Building Connections One Ball at a Time!

When it comes to adult professional development, we often think of workshops, lectures, readings, or collaborative planning .  However, sometimes what your team really needs is a hands-on, playful challenge to reconnect and refuel energy. That’s where an activity like Pipeline can work well. Each person holds a plastic pipe piece, and together the group must guide a rolling ball from the start to the finish without letting it drop. The challenge is to communicate, move quickly, and connect the pieces smoothly so the ball keeps moving as a team effort.

This Game Is Fun, Engaging, and Team Strengthening

1. It’s tactile and physical, not just “talk.”

After long days of sitting and meeting, staff often appreciate opportunities to move, interact, and get active. 

2. It naturally invites collaboration & role differentiation.

To succeed, the group must coordinate: who holds which pipe, who times the drops or passes, who catches or redirects the ball. Different people will naturally step into roles (leader, supporter, strategist). 

3. It encourages communication under mild pressure.

Teams must talk — often quickly — about how to route the ball, how to troubleshoot, and how to adapt when things don’t go as planned. That pressure (just enough to be fun, not overwhelming) helps bring out clear communication strategies and reveals how the team handles missteps together.

This simple but energizing activity reminds staff that teamwork, clear communication, and adaptability are key to success. By playing together, your school community strengthens bonds and builds collaborative spirit !

3 Ways Principals Can Stay Positive During Challenging Times

School leadership is deeply rewarding, but it also comes with unique pressures. From managing staff needs to supporting students and families, principals can carry the weight of the entire school community. When times are tough, it’s easy to feel pulled in every direction. Here are three practical ways to stay positive and model resilience for your team

1. Start With Visibility and Gratitude

Staff and students look to you to set the tone. Simply being present in hallways, classrooms, or greeting students at the door can set a positive mood. Pair this with gratitude!  Thank a teacher for trying a new strategy, acknowledge a someone's hard work, or recognize the effort they put in. Small moments of visibility and appreciation ripple across the building.

Action Step: Set a goal to praise at least 1 person a day.  Write a hand written note to provide specific positive praise to that staff member.

2. Protect Time for Connection, Not Just Tasks

It’s easy to get swallowed by emails, reports, and meetings. But connection fuels positivity. Take time to drop into classrooms just to observe learning (not evaluate), eat lunch with students, or check in with a teacher simply to ask how they’re doing. When people feel seen and valued, the school climate shifts even during challenges.

Action Step: Visit every classroom every day.   These can be short pop in visits where you just stroll around the room.

3. Model Balance and Optimism

Staff often mirror the leader’s energy. If you consistently run on empty, they’ll feel it. Protecting your own well-being by taking short breaks, practicing positivity in meetings, or sharing solutions instead of only problems shows others that optimism is possible, even under strain.

Action Step: Begin every staff meeting with a some POSITIVE "shout outs".  Allow staff to share something positive about other staff members.  At my school we call these "Rupert Raves." 

A principal’s positivity doesn’t come from ignoring difficulties.  It comes from leading with gratitude, connection, and optimism. When you model these practices, you not only support your own resilience but also inspire your staff and students to carry that same spirit forward.

Three Things Principals Should Do on The First Day of School

The first day of school sets the tone for the entire year. For principals, it’s not just about making sure the buses run on time or that schedules are correct.  It’s about presence, connection, and visibility. Here are three simple but powerful things every principal should do on the first day of school:

1. Greet at the Door

There’s nothing more welcoming than standing at the front door, greeting students, families, and staff with a smile. This simple act communicates warmth, safety, and belonging. It’s also a great opportunity to calm first-day jitters and reassure both students and parents that this is a school where people matter.

2. Visit Each Classroom

Stepping into every classrooms shows teachers and students that their work is seen and valued. These visits don’t need to be formal. A quick wave, a smile, or a short word of encouragement goes a long way. It reinforces the message that the principal isn’t just an office figure, but an active part of the learning community.

3. Be Visible at Dismissal

The way the school day ends matters just as much as how it begins. Being out front during dismissal provides a chance to connect with families again, ensure students leave safely, and end the day on a positive note. This visibility also helps build trust and fosters open communication with the school community.

When principals greet at the door, visit classrooms, and show up at dismissal, they set the tone for a year of strong relationships, shared trust, and a school culture where everyone feels seen.

3 MUST-DOs for Principals to Start the School Year Strong

The first weeks of a new school year sets the tone for the months ahead. As a principal, this is your opportunity to establish culture, build relationships, and create a clear vision for success. Here are three MUST-DOs to ensure you and your school community start the year on the right foot.

1. Be Highly Visible and Accessible

Your presence matters. Greet students at arrival, walk the hallways, and visit classrooms EVERY DAY. This isn’t about monitoring, it’s about connection. When teachers, students, and parents see you actively engaged in the life of the school, they feel supported and valued.

2. Clearly Communicate Expectations and Priorities

The start of the year is the perfect time to set the tone for your school culture. Ensure staff, students, and families understand your vision and the key priorities for the year. Provide clarity around requirements, goals, and how success will be measured.

3. Build Relationships Before Diving Into Initiatives

Strong relationships are the foundation of school success. Invest time early on in building trust with your staff, students, and families. Attend events, listen to concerns, and celebrate small wins. People will be more open to feedback and new initiatives when they know you value them as individuals.

The first few weeks of school are not about perfection. They are about presence, clarity, and connection. Keep working to set a strong foundation for a successful year ahead.

Clutter Is Delayed Decision Making

As educators, we’re no strangers to clutter—on our desks, in our inboxes, on our shelves, and often, in our minds. Whether it’s a growing pile of papers, unread professional development books, or a digital desktop overflowing with files, clutter is not just a mess, it is a message.

At its core, clutter is delayed decision-making. Every piece of paper we keep “just in case,” every email we flag but never file, and every stack of outdated curriculum materials we hang onto.  These are all decisions we’ve postponed. While each item may seem small, the mental load they create is significant. Clutter quietly chips away at our focus, our creativity, and even our sense of control.

Why This Matters in Education

Educators make hundreds (maybe thousands!) of decisions a day. We manage learning environments, relationships, lesson plans, assessments, and more. When physical or mental clutter piles up, it limits our cognitive bandwidth and emotional energy. We start reacting instead of responding. We feel overwhelmed, distracted, or disorganized.  It is not because we’re incapable, but because the noise of unmade decisions drowns out our clarity.

Clearing the Path

Here are a few ways educators can turn “maybe later” into “decided now”:

• Start small. Pick one drawer, one email folder, or one category (like old handouts) and make decisions: Keep, toss, or take action.

• Use the “one-touch” rule. When you pick something up, be it a paper, email, or task, deal with it immediately if possible. Delayed decisions multiply.

• Ask yourself: What’s the purpose? If an item doesn’t serve your teaching practice, your students, or your peace of mind, it might be time to let it go.

• Set routines for resets. End your day or your week by clearing your desk or inbox. Five intentional minutes on can give you a fresh start to the next day.

Leading by Example

Just as we model lifelong learning and kindness, we can also model clarity and intentionality. A de-cluttered space says, “I value focus. I make room for what matters.” In a world of constant demands and rapid change, that’s a powerful message to send to ourselves, our colleagues, and our students.

So next time you see that pile or hesitate over a small task, pause and remember: clutter is just a decision waiting to be made. As educators, we are more than capable of making meaningful ones.

Yes, And...

The Power of Surrounding Yourself with Encouragers

In improv comedy, there's a simple rule that drives the entire scene forward: “Yes, and…” It’s the idea that instead of shutting down an idea, you build on it.  You accept what’s offered and add your own voice to keep the story alive.

That same principle can transform your personal and professional life.

Whether you're leading a school, teaching in a classroom, or working toward your goals, the people you choose to surround yourself with matter deeply. You need people who say, “Yes, and…” People who believe in you and push you forward. People who see your spark and fan the flame. Who don’t just nod along but offer ideas, encouragement, and a sense of “we’re in this together.”

Think about it, when was the last time you felt truly supported? It probably wasn’t from someone who poked holes in your idea or focused on why it wouldn’t work. It was likely someone who said, “Yes… and what if we also tried this?”

When you're surrounded by encouragers, things shift:

• Challenges become opportunities.

• Mistakes become lessons.

• Dreams become plans.

So here’s your invitation: Take a look around. Who in your circle brings the “Yes, and…” energy? Who lifts you up, nudges you forward, and celebrates your wins?

And more importantly, how can you be that person for someone else?

Because when we lead with encouragement, collaboration, and belief in each other, amazing things happen.

Say YES. 

Add your voice. 

Watch the momentum grow.

Looking Back to Move Forward: End-of-Year Reflection & Planning

 As the final bell rings and the hallways quiet down, June brings a welcome pause.  This is an opportunity to catch our breath, reflect on the journey behind us, and begin shaping the road ahead.

While it's tempting to dive straight into planning for next year, the most effective leaders know that reflection fuels growth. Use this transition time intentionally, with purpose and perspective.

Here are a few simple and powerful ways to reflect and plan before the next chapter begins:

Reflect with Purpose: Three Key Questions

• What worked well this year?
  Think school culture wins, instructional initiatives, and systems that ran smoothly.  What went exceptionally well this year?

• Where did you face challenges, and what did we learn?
  Name them honestly. Was it attendance, family engagement, behavior? What insight did you gain?

• What do you want to carry forward and what can you let go?
  Consider habits, programs, meetings, or routines that may no longer serve your vision.  

Action Step: Write down one thing you’re proud of, one thing you’d change, and one lesson you’ll carry forward or one thing you will STOP doing.

Map Your Priorities for Next Year

Don’t aim to fix everything. Focus your leadership energy by choosing 2–3 top priorities for next year.

Try this simple planning framework:

• One thing to grow

• One thing to strengthen 

• One thing to stop doing or one thing to start fresh 

Action Step: Create a slide, checklist, or sticky note with these 3 focus points and keep it visible as you plan.

Take Time for You

Leadership is service!  But you can’t lead well if you’re running on empty. Carve out time to recharge this summer.

Action Step: Write down 3 non-negotiables for your own well-being this summer (Read one book for joy, Unplug every Sunday, Walk each morning, etc.).

Final Thought:

June isn’t just the end of something, it’s a also the beginning of something new. When we take time to reflect, celebrate, and plan with intention, we give ourselves the gift of clarity and direction.