Little Things First

Today, Tracy and Jim interview Dr. Tron Young, the middle school principal of the year out of Illinois.  Dr. Young tells us about the little things that make the difference, especially in the formative middle school years.  Listen to what he does to turn the first teacher day back into something special, for his staff and his students.  Also, Dr. Young tells Tracy and Jim how he identifies students that the staff has solid connections with and those students who require a little more attention.  A truly inspirational interview that you don't want to miss!

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Last week, Tracy and Jim discussed the text TRUST MATTERS, which helps schools and leaders prioritize the building of trust in their work to improve schools.  Tracy and Jim shared their thoughts about the book, but what does the actual author have to say?  This week, Dr. Megan Tschannen-Moran talks about her book which is now in its second edition.  She talks about the key to trust which is balancing task and relationship.  What does this mean exactly?  Find out in this episode!

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It's time for another book club!  We hope you will join us for TRUST MATTERS, a book by Megan Tschannen-Moran, that explores how to go beyond relationships to deep and lasting trust.  Without trust, nothing else matters.  Tracy and Jim chat about the book this week and chew on the deep concepts it presents.  Next week, we talk to the author to see if our understandings and applications measure up to Dr. Tschannen-Moran's intentions.  Join us?

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Dr. Julian (Joe) Elliott has been studying dyslexia for decades and has come to the realization that we simply don't have any solid ways of determining if a child is in fact dyslexic.  The response to students diagnosed with dyslexia is the same as a child identified as having reading difficulties.  According to Dr. Elliott, more quality time is served by focusing on the best ways to support all struggling readers rather than identifying some students as dyslexic.  Dr. Elliott also worries that the concept of dyslexia has been politicized, creating potential inequities in the ways we serve children.  Dr. Elliott is a professor of educational psychology in the UK at the University of Durham.  

It's Time to Be Scientific about Dyslexia article from Reading Research Quarterly 

The Dyslexia Debate book

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Coutney Monterecy is a state principal of the year and national distinguished principal in Providence, Rhode Island who has a unique way of addressing the needs of English Language Learners in her school.  In addition, she discusses her efforts, along with her district, of ensuring that school partnerships (with businesses and agencies from the community) are carefully aligned with the needs of her school.  Some principals can attest to the importance of school-comnnunjity relationships.  However, these relationships must be well-managed to ensure that they meet the needs of students.  Meet Courtney who is making a tremendous difference as a school leader!

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Dr. Amy Lyon has been researching and writing about grit for several years now.  What are the little things that a teacher and school can do to build, strengthen , and/or promote grit?  What about kids who already come with gritty backgrounds and experiences?  How can we use what they already know to enhance their academic grit?  

Reach out to Dr. Lyon at [email protected].

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Are you wondering if you should and how to bring up the recent Capitol riots with students in your class?  As an educational leader, how do you we support teachers to safely explore politically-charged issues?  Robert Austin, who works as a Program Specialist in K-12 Social Studies at the Utah State Board of Education, discusses some of the resources teachers might use to discuss the Capitol riot and the subsequent impeachment with students.  This is a difficult political time, and Mr. Austin stresses educators have an obligation to create space for discussion so that students feel safe to find their own voices.  

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Dr. Howard Fields is a national distinguished award-winning principal who is described in his biography as a "courageous" leader.  He tells Tracy and Jim what this means to him.  He also talks about his attempts at centering student passions in the schooling experience.  He and his staff sponsored several Passion Days throughout the year, a break from the regular curriculum but a deep dive into the interests of everyone on campus.  According to Dr. Fields, passions are at the heart of students' future problem solving and creativity skills.    Be inspired by the work of this courageous leader!

SBE21.com

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Amy Denney is an award-winning principal from Sioux City, Iowa who details her experience bringing three separate schools together as one and how she built cohesion between three separate communties.  She also discusses some of her efforts, along with the district, to create model classrooms and professional learning opportunities for teachers through observation and reflection.  Don't miss this Season 3 premiere episode!

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Matthew (Matt) Moyer is the Pennsylvania Distinguished Principal of the Year.  We talk to him about his success as a sixteen-year principal in the same school he attended as a child!  He discusses relationships and his philosophy of "every classroom, every day" where he tries to visit every classroom every day even if it's just for a momentary check-in.  We dig deep into what makes this veteran such a success and what we all can learn about leading in today's changing educational climate.

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