"Having optimistic realism helps us be clearer, more focused & more equipped, so that we can get ahead of the brutal facts before they get ahead of us." I love this, @rachelpixl.bsky.social. In @schoolsweek.bsky.social : schoolsweek.co.uk/five-ways-to...

www.racheljohnson.org.uk/articles/wha... How to make meetings meaningful by @rachelpixl.bsky.social

The most read article of the week was ‘What do others do… Meaningful Meetings’ by @rachelpixl.bsky.social 📚 11% of school leaders read the blog, and 8% of classroom teachers read it this week!

What a fantastic review of @jazampawfarr.bsky.social’s new book from @rachelpixl.bsky.social – thank you 💙 If you haven’t ordered your copy of #BecauseofYouThisisMe yet, then this is your sign! Available from our website at: buff.ly/udqQd5i @itlworldwide.bsky.social #Edusky #Booksky

What a fantastic review of @jazampawfarr.bsky.social’s new book from @rachelpixl.bsky.social – thank you 💙 If you haven’t ordered your copy of #BecauseofYouThisisMe yet, then this is your sign! Available from our website at: buff.ly/udqQd5i @itlworldwide.bsky.social #Edusky #Booksky

Academic ideas from Eleanor and Hoyte et al. (2019) Practical application in schools from @lekhasharma.bsky.social rma.bsky.social, Sam Crome and @rachelpixl.bsky.social ixl.bsky.social

Posting the last snippets from @rachelpixl.bsky.social's new book, 'Box Clever' today. If you've read them, I hope you found them interesting and useful, and it perhaps encouraged you to take a look at the book. Best wishes with it, Rachel. www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rache...

In 'Box Clever', @rachelpixl.bsky.social's choice of 11 quadrants are "tools that can identify where you may be now, where you want to go next, & how you are going to make that move." www.amazon.co.uk/Box-Clever-Q... @johncattedu.bsky.social

"Remember it isn't just you; the struggles, dilemmas or tensions you face are the same challenges many of us experience. Sometimes just knowing that can help make us feel a little safer and a whole lot braver." @rachelpixl.bsky.social in www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rache... @johncattedu.bsky.social

It's a good point! As I say in the blog, exit interviews are important, but we should be asking those kinds of questions throughout someone's time in the workplace. I suggest the leaders I work with ask, 'What do you need from me if you're to be your professional best?' occasionally.

"The Eisenhower Matrix is often used for tasks & to work out what is urgent & what is important. However, it can also be used for our own change or change within our teams. Try using it to plot out your leadership focus, or who you want to be, not just what you have to do." @rachelpixl.bsky.social

"In their book 'Both/And Thinking', Wendy K Smith and Marianne K Lewis explore some of the challenges around tensions, dilemmas & paradoxes." @rachelpixl.bsky.social in www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rache... @johncattedu.bsky.social

...Absolutely agree, @rachelpixl.bsky.social. If Covid taught us nothing else, it surely taught us this. 2/2

Leaders facing challenges: "Don't commit yourself to a fixed trajectory at the start. If the facts change, so will you. Unexpected events happen, so make sure to be flexible & agile so you can adapt as you need to." @rachelpixl.bsky.social in www.hachette.co.uk/titles/rache... 1/2

"Working out what you need to do & what you need to stop (& why) is always a challenge of leadership. Part of coming to any decision is checking our own motivation, emotions & perspective to ensure we are balanced & wise throughout this process." @rachelpixl.bsky.social

"Optimistic realists want to see results & change but also continue to believe that we have more agency than we think, & that we can be agile & responsive. Sometimes we must be patient & know that whatever obstacles we face, we will find a way round." @rachelpixl.bsky.social

Important questions to ask ourselves as we ensure we are striking a manageable & sustainable balance in our lives: “Are you overworking & underliving? What is the impact of this on you, your workplace & your loved ones?" @rachelpixl.bsky.social 1/2

"What do you find energising? Is there enough of that in your life now? If the answer is ‘no’ at work, what could you do outside work to enable this to happen?” Important questions to ask as we ensure we are striking a manageable & sustainable balance in our lives @rachelpixl.bsky.social 2/2

"This book is a collection of quadrants that may help you see more clearly, so that you can lead more clearly...Thinking happens when we engage with the quadrants, when we have debates in our own heads & when we explore something we may find challenging." @rachelpixl.bsky.social

Useful questions to ask When was the last time you admitted to making a mistake? When did you last apologise & really mean it? When did you last ask for feedback on what you were doing & how you were doing it? When was the last time someone challenged you & you took it well? @rachelpixl.bsky.social

Thank you! Can I also shout back about my friend Jaz… you need to buy her book, it’s an absolutely awe inspiring read, gripping, heart wrenching but real, human and full of heart and hope! It’s out soon and pre-order can happen now! I’m sure it’s going to sell out so buy one whilst you can!

🚨 The Teaching & Learning Summit 2026, with our partners Eton College 🚨 We have John Hattie, @mrenglishteach.bsky.social @mrspearce.bsky.social @rachelpixl.bsky.social, Jonnie Noakes, @alexjquigley.bsky.social, Iro Konstantinou, @drcastelino.bsky.social 🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-teachi...

Welcome new fellows! @efernie.bsky.social @kayfuller.bsky.social @profjohngardner.bsky.social @jgreenauthor.bsky.social @rachelpixl.bsky.social @loujs.bsky.social @unibirmingham.bsky.social @bathspauni.bsky.social @angliaruskin.bsky.social @uniofstandrews.bsky.social @universityofessex.bsky.social

📚 SHOUT OUT to my friend and phenomenal human female @rachelpixl.bsky.social on the launch of her game-changing book, Box Clever! If you want to level up in life and work, this one’s for you. Insightful, practical, and packed with wisdom straight from the heart of the PiXL family. zurl.co/9hp3I

Coming up this evening on TTR, @rachelpixl.bsky.social shares insights from her brand new book 'Box Clever'. This is the one for anyone who is looking to change the way they live or lead. Join the conversation LIVE across our network and on Youtube at 7.30pm: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktu7...

A new Pearl podcast out today! Only 9 mins so short and to the point but helps us reflect on ourselves and our own leadership. Today, the hollow Easter bunny! What one is and how we can avoid becoming one! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Tomorrow I hand in the manuscript for a book I’ve been working on before I even knew it would be a book. I’ve been collecting leadership quadrants for years and now they are going to be in this book (the greatest hits anyway!!). Out in June, pre orders TBC! Thank you @johncattedu.bsky.social

🎤 Honoured to speak at the PiXL Secondary Education Conference in Westminster Central Hall today on Behaviour for Learning. Consistency, strong routines and clear expectations create classrooms where students thrive. Great to share and learn from fellow educators. 👏🏻💥

It was great to speak to so many educators at Westminster’s Central Hall on Thursday. Thanks to #ThePixlNetwork for the invite. Ace to also see @missmc.bsky.social and @rachelpixl.bsky.social 😃

Tomorrow I hand in the manuscript for a book I’ve been working on before I even knew it would be a book. I’ve been collecting leadership quadrants for years and now they are going to be in this book (the greatest hits anyway!!). Out in June, pre orders TBC! Thank you @johncattedu.bsky.social

I’ve loved being part of The PiXL Network for years, but now I love them even more for their amazing ad hoc coaching/support. Yesterday was tough, so I booked a session on their portal & 24 hours later, I had the support I needed. @rachelpixl.bsky.social , you’re an inspiration. Thank you!

Happy new year and happy new term! Hope that the weather doesn’t cause significant issues for you. As we go into this next term and consider where our energy and perspective needs to be, you may find this helpful on the commute! The new Pearls episode! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Word of the Day is one I keep posting at the end of the year, hoping its time will come. ‘Respair’, from the 16th century, is fresh hope, and a recovery from despair. Here’s to a few drops of respair in 2025.

The long-serving Conservative schools minister Nick Gibb has been knighted in the new year’s honours, with former union leader Geoff Barton to receive the CBE

NEW EPISODE out today! This one is called Toxic Productivity and looks at what it is, why it has an impact and why we may have become addicted to it. Only 10 minutes but something in it may help you make a change even today! podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

It’s so lovely to see so many new people on here and to connect with people from so many different backgrounds and view points! 👋

For anyone who loves a bargain, I got an email from Amazon saying there is money off my first book!

Morning all! For those who enjoy the Pearl podcasts, a new series starts today! Just 10 mins and this one is on sabotage with a cracking story and lots for us to think about! I’d love to know if anything resonates with you. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Only a few weeks to go until PiXL! Will we see you there? Swing by our stand, say hello, and try your luck at winner some awesome merch. (Spoiler: Everyone’s a winner!) Are you heading to PiXL? Let us know 👇

I love reading, researching, writing and recording these little Pearls, 10 minutes of leadership reflection for the start or end of the day or for when you want to sit and think for a little while. This one is one of my favourites, using the Lego paradoxes. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/p...

Watching how this will change over the next 12 months will be interesting. Can Ofsted change its reputation? Results on @teachertapp.bsky.social

Ofsted has named the members of seven new external reference groups that will offer 'independent advice and challenge' as it embarks on wide-ranging reforms

I’ve been to Wales today to two 6th form colleges to lead their first day back. What a privilege! We were exploring aspiration, inspiration and motivation not just for our students but for us too! Great people doing some brilliant things!

Just posted new blog on Bluesky and not (yet) on Twitter. Be interesting to see engagement. Will I fold and put it on Twitter too? Please help me avoid the temptation by reposting here! primarytimery.com/2024/08/25/o...

I’ve made it over here! I tend to not post that much on X but may well put more on here and LinkedIn. Love reading, good debate, book recommendations, research, great stories and celebrating brilliant things people are doing. So I hope this is the right place for all that!?

We share this every year on Teacher Tapp as it’s a great way to learn names at start of term