Blog -DEVELOPING SELF & OTHERS

Turn a challenge into a goal: A coaching tool for the new year

Thursday, December 15, 2016 Turn a challenge into a goal: A coaching tool for the new year Image

It’s almost a new year!  During my tenure as a Principal Coach, I looked forward to coming back to work after the winter break, knowing that January was a bus...



Magical

Friday, September 2, 2016 Magical Image

It's not the new building. It's not the slick hardware.It's not the powerful software.It's not the inspirational speeches.It's not the important new initiative.It's not the innovative p...



Remember the Small Moments

Thursday, August 18, 2016 Remember the Small Moments Image

This morning I was touched by a story. Not by one I read but by one I had lived and written. It was the story of an incident I experienced p...



How to Listen Your Way to Better Leadership

Thursday, June 30, 2016 How to Listen Your Way to Better Leadership Image

I’m not a schmoozer. It’s not in my nature to chit chat idly or drum up conversation where there is none. I have to work intentionally to connect with...



Finding Joy in the Work

Saturday, May 28, 2016 Finding Joy in the Work Image

My husband and I took the kids to our community’s First Friday Arts Trail recently, a fun event held at multiple venues around Lubbock to see the work of loc...



My Favorite Hat

Thursday, May 19, 2016 My Favorite Hat Image

Principal Coach. I've worn quite a few hats in school leadership over the years, but this one, the Principal Coach hat, is my favorite. For about nine years, I had the...



Persnickety

Monday, April 11, 2016 Persnickety Image

We all know people who major in the minors. They critique, dissect, cajole, nitpick anything and everything.  We also know those people as persistent pains and energy drains. It's even worse when they're in charge.

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It's About the Teacher-and the Question

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 It's About the Teacher-and the Question Image

"On a scale of 1-10, what's your homework load tonight?", I asked Aubrey, my high school freshman. "It's a five", he said.  "And here's why", he continued.   Powerful questioning...



The School Leader as Chief Problem Solver...or Not?

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 The School Leader as Chief Problem Solver...or Not? Image

I admit it.  As a campus leader, especially in the beginning, I thought I needed to be the Chief Problem Solver and Mediator.  When our staff was considering the implementation of a process to use for&n...



Lessons from Ike

Sunday, February 14, 2016 Lessons from Ike Image

I've read this article a few times since I first saw it a couple of years ago. I like to come back to it because hum...



So Many Core Values and Beliefs: One Unified School Vision

Monday, February 1, 2016 So Many Core Values and Beliefs: One Unified School Vision Image

Back in September, I wrote about the importance of school leaders reflecting upon their own core values and beliefs, as an important first step in leading a school.  Why? Because we don't leave our experiences, our philosophie...



You Need More Than One Mentor

Thursday, January 7, 2016 You Need More Than One Mentor Image

Through my years of being a principal, I have learned that no one person can be a master...



Leadership Challenge: Take Ownership - Be Happy

Thursday, December 10, 2015 Leadership Challenge: Take Ownership - Be Happy Image

This past year I had accomplished some big goals and was ready for the next set of challenges in my continued quest for self-improvement. I'd like to tell you about my most recent goals but first let me ask:...



do our strengths 'bubble up'?

Tuesday, November 24, 2015 do our strengths 'bubble up'? Image

There has been something on my To Do list for seven months now. It kind of became a game to me-to see how long I could move this particular chore to the next, fresh list-and still have a good excuse for not accomplishing the task. Procra...



Interconnectedness

Monday, October 19, 2015 Interconnectedness Image

For those who choose the demanding but rewarding path of servant leadership, one of the most challenging tasks we face is to understand the concept of interconnectedness. The most effective and influential leaders have developed the abil...



Meet David Manning: Coaching & Strengths Based Leadership-Still Going Strong After All These Years

Wednesday, September 30, 2015 Meet David Manning: Coaching & Strengths Based Leadership-Still Going Strong After All These Years Image

From the AEL team: One of the goals of AEL is to connect educational leaders across the state and even the nation. Our blogs will occasionally feature educators who tell their story AND share their thoughts based on their ex...



Taking Time for Self-Reflection: Your Beliefs

Friday, September 4, 2015 Taking Time for Self-Reflection: Your Beliefs Image

It is September.September. How did that happen? In my house, it’s time for football & band season. Evenings and weekends seem to fade all too quickly into the crisper, cooler air. School is in full swing. We are looking ahea...



Taking Time for Self-Reflection: Core Values

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 Taking Time for Self-Reflection: Core Values Image

It’s that time of the year.

You are in the midst of hiring staff, finalizing the master schedule, and planning back-to-school professional development. Often, that professional development plan for your staff includes the creati...



Becoming a Reflective Practitioner

Thursday, June 18, 2015 Becoming a Reflective Practitioner Image

As the Advancing Educational Leadership training evolved from an idea to a realized product, the importance of addressing what we are calling the “soft skills” of leadership steadily grew in the hearts and minds of those working...



Without a Vision...

Thursday, June 18, 2015 Without a Vision... Image

As the saying goes,without a vision the people perish. I will take that a step further and say without continued reflection the leader will perish...