Administration & Leadership
The Architecture of School Improvement
Many lessons have been learned over the last three decades when it comes to school improvement. Joseph Murphy, a leading researcher in educational leadership, joins us to talk about some of the essential ingredients common to all school improvement efforts … Continue
The Meaningful Use of Data in Schools
Edie Holcomb, author of Data Dynamics: Aligning Teachers, Teams, Schools and District Efforts, joins us once again this month for part two of her discussion of what the meaningful use of data in schools should look like. In this segment, … Continue
Bullying and Cyberbullying: What Every Educator Needs to Know
Bullying in schools and online is more pervasive than ever, fueled by the use of electronic devices and digital interaction. Nationally recognized expert Elizabeth Englander, who is the author of the book Bullying and Cyberbullying: What Every Educator Needs to … Continue
The Trust Factor: Strategies for School Leaders
with Julie Combs
Trust is a key factor that separates the school leaders who succeed from those who don’t. But what exactly does trust look like in an educational setting and how do you build it? Continue
Towards Better Use of Data
with Edie Holcomb
As the use of data is emphasized more and more, school leaders must develop a better understanding of the most effective ways to use it to achieve school improvement. Edie Holcomb, an expert on the topic, joins us to talk about the common misuses of data that she sees, and what schools can do to avoid those situations. Continue
Resolving Problems in Meetings, Workshops & PLCs
with Robert Garmston
Do your meetings spiral angrily out of control or simply end up accomplishing very little? Robert Garmston, co-author of the book Lemons to Lemonade: Resolving Problems in Meetings, Workshops and PLCs, explains how facilitators and participants can make their meetings as productive as possible in this segment. Continue
Responding to Principal Stress and Job Complexity
free According to the latest MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, 75% of public school principals believe their jobs have become too complex, 50% feel under great stress several days a week, and job satisfaction is declining. To address these issues … Continue
Understanding Student Rights in Schools
Bryan Warnick, author of the book, Understanding Student Rights in Schools, joins us to talk about speech, religion and privacy in an educational setting and why it’s important for school leaders to look at these rights with more emphasis on how they can be used to teach students valuable educational lessons. Continue
Addressing the “Boy Crisis”
Boys are 30% more likely than girls to flunk or drop out of school and are almost twice as likely to repeat a grade. Boys also lag girls in many meaningful indicators of academic achievement. Kelley King, a veteran school leader who has successfully led her own school to close this gender gap, joins us to talk about the brain-based differences between boys and girls. Continue
The Principal Mentoring Process
free Dr. Christine Mason provides an introduction to the process of principal mentoring in this segment and explains what a high quality mentoring program looks like. She also discusses how mentoring supports new or novice leaders and even experienced principals. Continue
Making the Case for Principal Mentoring
free With high-stakes accountability and the ever-increasing demands placed on school leaders, the job of the principal has become more difficult than it's ever been. Kathleen Sciarappa joins us to make the case for principal mentoring – what it is, why it's needed, and how it can help both new and experienced principals. Continue
Stop Looking in the Traditional Places for Budget Savings
Nate Levenson, author of the book, Smarter Budgets, Smarter Schools, joins us to talk about how schools need to start thinking differently when it comes to budgets and discusses the big opportunities in three budget areas that tend to get the least amount of scrutiny in most districts. Continue
Inspiring the Next Generation of School Leaders
The role of the principal is more critical than ever to the success of education and there is a real need for school systems to identify, attract and retain new principals who are strong leaders and understand teaching and learning. Melissa Patschke, a twenty-five year veteran of public education, joins us to discuss how current school leaders can inspire and encourage the next generation of principals. Continue
3 Ways to Help “Loners” and Improve School Safety
After the recent tragedy in Newtown, CT many school leaders may wonder if some of the adolescents in their buildings are capable of similar acts. Dr. Nancy Rappaport, a child psychiatrist and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, joins us to talk about "loners," and explain why it's imperative that schools reach out and support these shy, socially awkward students. Continue
Responding to Adult Bullying in Schools
When adult bullying occurs in schools, the results can be corrosive and demoralizing. Kathleen Sciarappa, an award-winning former principal with over 26 years of experience as a school leader, joins us to talk about adult bullying in schools, how it impacts the climate of the whole school, and offers a variety of suggestions for dealing with the problem. Continue
Dealing with Anxiety in Children
One in eight children suffer from anxiety disorders and without intervention, they're at risk for poor performance, diminished learning, and social and behavioral problems in school. Jessica Minahan explains how anxiety affects students and how school leaders and teachers can respond. Continue
School Culture Re-Boot
with Leslie Kaplan and William Owings
A school’s culture defines and infuses every aspect of the organization. Leslie Kaplan and William Owings, co- authors of the book, Culture Re-Boot: Reinvigorating School Culture to Improve Student Outcomes, join us to talk about school culture and how reshaping it can lead to highly visible improvements for students and teachers. Continue
Data-Based Decision Making
Edie Holcomb, author of Data-Based Decision Making, she joins us to talk about the use of data to help school leaders make decisions and implement school and instructional improvements that increase student success. Continue
Update on the Move from Time to Competency
Fred Bramante, past chairman and long-standing member of the New Hampshire State Board of Education, joins us for an update on efforts to move schools away from the traditional concept of K-12 education towards a system where student achievement is based on mastering competencies not "seat time." Continue
Responding to School Avoidance
with Dr. Nancy Rappaport
A student's refusal to attend part or all of the school day, along with a large number of unexcused absences, represents an increasingly frustrating and complex problem for schools. Child psychiatrist Dr. Nancy Rappaport joins us to explain the early warning signs and the four primary factors that lead to truancy, and discusses why positive supports go a long way towards helping these students. Continue