I can’t predict the future of COVID. But I can predict a few other things. I predict students will need more connections with teachers than ever before. I predict faculties that are collaborative will continue to thrive. I predict teachers will still find ways to inspire.

I think a great thing to do… is ask the students in the school what they think the adults in the school need to know about them. Listening to what the students have to say… and valuing what they have to say… goes a long way toward building a great school culture.

I think effective teachers are not driven by the standards; they’re driven by the needs of their kids. They understand the curriculum and they teach what is required but it’s always in the context of understanding where their students are, and what it takes to move them forward.

We are preparing students to be successful… but we also need to prepare them to fail. Life is not easy. We need to teach students how to overcome adversity.

The people that work with you day in and day out... they know the real you. Ultimately, it’s not about what we put out there on social media; it’s about how we treat those who are right in front of us. It’s not about talking a good game; it’s about playing a good game.

What are the conditions in my classroom and in my school that contribute to the likelihood that students will make good decisions... or bad decisions? Ultimately... our actions, our attitude, and the environment that we create is the only thing we can control.

Lesson plans are important, and pedagogy matters… but some of the most important work of teachers, might not be captured by a plan. When teachers encourage, support, inspire, care about, and connect with their students… they are engaged in work that transcends the “plan.”