Lessons In Leadership
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Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How a Pennsylvania superintendent factors community into innovation
For Matthew Friedman, prioritizing consistent communication is key to ensuring Quakertown Community School District can embrace future-ready learning.
By Roger Riddell • Aug. 29, 2024 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Boots on the ground: Topeka superintendent meets families where they are
For Tiffany Anderson, engaging with the community in authentic, unstructured ways is essential to understanding and addressing learning barriers.
By Roger Riddell • July 25, 2024 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How student voice informs change in a California district
The rollout process for a district graduate profile led Santa Ana Superintendent Jerry Almendarez to implement ongoing student input sessions.
By Roger Riddell • April 25, 2024 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How a Chicago-area district embraces community engagement amid political divides
With two school boards to answer to and pushback from a vocal parent rights group, careful communication is key for this superintendent.
By Roger Riddell • March 29, 2024 -
Sponsored by Kognity
Can inquiry-based learning transform classrooms and equip students for real-world challenges?
Turn passive learners into problem-solving stars. IBL transforms science education for success in the classroom and beyond.
March 11, 2024 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How prioritizing culture boosted attendance, academics in a Virginia middle school
Shampriest Bevel, who began her principal role mid-pandemic, says it was critical to put student and teacher voice first and “focus on what people really needed.”
By Roger Riddell • Feb. 29, 2024 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
5 insights from top school administrators in 2023
We’ve highlighted some key insights on community voice, union negotiations and crisis management more from this year’s conversations.
By Roger Riddell • Jan. 2, 2024 -
Sponsored by Pearson
3 common misconceptions about SEL — and how educators can address them
Learn how educators can work with families to understand their resistance and work together to foster acceptance.
Nov. 13, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
This rural Alabama district hit the fast lane on 1:1 devices years before the pandemic
Over her 16 years leading Talladega County Schools, Suzanne Lacey has prioritized innovation and partnership with local industries like NASCAR.
By Roger Riddell • Oct. 23, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How a Pennsylvania superintendent set out to restore her district’s secondary grades
With middle grades returned, Sue Mariani aims to sustainably bring high school back to Duquesne City School District in a system under receivership.
By Roger Riddell • Sept. 27, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How a New York superintendent found her passion in school turnarounds
The Roosevelt Union Free School District’s Deborah Wortham says the most important questions students have of leaders are, “Do I care? Am I visible?”
By Roger Riddell • Aug. 30, 2023 -
Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
What should superintendents keep in mind in union negotiations?
LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says talks may exceed budget comfort zones, but that may be necessary based on economic realities.
By Roger Riddell • July 14, 2023 -
Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
How NAEP scores are adding urgency to Los Angeles’ math, reading push
As a member of the assessment’s governing board, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is all too familiar with the gravity of pandemic learning loss.
By Roger Riddell • July 13, 2023 -
Sponsored by Fly Five
Paving the way for positive behavior with mindfulness
Mindfulness practices in the classroom can help students to reset, refocus, and remain in control.
By Fly Five • July 3, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: For Ohio superintendent, focus on student skills is key to broader local economy
Youngstown, Ohio, was hit hard by the decline of the local steel industry, but Justin Jennings sees part of his role as equipping students to attract new fields to the region.
By Roger Riddell • May 30, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: Cincinnati superintendent invites community to ‘Be Present’ for students
For Iranetta Wright, the entire community has a stake in providing support and resources for student success, including through direct volunteerism.
By Roger Riddell • April 19, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: A North Carolina principal details why middle school is more than academics
Social media and pandemic fallout are only compounding the hurdles that come with a critical period of brain development, says Derek McCoy.
By Roger Riddell • March 31, 2023 -
How 4 school leaders use communication, transparency to battle community divisions
Amid growing politicization, administrators are working to cultivate community with authenticity, visibility and meeting people where they’re at.
By Naaz Modan • March 23, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: Roanoke superintendent puts equity in action through career and technical ed
For Verletta White, navigating and avoiding misunderstandings is a matter of listening, identifying pain points and finding common ground.
By Roger Riddell • March 1, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: How a suburban Illinois district revisited safety after tragedy
Following an Independence Day parade mass shooting, Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld began his district’s response with community engagement.
By Roger Riddell • Jan. 26, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: 5 key takeaways from a year of school leader conversations
In case you missed any of 2022’s installments, we’ve highlighted some leading insights on student voice, community engagement and more.
By Roger Riddell • Jan. 3, 2023 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: What’s it like leading a district accountable to federal, state and tribal law?
With a deep understanding of challenges facing tribal families, Quincy Natay has raised standards and achievement in Chinle Unified School District.
By Roger Riddell • Nov. 30, 2022 -
Q&A // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: How a principal raised student voice to build ‘Connections’ across New England
During his 10 years leading Massachusetts’ Sutton High School, Ted McCarthy has focused on pushing student and teacher input to the forefront.
By Roger Riddell • Oct. 26, 2022 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: How Virginia Beach prioritizes communication, military community engagement
As a homegrown leader, Superintendent Aaron Spence also brings outside perspective from leadership stints in Texas and North Carolina to his district.
By Roger Riddell • Sept. 28, 2022 -
Column // LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP
Lessons In Leadership: Florida superintendent shares takeaways from Finnish schools
During a cultural exchange trip, Putnam County School District Superintendent Rick Surrency gained insight on playtime, standardized testing and more.
By Roger Riddell • Sept. 6, 2022