While you’re hearing this episode in April, the conversation I’m bringing you today was recorded in March, which as we know is Women’s History Month. So, in honor of all of the women leaders in our community, I thought I would spend some time interviewing my women clients and have them share their wins, successes, and accomplishments.

Wendy Cohen is no stranger to the podcast. She’s been working with me for over two years, and this will be her third appearance on the podcast. As school leaders, we have so many things we don’t love doing that require a lot of our time and attention, and for Wendy, it’s teacher observation write-ups. But dreading your tasks is not a fun way to experience school leadership, so what can we do to make our jobs feel more meaningful and enjoyable?

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There’s so much stress and anxiety around standardized tests that creep up at this time of year. I know so many school leaders, teachers, and students spend precious time and energy ruminating about upcoming tests and what it means, and today, I want to offer that living in this test score anxiety isn’t the best way for you to show up for your community as principal. 

When educators believe raising test scores is the one and only priority, it’s no surprise we focus solely on the test. Sure, it has significance and I’m not downplaying its importance. However, the truth is that coming at test scores from fear and pressure not only increases anxiety for your entire school, but it also doesn’t make test scores go up.

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The months of February and March are when school leaders often have to start making staffing decisions. With the past couple of years we’ve had, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of teacher resignations, and the institution of education as a whole is in a rebuilding period. And if you’re struggling as a school leader, you’re not alone. 

Whether it’s filling more spots than usual due to your teachers leaving, spinning in drama about staff coming and going, or there’s conflict on your team and you’re unsure of what to do to resolve it, I’m covering it all. I know that if this is what my clients are dealing with, you are too, so I’m helping you make informed decisions about your staff on this episode. 

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One of the secrets to loving your life as a school leader is developing the ability to ask for what you want. Day to day as a school leader, there are so many things you have to ask for. You have to ask things of yourself and other people, and other people are always asking you for decisions and attention. It’s really unavoidable.

When you think of the possible outcomes of going after something you want, the best is that you ask and they say yes. Sometimes they say no, and we can deal with that. But the worst possible outcome is that we don’t ask at all. You want to make more money, but you never ask for a raise. Does that sound familiar?

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Today’s topic is not a fun one. It’s real, it’s very serious, and as a school leader, it can be incredibly scary. However, it’s something we need to bring into the conversation in education and band together in support, love, and collaboration around. And this is the topic of haters and cancel culture throughout education.

I had my own experience of a hater when I was a school leader, and it was incredibly uncomfortable. But in sharing my story with you and breaking down my thoughts about the situation, I hope it helps you if you’re feeling like a hater is after you, or you’re scared that something like this is coming your way.

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