Transformative Principal Podcast: Who You Are is More Important

April 29, 2018

In April, Tom was on the podcast Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones.

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Here are some bullet points from the interview:

  • 14 years principal connection column in Educational Leadership.
  • The principal job is so hard.
  • There’s always more to be done, no matter how good we do it.
  • Who you are is more important than what you know.
  • Prepare kids for success in life, not just success in school.
  • Been a principal long enough to see who kids became as adults
  • There are five qualities we need to develop in students: Empathy, Self-control, integrity, embracing diversity, and grit.
  • But how am I going to get my students’ kids to embrace this?
  • At back to school nights and parent meetings throughout the year.
  • [8:20]: Write down the initials of people you know who you consider to be successful.
  • Turn to your neighbors in groups of three or four.
  • Remind parents of what is truly a success.
  • Strategy for focusing teachers on what we want them to pursue.
  • 3×5 card, write down the initials of 2 or 3 teachers you’ve had that are most important in your life. What did they do to make you love them?
  • What can you do with your class that will encourage your kids to put your name down in 30 or 40 years?

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