Positive and upbeat Principals create a “ripple effect” leading to positive and happy communities. The happiness of individual Principals has a far reaching affect. According to author Andy Cope, “Your happiness reaches three degrees of people removed from you, so if you’re really happy and positive, then every single person you meet during that day is going…
Education Crisis Looming
A perfect storm is brewing in Australian education and it’s likely to have a major impact for many years. An aging population of stressed teachers at risk of burnout, problems retaining new graduates, rising enrolments, challenging student behaviour and the declining status of teaching all contribute to a potential crisis in education. Quality teaching is…
Alternatives to Collective Punishment- by Larry Ferlazzo
I suspect many teachers have had an experience like this: A paper airplane, ball of paper, or pencil flies through the air, or somebody makes an obnoxious noise. The object is probably aimed at another student, and it may or may not hit the intended target. The noise is just meant to be funny. You…
Make it Personal On World Teacher’s Day
Whilst many schools hold a special assembly or morning tea to mark World Teachers’ Day on Friday 31 October, I believe that a personal touch in showing appreciation is even better. This year I’m encouraging you to send a personal, handwritten note through the post to each of your teachers, at their home. The prevalence…
Is Anybody Else Worried About Teacher Morale?
I’m worried about the morale of teachers. Just quietly, many of them are NOT happy! They may not say that openly to the Principal or other school leaders but many are feeling unhappy and frustrated. They often vent to their partners, their colleagues and even to strangers in social settings. Unhappy teachers often present a…
Leading a School is Complicated
Being a leader is complicated, especially in schools. There are so many variables and factors to be considered it is impossible to get it right all of the time. Anybody who says they have is deluding themselves. As with all things, humans are fallible. We make mistakes. To be effective as a school leader we…