When you look back at your first year as a school leader, what do you wish you had known – and what did you love learning? Your fellow lead learners shared advice, insights and inspiration for new principals and APs who will soon be starting their big first year in school leadership! From encouraging teacher […]

Issue #4: Resources for anti-racist leadership Sign up here to get #PrincipalProject newsletters like this in your inbox! Xavier Reed is a middle school associate principal in Mounds View, Minnesota. As school leaders, we love being with our kids and with our staff – so I know finishing our school year apart from each other […]

Issue #3: A principal’s guide for celebrating the end of this unusual year Sign up here to get #PrincipalProject newsletters like this in your inbox! Kristen Kuhlmann is a high school principal in Andover, Kansas. I want to bring up something that I think has been on all our minds lately: finding a way to […]

Kristen Kuhlmann is a high school principal in Andover, Kansas. You can follow her on Twitter at @AHSPrincipal385. As the end of this complicated year approaches, I know how much our school community would love to hold a traditional commencement ceremony for our seniors. This is a tough call for every principal, and I considered […]

Erik Naglee is a high school principal in Greensboro, North Carolina. You can follow him on Twitter at @nagleee. This is an anxious time for students and families. I know I’m not the only principal who’s been up at night thinking about how I can support our kids – not only by working to meet […]

Lisa Meade is a high school principal in upstate New York. You can follow her on Twitter @LisaMeade23.  This Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m feeling especially grateful for all the ways teachers are going above and beyond, especially in the building I am fortunate to be a part of – Granville Jr./Sr. High School, located in […]

The challenges presented by COVID-19 are changing what it means to connect with your school community. Already, your fellow lead learners are doing what leaders do: finding a way.  From offering emotional support at a distance to making sure everyone feels comfortable with new technology, you’re figuring out ways to provide support for kids and […]

Issue #2: Connection and self-care during COVID-19 Sign up here to get #PrincipalProject newsletters like this in your inbox! Jessica Cabeen is a middle school principal in Austin, Minnesota, the author of Lead with Grace and the co-author of Balance Like a Pirate. School leaders, I want to ask something I know you’re asking everyone […]

Issue #1: Black History Month, ed equity and more Sign up here to get #PrincipalProject newsletters like this in your inbox! Sharif El-Mekki is a former middle school principal in Philadelphia. He now serves as director of the Center for Black Educator Development. If you can’t see something, it’s harder to see it as a […]

Before becoming a school leader, I wasn’t as deliberate about making time to reflect. Now, I know that doing my work well depends on dedicated, personal reflection. I really valued winter break as a chance to slow down, spend time with my family and get the mental space that allows me to come back into […]