Welcome to the end of the school year, and happy summer! Whether you’re officially done with your school year, or you’re so close to the finish line that you can taste it, it’s time to dive into a process for wrapping up the year. 

Now, most of you want to check off all the to-do’s, slam your computer shut, lock your door, throw away the key, and run away for the summer. The last eight to 12 weeks of your year have probably felt very busy and chaotic with extra tasks that needed doing, like teacher observations, evaluations, testing, and all the end-of-year events. There is lots to wrap up and put a bow on, but it doesn’t end here. 

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As humans, and especially as leaders, we are so hard on ourselves. As women in education, we are incredibly critical of ourselves when something doesn’t go as we’d expected. We believe we’re missing something, we messed up, and we’re not cut out for this. Well, this is where the concept of lighter leadership comes in.

I had a realization the day I recorded this podcast around my own journey as an entrepreneur and a coach: our relentless self-criticism is tarnishing our experience of life. We are not letting ourselves enjoy the ride, and it needs to stop right now.

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What is the difference between a mentor and a manager? All of us who are in school leadership need to be able to make this distinction because using authority alone to motivate your staff and get results is never going to work in the long term.

Even though we are the leader, we’re not better just because we’re in a position of authority. Our job is to be here to guide our teachers and staff. We need to coach, love, and support them. We’re here to be amazing leaders who truly believe in our teachers, and I’m showing you how in this episode.

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Last week, we discussed all the reasons why we don’t typically enjoy the last weeks of the school year. This week, I’m teaching you all of the how, and it all stems from the simple solution I gave you at the end of the last episode: planning your future is the key.

When you plan your future, that preparation allows you to experience those moments with presence. When you plan enjoyment, it’s already decided. You have the solutions you need to the problems you’ve anticipated. This is what makes all the difference, and I’m showing you how to make the most of it in this episode.

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Many of you are at the point of the school year where you are now making decisions about staffing assignments for next year. You’re having to hold conversations with your staff about where they’re going to be placed in the next school year, and if you’re experiencing fear, doubt, or worry, you’re not alone. 

We want staffing assignment decisions to be a win-win for everyone involved. Unhappy teachers don’t serve anyone, and we need to consider their wants and needs. However, we don’t want these conversations to turn into an us-versus-them dynamic, where you’re stuck in a gridlock with your staff. So, how do we hold space for them while making the best decisions for our school? 

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