Don’t Miss out
Latest Leadership
Introducing Yourself as Principal to New Staff
We got a great scenario from a podcast listener who needed to introduce herself to her new staff as principal. She said she was stuck between knowing exactly what to do and also being “paralyzed with indecision” about her first introduction. Here are our top three tips: 1. Write a more formal letter: Format your…
More Leadership posts
Latest Instruction
An Argument Against State Testing During a Pandemic
Schools all over the state of Missouri continue to try to meet the needs of their community during the pandemic in terms of the choice they can provide parents with educational platforms available (in person, virtual, hybrid, combination). Of course, there is no perfect scenario and all schools have struggled to balance demands from the…
More Instruction posts
Latest from the Blog
Introducing Yourself as Principal to New Staff
We got a great scenario from a podcast listener who needed to introduce herself to her new staff as principal. She said she was stuck between knowing exactly what to do and also being “paralyzed with indecision” about her first introduction. Here are our top three tips: 1. Write a more formal letter: Format your…
An Argument Against State Testing During a Pandemic
Schools all over the state of Missouri continue to try to meet the needs of their community during the pandemic in terms of the choice they can provide parents with educational platforms available (in person, virtual, hybrid, combination). Of course, there is no perfect scenario and all schools have struggled to balance demands from the…
Missouri Charter Expansion & Vouchers February 2021
A hot topic in schools across our country is always parent and family engagement. How do we get our families to attend school events, help with homework, and return our calls? How can we get more volunteers for class parties, sports boosters, and fundraising efforts? While all of these are necessary and appreciated activities, one…
Finding the Positive in Negative Feedback
Picture this: You’ve been wanting to change the way you do a family event at your school for a while. You finally get organized early enough to pull together this new and improved classroom community event and you are feeling sky high about it. Not to toot your own horn, but this event deserves a…
Ten Questions for New Hires to Ask the Principal
You got the job, and you are excited to start! You know you need to ask about the basics: your daily schedule, supervision duties, and curriculum. What else would your Modern Principal love you to ask to ensure you’re providing the best education possible in your first (few) years? Try these and watch her be…
7 Qs to Ask About Reading
Okay, so you’re a principal and hearing a ton about dyslexia legislation and reading problems, and you’re in this facebook group where people are talking. But what does it all mean for your your school? How do you know if your students are getting proper instruction in all aspects of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, word…
more on the blog
For those of you that want to start prepping for August, we've got your back!
Our pod that dropped this week discusses our recommendations (and some research) on the 90 Day Entry plan for all new administrators.
Would be a great refresher for those already in the position as well to motivate and inspire that to-do list!
Take a listen and tell us what you think!
What did we miss in the plan that must be included!?!🗞🖇
CLICK THE LINK IN BIO!
#podcastersofinstagram #podcasts #podcasting #edupodcast #teachersfollowteachers #teacherlife #futureteacher #womensupportingwomen #teacherproblems #personalgrowth #podcaster #principalslist #principalsoffice #momsasprincipals
#ascd #naesp #maesp #90daychallenge #90dayplan
Don't be fooled by these serious faces. We are happy to be staring down the last week of summer school and looking forward to some vacations and quality time with our family (in between Karen moving to a new position).
What is everyone planning for July? Much needed R&R 💅 or a lot of work projects 👩💼?
Tell us below!👇👇
Hey! We finally did it! We recorded a pod after taking an unanticipated hiatus! And you don’t want to miss this one – it’s all about how to come down after this wild year. Feel like you fried your nervous system just a little too much and now you don’t even know how to relax? Yeah, same. Check out this episode to commiserate with us!
.
.
#themodernprincipal #principalpodcast #teacherpodcast #newprincipal #assistantprincipal #futureprincipal #educationpodcast #leadlap #momsasprincipals #principal #principalsofinstagram
Happy 40th Birthday to Karen! It’s hard for us both to pour out our hearts, but we do it best on an Instagram post or random early-morning text to each other, so here we go!
I’ve never met anyone who had a more profound impact on my career than Karen. She challenges us all to take it up a notch when it comes to our students, staff, and public schools. She literally knows everything about everything that is education-related: literacy, instruction, leadership, policy, math, behavior, law, hiring – you name it, and Karen is an expert. But more than her expertise, Karen has the biggest heart that she DOESN’T like to wear on her sleeve. She cares deeply for the people she serves and protects and supports them with everything she has.
As a mom, Karen is incredibly intentional. When she gets home each day, her daughter squeals with delight and can’t wait for their time together. When doctoral classes keep her away from the soccer and baseball games, she is stealing glances at videos from her husband, proudly showing off her girl’s basket or goal.
And as a friend, you couldn’t ask for more. Karen is as loyal as they come, nurturing relationships she has had since middle school and college and making room for the rando adult friendships that are hard to make. 🙋♀️ (me) She is my hype girl and also my depress-y girl that allows me to have all of my emotions whether we are celebrating or commiserating. With TMP, her eye for detail and level head keep us moving steadily. She is the wit in “witty banter” and truly the one who keeps us fun. She can write a hilarious prose piece in two minutes which is fortunate because most of my writing resembles a 4th grade 5-paragraph expository essay (hence, see the structure of this Instagram post) 😆.
There’s so much more to Karen than a single expository essay on Instagram can convey – wife, dog-lover, daughter, sister…. But I’m so fortunate I get to call her my FRIEND. Happy 40th birthday, Karen!
So a super-cool school psych in my district started #thoughtfulteethursday and I’ve always wanted to join, but I never had any thoughtful tees! Well, today is the day that changed! And what perfect end to this #thoughtfulthursday – we had a reading night and paired it with our second grade musical, and it gave me ALL the feels. Our gym was packed with smiling families, and the students rocked their performance. Plus, it was my first-year music teacher’s first official production, and she just absolutely NAILED IT. Soooo proud of our school community tonight!
.
#themodernprincipal #leadlap #assistantprincipal #principal #teacherstyle #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction
We have had MANY aspiring leaders leave our workshop feeling confident in their own strengths, able to articulate their vision clearly, and understand how to create their own path to leadership!
These are not just tips and tricks. We get to know YOU and help you become better and expressing your strengths, going beyond just succeeding at the interview.
Our goal is to fill our spots for this weekend course. Only a few spots remain.
Tag someone who would benefit from this workshop. Anyone looking to change roles in education for next year, we can help prepare you!! ❤️❤️
#interview #prepare #principals #momsasprincipals #assistantprincipal #instructional #hiring #hiringnow
It’s here! It’s here TODAY! Our first-ever guest, and she’s an epic one – ELENA AGUILAR! Elena and Lori Cohen are dropping a new book, The PD Book, next month, and we got a sneak peek! In this episode, we get a chance to hear from the expert herself on how to lead transformative PD, and you do, too! Head over and have a listen, then do two things:
1. Tell us what resonated with you the most. 👇
2. Go pre-order the book! 🤗
.
#themodernprincipal #principalpodcast #professionaldevelopment #thepdbook #instructionalcoach #assistantprincipal #leadlap #principalsinaction #teacherpodcast
Four day work week for (one of) us?! Came just in time.
This week, both of us had 'one of those bad days'. But the timing of that day for Karen also coincided with a speaker at an event she attended this week. She encouraged us to strike that term 'bad day' from our vernacular.
When we call a day a 'bad' one, we've negated any moment that was positive. Any interaction that was encouraging. Any moment of pride or second of laughter. Reframe Reframe Reframe.
Yes, there are 'bad' moments. But the whole day?! Pish Posh.
The past three years in education have been anything but desireable. Yet, there were moments of incredible connection. Moments of victory. Of success. Of decency. Of perservance.
Reframe, reframe, reframe, so you don't lose sight of the amazing moments you've experienced as well.
#positive_vibes #postivevibes #positivevibesonly #goodvibes #quotesaboutlife #quotesdaily #quoteoftheday✏ #inspirations #inspirationalquote #themodernprincipal #principalperplexities #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teacherPD #newteachers #classroomgoals #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #kcladygang #kcinfluencer #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
!!!!!!!!!ATTENTION!!!!!!
You asked, we added! This is perfect for anyone looking to land a job in education (teacher, instructional coach, principal, assistant principal)
On sale now on our website (click link in bio OR go to our website and visit shop). Claim your spot for April 19th or April 30th.
With this workshop you will get:
⭐ 1.5 hours of content geared to resume prep and interviewing skills
⭐ Individual feedback on your resume
⭐ One on one connection with us (obvi best part) for us to be your cheerleaders as you go for that job
⭐ Resume & cover letter template
⭐ Ongoing support as needed!
We received amazing feedback from our last sessions and some of our participants already landed principal jobs!
Spots are limited, first 15 get seats. Pick from one of two dates on our website!
Tag someone below who needs this below!⚡⚡
#interview #interviewprep #resumebuilder #interviewingtips ##myjob #instajob #cheerleading #humanresources #getthejobdone #teachertuneup #newteachers #firstyearteacher #iteachelementary #educationmajor #classroomcommunity #teacherPD #classroomgoals #principalsinaction #themodernprincipal #kansascitygirl #igkansascity #kcinfluencers #kansascityblogger
Did you hear the news?!
The Modern Principal now has an astericks by it's title–one current principal and one formal principal now working in the human resources department of central office working to help support principals, directors and all staff across the district, not just in one building (but that name doesn’t roll off the tongue as easy 🤣)
Don't you dare worry, TMP fans, we aren't going anywhere. Our view of how systems work together in a district will expand and we can share how to translate what works (and doesn't) in building leadership to the district level. As well as how important it is to unify the various departments and personnel to be solid for our students!
And of course, tons of content (including those misteps) about transitioning into and out of new roles for those of you doing the same this year!
Stay tuned!!!!⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌟
#buildingleadership #principalsoffice #instakc #workinglate #dailygrind #staffiesofinstagram #teachers #classess #themodernprincipal #principalperplexities #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teacherPD #newteachers #classroomgoals #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #kcladygang #kcinfluencer #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
Welp. It happened. One of us won’t be a principal next year. Check out the pod if you want to hear more about Karen’s new gig! Give her some congrats below! 👇
#themodernprincipal #principalpodcast #teacherpodcast #educationpodcast #assistantprincipal #principalsfollowprincipals #principal #principalsoffice
When we think about a collaborative team in our school, we think about a group of teachers and colleagues sitting around the table planning and sharing resources.
But a true collaborative team is working towards a specific goal. And discuss their progress towards that goal every time they meet.
If your grade level or content teams aren't doing that, then they are just a group.
The work must be intentional, based in data and aligned to a common goal.
What do you think? Tell us your experiences with a team below! 👇👇👇
#teamwork #collaboration #plc #skills #peer #textbook #iteachk #planwithme #workinglate #teachersofig #dailygrind #teachertuneup #newteachers #firstyearteacher #iteachelementary #educationmajor #classroomcommunity #teacherPD #classroomgoals #principalsinaction #themodernprincipal #kansascitygirl #igkansascity #kcinfluencers #kansascityblogger
#
Have you checked out our #podcast this week? Here's a brief overview of the four main steps we adapted from @simonsinek to help our teams develop a shared vision and mission. Be sure to save this to come back to later!
#podcast #visionboard #vision #visionsetting #visionsettingworkshop #mission
This week on the pod, we discuss setting a vision and how important that is to your building.
One of the things we shared was the power of story telling. It's important to remember that success breeds success. The more we share our celebrations with others and connect that to the work we do with our students, the more we:
🌟Believe our hard work is worth it
AND
🌟Believe we can do it again and again and again!
What is a story of success you experienced recently!? Put that into the universe so we can all celebrate you!🔈🔈🔈
#schoolimprovement #schoolplanning #goalsetting #change_your_life #celebrate_milestones #storyteller #sayings #neversaynever #teachers #classmates #documentaryphotography #successquotes #quotestagram #themodernprincipal #principalperplexities #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teacherPD #newteachers #classroomgoals #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #kcladygang #kcinfluencer #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
We had soo much fun tonight recording our pod with our very first expert panelist! Tune in later this month when The Modern Principal Podcast invites Elena Aguilar of @bright_morning_team on to share her wealth of knowledge around the topic of professional development.
We seriously smiled like this for the entire conversation like the true education nerds we are!!
Stay tuned…….💫
#professionaldevelopment #professionaldevelopmentforteachers #pd #principalsfollowprincipals #futureprincipal
Do not forget–today is voting day in so many LOCAL elections.
These influence education and public schools TREMENDOUSLY!
School board elections, city mayors, judges, state and city representatives–all of these make decisions that will roll over to your schoolhouse by next year. It matters..YOUR vote matters.
Education laws and decisions on how to implement those laws impact day to day practices. This includes our ability to educate students, to teach using best practices, to promote inclusion and dignity for all students, to have the fiscal and human capital to meet our needs, and the list goes on. It even impacts your future retirement!
GO VOTE! 📥📮🗳
#vote #yourvotematters #useyourvoice #vote2022 #localelections #choices #election #teachers #textbooks #politicalrevolution #politics #themodernprincipal #principalperplexities #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teacherPD #newteachers #classroomgoals #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #kcladygang #kcinfluencer #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
You asked, we answered! We briefly mentioned preparing for our spring vision meetings and got SO many questions, so this week we break down the various processes we've used to set a schoolwide vision, mission, motto, or 'why' statement via @simonsinek (using all of these terms interchangeably, of course). Check it out and let us know if it was helpful and what further questios you have! 👇
.
#themodernprincipal #princiapl #assistantprincipal #schoolleader #schoolculture #teacherpodcast #principalpodcast #educationpodcast #simonsinek #startwithwhy #findyourwhy
So…this lovely lady right here has a BIRTHDAY today!!!! 👑👑🎂💁♀️👸🎈👯♀️💃💅🎈🎈🎂🎂
Let's shower this enneagram three with some public praise and celebration (you know those 3's live for it 😂).
Christy is one of those people who dreams daily and makes everyone around her want to be and do better. She always has a project, a grand scheme, a big plan and a great way to make the world brighter and share some laughter in the process.
She constantly stretches me personally and is always making me think and grow professionally. She helps me raise my kid and survive this doctoral degree. Also she never refuses to go get a mani/pedi at any time and can always encourage me to make that impulses purchase!
Happy birthday to the one and only!
#happybirthday #christy #nailgoals #colorfulnails #friendzone #friendship #businessowners #kcblogger #planner #unforgettable #themodernprincipal #workingwomen #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teachertips #worklifebalance #teacherPD #classroomgoals #newteachers #kcladygang #kcinfluencers #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
We've covered a lot about interviewing AND hiring. No matter which side of the table you are sitting (the interviewer OR the interviewee) you DESERVE to look your very best!
We believe being professional and looking like a #boss isn't just wearing a black suit and collared button up shirt!
Dress professionally but wear things that help you feel:
1) Confident
2) Reflect your personality
3) Make you POP when you enter a room
Looking at this pic, who looks like they own what they do and who they are?
Christy on the LEFT or Christy on the RIGHT?!
👇👇👇👇❓❓❓👇👇👇
(Side note, being in touch with your best colors and style is so important. We both relied on @houseofcolourkansascity to teach us the ways of discovering our best version of us!)
#houseofcolour #houseofcolor #styleschool #dressyourself #owned #longshirt #longtop #themodernprincipal #workingwomen #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teachertips #worklifebalance #teacherPD #classroomgoals #newteachers #kcladygang #kcinfluencers #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity
On the podcast this week, we discuss the little things you should try to do after you make a new hire to your school staff. Starting with timing everything and ending with a welcome. Click link in our bio to go straight to the pod.
and SWIPE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
to see more! 🔍🔍🔍
#hiring #recruitment #hiringteachers #hiringmanager #hr #hire #hiringseason #themodernprincipal #principalperplexities #momsasprincipals #principalsinaction #teacherPD #newteachers #classroomgoals #principalsofinstagram #schooladministrator #kcladygang #kcinfluencer #kansascitygirl #kansascityblogger #igkansascity