District-level curriculum roles are often pulled in hundreds of directions. But the role is crucial for supporting the leaders and teachers who impact students. We’ve compiled 5 tips to keep in mind as you navigate endless to-do lists and never ending demands. Tip 1: Get On The Balcony. It is easy to get sucked […]
Author: Marissa King
Making Time: The Case for School Leader Coaching
It’s no secret that school administrators have jam-packed schedules and daunting to-do lists. With so much to do, it’s easy to shy away from leadership development due to time constraints. TLI’s Director of Leader Programs Nina Fitzerman-Blue urges leaders to make a different choice. “This is how we make time. Leadership coaching is how we […]
School Leader Cohort: What Is Leader Coaching Like?
School leadership can be isolating work. TLI’s Director of Leadership Programs Nina Fitzerman-Blue is working to change that. Each week, she offers focused, personalized coaching for school leaders in TLI’s School Leader Cohort. Under Nina’s direction, our fellows receive year-long support to develop instructional leadership skills, ranging from teacher coaching to adult culture to managing […]
What We’re Listening To: Staff Edition
In preparation for the long road trips and airport delays as we return home from holiday travels, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite things to listen to and learn. Cue up the podcasts, friends. We’ve got some recommendations from TLI staff and friends. Education Updates Listen to the researchers and leaders behind major […]
Staff Bookshelf: Winter Edition
Winter break is the perfect time to cozy up on the couch with a warm quilt and a new book. To kick off our own winter reading, we peeked into our staff bookshelf to reminisce on inspiring education reads and general lit picks. Jo Lein, Executive Director Jo can’t stop talking about Hollowing Out the […]
Top 6 Teacher Gifts for the Holiday Season
The Teaching & Leading Initiative (TLI) staff have compiled our favorite educator-centered gifts to make your holiday gift buying a little easier this year. Whether you need a gift for the teacher next door, the school principal, or your educator bestie, this list has you covered. If you’re looking for a practical gift to use […]
Planning for the Seven Elements of Change Management
Change is inevitable. Schools are constantly changing in response to student needs, new data, leader vision, district initiatives, and state mandates. While change itself may not be a choice, we choose how to manage it. Successfully managing change isn’t about putting on a smile and adjusting your attitude– although that may not hurt either. Effective […]
Greasing The Skids
In this 6-week change management series, TLI staff examine the big ideas and often-overlooked strategies for successfully leading school change. Catch the series introduction or earlier blogs here. Successful building-level shifts require more than a strong leader. A new curriculum is worthless without the teachers to skillfully integrate it into class. A new technology initiative […]
Assess The Scope: Tools for School-based Change Management
In this 6-week change management series, TLI staff share key leadership moves for managing successful school-based change. Catch the series introduction here or read earlier posts. For school leaders, changemaking often brings discomfort and anxiety. Fortunately, research offers some clear guidance on successfully managing change: Start by assessing the scope and complexity. School leaders should […]
20 Under 2: Celebrating Oklahoma’s Novice Teachers
A teacher’s first years in the classroom can be long and lonely. Learning to teach is a big, important job and yet the experience is also punctuated with unnecessary hurdles like low pay, large class sizes, and underfunded systems. It’s not surprising that so many novice teachers leave before they feel fully competent. In Oklahoma, […]