Author | Lightnews

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · 3d

I believe you. I care. I'm sticking with you.

Sometimes, simple is all it takes.

(Inspiration via leader Sarah Sirgo)

When you need to reset a relationship with a student, ask the students what it would take. Kids understand repair and healing but often need to do it on their terms. Sometimes just saying: I believe this is hard. I believe your experience is real. I care about what you think. I am going to stick with you. Simple phrases are often all it takes. Everyone, including students, wants to feel worth the effort.” —Leader Sarah Sirgo

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · 10d

We see you this #NationalPrincipalsMonth – and we see you deserve a little break!

Here's a gift pack inspired by you and your fellow leaders. We hope you'll give yourself a few minutes to unwind and reflect on how amazing you are.

principalproject.org/a-resource-c...

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · 19d

"When principals serve one another as much as we serve our schools, we make this work more sustainable, more joyful and more transformative for every student we lead."

Read on for Principal Otis Kitchen's #NationalPrincipalsMonth ode to fellow school leaders:

Connection is the cornerstone of school leadership

4 ways to deepen connections with fellow school leaders

principalproject.org

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · 24d

"Louisa, an 11th grader in my chemistry class, sobbed while explaining to me that her anxiety was so high that she had to miss a full week of class."

Could consistent SEL support have helped? Explore ideas via educator Lindsey Paricio-Moreau and @teachplus.bsky.social

medium.com/whats-the-pl...

To build coping skills successfully, students need consistency. By educator Lindsey Paricio-Moreau via Teach Plus

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Oct 4

✨✨✨

"Every student holds a spark within them – sometimes buried beneath struggles with behavior or academics. Our job isn’t to extinguish that fire, but to help them find their awesome, discover their why and turn that spark, that energy and even those struggles into passion, purpose and success. That’s when real learning – and healing – begins." —Leader Bryan Pearlman

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Oct 1

🎉🎉🎉 It's National Principals Month! We're celebrating you, leaders.

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Sep 26

💡 Need ideas for supporting students as they share their own perspectives – and seek to understand one another's?

This read from @greatergoodmag.bsky.social can help:

greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item...

Can we have better classroom conversations in challenging times? Via Greater Good Magazine

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Sep 25

Asking for a new leader!

How do you connect with fellow colleagues in similar leadership roles?

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Sep 20

Explore a resource collection that can power your team's celebrations of Hispanic and Latino culture – this month and year-round!

latino.si.edu/learn/teachi...

Hispanic Heritage Month resources for your school community, via National Museum of the American Latino

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Sep 13

If you could give fellow leaders one piece of advice about supporting new teachers, what would it be?

Here's some inspiration via Learning Forward:

Screenshot from Learning Forward, featuring a table that outlines a support plan for new teachers.

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Sep 6

"Everyone on your staff brings their own gifts and talents. By naming the strengths you see, you can make sure everyone on your staff knows where to turn for ideas."

Read on for more ways to support authentic staff collaboration, via leader Victoria Lightfoot:

3 tips for supporting staff collaboration

Hint: It starts with knowing your own vision.

principalproject.org

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Aug 30

Teachers can get more from professional learning when the whole school community is behind them.

Find ready-to-share handouts to let families know what PL matters, via Learning Forward.

#BackToSchool #EduSky

learningforward.org/backtoschool/

A back to school toolkit, via Learning Forward: Tell your community about the value of professional learning. Strengthen your professional learning strategy. Support new and veteran teachers.

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Aug 23

Principal Adam Mokelke didn't just spring a phone-free policy on his school community – he spent a year laying the groundwork.

Read on for ways you could start working toward this change now.

How our school went phone-free – and got our kids back

Discipline is down, learning is up.

principalproject.org

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Aug 16

You and your teachers have discussed SEL. But how are your practices looking in action throughout your school community?

This SEL walk-through guide from CASEL can help surface insights to push your work forward.

schoolguide.casel.org/casel-walkth...

Screenshot from a "Schoolwide SEL Walkthrough Protocol" found at the link. The section in the screenshot includes the first piece of a rubric focused on classroom climate and practices.

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Aug 9

What can you accomplish in 5 minutes each morning?

The start of a staff culture transformation, suggests P @drvsmith.bsky.social ✨

Harness the power of the 5-minute staff check-in

My staff survey results took me by surprise and taught me to build a strong culture.

principalproject.org

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Aug 2

For educator & @teachplus.bsky.social fellow Al Rabanera, AI is a thought partner, surfacing patterns and opportunities to support students.

Read on and consider sharing this perspective with your team:

edsource.org/2025/how-tea...

How teachers can use AI to listen, reflect and build math classroom community. By educator Al Rabanera via EdSource

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jul 26

🔑 Shared commitment
🔑 Community assets
🔑 Collaborative planning

Read on to learn how these 3 keys can lead to strong connections with students' families this school year, via leader Maricela Rodriguez.

Our approach to creating a community-centered school

To encourage family participation and engagement, we must center community in all we do.

principalproject.org

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jul 19

It can be hard to make time to speak with students' families, but a 5-minute chat done right can help you shift toward a more culturally responsive school environment.

Find out how to make every minute count with this guide from CASEL: schoolguide.casel.org/uploads/site...

Screenshot from the linked resource which offers a protocol for holding meaningful five-minute conversations with students' caregivers.

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jul 12

🌊 🌊 When a teacher joins your staff, there's an ocean of information for them to absorb. This tool from TNTP can help you chart their course.

Click for a full onboarding guide from TNTP: tntp.org/wp-content/u...

Screenshot of a chart from the linked resource that can be used to map when, how and by whom information is presented to new teachers.

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jul 5

How do you celebrate the arrival of new team members?

(Inspiration via P Beth Thomas)

Conference room table with the words "Cougar Pride" visible on a wall in the background. On the table are several small piles of school "swag" for new staff.

Close up of a school swag collection for new staff, including a letter from the principal, a school T-shirt, sunglasses and a water bottle.

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jun 28

🔖 Looking for strategies to launch the school year with solid SEL supports in place?

Save this discussion guide from CASEL to share with your team.

schoolguide.casel.org/resource/tea...

Screenshot of a guide available at the linked resource, which offers teachers resources in support of the question, "What state must I be in to create the environment my students need?"

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jun 21

Don’t let math momentum fade over summer! 🧠

@nctm.org has tips and tools to help educators and students stay engaged during the break.

www.nctm.org/Conferences-...

11 tips to support math learning and teaching over breaks via NCTM

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jun 15

Seeking resources to reflect meaningfully on Juneteenth and beyond?

Here's an array of tools from your fellow school leaders:

A library of resources for anti-racist school leadership

On the following tabs, you’ll find a collection of resources for anti-racist education shared by your fellow school leaders – along with some reflections on how each resource has informed their…

principalproject.org

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Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jun 7

Here's to the ways you let EVERY student and family know: You belong here.

#EduSky

"We're pretty intentional about making sure that there are displays, books, resources, posters and flags throughout our school, even stickers on the office door that send a message of inclusion. Families may not say anything when they’re walking through our schools, but they are always looking. For example, a few years ago, a family with same-sex parents came into school for the first time, and they told me that when they saw the Pride flag, they knew they would belong here. That was very powerful to me. The school said nothing. It was a flag, on a pole, that said everything to them." —Leader Michael Moore

Principal Project @principalproject.bsky.social · Jun 1

One step at a time, these students are reaching their college dreams! 💫

(Via AP Michele Repass)

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