hopefully, at some point […]

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You Are An Ironman: Finish Strong!

May 18, 2020

The finish line is in sight. Time away from computer screens, your children playing outside, barbecues, beaches…. In the past few months, “You have reimagined your limits. Set your sights higher and you have gone further than you have before…a statement of passion– commitment. It is a test of physical toughness and mental strength.” You […]

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The Times They Are A Changin’

April 24, 2020

*This month, as we all need levity and we have had a good bit of extra time, we have included a scavenger hunt within our blog. Search out our 7 intentional references to song lyrics for a chance to win free books.   We have had some crazy weather recently, and friends continue to text us […]

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Resolve to Keep Your Resolutions!

January 18, 2020

We are just a few weeks into our new year…so are you excited and inspired about having 20/20 vision this year? Or are you feeling like the confetti is long gone, credit card bills have arrived, and it’s like the holidays and break never happened? At the start of the new year, we always take […]

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Running to Stand Still or Finding the Time to Lead?

September 17, 2019

Here we are at the starting block of another school year. Summer has flown by and before we know it, the year will be half over. So, how have you planned to use your time this year to effect change as an instructional leader, specifically to support your teachers? We know you strive to make […]

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Connecting Teacher Action with Student Outcomes

January 31, 2017

“Growth” has been one of the more elusive words in educational jargon over the past few years.  Its use triggers reactions from so many due to ill-fated or, better put, poorly constructed attempts to connect it to educator evaluation. Anyone who has read or spoken with me in-depth knows that I do consider student outcomes […]

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