There are a handful of key considerations when using video to maximize engagement in your school community. These concepts are important because they will help others share in your journey and success in a way that is meaningful and interesting to them. Read more below on these tips and reflect on how you are using video communication at your school or division. Know Your Audience Give your school community what they want, what they need, and what they will want to share. In

The Power of Read Alouds Reading to every classroom is by far one of my favorite things I do as principal. It is a fantastic opportunity to build personal relationships, set the tone for expectations, and prioritize literacy as a leader. Reading tons of books to students is one of the most important things we can do to provide equity and experiences. The poverty achievement gap begins with students who are not read to at home before they attend school in kindergarten. We must

Our annual tradition of mailing postcards home for information and to notify parents of students' teachers saw an innovative twist the last couple of years by adding augmented reality. We use HP Reveal (formerly Aurasma) to turn the front of the postcard into a 'trigger' image so the app recognizes it and automatically overlays a preset video that we choose over the image or in this case, the postcard while they are holding it. Our tradition is to have a video of our falcon m

Many of our students have sensory issues and we need to provide them with extra tools to address these needs throughout the day. This post and video helps explain some of the 'why' behind these toys and a reflection in video to the different toys/tools we have in our school. Thank you Ashland Autism Teacher Laura Ryba for starring in this post's video! (Always go to the experts in your school for these types of issues!) WHY SENSORY TOYS AND TOOLS: Before we get into the diffe

"Just Relax" - Yea Right! Students are stressed. Teachers are stressed. And it's understandable and should be expected. If you do this job right, it takes a lot out of you and drains you emotionally and physically. There is so much that we cannot control around us, even our own emotions are really hard to keep in check. Especially when our students push our buttons over and over and over...and over... But what we can control is our attitude and actions. Consider deep breathin

Maya Angelou stated, "People forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people never forget how you made them feel." Remember this great advice when introducing yourself on your websites and class pages. If pictures are worth a thousand words, videos are worth a thousand pictures. Videos have the ability to convey emotions and feelings in a way that people not only remember, but believe to be true. Especially now, our families and students need reassurance and

Value each and every child in your classroom and school. Really. All of them. Not just the cute ones... Not just the funny ones... Not just the well-behaved ones... Not just the ones with supportive parents... All of them. Hopefully as educators, we went into this profession like superheros. Idealistic. Ready to swoop in and save every child from harm's way. But how do you see yourself as an educator now? Is it like the super-educators in Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me, and De

WE LOVE KIDS. We love making a positive difference in students' futures. We love feeling like our job matters and that the work is worth it in the long run. We radiate absolute joy when our students show growth and success. WE FEEL STRESSED. Like...all...the...time. Stressed about the tasks that have to be done. About the thousands of decisions and interactions that we make every single day. Because we are taking on the stress of our students to help their lives. From decisio

Our Response to Behavior Makes all the Difference When we treat kids like they are out to get us, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. I think most of the times kids don't really know why they do what they do unless you make them think it through for a minute. The reality is that their world around them many times is dark, snarky, and sarcastic. They are greatly influenced by the angst and fighting going in our society - this selfish world where how I feel and what I need a