Before we get started, I have two quick announcements

1.     I’ve been hearing a strong interest in how to support beginning teachers. I went into some key practices last year in episodes 214 and 215, so if you are in the mode to think about how to support your BTs (and ECTs), give a listen to episodes 214 and 215

2.     The July 22 episode of The Assistant Principal Podcast we feature a panel discussion with myself and five assistant principals. Some are national/state AP of the Year awardees and others are just wrapping up their first year as assist principals. The focus of our discussion is being a first year AP! We would love to hear from you. If you have questions, topics, advice, or stories, please consider sharing. Please email them to me at [email protected]. I would love to be able to name contributors but will only do so if you explicitly give permission for us to include your name and affiliation. We are recording on July 15, so don’t wait.

Okay, now onto the episode…

Five for Friday Outline

Hello colleagues and welcome to the Assistant Principal Podcast. I’m your host Frederick Buskey. The goal of this podcast is to help improve the life and leadership of assistant principals. Today’s episode of Five for Friday recaps the strategic leadership emails for the week of December 26-30. 

Imagine setting a leadership intention at the beginning of each day. That’s what many readers of the daily email do. For some, it has become a ritual: Pour a cup of coffee, open your email, read the Strategic Leader Daily, and set one intention to be aware of or execute for the day. The daily email is a powerful leadership practice so if you aren’t already a subscriber, I hope you’ll consider joining the list. It’s just one more way to include me on your leadership journey, and that would bring me joy. You can find a link on my homepage at https://www.frederickbuskey.com/ 

From December 26-January 6 are the twelve days of Christmas (in some traditions) and we are celebrating each day with a fun leadership lyric and brief lesson. Original lyrics are here

Day 1

Subject: On the 1st day of Christmas, Frederick gave to me…

A process for proximity,

The most special gift is presence (proximity), but giving it consistently requires intention. Reflect on the flow of your day and build in a time and habit (process) for being present with people.

Day 2

Subject: On the 2nd day of Christmas, Frederick gave to me…
Two gentle shoves,

When we do everything ourselves, we deprive others the opportunity to grow as leaders. Sometimes we need to give people a gentle nudge to take on something that will stretch them. We just need to stay close to support them.

Day 3

Subject: On the 3rd day of Christmas, Frederick gave to me…

Three good friends,

Leadership can be lonely. Identify three people who are special: A mentor, a peer, and a future leader. Invest in those relationships. It is like Christmas past, present, and future, but without the ghosts and humbugs!

Day 4

Subject: On the 4th day of Christmas, Frederick gave to me…

Four magic words,

Strategic leadership is simple. Difficult, but simple. It comes down to four words: people, purpose, problems, and progress.

Day 5

Subject: On the 5th day of Christmas, Frederick gave to me…

Five-minute coaching,

You had to see that one coming, right? Five-minute coaching is golden. Five minutes, three questions, many outcomes. You can download my five-minute coaching guide here. [will need to create a link and use the pdf of Q2 issue 0]

This wraps up this week’s Five for Friday rendition of The Assistant Principal Podcast. If you enjoyed today’s show, please subscribe and rate this podcast. 

I’m always trying to improve the show, so if you have feedback please email me at [email protected]. 

I’m Frederick Buskey and I hope you’ll join me next time for the Assistant Principal Podcast.