Some kids have drama at home, drama on the bus, and drama in the hall.  It’s great when classrooms can be a safe haven for kids.

Some kids are listening to their parents fight this evening.  I wonder how that will affect their attitude tomorrow.  This stuff matters.

When administrators spend time in classrooms, they are reminded how much those teachers have to plan, how much they have to manage, and how unbelievably patient they are.  Teachers are the heart and soul of every school.

You don’t have to be an expert in pedagogy to be an exceptional instructional leader. But you have to be an expert in connecting with teachers… and you have to be curious about instruction… and have good conversations with teachers that promote self-reflection.

At some point in the near future, you will get a break that you don't really deserve. Someone will cut you some slack when they could have laid down the hammer. When that happens... it will remind you to extend grace to others. We all appreciate grace.

Kids don’t always follow instructions… and neither do teachers.  We all need to be gracious with one another.

Today… your kindness to a student could end up being the highlight of their day.  Let that sink in for a moment.

My daughter talked for years about how much she loved her 5th grade teacher.  I finally asked her what she liked about her.  Her response: “She liked US!”  So simple… yet so profound.  Kids gravitate to the teachers that like them.  They can tell.

I remember a teacher telling me: “When you’re surrounded by superstars… it makes you want to be better than you are.” That’s the power of collaboration -- the power of positive peer pressure.  The best teachers don’t just inspire their students; they inspire their colleagues.

Every school day is filled with unexpected glitches and hiccups.  The best leaders respond with poise, perseverance, and a positive attitude.

Teachers did not get into education to raise test scores… they got into education to make a difference in the lives of kids.  And that makes them heroes!

Schools are not defined by the mission statement on the wall; they are defined by what actually goes on in classrooms.

Teachers are not defined by their lesson plans.  They are defined by their passion.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

I think principals should connect with kids… but they should also connect with teachers. Teachers need their support and encouragement too.