Lynn Sawyer’s Post

In honor of Administrative Professionals Day today, I am sharing my appreciation guide in case you missed it! While this was primarily designed for those planning for Teacher Appreciation Week at the beginning of May, it's also loaded with ideas that can be repurposed for any staff appreciation needs (even quick, day-of solutions). Let me know some of your additional ideas in the comments!

Being a school principal today is more than just leading academics. With increasing competition, many of us find ourselves balancing the roles of both academic leaders and business managers. While our passion lies in nurturing young minds, the pressures of school admissions and operational tasks have become part of our daily routine. This is a reality many education leaders face, where the joy of shaping futures often intertwines with the demands of administration. Here’s a little sher to capture this irony: 'हज़ारों ख़्वाहिशें थीं कि बने विद्या के मिसाल, मगर दाख़िले का बोझ बन गया अब रोज़ का हाल।' As educators, how do you balance these dual responsibilities? Share your thoughts below!

Are you ready for Teacher Appreciation Week 2024? Check out my new comprehensive guide! Level up your Teacher Appreciation Week with this guide designed to provide busy leaders with easy to implement ideas, ample inspiration, and the tools needed to create an impactful Teacher Appreciation Week plan that values individuals and boosts overall staff culture. It's linked in the comments. Feel free to tag a leader who you think might benefit. Enjoy!!

Leadership is so important!!

It’s not complicated. A quality leader or manager is a proven difference-maker — across any industry — for why someone is more willing to stay in their job. The same is true for teachers, especially brand-new ones. 📊 90% of new teachers cite principal support as a top factor in job satisfaction: When principals actively support new teachers, it contributes significantly to their morale, helping them stay committed and engaged in the classroom (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). Great schools cannot exist without great school leaders. They drive the conditions that enable engaging, quality teaching and learning. Learn more: https://ow.ly/LSPw50TZzFi

Come and join me for: Data-Driven Dialogue  This 75-minute session will introduce a three-phase Collaborative Learning Cycle that guides productive collective inquiry. Learn how school teams use strategies and structures that reduce defensiveness and create shared responsibility for student learning. You will be introduced to practical tools for discovering assumptions, promoting data-focused inquiry, and developing shared understandings of problems and possible solutions. Based on the book, “Data-Driven Dialogue: A Facilitator’s Guide to Collaborative Inquiry”, By Lipton and Wellman.  

Did you know… 72% of teachers say they aren't getting the professional development they need to succeed. 🧑🏫 At mission based charter school I was working with, generic professional development sessions failed to meet the specific needs of the teaching staff. The result? Teachers struggled to adapt to new educational standards, and student achievement plummeted. What was once a common issue—lackluster PD—became critical as the school’s performance declined and staff morale hit an all-time low. Empower your teachers with the right tools for success. Allow them to practice and personalize these new skills. In my book, The 10 Indicators of High Performing Charter Schools, I share how tailored professional development can transform your school. You can my book at TenIndicators.com.

Beyond compliance: How can we make the work of comprehensive school improvement meaningful and purpose-driven? Learn how a statewide team from PA shifted culture and practice for continuous improvement, and the impact it had on PA’s first cohort of CSI designated schools. https://lnkd.in/e-ANtV8B

5 Ways Adjunct Teaching Can Enhance Your Career and Professional Network Becoming an adjunct professor can open various doors for career growth and networking opportunities. First, teaching allows you to showcase your expertise, solidifying your reputation as a thought leader in your field. Second, you’ll connect with other faculty members and departments, expanding your professional network. Third, engaging with students can foster new relationships with future professionals who may become colleagues, collaborators, or clients. Fourth, academic conferences and events provide additional opportunities to network and share your experiences. Finally, teaching can enhance your skills in communication, mentorship, and leadership, making you a more attractive candidate for future roles. If you're ready to explore the rewarding world of adjunct teaching, our program will guide you through every step of the process! Visit: https://lnkd.in/dJ_AbKrm

Meaningful opportunities for teachers to build expertise and leadership beyond their classroom add to a sense of professionalism and fulfillment. Building a Teacher Leader Corps—a team of passionate and forward-thinking educators who embrace new teaching methodologies and advocate the use of technology to enrich learning experiences—offers these benefits, creating increased engagement among faculty. Introducing the Teacher Leader Corps Toolkit, designed to support schools in building and sustaining a team of teacher leaders who support their colleagues in integrating technology in the classroom: https://lnkd.in/gZwPSyCM