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Episode 117: There Is Joy On Your Campus, It’s Just Not In Your Office
I want you to use your imagination.
You are at your school and you hear laughing kids. You hear excited voices and then you see big smiles and you see happy kids doing interesting things.
When you see and hear all of these things, are you in your office? Probably not.
Of course some good things happen in your office, but it is mostly a place for holding meetings, responding to emails and making phone calls.
There are many joyful things happening on your campus, but you usually have to go to that joy.
On today’s episode of The Private School Leader Podcast, we are going to discuss the fact that There Is Joy On Your Campus, It’s Just Not In Your Office.
I know that you are super busy, so be sure to listen while you are doing something else. I hope that you will get value from this episode as you serve and lead your school community. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to listen to the podcast!
Thanks for making a difference,
Mark Minkus
What is your biggest problem right now? I want to hear more about your biggest problem and I want to help you solve it.
Whether your problem is feeling guilty that your family gets what’s left of you at the end of the day, relentless parents, difficult teachers, a lack of boundaries between work and school, feeling overwhelmed, Imposter Syndrome, enrollment or teacher morale, I can help.
I would love to hear more about your biggest problem and I would love to be your coach. Go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/coaching to learn more about working with me 1-on-1.
Being a private school leader is a VERY difficult job. You have to make hundreds of decisions every day, and you have to keep everyone safe, increase enrollment, keep the parents happy, keep the board happy, motivate the teachers, deal with student discipline, beat last year’s test scores and come in under budget.
That can lead to you feeling tired, discouraged and stressed out. I’ve been there. That’s why I created THRIVE Academy just for you. THRIVE Academy is a digital course that will help you get out of survival mode and get back to feeling energized at school. To learn more, go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/thrive
I am excited to share with you a new resource and I want to give this to you as a FREE GIFT to say “thank you” for listening to the podcast. It is called The 7 Secrets To Improving Teacher Morale. As private school leaders, we are always looking for ways to improve teacher morale at our schools, but it is hard to know where to start. Well, now you have a step by step plan and you can grab it at theprivateschoolleader.com/morale
I want to give you a FREE gift called 7 Strategies To Effectively Deal With Difficult Teachers. Sometimes we need some courage and confidence to deal with difficult teachers. What you need is a plan! This guide is a step by step plan that you can use to help one of your difficult teachers improve their performance and improve their attitude. Go to theprivateschoolleader.com/difficult to grab this free guide!
I want to say thank you for listening to the podcast by giving you a FREE GIFT. It is called The 7 Steps To Having A Successful Meeting With An Upset Parent. This guide is an 11 page pdf that gives you a step by step plan to have better meetings with the parents at your school. Every good coach has a game plan. Every good teacher has a lesson plan. Too many private school leaders don’t have a plan when they sit down to meet with an upset parent. Well, now you have a PLAN! You can grab this FREE GUIDE at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/meeting
I’ve created a free resource for you called “The 6 Things That Every Private School Teacher Wants From Their Leader”. This guide is a 6 page pdf that will be a game changer for you. I guarantee you that if you do these 6 things, the teachers at your school will be happy to follow you. You can pick up your free guide by going to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/guide
I want to give you a gift to say “thank you” for listening to the podcast. I have created a FREE guide for you called “5 Strategies To Help You Work With Difficult Parents”. We know that working with parents is part of the job and most of our parents are great, but some of them can be very demanding and emotional and difficult. This guide will give you the tools that you need to build better relationships and have better meetings with the difficult parents at your school. Go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/parents to grab the guide. Thank you again for listening every week!
Please check out all of the free resources on my website that can help you serve and lead your school community. There are "Plug & Play PD's" (45 minute webinars with guided notes) as well as Top 10 Lists of Leadership Books, Productivity Books and TED Talks over at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/resources. You can grab the show notes for today's episode at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/episode117
Please write a review of this podcast and help the algorithm push this content out to more leaders. I would love to get your feedback about the podcast, ideas for future episodes and hear about how you are implementing these strategies in your life and at your school. You can email me at [email protected] Thanks!!
I’ve created a FREE RESOURCE for you called “The Top 6 Ways To Protect Your School From a Lawsuit”. This is a 10 page pdf that will help you to keep your staff and students safe and help keep your school out of court. Litigation is expensive, time consuming and extremely stressful. This common sense guide will help you to be more intentional and proactive when it comes to protecting your school. You can grab “The Top 6 Ways To Protect Your School From a Lawsuit” at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/lawsuit. Thanks!
I am excited to share a brand new resource with you. It is a 9 page pdf called: “How To Use Verbal Judo To Have Better Conversations With The Parents At Your School” What is “Verbal Judo”? "Verbal Judo" is a communication strategy that focuses on using words effectively to de-escalate conflict, resolve disputes, and achieve positive outcomes in various interpersonal interactions, particularly in high-pressure situations.
George Thompson and Jerry Jenkins wrote a book called Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art Of Persuasion. So, I have taken several important strategies from the book and applied them to your life as a private school leader. Grab your free copy of “How To Use Verbal Judo To Have Better Conversations With The Parents At Your School” at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/judo
TRANSCRIPT:
• Welcome to the Private School Leader podcast, where private school leaders learn how to thrive and not just survive as they serve and leadave their schools. • • I strongly believe that it is possible to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader. • And my passion is to help you figure out exactly how to do just that right here on the Private School Leader podcast. And I'm your host, Mark Menkus. • • • So I want you to use your imagination. • • You're at school • and you hear laughter. You hear excited conversation from kids, kids interacting with teachers. • You see • • smiling kids • • doing interesting things. • • • It's memorable, it's awesome, it's colorful, it's noisy, it's fantastic. • • • So I want to ask you, • • • where • • on your campus is that happening? • • And is it happening in your office? • • • The laughter, the excited conversation, the smiling kids doing interesting things, all of those awesome things, is it happening inside your office? • • • And the answer is probably not. • • • And, you know, in your office, mostly • • • • • what's happening is meetings and • • taking a phone call from a parent, um, maybe dealing with a discipline issue, maybe meeting with a teacher or a couple of teachers, • • um, talking to the athletic director, • um, • • you know, • • meeting with a family that's a prospective family to the school, talking to board member on the phone or in person. You know, those are the things that happen a lot in our office. Maybe working on accreditation, self studies. You get it. • But • • • • • • • there is joy on your campus. • • It's just not in your office. • • • And so it's super important for us to engage with that joy and to remember why we're doing the hard thing, that we're doing this job. • • And so, on today's episode of the Private School Leader podcast, we're going to discuss the fact • • that there's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. • • And I'm also going to give you some strategies of how you can go to the joy. • • • •
The seven Secrets to Improving Teacher Morale can help improve school morale
And before we jump into that, I want to give you a free resource just to say thank you for listening to the podcast. This one's called the seven Secrets to Improving Teacher Morale. And if you're listening to this in real time, it's still early January. • • And when that calendar flips over to January, • • and we see that we still have, you know, uh, half of a school year to go • • sometimes we are very motivated to try to improve certain things at our school. • • And one of those things, • • teacher morale is kind of elusive and kind of difficult to • • m • • In some way tangibly improve that. And so what you need is a plan. And you can check out the privatehoolade leader.com morale to grab your free guide that's called the 7 Secrets to Improving teacher Morale. And I think that it will be a big help for you as you try to do that at your school. • • • • • And then I want to help you with your difficult job. You know, you have so many things on your plate and that plate continues to get more and more full. Nothing ever comes off that plate. And yet you're supposed to get it all done, • • • keep everyone happy. As far as the teachers and the parents • • • • improve upon last year's test scores, come in under budget. And when all that's said and done, um, you know, make sure that you • • • • • engage in some self care and try not to be a jerk to your family. • • • Okay, that sounds pretty impossible. And that's why we end up feeling tired and discouraged and stressed out and overwhelmed. And trust me, I've been there. • • And you know how at the beginning of every episode I say that I believe that it is possible for you to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader? • Well, my question is, do you want that? Do you believe that? Do you want to go from how you're feeling right now to feeling like I could do this for a long time and feeling fulfilled and feeling happy to go to school? • • • • So I can help guide you through this transformation, step by step, strategy by strategy, • lesson by lesson, in the online course Thrive Academy. And I've taken everything that I've learned over the past 33 years, • • put it into seven modules with some really, really practical step by step strategies. • • And I want to help you go from surviving to thriving. And you can go to the privateschooladeer.com thrive • to learn more. But I really believe that it can change your life. • • •
We're talking about how there's joy on your campus
So on, uh, today's episode, we're talking about how there's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. • And we're going to talk a few things here. • • We're going to talk about joy that's happening on campus during the day, • • joy that's happening on your campus after school. • • • What are the benefits to you to engage with that joy? • And then what are a few strategies that you can use to make sure that you are going to the joy. • • • So first of all, • • • • joy that's happening during the day. • • Um, I'm just going toa list a few things and then make a comment on it, but I would love for you to think about how you can add to this list. First of all, recess. • • Um, you know, I, over the years have been sled riding Building snowman. A snowman or multiple snowmen. • • Um, swinging, playing basketball. • U. Um, you know, and sometimes I'll be laughing and I'm, you know, building a snowman or building a snow • • castle with the kids or you know, messing around at recess and thinking, this is awesome. I get paid for this. And you know, it'd be awesome if that was the only thing that we did. But it is something that we can do is interact with kids at recess. • • Um, another place where joy actually happens during the day is at lunch. • • You know, and I like to go over, let's say, sit down at the sixth grade girls table and just say, well, objectively, 1989 is the best Taylor Swift album. And then just see what happens. Of course they're all going to have an opinion and it's fun just to talk to them or sit down with any of the kids and talk about sports or movies or the music that they're into, video games. • And that might what I just described be a better fit for tweens and teens. But you can sit down and talk to the younger kids too, and they have a lot of ideas. You know, just as the school leader, you'd be like, • you know, what's, what's one way we can improve the school. Now you're going to get • • • answers that I've gotten over the years, like replace the water in the water fountains with chocolate milk or build a roller coaster on the playground. But that's what, • • that's what makes it fun and that's what makes it joyful. Um, um, so recess, lunch, even class changes. Just • especially in um, um, • you know, fourth grade through 12th grade. Um, um, just to be out there and interacting with the kids. Morning home room. I love morning homeom. • • Especially fourth and fifth grade at our school. • They're working on puzzles, they're just, you know, playing some board games, • • • um, just to go in there and just interact with them for just a few minutes. • • • Joy happening during the day. I think that it's happening in all of the classes. • • Um, and some of it depends on what they're doing as far as the age of the kids. So they, the little ones might be building something out of blocks or making a fort. Um, um, and you know, your 10th graders might be dissecting a fetal pig in biology class, but it's happy kids • • doing interesting things and that it's going to bring you joy. See, not only is it joyful what's actually happening out there on campus, but it's going to bring you joy. And we're going to talk about that more in just a moment. • • I've also found that in addition to the core academic classes, that specials is an awesome place to visit because it seems like they're always doing something super interesting in art • or in music class. There's been more than one time where I've walked in and I'm playing a dejmbbe drum or I'm playing a ukulele, and, you know, because they're doing it and that's fun. Um, • • you know, PE class, um, a little game of kickball, computer class where they're testing out their robots. Um, library, • • um, when they're researching something or reading a book. • • • • • Joy happening on your campus. • • Um, a couple other places would be, you know, in class, when group projects are happening, presentations are being given, skits are being performed, • club time, • • • • assemblies, • your religious service, you know, whether that's chapel or mass or maybe tefila in a Jewish day school. • • Um, the holiday celebrations • • • that happen, spirit days, fundraisers. • • • • • • These are the circulatory system of our school. We could probably list a hundred things that are happening every day • that are fun, that are joyful. • • And the purpose of this episode is to remind you that there is joy on your campus. • • You just have to go to the joy because that joy is typically not happening in your office. I know that sometimes you get a visit. • And aren't those amazing? Aren't those awesome when the kids come and they're on a scavenger hunt or they are delivering a card to you and the office staff or whatever? But it's like, we need to go to the joy.
The theme of today's episode is that we need to be intentional about going to joy
Okay, • the theme of today's episode is that we need to be intentional about going to the joy. • • Al right. So I talked a little bit about the joy that's happening during the school day. There's also fun, joyful things that are happening after school. So whether it's a performance, I mean, I'm a big fan of the spring musical. • Um, it could be the band concert, um, the choral concert, a music recital, a dance • recital, • • um, athletics, you know, whether it's a soccer game or basketball or volleyball or whatever the case might be. • And • I'm going to talk in a few minutes about how, you know, you don't have to go to everything, • • but if you're strategic, you can make, quote, unquot, an appearance, • • • show support to the kids and to the coaches, • • • um, • show that to the parents that are in attendance as fans • that, you know, you care about the sports program too. But you can do it in a strategic way where you don't have to be at every athletic event for every minute of every game. • • We'll get to that in a couple minutes. • • • Um, other times, other places where joy is happening on your campus after school is after school programming for the lower school kids. So maybe the ones that are, uh, depending on your school, a little young for, • • • • • um, • organized sports or for the musical, • • um, production is, you know, they're having a chess club or they're having a science club, or • it's Mighty Kick Soccer or, you know, those kinds of things too. • • Your science fair. Even the day of giving, you know, you've got Thanksgiving and then you've got Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, and then you've got Cyber Monday. But then Tuesday is day of giving. Most of you know that. And • • at our school, we have kids who, in • • • • middle, um, • school who will stay and make phone calls to potential donors or people who donated in the past and ask them to make a donation again to the school. And just hanging out with the kids and they get some pizza and they're happy to be there and volunteer. • Um, • • you know, fundraisers, car washes, you know, different things like that. And I'm not saying you need to be at all of them. I'm just trying to give you this long list and remind you that • those four walls in your office, the things that happen inside your office, • • sometimes some of them are happy things. • • But • there are a lot more joyful, happy things happening on your campus than what's happening in your office. And the reason you got into education in the first place was because of the joy and the happiness and the loud voices and the • • laughter and the excited, um, • you know, tone of voice and all of those things. • • But I think that the longer that we are school leaders, and especially the higher up that we go in our leadership journey on the org chart, • the further we get away from those moments. But it doesn't have to be that way. • • So then what are some of the benefits • • • • • to going to the joy? • • There's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. Well, first of all, a, uh, benefit is your social emotional health, your mental health • • making you happy. • • Um, a little dopamine • • reducing stress, elevating your mood. • • Um, you know, less cortisol, more dopamine, • • • • • um, just being in those spots to engage with or observe or see those happy kids. • • • • And • another benefit is, is that it reconnects you with your purpose and meaning as a school leader. • • You know, many of us came up through as teachers, • • and we were maybe even a teaching principal. Like, I Was for many years. • • But again, like I said, the further you get into your career and the higher, the bigger your school gets. And maybe if you move up from a division head to head of school, then, you know, we keep getting further and further away • • from those moments of joy. And I know that some of you out there, maybe I'm preaching to the choir a little bit because you do regularly, • • um, • you know, engage. I coach a guy in Missouri who, you know, every single day he's in the lunchroom, um, either serving lunch or hang out with the teachers at the table where the teachers sit and eat or hang out with the kids or all of the above every single day. It's a non negotiable and some of you have your non negotiables. But I just think based on talking to a lot of my clients and a lot of students in Thrive Academy office hours, • that this is something that we wish that we had more time to do. I really wish I had more time to blank. • • And usually the thing that's filling in that blank has something to do with these joyful moments and it has something to do with being in classrooms more. • • So. • • • Other benefits, in addition to connecting, reconnecting you with your purpose and meaning, there's just physical benefits from being up and moving around. That's why I love recess so much. It checks so many boxes. It kills so many birds with one stone. You re, um, I'm, um, up, • • • I'm, um, moving, physically, getting fresh air, • • um, interacting with kids. • • Um, there's just so many benefits to that and just being up and moving through the school. • • Um, our school has four floors and so there's a lot of stairs. And so again, more physical benefits to just being up and moving. • • Um, • • other benefits. Visible leaders are more respected, seen as more credible and seen as more trustworthy from • • • • the, um, employees of that organization. So at your school, when you're a visible leader, • • • • the respect is going to increase that you get it, um, that you're credible, that you're there, that you are supportive. • • All of the things that you're looking for, • • being visible and being out and about so that you can engage with those joyous, happy moments on campus, have a double, triple benefit because of the way that the staff is going to perceive and react to that. • And then speaking of staff, I really believe strongly that being a visible leader and being out and about in the school leads to a, uh, higher retention of staff. That's hard to measure. But you know, stronger relationships lead to an enhanced school culture, leads to higherire, • um, Your predict the predictability of you being visible, and then also you just interacting and building those relationships. • • • That all leads to psychological safety, which definitely • enhances school culture. • • And then also retention of students. Because I've mentioned it before on the podcast that when I'm out and about in the school, then I'm also taking pictures on my phone. And then when I'm warming up my lunch for six minutes once a day, I'm pulling out my phone and looking at my photo gallery from the previous 24 hours • and then, you know, hitting send on some of those photos to the parents. • • Happy kids doing interesting things, • • • • photos of those things happening, being sent to parents is going to increase • student retention. • • Um, it can even boost your creativity. Um, because you're out and about and you're thinking, oh, yeah, well, we could do this or that or the other thing. And, um, when you see these things happening in real time, it also boosts your creativity for problem solving and be like, okay, y saw, but that classroom seemed really crowded or they didn't have access to this. And so • another one is just, you're modeling that positive leadership that you and I both want to display. • • Um, but it's very difficult to get out of our offices. •
You need to be intentional about going to the joy on your campus
And right before I jump into the strategies and that's how we're going to wrap up this episode, is giving you a few strategies on how to make sure that you are going to the joy that's on your campus. I do want to just pause and acknowledge that it is really hard to get out of our office. • • • • I said before, your plate is full, • • • it gets more full. • And you're trying your best and you have good intentions and you really, really want to get out more, • • and you just can't because things keep happening wave after wave after wave. • • And this is especially true if you have a fairly big school and a fairly lean leadership team. And maybe the leadership team is you. • • • • • But • • • you still need to derive those benefits from going to the joy. • • The mental health, • the dopamine, the joy, the reconnecting with why the heck am I doing this? And why is this so hard? • • It just continues to remind you, oh, yeah, • • this is why. • • And so even though it is true that it's very difficult to get out and about and get to these places that I'm mentioning at these moments, • • • it's still very, very, very beneficial in many, many ways. • • So I just want to acknowledge that. I'm not saying this is easy. I'm not saying that it's, you know, um, like falling off a log to just be able to go to the Joy. • • And really what you need are a couple strategies to be intentional and make sure that it happens. You know, that we're all about being intentional on this podcast and so that's what we're going to do now.
Being strategic about going to after school events can help boost school joy
So let's talk a little bit of uh, what are some strategies that you can use to make sure that you are going to the joy that exists on your campus? • • So the first one is to be strategic. • And I would say that a little goes a long way. And so what I mean is let's not go • • if you just are really, really • • • • • at a point where this is almost non existent or it doesn't happen very much what I'm talking about, then let's just add a little bit, you know, maybe 15 minutes twice a week. Like we can't treat this like it's a New Year's resolution or like it's quitting smoking cold turkey, • um, because it's going to be too big and then it's not going to be sustainable. So a little goes a long way. You know, those interactions. • • U. Um, • and then another thing about being strategic, I was talking before about those after school events. • • You know, often what I'll do, whether it's a basketball game and it's a, uh, JV in a varsity game back to back or if it's a soccer game on the soccer field and it's a jv, a varsity game back to back, • • you know, I'll go for halfime. I'll go at halftime in the first game and stay till half time of the second game. And so, um, I'm supporting the kids, I'm supporting the coaches. • • I'm um, let's face it, making appearance and being seen by the parents, but also kind of vibing with the kids in between games and off on the sideline there. And but I didn't stay for both games all the way till the end of the game and then get caught up with parents and all that. You know, halftime to halfime is a pretty good strategy. And that just gives you a thought about how you can be creative, • • um, when you're being strategic about going to the Joy, but especially when it comes to after school events. • • And then strategy number two is to make it known. • And so what I mean by that is, is that you need to let your teachers know • • • • that you really, really want them to email you when something is happening. Now you're not going to be able to make it to all those things, • • but you're not going to make it to Any of those things if you don't know they're happening, unless it's just blind luck that you happen to show up. So I'm talking about when the seventh graders are testing their robots on the little course that they've made in the computer room. • • Um, the fourth graders are testing their catapults that they built in, um, science class. • • Um, • • the eighth graders are, • • you know, recording their, or not recording, but they're rehearsing their song that they're going to sing at eighth grade graduation. • • • Um, this group's playing a song on the ukulele. Um, these kids are dissecting. I remember one time 8th grade algebra teacher said, hey, we're doing Barbie bungee. I didn't know what Barbie bungee was, but they're somehow doing a thing with a Barbie doll on a bungee cord, a bunch of rubber bands • • to do a scatter plot diagram. Maybe some of you know what that is. Um, I still don't know what that is. But when these things are happening and you know that they are, and then you can put it into your calendar and I'll get to that in a moment. And again, it's just five or 10 minutes that you're going, um, • and showing up and being there and it's fun for you. • • But there's also all of those other benefits as well.
One strategy is to claim some white space on your schedule
And that leads me to strategy number three, which is claim some white space. So I've talked about that before on the podcast about claiming white space. And really what it is is that • I think on Friday afternoon or on Sunday afternoon, when you're looking at the week ahead, • • • you've got your things that you have to do and they're in your schedule. • And • • even though that takes up a lot of time, and I know that we have teaching principals listening and you've got your fifth grade language arts class or your seventh grade social studies class, and that's in there too. • Um, but there's still going to be white space on your calendar. And so you can claim • • just across the board on many of the days, you know, your quote unquote morning rounds, you know, you're going to get around to the classrooms or you're going toa be in the halls during arrival. Um, you know, whatever it is, • • these things that I'm talking about, when you know that they're happening, whether it's recess or lunch, you just claim that and you put it in there and you treat it like an important appointment, like it's with a donor or like it's with a board Member and then only the true emergencies are going to keep you from going to the thing. • • And remember, start small, • but be intentional and claim the white space. And so for me, • • um, just a quick example is, • you know, the recess lunch block for me is a non negotiable unless there is, • • um, um, a meeting, • um, of the middle school teachers or the intermediate school teachers. And that's when we meet • because it's easier to get coverage for recess than it is to get coverage for a bunch of classes. • • And so almost every day, you know, that recessed lunch block, • • um, • • • • • • I'm able to see the kids and interact with the kids and kind of, • um, in an informal way and • • ask them questions and • • • • • similarly with the teachers because most of the teachers that I supervise are either on lunch duty or recess duty. And you know, maybe you can't do that every way every day, but can you do it once a week? I think the answer is yes. Like, we have to get past these limiting beliefs in this scarcity mindset about time. • Because here's the problem. • When we go week after week after week, and then you stop and you wonder, did I even see a kid today • or did I see a kid yesterday? • • Um, because you're just up to your elbows in work. I get that. • But • • • re. • • • • • • We're losing the joy of why we're losing the purpose and the connection to the meaningful work when we're not interacting with kids, when we're not interacting with teachers. • And so • • • • • even if you start small, Even if it's • 15 minutes twice a week, • um, and then you build from there, just start. • • • And then, um, two last strategies. One is the weekly pop in. I've described this before on the podcast, but I'll do it quickly again here • once a week for an hour. • • Um, um, supervising fourth through eighth grade each. That's five grades. Each grade has two homerooms. So at any given time all of my students will be at one of, they'll be in 10 spots. Okay? And the kids are on second, third or fourth floor. And so let's say it's Wednesdays from 11 to 12. • • I will start on the fourth floor and I'll just spend five minutes wherever kids are. • • So I walk into the music room. 4A is in there, and then I go out to the gym and 7B is out there. And then I go down to the science room on the third floor and you know, • • um, seven uh, or eight A is in there. So you know what I mean? And then you're five minutes, • • um, just kind of like you know, hanging out and seeing what they're doing. And, you know, I would definitely recommend that you let the teachers know ahead of time if this is something that you're going to start. And also be very clear about why you're doing this. It's not a gotcha. It's just that, you know, just be honest. You want to get out and about more and you want to be intentional. And so you're just going toa schedule this. You can even let them know when, um, • you know, it doesn't have to be a big secret. And at first they're gonna think it's weird, and at first they're gonna think you need a student because you're just showing up at their door and it's the first time you showed up in their room all year. But they'll get used to it, and then it'll be like a drug for you. I'm serious. Like, you • • that one hour, or, you know, maybe it's 30 minutes once a week, and you hit up half of the kids, or depending on how big your school is and how, you know, many classes you want to get to, you have to spread it out over multiple weeks. But the point is, is that it's a practice that you're starting and it's something that you're working on, you're prioritizing it, and it's just, oh, man, there's so many benefits. You know, what's going on in the classes. You have that vibe as far as, like, which kids are discipline challenges and how these certain teachers are handling it. Uh, the newer teachers, the more veteran teachers, • • um, • • • all of those things. But most importantly, quite honestly, you're going to all the places where the joy is happening and you're just interacting with them. And I just call it the weekly pop in. Um, and it's on my schedule. And so • • it's possible. And if you have to scale that down in duration and frequency, then that's fine, but just start. • • And then the last strategy is scheduled lunchtime with the kids. And so • • • I started doing this back in 2014, • • where we have trimesters at our school. And so once a trimester lunch with Mr. Mincus, and it was the fifth graders, we divide them up into groups of about, um, five or six kids. • • And then once a trimester, let's say there's 30 kids in the class, • • there would be five days then where I would have lunch to five or six days to be able to get all those groups, the five or six groups. • • And, um, • then just ask them Questions, you know, and some of them can be silly, like, what's your favorite, um, video game? Or, you know, but I would get into like, you know, what are some ideas for improving the school? Or what questions do you have about your big, um, end of the year trip that's coming up? Or for fifth grade, what do you have? What questions do you have about middle school? And that was how it started in 2014. We were trying to solve a retention crisis of losing fifth graders to sixth grade, but we solved that within a year or two. And then I just kept doing it for ten years after that. • Um, and so my point is, is that if it's on your schedule even once a week and it's a group of kids, • • um, it's going to make a big difference for you and for them. • • And so again, the, uh, oh, and then one other thing would be just like weekly story time. So if you just had one thing that you added to your calendar and it was 15 minutes in your entire week, and you went and you read a story or two to the little kids, • • um, whatever that definition of little kids is to, in your school, • • um, • • • • it would make a big difference • • for you as far. And for them, you know, that's the thing. It makes a difference for you, it makes a difference for them. • • And so what are our big takeaways? We want to be strategic. • • • • We want to make it known to the teachers that, to let us know when they're • doing their skits or their presentations or they're dissecting or, you know, they're doing something fun in this club, they're having a debate, whatever. We're going to claim some white space. • • We're going to • • consider doing that weekly. Pop in in some form or fashion. Some. You, you make it your own. I described what it looks like for me, • • um, scheduled lunchtime with kids, you know, once a week or twice a month even, and, or a weekly story time. And here's the thing. Your call to action is to just claim some white space • • • • in the next week, • • 15 minutes twice. So for 30 minutes, and if you do the math on what 30 minutes is as a percentage of your work hours of the week, it's going to be an incredibly small percentage. • • But if you, twice a week for 15 minutes are, uh, leaving your office and going to the joy on your campus, • you, uh, • • • are going to have a disproportionate positive • • • mental health and physical • • • aspect and benefit from doing that. And so the call to action is in the next week, claim some white space. • • 15 minutes twice a week or 30 minutes once a week, where you're going to be going to the joy. And remember, the Joy • • • is on your campus. It's just not in your office. • •
Mark Menckeus: Six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit
And so I want to wrap it up by giving you another free gift. And this is called six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit. And we know that we want to keep our staff and students safe, and that's our priority. We want to keep our school out of court • because litigation is expensive and time consuming and stressful. And so this is a common sense guide that can help you be more intentional and proactive when it comes to protecting your school. So if you go to the privatescchooler.comlawsuit, you can grab the top six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit for free. Just to say thank you for listening to the podcast. • • And then, uh, one last question. What's your biggest problem at school right now? • • • • I would love to work with you one on one and help you solve that problem. And I'd love to hear more about that problem. And I have a couple coaching spots open right now, so • • go over to the privatescguer.com coaching • and learn a little more and read some testimonials. And again, I'd love to work with you one on one. And I would really appreciate it if you would share the podcast, the link to the podcast with another leader, school leader in your life and another, perhaps a rising leader at your school so that we can continue to spread this message and to help private school leaders • • grow. And remember, it's all about trying to go from where we are to having that long and happy and • • fulfilling, uh, • • • career as a private school leader. So I've been your host, Mark Menckeus. I just want to say I appreciate you and all the amazing work that you do at your school. Thank you so much for taking some time to join me here today. And I'll see you next time right here on the Private School Leader podcast. Ah. • • And until then, always remember to serve first, lead second, and make a difference.
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By Mark Minkus
4.9
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I want you to use your imagination.
You are at your school and you hear laughing kids. You hear excited voices and then you see big smiles and you see happy kids doing interesting things.
When you see and hear all of these things, are you in your office? Probably not.
Of course some good things happen in your office, but it is mostly a place for holding meetings, responding to emails and making phone calls.
There are many joyful things happening on your campus, but you usually have to go to that joy.
On today’s episode of The Private School Leader Podcast, we are going to discuss the fact that There Is Joy On Your Campus, It’s Just Not In Your Office.
I know that you are super busy, so be sure to listen while you are doing something else. I hope that you will get value from this episode as you serve and lead your school community. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to listen to the podcast!
Thanks for making a difference,
Mark Minkus
What is your biggest problem right now? I want to hear more about your biggest problem and I want to help you solve it.
Whether your problem is feeling guilty that your family gets what’s left of you at the end of the day, relentless parents, difficult teachers, a lack of boundaries between work and school, feeling overwhelmed, Imposter Syndrome, enrollment or teacher morale, I can help.
I would love to hear more about your biggest problem and I would love to be your coach. Go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/coaching to learn more about working with me 1-on-1.
Being a private school leader is a VERY difficult job. You have to make hundreds of decisions every day, and you have to keep everyone safe, increase enrollment, keep the parents happy, keep the board happy, motivate the teachers, deal with student discipline, beat last year’s test scores and come in under budget.
That can lead to you feeling tired, discouraged and stressed out. I’ve been there. That’s why I created THRIVE Academy just for you. THRIVE Academy is a digital course that will help you get out of survival mode and get back to feeling energized at school. To learn more, go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/thrive
I am excited to share with you a new resource and I want to give this to you as a FREE GIFT to say “thank you” for listening to the podcast. It is called The 7 Secrets To Improving Teacher Morale. As private school leaders, we are always looking for ways to improve teacher morale at our schools, but it is hard to know where to start. Well, now you have a step by step plan and you can grab it at theprivateschoolleader.com/morale
I want to give you a FREE gift called 7 Strategies To Effectively Deal With Difficult Teachers. Sometimes we need some courage and confidence to deal with difficult teachers. What you need is a plan! This guide is a step by step plan that you can use to help one of your difficult teachers improve their performance and improve their attitude. Go to theprivateschoolleader.com/difficult to grab this free guide!
I want to say thank you for listening to the podcast by giving you a FREE GIFT. It is called The 7 Steps To Having A Successful Meeting With An Upset Parent. This guide is an 11 page pdf that gives you a step by step plan to have better meetings with the parents at your school. Every good coach has a game plan. Every good teacher has a lesson plan. Too many private school leaders don’t have a plan when they sit down to meet with an upset parent. Well, now you have a PLAN! You can grab this FREE GUIDE at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/meeting
I’ve created a free resource for you called “The 6 Things That Every Private School Teacher Wants From Their Leader”. This guide is a 6 page pdf that will be a game changer for you. I guarantee you that if you do these 6 things, the teachers at your school will be happy to follow you. You can pick up your free guide by going to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/guide
I want to give you a gift to say “thank you” for listening to the podcast. I have created a FREE guide for you called “5 Strategies To Help You Work With Difficult Parents”. We know that working with parents is part of the job and most of our parents are great, but some of them can be very demanding and emotional and difficult. This guide will give you the tools that you need to build better relationships and have better meetings with the difficult parents at your school. Go to www.theprivateschoolleader.com/parents to grab the guide. Thank you again for listening every week!
Please check out all of the free resources on my website that can help you serve and lead your school community. There are "Plug & Play PD's" (45 minute webinars with guided notes) as well as Top 10 Lists of Leadership Books, Productivity Books and TED Talks over at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/resources. You can grab the show notes for today's episode at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/episode117
Please write a review of this podcast and help the algorithm push this content out to more leaders. I would love to get your feedback about the podcast, ideas for future episodes and hear about how you are implementing these strategies in your life and at your school. You can email me at [email protected] Thanks!!
I’ve created a FREE RESOURCE for you called “The Top 6 Ways To Protect Your School From a Lawsuit”. This is a 10 page pdf that will help you to keep your staff and students safe and help keep your school out of court. Litigation is expensive, time consuming and extremely stressful. This common sense guide will help you to be more intentional and proactive when it comes to protecting your school. You can grab “The Top 6 Ways To Protect Your School From a Lawsuit” at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/lawsuit. Thanks!
I am excited to share a brand new resource with you. It is a 9 page pdf called: “How To Use Verbal Judo To Have Better Conversations With The Parents At Your School” What is “Verbal Judo”? "Verbal Judo" is a communication strategy that focuses on using words effectively to de-escalate conflict, resolve disputes, and achieve positive outcomes in various interpersonal interactions, particularly in high-pressure situations.
George Thompson and Jerry Jenkins wrote a book called Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art Of Persuasion. So, I have taken several important strategies from the book and applied them to your life as a private school leader. Grab your free copy of “How To Use Verbal Judo To Have Better Conversations With The Parents At Your School” at www.theprivateschoolleader.com/judo
TRANSCRIPT:
• Welcome to the Private School Leader podcast, where private school leaders learn how to thrive and not just survive as they serve and leadave their schools. • • I strongly believe that it is possible to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader. • And my passion is to help you figure out exactly how to do just that right here on the Private School Leader podcast. And I'm your host, Mark Menkus. • • • So I want you to use your imagination. • • You're at school • and you hear laughter. You hear excited conversation from kids, kids interacting with teachers. • You see • • smiling kids • • doing interesting things. • • • It's memorable, it's awesome, it's colorful, it's noisy, it's fantastic. • • • So I want to ask you, • • • where • • on your campus is that happening? • • And is it happening in your office? • • • The laughter, the excited conversation, the smiling kids doing interesting things, all of those awesome things, is it happening inside your office? • • • And the answer is probably not. • • • And, you know, in your office, mostly • • • • • what's happening is meetings and • • taking a phone call from a parent, um, maybe dealing with a discipline issue, maybe meeting with a teacher or a couple of teachers, • • um, talking to the athletic director, • um, • • you know, • • meeting with a family that's a prospective family to the school, talking to board member on the phone or in person. You know, those are the things that happen a lot in our office. Maybe working on accreditation, self studies. You get it. • But • • • • • • • there is joy on your campus. • • It's just not in your office. • • • And so it's super important for us to engage with that joy and to remember why we're doing the hard thing, that we're doing this job. • • And so, on today's episode of the Private School Leader podcast, we're going to discuss the fact • • that there's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. • • And I'm also going to give you some strategies of how you can go to the joy. • • • •
The seven Secrets to Improving Teacher Morale can help improve school morale
And before we jump into that, I want to give you a free resource just to say thank you for listening to the podcast. This one's called the seven Secrets to Improving Teacher Morale. And if you're listening to this in real time, it's still early January. • • And when that calendar flips over to January, • • and we see that we still have, you know, uh, half of a school year to go • • sometimes we are very motivated to try to improve certain things at our school. • • And one of those things, • • teacher morale is kind of elusive and kind of difficult to • • m • • In some way tangibly improve that. And so what you need is a plan. And you can check out the privatehoolade leader.com morale to grab your free guide that's called the 7 Secrets to Improving teacher Morale. And I think that it will be a big help for you as you try to do that at your school. • • • • • And then I want to help you with your difficult job. You know, you have so many things on your plate and that plate continues to get more and more full. Nothing ever comes off that plate. And yet you're supposed to get it all done, • • • keep everyone happy. As far as the teachers and the parents • • • • improve upon last year's test scores, come in under budget. And when all that's said and done, um, you know, make sure that you • • • • • engage in some self care and try not to be a jerk to your family. • • • Okay, that sounds pretty impossible. And that's why we end up feeling tired and discouraged and stressed out and overwhelmed. And trust me, I've been there. • • And you know how at the beginning of every episode I say that I believe that it is possible for you to have a long and happy and fulfilling career as a private school leader? • Well, my question is, do you want that? Do you believe that? Do you want to go from how you're feeling right now to feeling like I could do this for a long time and feeling fulfilled and feeling happy to go to school? • • • • So I can help guide you through this transformation, step by step, strategy by strategy, • lesson by lesson, in the online course Thrive Academy. And I've taken everything that I've learned over the past 33 years, • • put it into seven modules with some really, really practical step by step strategies. • • And I want to help you go from surviving to thriving. And you can go to the privateschooladeer.com thrive • to learn more. But I really believe that it can change your life. • • •
We're talking about how there's joy on your campus
So on, uh, today's episode, we're talking about how there's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. • And we're going to talk a few things here. • • We're going to talk about joy that's happening on campus during the day, • • joy that's happening on your campus after school. • • • What are the benefits to you to engage with that joy? • And then what are a few strategies that you can use to make sure that you are going to the joy. • • • So first of all, • • • • joy that's happening during the day. • • Um, I'm just going toa list a few things and then make a comment on it, but I would love for you to think about how you can add to this list. First of all, recess. • • Um, you know, I, over the years have been sled riding Building snowman. A snowman or multiple snowmen. • • Um, swinging, playing basketball. • U. Um, you know, and sometimes I'll be laughing and I'm, you know, building a snowman or building a snow • • castle with the kids or you know, messing around at recess and thinking, this is awesome. I get paid for this. And you know, it'd be awesome if that was the only thing that we did. But it is something that we can do is interact with kids at recess. • • Um, another place where joy actually happens during the day is at lunch. • • You know, and I like to go over, let's say, sit down at the sixth grade girls table and just say, well, objectively, 1989 is the best Taylor Swift album. And then just see what happens. Of course they're all going to have an opinion and it's fun just to talk to them or sit down with any of the kids and talk about sports or movies or the music that they're into, video games. • And that might what I just described be a better fit for tweens and teens. But you can sit down and talk to the younger kids too, and they have a lot of ideas. You know, just as the school leader, you'd be like, • you know, what's, what's one way we can improve the school. Now you're going to get • • • answers that I've gotten over the years, like replace the water in the water fountains with chocolate milk or build a roller coaster on the playground. But that's what, • • that's what makes it fun and that's what makes it joyful. Um, um, so recess, lunch, even class changes. Just • especially in um, um, • you know, fourth grade through 12th grade. Um, um, just to be out there and interacting with the kids. Morning home room. I love morning homeom. • • Especially fourth and fifth grade at our school. • They're working on puzzles, they're just, you know, playing some board games, • • • um, just to go in there and just interact with them for just a few minutes. • • • Joy happening during the day. I think that it's happening in all of the classes. • • Um, and some of it depends on what they're doing as far as the age of the kids. So they, the little ones might be building something out of blocks or making a fort. Um, um, and you know, your 10th graders might be dissecting a fetal pig in biology class, but it's happy kids • • doing interesting things and that it's going to bring you joy. See, not only is it joyful what's actually happening out there on campus, but it's going to bring you joy. And we're going to talk about that more in just a moment. • • I've also found that in addition to the core academic classes, that specials is an awesome place to visit because it seems like they're always doing something super interesting in art • or in music class. There's been more than one time where I've walked in and I'm playing a dejmbbe drum or I'm playing a ukulele, and, you know, because they're doing it and that's fun. Um, • • you know, PE class, um, a little game of kickball, computer class where they're testing out their robots. Um, library, • • um, when they're researching something or reading a book. • • • • • Joy happening on your campus. • • Um, a couple other places would be, you know, in class, when group projects are happening, presentations are being given, skits are being performed, • club time, • • • • assemblies, • your religious service, you know, whether that's chapel or mass or maybe tefila in a Jewish day school. • • Um, the holiday celebrations • • • that happen, spirit days, fundraisers. • • • • • • These are the circulatory system of our school. We could probably list a hundred things that are happening every day • that are fun, that are joyful. • • And the purpose of this episode is to remind you that there is joy on your campus. • • You just have to go to the joy because that joy is typically not happening in your office. I know that sometimes you get a visit. • And aren't those amazing? Aren't those awesome when the kids come and they're on a scavenger hunt or they are delivering a card to you and the office staff or whatever? But it's like, we need to go to the joy.
The theme of today's episode is that we need to be intentional about going to joy
Okay, • the theme of today's episode is that we need to be intentional about going to the joy. • • Al right. So I talked a little bit about the joy that's happening during the school day. There's also fun, joyful things that are happening after school. So whether it's a performance, I mean, I'm a big fan of the spring musical. • Um, it could be the band concert, um, the choral concert, a music recital, a dance • recital, • • um, athletics, you know, whether it's a soccer game or basketball or volleyball or whatever the case might be. • And • I'm going to talk in a few minutes about how, you know, you don't have to go to everything, • • but if you're strategic, you can make, quote, unquot, an appearance, • • • show support to the kids and to the coaches, • • • um, • show that to the parents that are in attendance as fans • that, you know, you care about the sports program too. But you can do it in a strategic way where you don't have to be at every athletic event for every minute of every game. • • We'll get to that in a couple minutes. • • • Um, other times, other places where joy is happening on your campus after school is after school programming for the lower school kids. So maybe the ones that are, uh, depending on your school, a little young for, • • • • • um, • organized sports or for the musical, • • um, production is, you know, they're having a chess club or they're having a science club, or • it's Mighty Kick Soccer or, you know, those kinds of things too. • • Your science fair. Even the day of giving, you know, you've got Thanksgiving and then you've got Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, and then you've got Cyber Monday. But then Tuesday is day of giving. Most of you know that. And • • at our school, we have kids who, in • • • • middle, um, • school who will stay and make phone calls to potential donors or people who donated in the past and ask them to make a donation again to the school. And just hanging out with the kids and they get some pizza and they're happy to be there and volunteer. • Um, • • you know, fundraisers, car washes, you know, different things like that. And I'm not saying you need to be at all of them. I'm just trying to give you this long list and remind you that • those four walls in your office, the things that happen inside your office, • • sometimes some of them are happy things. • • But • there are a lot more joyful, happy things happening on your campus than what's happening in your office. And the reason you got into education in the first place was because of the joy and the happiness and the loud voices and the • • laughter and the excited, um, • you know, tone of voice and all of those things. • • But I think that the longer that we are school leaders, and especially the higher up that we go in our leadership journey on the org chart, • the further we get away from those moments. But it doesn't have to be that way. • • So then what are some of the benefits • • • • • to going to the joy? • • There's joy on your campus. It's just not in your office. Well, first of all, a, uh, benefit is your social emotional health, your mental health • • making you happy. • • Um, a little dopamine • • reducing stress, elevating your mood. • • Um, you know, less cortisol, more dopamine, • • • • • um, just being in those spots to engage with or observe or see those happy kids. • • • • And • another benefit is, is that it reconnects you with your purpose and meaning as a school leader. • • You know, many of us came up through as teachers, • • and we were maybe even a teaching principal. Like, I Was for many years. • • But again, like I said, the further you get into your career and the higher, the bigger your school gets. And maybe if you move up from a division head to head of school, then, you know, we keep getting further and further away • • from those moments of joy. And I know that some of you out there, maybe I'm preaching to the choir a little bit because you do regularly, • • um, • you know, engage. I coach a guy in Missouri who, you know, every single day he's in the lunchroom, um, either serving lunch or hang out with the teachers at the table where the teachers sit and eat or hang out with the kids or all of the above every single day. It's a non negotiable and some of you have your non negotiables. But I just think based on talking to a lot of my clients and a lot of students in Thrive Academy office hours, • that this is something that we wish that we had more time to do. I really wish I had more time to blank. • • And usually the thing that's filling in that blank has something to do with these joyful moments and it has something to do with being in classrooms more. • • So. • • • Other benefits, in addition to connecting, reconnecting you with your purpose and meaning, there's just physical benefits from being up and moving around. That's why I love recess so much. It checks so many boxes. It kills so many birds with one stone. You re, um, I'm, um, up, • • • I'm, um, moving, physically, getting fresh air, • • um, interacting with kids. • • Um, there's just so many benefits to that and just being up and moving through the school. • • Um, our school has four floors and so there's a lot of stairs. And so again, more physical benefits to just being up and moving. • • Um, • • other benefits. Visible leaders are more respected, seen as more credible and seen as more trustworthy from • • • • the, um, employees of that organization. So at your school, when you're a visible leader, • • • • the respect is going to increase that you get it, um, that you're credible, that you're there, that you are supportive. • • All of the things that you're looking for, • • being visible and being out and about so that you can engage with those joyous, happy moments on campus, have a double, triple benefit because of the way that the staff is going to perceive and react to that. • And then speaking of staff, I really believe strongly that being a visible leader and being out and about in the school leads to a, uh, higher retention of staff. That's hard to measure. But you know, stronger relationships lead to an enhanced school culture, leads to higherire, • um, Your predict the predictability of you being visible, and then also you just interacting and building those relationships. • • • That all leads to psychological safety, which definitely • enhances school culture. • • And then also retention of students. Because I've mentioned it before on the podcast that when I'm out and about in the school, then I'm also taking pictures on my phone. And then when I'm warming up my lunch for six minutes once a day, I'm pulling out my phone and looking at my photo gallery from the previous 24 hours • and then, you know, hitting send on some of those photos to the parents. • • Happy kids doing interesting things, • • • • photos of those things happening, being sent to parents is going to increase • student retention. • • Um, it can even boost your creativity. Um, because you're out and about and you're thinking, oh, yeah, well, we could do this or that or the other thing. And, um, when you see these things happening in real time, it also boosts your creativity for problem solving and be like, okay, y saw, but that classroom seemed really crowded or they didn't have access to this. And so • another one is just, you're modeling that positive leadership that you and I both want to display. • • Um, but it's very difficult to get out of our offices. •
You need to be intentional about going to the joy on your campus
And right before I jump into the strategies and that's how we're going to wrap up this episode, is giving you a few strategies on how to make sure that you are going to the joy that's on your campus. I do want to just pause and acknowledge that it is really hard to get out of our office. • • • • I said before, your plate is full, • • • it gets more full. • And you're trying your best and you have good intentions and you really, really want to get out more, • • and you just can't because things keep happening wave after wave after wave. • • And this is especially true if you have a fairly big school and a fairly lean leadership team. And maybe the leadership team is you. • • • • • But • • • you still need to derive those benefits from going to the joy. • • The mental health, • the dopamine, the joy, the reconnecting with why the heck am I doing this? And why is this so hard? • • It just continues to remind you, oh, yeah, • • this is why. • • And so even though it is true that it's very difficult to get out and about and get to these places that I'm mentioning at these moments, • • • it's still very, very, very beneficial in many, many ways. • • So I just want to acknowledge that. I'm not saying this is easy. I'm not saying that it's, you know, um, like falling off a log to just be able to go to the Joy. • • And really what you need are a couple strategies to be intentional and make sure that it happens. You know, that we're all about being intentional on this podcast and so that's what we're going to do now.
Being strategic about going to after school events can help boost school joy
So let's talk a little bit of uh, what are some strategies that you can use to make sure that you are going to the joy that exists on your campus? • • So the first one is to be strategic. • And I would say that a little goes a long way. And so what I mean is let's not go • • if you just are really, really • • • • • at a point where this is almost non existent or it doesn't happen very much what I'm talking about, then let's just add a little bit, you know, maybe 15 minutes twice a week. Like we can't treat this like it's a New Year's resolution or like it's quitting smoking cold turkey, • um, because it's going to be too big and then it's not going to be sustainable. So a little goes a long way. You know, those interactions. • • U. Um, • and then another thing about being strategic, I was talking before about those after school events. • • You know, often what I'll do, whether it's a basketball game and it's a, uh, JV in a varsity game back to back or if it's a soccer game on the soccer field and it's a jv, a varsity game back to back, • • you know, I'll go for halfime. I'll go at halftime in the first game and stay till half time of the second game. And so, um, I'm supporting the kids, I'm supporting the coaches. • • I'm um, let's face it, making appearance and being seen by the parents, but also kind of vibing with the kids in between games and off on the sideline there. And but I didn't stay for both games all the way till the end of the game and then get caught up with parents and all that. You know, halftime to halfime is a pretty good strategy. And that just gives you a thought about how you can be creative, • • um, when you're being strategic about going to the Joy, but especially when it comes to after school events. • • And then strategy number two is to make it known. • And so what I mean by that is, is that you need to let your teachers know • • • • that you really, really want them to email you when something is happening. Now you're not going to be able to make it to all those things, • • but you're not going to make it to Any of those things if you don't know they're happening, unless it's just blind luck that you happen to show up. So I'm talking about when the seventh graders are testing their robots on the little course that they've made in the computer room. • • Um, the fourth graders are testing their catapults that they built in, um, science class. • • Um, • • the eighth graders are, • • you know, recording their, or not recording, but they're rehearsing their song that they're going to sing at eighth grade graduation. • • • Um, this group's playing a song on the ukulele. Um, these kids are dissecting. I remember one time 8th grade algebra teacher said, hey, we're doing Barbie bungee. I didn't know what Barbie bungee was, but they're somehow doing a thing with a Barbie doll on a bungee cord, a bunch of rubber bands • • to do a scatter plot diagram. Maybe some of you know what that is. Um, I still don't know what that is. But when these things are happening and you know that they are, and then you can put it into your calendar and I'll get to that in a moment. And again, it's just five or 10 minutes that you're going, um, • and showing up and being there and it's fun for you. • • But there's also all of those other benefits as well.
One strategy is to claim some white space on your schedule
And that leads me to strategy number three, which is claim some white space. So I've talked about that before on the podcast about claiming white space. And really what it is is that • I think on Friday afternoon or on Sunday afternoon, when you're looking at the week ahead, • • • you've got your things that you have to do and they're in your schedule. • And • • even though that takes up a lot of time, and I know that we have teaching principals listening and you've got your fifth grade language arts class or your seventh grade social studies class, and that's in there too. • Um, but there's still going to be white space on your calendar. And so you can claim • • just across the board on many of the days, you know, your quote unquote morning rounds, you know, you're going to get around to the classrooms or you're going toa be in the halls during arrival. Um, you know, whatever it is, • • these things that I'm talking about, when you know that they're happening, whether it's recess or lunch, you just claim that and you put it in there and you treat it like an important appointment, like it's with a donor or like it's with a board Member and then only the true emergencies are going to keep you from going to the thing. • • And remember, start small, • but be intentional and claim the white space. And so for me, • • um, just a quick example is, • you know, the recess lunch block for me is a non negotiable unless there is, • • um, um, a meeting, • um, of the middle school teachers or the intermediate school teachers. And that's when we meet • because it's easier to get coverage for recess than it is to get coverage for a bunch of classes. • • And so almost every day, you know, that recessed lunch block, • • um, • • • • • • I'm able to see the kids and interact with the kids and kind of, • um, in an informal way and • • ask them questions and • • • • • similarly with the teachers because most of the teachers that I supervise are either on lunch duty or recess duty. And you know, maybe you can't do that every way every day, but can you do it once a week? I think the answer is yes. Like, we have to get past these limiting beliefs in this scarcity mindset about time. • Because here's the problem. • When we go week after week after week, and then you stop and you wonder, did I even see a kid today • or did I see a kid yesterday? • • Um, because you're just up to your elbows in work. I get that. • But • • • re. • • • • • • We're losing the joy of why we're losing the purpose and the connection to the meaningful work when we're not interacting with kids, when we're not interacting with teachers. • And so • • • • • even if you start small, Even if it's • 15 minutes twice a week, • um, and then you build from there, just start. • • • And then, um, two last strategies. One is the weekly pop in. I've described this before on the podcast, but I'll do it quickly again here • once a week for an hour. • • Um, um, supervising fourth through eighth grade each. That's five grades. Each grade has two homerooms. So at any given time all of my students will be at one of, they'll be in 10 spots. Okay? And the kids are on second, third or fourth floor. And so let's say it's Wednesdays from 11 to 12. • • I will start on the fourth floor and I'll just spend five minutes wherever kids are. • • So I walk into the music room. 4A is in there, and then I go out to the gym and 7B is out there. And then I go down to the science room on the third floor and you know, • • um, seven uh, or eight A is in there. So you know what I mean? And then you're five minutes, • • um, just kind of like you know, hanging out and seeing what they're doing. And, you know, I would definitely recommend that you let the teachers know ahead of time if this is something that you're going to start. And also be very clear about why you're doing this. It's not a gotcha. It's just that, you know, just be honest. You want to get out and about more and you want to be intentional. And so you're just going toa schedule this. You can even let them know when, um, • you know, it doesn't have to be a big secret. And at first they're gonna think it's weird, and at first they're gonna think you need a student because you're just showing up at their door and it's the first time you showed up in their room all year. But they'll get used to it, and then it'll be like a drug for you. I'm serious. Like, you • • that one hour, or, you know, maybe it's 30 minutes once a week, and you hit up half of the kids, or depending on how big your school is and how, you know, many classes you want to get to, you have to spread it out over multiple weeks. But the point is, is that it's a practice that you're starting and it's something that you're working on, you're prioritizing it, and it's just, oh, man, there's so many benefits. You know, what's going on in the classes. You have that vibe as far as, like, which kids are discipline challenges and how these certain teachers are handling it. Uh, the newer teachers, the more veteran teachers, • • um, • • • all of those things. But most importantly, quite honestly, you're going to all the places where the joy is happening and you're just interacting with them. And I just call it the weekly pop in. Um, and it's on my schedule. And so • • it's possible. And if you have to scale that down in duration and frequency, then that's fine, but just start. • • And then the last strategy is scheduled lunchtime with the kids. And so • • • I started doing this back in 2014, • • where we have trimesters at our school. And so once a trimester lunch with Mr. Mincus, and it was the fifth graders, we divide them up into groups of about, um, five or six kids. • • And then once a trimester, let's say there's 30 kids in the class, • • there would be five days then where I would have lunch to five or six days to be able to get all those groups, the five or six groups. • • And, um, • then just ask them Questions, you know, and some of them can be silly, like, what's your favorite, um, video game? Or, you know, but I would get into like, you know, what are some ideas for improving the school? Or what questions do you have about your big, um, end of the year trip that's coming up? Or for fifth grade, what do you have? What questions do you have about middle school? And that was how it started in 2014. We were trying to solve a retention crisis of losing fifth graders to sixth grade, but we solved that within a year or two. And then I just kept doing it for ten years after that. • Um, and so my point is, is that if it's on your schedule even once a week and it's a group of kids, • • um, it's going to make a big difference for you and for them. • • And so again, the, uh, oh, and then one other thing would be just like weekly story time. So if you just had one thing that you added to your calendar and it was 15 minutes in your entire week, and you went and you read a story or two to the little kids, • • um, whatever that definition of little kids is to, in your school, • • um, • • • • it would make a big difference • • for you as far. And for them, you know, that's the thing. It makes a difference for you, it makes a difference for them. • • And so what are our big takeaways? We want to be strategic. • • • • We want to make it known to the teachers that, to let us know when they're • doing their skits or their presentations or they're dissecting or, you know, they're doing something fun in this club, they're having a debate, whatever. We're going to claim some white space. • • We're going to • • consider doing that weekly. Pop in in some form or fashion. Some. You, you make it your own. I described what it looks like for me, • • um, scheduled lunchtime with kids, you know, once a week or twice a month even, and, or a weekly story time. And here's the thing. Your call to action is to just claim some white space • • • • in the next week, • • 15 minutes twice. So for 30 minutes, and if you do the math on what 30 minutes is as a percentage of your work hours of the week, it's going to be an incredibly small percentage. • • But if you, twice a week for 15 minutes are, uh, leaving your office and going to the joy on your campus, • you, uh, • • • are going to have a disproportionate positive • • • mental health and physical • • • aspect and benefit from doing that. And so the call to action is in the next week, claim some white space. • • 15 minutes twice a week or 30 minutes once a week, where you're going to be going to the joy. And remember, the Joy • • • is on your campus. It's just not in your office. • •
Mark Menckeus: Six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit
And so I want to wrap it up by giving you another free gift. And this is called six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit. And we know that we want to keep our staff and students safe, and that's our priority. We want to keep our school out of court • because litigation is expensive and time consuming and stressful. And so this is a common sense guide that can help you be more intentional and proactive when it comes to protecting your school. So if you go to the privatescchooler.comlawsuit, you can grab the top six ways to protect your school from a lawsuit for free. Just to say thank you for listening to the podcast. • • And then, uh, one last question. What's your biggest problem at school right now? • • • • I would love to work with you one on one and help you solve that problem. And I'd love to hear more about that problem. And I have a couple coaching spots open right now, so • • go over to the privatescguer.com coaching • and learn a little more and read some testimonials. And again, I'd love to work with you one on one. And I would really appreciate it if you would share the podcast, the link to the podcast with another leader, school leader in your life and another, perhaps a rising leader at your school so that we can continue to spread this message and to help private school leaders • • grow. And remember, it's all about trying to go from where we are to having that long and happy and • • fulfilling, uh, • • • career as a private school leader. So I've been your host, Mark Menckeus. I just want to say I appreciate you and all the amazing work that you do at your school. Thank you so much for taking some time to join me here today. And I'll see you next time right here on the Private School Leader podcast. Ah. • • And until then, always remember to serve first, lead second, and make a difference.
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