As educators prepare for a new school year, the focus on leadership principles becomes paramount. Drawing from Patrick Lencioni's Second Pillar, this post explores the virtues of being Humble, Hungry, and Smart in cultivating the ideal team player in schools.

Keeping students engaged and on track in online courses can be challenging, but with the right techniques, it's possible to create a learning environment that is both motivating and effective. Here are some strategies to help you overcome common challenges in online learning and support your students throughout their educational journey:

Interest Sparkers: Kick off each week with an engaging, naïve task that requires no prior knowledge and encourages collaboration.

Assign Leadership Roles: Empower students with responsibilities, such as forum discussion leaders or group project roles, to boost accountability and engagement.

Mid-Term Evaluation: Conduct a focused midterm evaluation to gain insight into students' behavior patterns and make necessary adjustments to your course design.

Make Students Feel Connected: Schedule synchronous check-ins and require pre-assignments for group projects to foster a sense of community and connection among online learners.

Improve Written Work: Examine the structure of discussion forums, implement intensive peer review, and scaffold assignments to enhance students' writing skills.

Relevance of Work: Emphasize the transferability of skills and the value of course components to help students understand the significance of their work.

By implementing these strategies in your online courses, you can foster an engaging and supportive virtual learning environment that encourages students to actively participate and achieve success. Remember, finding the right approach requires continuous testing and modification, so be open to adapting your techniques to best meet the needs of your students.

Parent-teacher conferences are a crucial opportunity for teachers to connect with families and establish partnerships that can help students achieve their best. As long time educators, we believe that these meetings should be positive and action-oriented, with a focus on collaboration and mutual support. Here are eight tips that can help you conduct successful parent-teacher conferences.

As educators, we're always striving for better outcomes for our students and working hard to achieve our professional goals. However, in the process of chasing these long-term objectives, it's easy to lose sight of the present moment and the joy that can be found in our daily work. In order to maintain our motivation and avoid burnout, it's crucial to find a balance between valuing the present and planning for the future. By savoring the everyday moments and finding joy in our daily tasks, we can create a bridge between the present and the future, and stay energized and motivated for the long haul. Join us as we explore the power of living in the present and learn how to balance short-term needs with long-term goals.