#PrincipalPLN episode #45 Observations and Walkthroughs

In this episode, Theresa and Spike discuss the importance of non-evaluative walkthroughs. Theresa mentioned how her school has used TeachBoost and how it helped her work collaboratively with her teachers.

Spike talked about how is district has been using the McREL Power walkthroughs for the past 4 years. He agreed with Theresa that the most important aspects, despite the tool, is how administrators are encouraged to visit classes and interact with teachers and students.

Want more information on the key points? Check out these resources

• One of Spike's Screen casts on his walkthroughs
• How using Kahoot is great for formative assessments
• Using TeachBoost in your school
• Importance of non evaluative walkthroughs article 

Enjoy the podcast 

Episode Video: YouTube Video

Episode Audio: https://soundcloud.com/principalpln/45a/s-VnPbT

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

#PrincipalPLN Episode 44: Getting into Classrooms

Show Notes: 

Jessica’s 21st Century Souvenir for NAESP NDP’s

Transcript from #cpchat on: Constructive Teacher Evaluation

If you haven’t done so already, please help us out by completing this quick survey for connected administrators: Survey for Connected Administrors

Episode Video: http://youtu.be/dvyhx0dCSqc

Episode Audio: https://soundcloud.com/principalpln/44a/s-UW24u

Be sure to subscribe and leave a review on iTunes!

#PrincipalPLN Episode 43: Running Your School from Your Mobile Device

In this episode we invite Adam Welcome, a Principal of the Year from Lafayette, CA. You can find Adam on Twitter @awelcome or his blog at adamwelcome.blogspot.com.  Adam shares with us some great tips to stay connected, stay healthy, and stay out of your office to be in classrooms and share the great things your students are doing!

Some of his favorite apps shared include:
Twitter
Remind
Touchcast
Google Drive
Evernote

Check out his school's hashtag: #teamkid




And a call for help from our connected administrators: We are collecting data on how administrators are connecting, and what are the drawbacks to being connected. The results from this survey will be used in an upcoming book on Isolation in Leadership. Please go help us by completing this survey. Thank you!

Download the audio here: https://soundcloud.com/principalpln/43a

Remember to subscribe to #PrincipalPLN on iTunes!

#PrincipalPLN Season 2 Episode 6: Staying Healthy to Outlast the Marathon of the School Year

We are the best at taking care of others, the worst at taking care of ourselves. In this episode we share tips to take care of yourself first so you can be the best principal you can be to last the whole school year long!

Spike's book is out! Check it out: Connected Leadership: It's Just a Click Away

Jessica's blog post on The Miracle Morning

Headspace App for meditation
Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite

Books:  The Miracle Morning The ONE Thing

Podcast Audio: https://soundcloud.com/principalpln/6audio

Subscribe on iTunes!

#PrincipalPLN Season 2 Episode 5: Safety Principles for Principals

Episode #5: Safety Principles for Principals

What’s been happening?

On to our topic…

-“Safety 10” -Talk about it for 10 minutes at each staff meeting after they’ve all been in their classrooms.

-Have a way to notify parents instantly (auto-message system). ex: SchoolReach, BlackBoard Connect, Remind

-Monthly Mentor Checklist - applies to entire year, but have mentors discuss safety protocols with new teachers before the start of the year.

#PrincipalPLN Season 2 Episode 4: Twas the Night Before the First Day of School

In this episode we catch up on what we've each been working on, what we wish we would have done earlier so we aren't stressed now (the story of principals' lives!) and what is most important the first week of school.

Need some ideas on books to read in classrooms the first week of school? PrincipalJ shares ideas HERE.

Stay tuned for future podcasts on...
Staying Healthy to Outlast this School Year Marathon
Guest Hal Elrod, Author of The Miracle Morning
Series of podcasts on tips for being efficient

#PrincipalPLN Season 2 Episode 3 - The First Staff Meeting (Part 2)

Great resources for planning your first staff meeting of the year:

First Staff Meeting Ideas:

Pass the Buck

Notes to prepare for my first staff meeting (includes what I learned from What Great Principals Do Differently by Todd Whitaker)

Mr. Bean idea then have teachers “pack their suitcase”

Example of a staff meeting agenda

Personalities Matter--Tools

Example of agenda/plans for new teachers/mentor day

Flipped meetings

The First Five Days of School

Youtube Clips are always good to include:

https://www.youtube.com/user/DrSanfelippo (go to presentation videos)

http://www.principalj.net/video-clips-for-staff-meetings-2/ (blog post with a few and links to other posts with videos)

The Fun Theory

Kid Snippets Too Sick for School (search youtube for other funny “Kid Snippets”)

Penguins (for teamwork)

What Teachers Make

When I Become a Teacher (use with new teachers)

Kid President: Pep Talk for Teachers and Students

The Principal Meltdown

The audio is available for download here: https://soundcloud.com/principalpln/principalpln-3a