Leading With Purpose: I met with Dr. Ralph Watkins, a visionary school leader and a friend of mine. Dr. Watkins has spent a lot of his career in schools with a predominantly native population. He just wrote a book: Leading with Purpose: A Leadership Framework for non-Native School Leaders serving in Predominantly Native Schools. Check out his website and be sure to get a copy of his book! https://www.empoweredvoicesorg.org/ We talked about many things, but I always narrow it down to three key takeaways.

1. Break with the Norm
2. Kids Need to be Seen
3. Maximize Impact with Limited Time

Don’t Be Too Hard on Yourself: I met with Dr. Wilnic Gideon, a veteran principal who is also the author of 2 books: Mindful Learning: Unlocking the Gifts of the Teenage Brain and Raising Ready Teens: 21 Milestones for Learning and Life. We had an awesome conversation. Be sure to pick up your copy of one or both of his books! https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wilnic-Gideon/author/B0D29ZQ1GH?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true We talked about many things, but I always narrow it down to three key takeaways.

1. It’s Not all About Academics
2. Set Goals
3. Tired Leaders Don’t Get A Lot Done

Slow it Down! I met with Woody Howard, a veteran Washington principal and current president of the Association of Washington School Principals. Woody has become a friend of mine over the past few years and we often meet to talk about leadership and just about anything else. It was a lot of fun to sit down and interview him for this! We talked about many things, but I always narrow it down to three key takeaways.

1. Adapt Your Decision Making
2. This Job is a Marathon
3. Get to Know Yourself