Three years into the pandemic, the teacher shortage shows no signs of abating.  But now, another educator shortage looms.  A February 16, 2023 Edweek article asks, Is This The Beginning of the Principal Exodus?  Unsurprisingly, it points to pandemic stressors and increased responsibilities as reasons for administrator burnout, but I think there were already other factors that were exacerbated in response to recent years’ events. Just like teachers, administrators are human beings who are vulnerable to stress.  National Association of Elementary School Principals ED Da ..read more

 As someone who just transitioned from school administrator to independent consultant, I’ve had an existential crisis of sorts this week.  I really began to question my new role after some other aspiring teacher influencers/consultants got dragged on social media.  They were even called grifters by some teachers. I was taken aback by the strength and tone of teachers’ reactions.  I didn’t necessarily agree with these guys either, but weren’t they just trying to help teachers? It made me question everything I’m trying to do.  Was I just a grifter?  Was I just tryin ..read more

If you're an educator or you read the news, you know that for teachers, as well as for our youth, times are tough.  A recent USA Today article states "Overworked, underpaid?  The toll of burnout is contributing to teacher shortages nationwide".  Another states that "The Sunday Scaries are at an all-time high". Their students, aren't faring any better.  From NPR: "Rates of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide have risen in recent years. NY Times reporter Matt Richtel says we lack the therapists and treatment centers to care for teens who are suffering ..read more

 It's taken me a week to feel ready to write this post.  In the previous weeks, our nation's out of control violence was hitting a little too close to home.  On Saturday, November 19, a University of New Mexico Student was killed outside the dorms where my two children reside.  The following day, news broke of the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, near my childrens' birthplace in Southern Colorado.  Sickeningly, the Walmart shooting in Chesapeake, VA took place the following day.  According to Gun Violence Archive, there were 10 mass shootings in the US th ..read more

 Positive Intelligence (PQ) Is NOT Toxic Positivity! If you have been an educator during the last few years, chances are you have experienced toxic positivity.  According to verywellmind.com, toxic positivity is "the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation is, people should maintain a positive mindset. While there are benefits to being optimistic and engaging in positive thinking, toxic positivity rejects all difficult emotions in favor of a cheerful and often falsely-positive façade." Sound familiar?  On top of an already unsustainable workload, educators ..read more