On this episode of The Virtual Principal, I talk with my guest, Chara Harris, about planning for the new school year. As we wrap up the current school year, it’s so important for us to think ahead and start planning for the 2021-2022 school year. 

Chara Harris is the owner and founder of The Principal Planner. She graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and with a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics Education. She has served as a K-12 District Curriculum Specialist, Campus Instructional Coach, and Classroom Teacher and is now in Campus Administration for four years. 

[00:43] Chara Harris Tells Us About Herself  

• Born in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Chara was raised in a military home with her father spending 23 years in the air force
• Chara’s teaching career after graduating and her journey to becoming an assistant principal 

[06:38]  Planning For a New School Year 

• What makes planning such an important topic?
  • Avoiding the mistake of being busy, but not getting anything done

[11:33] The Principal Planner

• Common MYTHS about planning 
  • Planning makes you inflexible
  • Deviating means FAILURE

[15:00] What Inspired Chara To Create The Principal Planner 

• Chara felt there was no planner that fit her needs for administration 
• After sharing her planner with a leadership group of other principals, she received great feedback and decided to turn her passion into a business  

[20:45] Planning Problems    

• The importance of finding the right system that fits your needs  
• Chara talks about her favorite page in The Principal Planner  
• Our planning systems 
• To purchase The Principal Planner, please see links below 

[29:34] Closing Up! 

• Let’s expand our Vocab wall
• Room, Desk, or Car. Which one do you clean first?

Key Quotes:

“You have to know where you’re going... Even though our job can be like putting out fires all day, you still have to have a foundation.” - Chara Harris

“You can know your subject and have your pedagogy down, but if you’re not connecting with the kids, they’ve got to connect with you so that they can actually get from you.” - Chara Harris


Connect and learn more about Chara Harris by visiting her website The Principal Planner, and check her out on social media, Instagram (@theprincipalplanner), and Facebook (@theprincipalplanner).

To know more about me and my journey, follow me on Instagram (@thevirtualprincipal).

This season is being produced by Streamlined Podcast, making podcasting EASY FOR YOU.

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