Welcome to the #admin2b chat! I'm your guest moderator, Brian Kulak, K-5 principal from NJ and author of #levelupleadbook.
We'll use Q1/A1 format. But first: tell us who you are and where you're from!
I'm your moderator, Brian Kulak from NJ. As a first year elementary principal, I asked our staff to consider our theme: We are all connected. The response from our Ts and Ss has been remarkable. #admin2b
Hello #admin2b! I am excited to participate in this chat for the first time. I currently serve 26 amazing 2nd graders and mentor teachers. I am an aspiring administrator.
Welcome to the #admin2b chat! I'm your guest moderator, Brian Kulak, K-5 principal from NJ and author of #levelupleadbook.
We'll use Q1/A1 format. But first: tell us who you are and where you're from!
Welcome to the #admin2b chat! I'm your guest moderator, Brian Kulak, K-5 principal from NJ and author of #levelupleadbook.
We'll use Q1/A1 format. But first: tell us who you are and where you're from!
Hi there! My name is Aaron and I’m a third grade teacher in Virginia. I’m also enrolled in an educational leadership program at Old Dominion University. #admin2b
Hi, Nicole in AZ here. I’m a Dept. Chair finishing my admin degree in September & looking at becoming an Asst Principal in the next couple of years. #admin2b
@AndyDusing We worked together as assistant principals and his compassion for students was evident from the first day. We often talked about students that tugged at our hearts a how to help but also to vent when frustrated. #admin2b
Peg, Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist. I'm not an admin, but I coach nearly 65 Ts as the literacy coordinator (I hate the word "expert") in our building. Can I still be a part of the chat? #admin2b
A1: I"m working really hard with a S we'll call H. He loves writing, so we are meeting several times a week for writing brain/behavior breaks. #admin2b
Sharing similar educational philosophies and career aspirations made it easy to connect with @mrbyce. Our conversations have only reinforced my beliefs and I believe will help me to be a better leader. #admin2b
A1: even before I started at CHS, my supervisor suggested I reach out to my colleague-to-be, @mrskriebelchs and we hit it off immediately. Laura was (and continues to be) such a great person to work with. #admin2b
@jimmykick24 has taught me a lot about teaching. We have had many discussions a out what good teaching is and how do we coach others. We both have big dreams a out improving instruction. #admin2b
A1: I think the person that shaped my leadership journey and outlooks the most would probably be my current administrator. He and I connected immediately in sharing the same ideas regarding school culture. #admin2b
A1 There several teachers and Ss I have connected over the years because my focus is on building relationships. I want to learn about them and what their passions are to help them grow their craft or learning. This has molded my focus into being a servant leader. #admin2b
A2: I try to remember something personal about everyone with whom I come in contact. Then I connect through that lens. Again, we're all human, we all have stories, we all have fears, and we all have each other. #admin2b
A2: I think it is all these, but I tend to use humor alot especially when de escalating situations. Empathy is important because it shows you care. #admin2b
A2 My go to is family. I love learning about my students and teachers' families. I have been blessed to stay in connected with dozens of former Ss over the last 24 years. I have had the opportunity to to watch them grow up into amazing adults. #admin2b
A2: I think my go to when establishing connections is remembering that everyone has a life outside of what you know about them. That being said, I try to be as understanding as possible. #admin2b
Our French teacher. When I first started, she talked to me. I know that sounds simple, but she told me where to go when I needed something & answered my questions. She helped my leadership because she was one of the Ts that collaborated w/ me almost immediately #admin2b
A2: I’m an introvert but I always find other people interesting. Everyone has their unique “thing” that’s fun to hear about. I try to be friendly and not awkward... and I try to learn names quickly. #admin2b
A3: Challenging students or colleagues require never giving up, finding new ways to connect, being patient/resilient, trying to understand their behaviors, using restorative methods,... #admin2b
Football has been our saving grace in a 2 hour block. That common experience and hobby has led to engagement from a student who has struggled in the past. #admin2b
A3 I try to find out what they like to do outside of school: sports, art, gaming, etc. I will never forget how I had to get a crash course on Marvel and DC Comics from my son in order to make daily connections with one of our students who struggled behaviorally. #admin2b
A3: With a challenging student connection may take time. Therefore patience and not giving up helped. With a colleague, it’s about respecting their experience and viewpoint. This allows great dialogue! #admin2b
A3) Listening first to understand their perspective often leads to a common understanding. This has to be the most effective strategy out there. #admin2b
A3: Early in my career, I had a student who was a “tough” kid. He asked me to go to see his football game. (At the time, I’d never seen a game, ever.) I went—and to every other game that year to watch him play. That student and I somehow always got along beautifully. 🤔 #admin2b
A3: I recently have been sharing on morning announcements that if no one has told you they care about you today, know that I, your principal does. Had girl come and share life issue with me later. #momentsofhope#admin2b
A4: my students’ Genius Hour projects are a great vehicle for connection. We’ve had amazing conversations about their work, and I look forward to what the 2nd semester brings. #admin2b
A4 I hope to continue to go to my students' extracurricular activities and build stronger relationships with our teachers. I want to write positive notes and leave them on teachers' doors or in their boxes more often, too. #admin2b
A4: I will continue doing whatever I can to help my colleagues and students. When it comes to connecting, it’s more than a job. It’s all about being a decent person at that point! #admin2b
A4) I will continue to view every student who walks through TBJH as a student of mine. I will also get back into the habit of connecting with all the great leaders we have here in #admin2b#llap, #miched, and all the rest of the Twitter verse.
A4: At work—I’m looking to build on initial connections from last year (both students and staff) and to deepen them. I’m also looking to build connections in my Principal program among other candidates and working administrators. #admin2b
A3: #admin2b I immediately tried to gain the trust of their parents! Once I established that connection it made it much easier to gain the student’s approval
