8 Years Ago I Won Principal of the Year—Here’s What I Know Now
Jul 23, 2026
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Eight years ago, I thought I was walking into a crisis.
It was state testing week, and I was coming back from an offsite meeting when my secretary called, saying contractors were working in the gym to fix a leak and were asking them to evacuate the school. They stated they would need a few hours to complete their work, and it would be extremely loud…
My first thought? Not today. Not during testing.
I was irritated. I was ready to walk straight in, find the problem, and handle it.
You said it clearly. You said it kindly. So why are you having the same conversation again?
You did the walkthrough. You had the conversation. You were clear about what needed to change, you were respectful, and you even followed up with an email.
Two weeks later, you walk back into that classroom, and it looks exactly the same.
It's tempting to decide the teacher isn't committed or isn't ...
Why expectations without follow-through turn into suggestions, and what to build instead
Picture the first week of school. You stood in front of your staff and laid out the expectations for the year. Learning targets posted and referenced in every classroom. Consistent hallway transitions. Data meeting norms everyone agreed to. People nodded. A few teachers took notes. You walked out of that P...
There is a certain relief that comes when the first few days of school go well.
Staff are back, students are moving through the building, transportation is running, classrooms are settled, and the systems you spent the summer planning seem to be doing exactly what you hoped they would do.
After months of preparation, it is tempting to look around and think, We did it.
And you should celebrate ...
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