Tom Waters

We don't really use business cards as educators. The people we run into on a daily basis usually work with us. The "resume" is used as just one piece in online applications, but after submitting who really sees it? What gatekeepers or computer programs limit the reach of the resume? Is the resume dead? No. But it has changed. A blog is the new resume for educators . A LinkedIn page is great, but some educators underestimate its value. ( Have we connected? ) A Twitter profile is great for connections and discussions. But a blog, which is free and easy to set up ( WordPress.com ), is the standard for educator resumes. A blog makes it easy for a school leader or for district personnel to see if you are a good fit. It allows you to share your learning and work ( here's where I share mine ). It also displays your ability to communicate and provide valuable resources to the education profession. I recently toured a few blogs and found valuable insights an...

Teachers R Heroes Be sure your teachers are reminded of this more than they are reminded of... lesson plans due dates meeting times dress code policy bus duty parent complaints ...and all the other minutia. Celebrate your heroes and how they impact students, families, your school, and the local community. Teachers impact lives (here are 17 ways teachers change lives ) in so many more ways than a mere test score. Never miss a chance to affirm, appreciate, and add value to your teachers - the investment pays immeasurable dividends for them and for students! Why are Teachers Important?  Because they're heroes. Consider sharing this message with an educator hero you know.

There's a difference between motivation and a positive organizational climate. We could discuss scores of studies on these topics in the last four years. Instead of reviewing those, let's discuss how you will motivate your campus this week. As a school leader, you can be strategic  about motivation and climate. Motivation is the drive for excellence. It is the motive, the why. Why do you try? Why do you go the extra mile? It's different for different people. It varies at different times. Organizational climate comes in several forms at a school: student climate, instructional climate, and work climate. Together, they make "the" climate. Why does this matter? It matters because the climate can either increase motivation or it can suppress it. Your actions, or lack of actions, can set the tone of the workplace. That tone (read, climate) is the context for the amount of motivated work that takes place. Enough theory. Let's look at some strategic way...

Motivation, staff morale, school climate. All are critical to a healthy working environment. The root solution is hiring. But there are ongoing actions that principals can take to ensure high levels of staff morale ! [Read here on " How to Keep Your Star Teachers from Quitting You "] Hiring is the easiest way to ensure motivated teachers . The right people, in the right spot, ensure success. The right people are driven by the intrinsic desire to do great and be a part of something great. Hiring right solves the problem of motivation. However, a bad leader, uninformed boss, and unmotivated principal...well, that can quickly squander the talents and greatness of a strong team. Here are 23 tips to ensure that the principal doesn't get in the way of staff morale, but rather works to boost it. Sincerity of Purpose You can't show up as the leader and hide in the office reading emails , surfing the web, or managing paperwork all day. Empower and delegate ...

I'm spending time in the mountains this week and am confronted with the awesome beauty and strength of nature. So much to fear, to wonder, and to explore.  A couple days ago we climbed Flattop Mountain ...ugh, I'm still sore. But I came across so many moments of inspiration that made me reflect on learning and education. Really, I came to believe that Learning is an Adventure. Here are a few of those moments that I felt were inspiring. Do. Learn. Live. These three words have been a theme lately ( shared on facebook ), but it really hit me on the hike. The path is not the destination. It is where the living is. It is the path where we find learning. We may or may not arrive at the destination - enjoy the path. What are you passionate about? Do. Don't delay. You don't need to know how, where, or why - just do. You will learn along the way. In that learning, we live.  Learning is not about inert facts and details. Learning is about life. Empowering each othe...