From James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter …. So true! High standards, firm vision, and clear expectations are good for schools, but illogical rigidity is not! #EduSky

H/T to James Clear, today’s 3-2-1 Newsletter. So very true! If the school cannot function without me, it’s time to reflect! #EduSky

I’m three episodes into Coach K’s #MasterClass on #leadership. The big take away so far: 1. Start from defining your values. 2. Then, define collective values. 3. Our values breed our culture. #EduSky

Engaged learners are generally meeting expectations, on task, and participating. The problem becomes when we, as the teachers, act as if that is the same as being truly engaged. General compliance is necessary but not sufficient. #EduSky

After having spent the past four days watching our custodial team move mountains of snow, I have only one question … … how do the Inuit do it? #EduSky

I don’t think engaging students requires an extroverted, MC type teacher. An introverted teacher can still engage students through: • Warmth and positivity • Facilitating quality discussions • Empowering students to lead the classroom • Genuine care and enthusiasm for student success #EduSky

Volume isn’t the indicator of engagement or disengagement. A noisy classroom can be disengaged. A quiet classroom can be disengaged. Instead, aim for the appropriate volume for the instructional goals of your lesson and activities. Model, practice, affirm. Rinse and repeat! #EduSky

After 16 full days of Winter Break, we will return to class … not tomorrow. Snow day. Neat? #EduSky

Back to school on Monday! It’s been a great break, feeling rested and recharged and ready to go! Some goals: •Presence in classrooms with abundant empowering feedback •Protecting time to finish old things, vs. continually piling on new things •Continued focus on “hopeful urgency” #EduSky

Happy 2025, #Edusky! What are your goals, Committments, and resolutions for the new year?

In 2024, I: •Went to Europe and Lake Tahoe for the first time •Finished my first year as a building principal •Hiked Rocky Mtn NP •Found the #EduSky community Looking forward to a great 2025!

I’m 💯 convinced that, done well, purposeful partnering and grouping of students of students is critical to engaging students. It makes all students: •Think •Talk •Explore •Try things It also ensures the quiet ones or those who need processing time have it. #EduSky

Foster a growth mindset in your classroom or school. Celebrate effort and progress, not just correct answers. The journey needs to be just as important as the destination! #EduSky

A question I often ponder. What is student engagement, really? •Can a student be on task and complaint but disengaged? •Can a class be safe and calm, but disengaged? •Can a student be happy, but disengaged? I think the answer to all of them is “yes.” So what is engagement, really? #EduSky

‘Twas a steak kind of night!

The return-from-Winter Break in January is a great opportunity to set new precedents and try new things in the classroom. For leaders, this can apply to the school as a whole. School leaders - what are resetting in January? #EduSky

We adopted this fella from a foster agency. THEY adopted him from some folks who found him and his litter in a Rubbermade container. He could’ve died on the side of a road. And yet we get to love him his entire life. The world is awful sometimes. But it can be beautiful too. #DogsofBlueSky

Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it! 🎄 And for those of you who don’t, I hope you and your loved ones are spending quality time together during this holiday season! #EduSky

Like many educators, I tend to pile appointments into those scheduled longer breaks. And I’m not gonna lie, a dental trip in the midst of a candy and sugar heavy holiday is a cheat code. #EduSky

Teachers: TURN OFF YOUR ALARMS!!

There’s definitely something therapeutic about shutting off that morning alarm the night before… …except when you have a dog, who is convinced he IS the alarm, thank you very much. #EduSky #DogsofBlueSky

A note to all #EduSky school leaders: If you agree to being whipped cream pied in the face, bring a full change of clothes. FULL! Also, you will smell sugar and stale milk for awhile afterwards. Prepare accordingly.

One way I recharge: 1. Go “dark” in terms of email communication for most of Winter Break. 2. Post an away message related to said darkness. 3. Communicating my plan to go dark to our staff. 4. Encouraging staff to do the same! True emergencies only! #LeadLAP #EduSky

In what world do Peter and Kate McAllister avoid a Children’s Division call? They straight up forgot their 8 year old and flew to Europe, such that said 8 year old had to FIGHT OFF ARMED INTRUDERS? And only survived bc an old neighbor was proficient with a shovel. #EduSky #HomeAlone

Share success stories from your school. Inspiration is contagious, and your experience could spark ideas for others. #EduSky

Being a Principal is tough work, and it can be lonely at times. But it need not be lonely at ALL times. Remember, we’re stronger together. Share resources, strategies, and words of encouragement with colleagues. Reach out, ask questions, or even just say “hello.” We’ve got this! #EduSky

The contradictions are the point. We must: •Meet students where they are, but hold to standards •Be prepared and organized, but responsive to student needs in the moment •Communicate clearly and directly, but with kindness and empathy It’s why we lose people. But what choice is there? #EduSky

Plug into a podcast or playlist that uplifts you. Even a few minutes of joy can reset your day. #EduSky

“Maslow Before Bloom” applies to you, too. Go to bed at a normal time. Drink water. Eat real food. Give yourself grace and kindness. Set boundaries and stick to them. And over the coming weeks, spend quality time with your loved ones. #EduSky

Hot take of the day: There are as many administrators who collect daily or weekly lesson plans, and actually read them in detail and provide feedback, as there are martians in Antarctica. I am lucky to eat lunch 3 days a week! #EduSky

Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops. #education #teachers #leadership #sped #autism #leadlap #EduSky

A3: I’d have to figure out how to do it first, but I’d love to write a book about how best to educate students with identified disabilities, AND to do so in a joyful way. I’m not sure our educational system has gone down the right road on this one. #LeadLAP #EduSky

Running TERRIBLY late! Whoops! A1: Professionally, I’m picking my way through the 4th edition of Learning By Doing and the accompanying FAQ book as part of our districts PLC Academy initiative! Personally, I’m reading Lev Grossman’s The Bright Sword. #LeadLAP #EduSky

Moving into school leadership, at first I really missed that day to day positive, visible impact on kids. Now, I realize the job is to have that same impact on the adults, so that THEY can go positively impact kids. #EduSky

Feeling overwhelmed? Step back, breathe, and trust that it’s okay to take a moment. Self-care is strength! #EduSky

No single educator has all the answers. But if you put enough of us together, we’re unstoppable. Collaboration fuels innovation in education. And yes, leaders, that applies to you too. Probably even more so! #edusky

@pmdewitt.bsky.social Thank you for posting and sharing! Time management is TOUGH. As Principal it’s all your responsibility, ultimately, but you can be everywhere all at once during a 7ish hour school day, and you can’t work 1am-11pm every single night either. That balance is TOUGH!

This is not to say we NEVER extend grace, or NEVER choose to “die on another hill.” It IS to say that doing so as a blanket approach isn’t a wise choice.

“Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” 🧡 #kindness #SelfCare #compassion

“Ruinous empathy.” When we care about someone deeply, but fail to clearly and directly address concerns. Honestly, a mode I tend to lapse in to if I’m not careful! It’s easy to be the nice person, but it can end up stifling and crippling those you care about, if you’re not careful. #EduSky

Helping students to complete tasks or assignments isn't an intervention. Intervention is systematically taking a student to mastery on a critical skill using a research-based practice. #LeadInclusion #EduSky #InclusiveEd #EdLeaders #MTSS #UDL

I am convinced the Chiefs have made some sort of deal with the devil. I mean … garsh

Kim Scott’s RADICAL CANDOR is a great book for those of us who need to have hard conversations, but don’t really love them! Balancing a high level of care for the person with a willingness to confront the issue directly can lead to positive results for all! #EduSky

A3: How do we BOTH remediate and accelerate learning for students who have lagging skills? How do we have high standards and “start with the crown” but also backfill skill gaps? #LeadLAP

#LeadLAP Intro: Pete Johnson, Intermediate School Principal (Grades 3-5) in suburban STLMO.

A2: Celebrations! So excited to see the growth in our teaching staff over our year and a half together. We had a LOT of new staff in the fall of 2023, and we’ve seen them grow into their roles and “find their voice!” #LeadLAP

A1: The enormous demands on public educators, especially at the elementary level, and the limited amount of time we have to do things as well as possible. #leadlap

A school is only as good as its staff. Any EduLeader who forgets this is toast. Treat them with respect. Be as honest as you can be. Expect a lot but support a lot too. Work with instead of “doing to.” And above all - Believe in them, even when they don’t believe in themselves #EduSky

Rick DuFour’s “pledge” hits like a hammer, each and every time. “It does not matter which teacher your child has in our school … your child will receive the highest quality instruction, the best assessment practices, and extra time and support to learn at high levels.” #EduSky

How do we show kindness and compassion for OURSELVES? •No apologizing for having outside interests •Prioritizing family time •Meet basic sleep and nutritional needs •Go to the doctor and dentist •Build yourself up thru positive self-talk. •Try new things, reflect, and iterate What else, #EduSky?