Your Mind Matters- Mental Health Awareness Month

TL;DR: We must recognize that teachers have done a lot to empathetically support students and their families since the pandemic hit.Some tips: You don’t have to struggle alone; seek help from a professional if needed. Zoom out to see the bigger picture. Take time for yourself and don’t wait until you run out of gas and are running on empty. It’s ok to feel your feelings. Don’t be afraid to share…
May 19, 2021Posted inFeelings, Mental Health

Hiring Rock Stars!

It’s hiring and/or interviewing season depending on which side of the table you’re sitting on this time of the year. Let’s look at this from a hiring lens.  I’ve learned so much more about hiring over the past few years compiling ideas from @Beth Houf, @Joe Sanfelipo and, @Jimmy Casas and more in my PLN. Hiring a new staff member should not be a daunting task or just something to cross…
April 28, 2021Posted inHiring, Leadership

March Madness Tournament of Books

As most people know, I am a huge sports fan. Basketball is not usually one of my top sports, but I become an NCAA college basketball fan every March! So I was excited when I first heard about the March Madness Tournament of Books a few years ago.  I wish I knew who to give credit to for this idea as it is one that has evolved and becomes part of…
February 6, 2021Posted inMarch Madness

#OneWord2021

​It’s that time of the year, when we prepare to say goodbye to one year and welcome in the next… and more than ever we are ready to say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021. I gave up making New Year’s Resolutions a few years ago.  I always had good intentions and would start out doing well.  Sometimes my resolutions (usually around exercise and/or healthy eating) would last until March if…
January 1, 2021Posted in#OneWord

Cultivating Relationships in a Time of Social Distancing at School

Guest Post for We Video https://www.wevideo.com/blog/for-schools/cultivating-relationships-in-a-time-of-social-distancing-at-school *This is an edited guest post written by Bobbie French, an educational leader, presenter and writer who participated in the WeVideo Leadership Roundtable. The three most important words in education: Relationships, relationships, relationships. Now more than ever, during these times of virtual learning and teaching from a distance, it’s so important that we are intentional about building those relationships. We know it’s much easier to…
November 23, 2020Posted inRelationships

Lead with Optimism

Most people say that I am happy and bubbly. The girl that always has a smile on her face.  I would say that I am an optimist, a glass is half full type of person.  Is your glass half full or half empty? I’m the one that will be glad we got rain- either because we needed it (currently in a drought in my area) or because a rainy day can…
August 26, 2020Posted inLeadership, Relationships

Embrace Positivity

It’s OK to feel however you’re feeling- right now, in twenty minutes, an hour or tomorrow. We’re all experiencing a variety of feelings as we prepare to re-open school buildings. Whether you are an educator, parent, or even a bystander to education, we all have permission to feel. Many parents are anxious about whether or not to send their child to school or to college. College students are adults and can…
August 20, 2020Posted inLeadership, Positivity, Relationships

It’s OK to Feel

Every once in a while, I wake up and realize that I’m currently living in the middle of history in the making. We can embrace this reality and be part of it or we can complain and ignore it.  Even though we are a few months out from the initial shut down, I still feel the fear, anxiety and uncertainty I did in March. I turned 50 on March 14th and…
August 6, 2020Posted inConnections, Feelings, Relationships

The New Normal

Lunch Distribution- Rain, Shine, Snow, or Cold I don’t know why they call it the “New Normal” because there is nothing normal about it.  It’s hard to believe it’s only been 4 days since school closed and I saw my students last.  I know as educators there have been times when we’ve thought “I wish I had a snow day, another day of vacation or a surprise day off” – well…
March 23, 2020Posted inCOVID-19, Feelings, Leadership

Sometimes I Cry

I was recently in a #PIAChat on Twitter and Kelley McCall (@mccall_kelley) shared a quote Vulnerability is the essence of connection and connection is the essence of existenceLeo Christopher to go with a question about vulnerability.  Principals in my PLN openly shared their vulnerabilities. I quickly realized that I was not alone and that many of use wear our emotions on our sleeves in our jobs every day. I wear my…
March 22, 2020Posted inConnections, Feelings, Relationships