From Struggle to Success: Mastering the Stages of Innovative Change
A Principal's Reflections
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1w ago
Recently, on my podcast Unpacking the Backpack, I revisited a 2019 blog post outlining the stages of innovative change.  Take a listen on Spotify or wherever you access your favorite podcasts. You can also read the blog post HERE.  I have found great value in using the podcast to expand on ideas, concepts, and frameworks I have developed over the years. An unintended outcome has also materialized, which is using my blog to delve a little bit deeper by providing additional insight and thoughts.  Let’s dive into the intricacies of innovative change!  Change is an inevitable p ..read more
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Leading with Versatility: The Swiss Army Knife Mindset
A Principal's Reflections
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3w ago
Recently, on my podcast Unpacking the Backpack, I discussed the Swiss Army Knife as an analogy for effective leadership.  Take a listen on Spotify or wherever you access your favorite podcasts.  Inspiration for this episode came from a past blog post, which you can read HERE. I thought it might be a good idea to expand on the topic a bit more, as leadership groups I have been working with love the concept.  In a disruptive world, effective leadership necessitates more than just authority or charisma. It demands a multifaceted approach, a "Swiss Army Knife" mindset, where leaders ..read more
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New Year, New You: Strategies for Goal Achievement
A Principal's Reflections
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1M ago
“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.” — Fitzhugh Dodson It’s 2025 and we all know what that means.  The new year often brings a wave of renewed motivation and a desire for positive change. Whether improving fitness, launching a new business, or simply cultivating more mindfulness, setting and achieving goals can significantly enhance our lives, both personally and professionally. However, the road to success is rarely linear. This year, consider and approach to goal setting with a focus on realistic strategies and sustainable ..read more
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Top Posts of 2024
A Principal's Reflections
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1M ago
I must say that 2024 has been crazy in a good way. It was the first full year that my consultancy, Aspire Change EDU, served education systems worldwide.  While this kept me super busy, it also impacted my blogging schedule.  Well, that and the fact that it is so difficult to come up with unique topics to write about.  I must not be the only one in this boat, as there are fewer and fewer education bloggers these days.  Upon reflection, I might readjust my goal of one post a week, which I have stuck with since 2010, to one per month. Writing must come naturally and not be fo ..read more
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A New Era of Educational Leadership: The AI Advantage
A Principal's Reflections
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2M ago
A few weeks back, my friend Monica Burns reached out and asked to share some insight on my favorite artificial intelligence (AI) tool for a blog post she was writing. Since she was gathering perspectives from numerous educators, I wanted to avoid the well-known tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Thus, my decision was easy as I was able to zero in on one that I use routinely, which not only helps me when coaching, but also can be invaluable to practicing school leaders.  Here’s why.  To make data-enhanced decisions, it's crucial to have access to reliable and relevant research, somethi ..read more
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Ditch the Drill and Choose to Thrill: Personalization with Student Choice
A Principal's Reflections
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2M ago
There is a saying out there that I hear often: learning is learning. While I don’t discount this view, I firmly believe there is so much to it at the individual level. Preferences and experiences play a significant role in how we all learn, and interests do as well. When asked to do the same thing at the same time in the same way, it is pretty much a fact that a few people will thrive, some will get by, and others will struggle. While this notion challenges the status quo and how things have been done traditionally in education, it is the truth. The question now becomes, what are we going to d ..read more
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Addressing Gaps in Practice with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
A Principal's Reflections
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2M ago
Unless you are living under a rock, AI is all the rage right now, and rightfully so.  It can revolutionize various practices by addressing gaps in efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can uncover patterns and trends that human analysts may miss, leading to more informed and effective strategies. For instance, in healthcare, AI-powered tools can analyze patient data to predict disease outbreaks, optimize treatment plans, and streamline administrative tasks. In finance, AI can detect fraudulent activities, automate trading, and provide ..read more
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Using Student Discourse to Increase Engagement
A Principal's Reflections
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3M ago
As my Aspire Change EDU consultant team and I visit classrooms on a routine basis, we strive to lead administrators, coaches, and teachers in reflecting on their practice using questioning techniques.  The majority of these often revolve around engagement, and it is quickly realized that when students are compliant, it is because the adult is doing all the work or talking. A simple yet powerful strategy to move from compliance to engagement is discourse through turn & talk.  So why is this so important when it comes to engagement? Student discourse, the interaction ..read more
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Accountability Drives Growth
A Principal's Reflections
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3M ago
These days, it seems that everyone says they want change. However, the fact is that those asking for it might not be as open to the idea as they want others to think. The number dwindles even more when considering who wants to lead the process.   No matter how you slice and dice it, improving outcomes aligned with change relies on the dreaded “A” word – accountability.  It doesn’t have to be this way, though.  Success hinges on a leader’s ability to help others see the value in accountability as a growth mechanism, not an “I gotcha.” A vision, mission, and strategic plan on ..read more
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Compliance vs Engagement
A Principal's Reflections
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3M ago
One of the best aspects of the work my team and I at Aspire Change EDU do is getting into leaders as part of the coaching process.  During this time, we begin to collect qualitative evidence aligned with growth opportunities that they have set during initial meetings.  No matter where our travels take us, one of the most common areas districts and schools want to improve is shifting from compliance to student engagement. Truth be told, from my lens, this is something that most systems would benefit from if learning is the goal. Let’s begin to differentiate the two.  Compliance a ..read more
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