Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Walk-the-Talk Wednesday, we’re exploring active listening—a skill that builds trust, strengthens relationships, and fosters collaboration in schools.

• Why Active Listening Matters: Learn how listening improves communication and builds trust in classrooms and leadership.
• Leadership Behavior: Discover how listening empowers staff and fosters relational trust.
• Teaching Practice: Explore how active listening transforms teacher-student relationships and engagement.
• Actionable Tips: Get practical strategies to strengthen your listening skills and create a supportive school culture.

1. Bryk, A. S., & Schneider, B. (2002). Trust in schools: A core resource for improvement. Russell Sage Foundation.
2. Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change. Simon and Schuster.
3. Pianta, R. C., Hamre, B. K., & Allen, J. P. (2012). Teacher-student relationships and engagement: Conceptualizing, measuring, and improving the capacity of classroom interactions. Handbook of Research on Student Engagement, 365–386.
4. Weger, H., Castle, G. R., & Emmett, M. C. (2014). Active listening in peer interviews: The influence of message paraphrasing on perceptions of listening skill. International Journal of Listening, 28(1), 13-31.

How do you use active listening in your school or classroom? Share your strategies and success stories with us on social media or via email at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com.

Thank you for tuning in to Walk-the-Talk Wednesday! Let’s keep building trust and collaboration through listening.

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Tech Tuesday, we explore Slack, a communication platform designed to improve collaboration, streamline workflows, and enhance engagement.

• What is Slack? Learn how this messaging platform centralizes communication and integrates seamlessly with tools like Google Drive and Trello.
• Real-World Applications: Discover how Slack is being used for team collaboration, professional development, and student support in schools and universities.
• Research-Backed Benefits: Understand why Slack reduces communication overload, improves collaboration, and increases engagement.
• Actionable Tips: Get started with Slack using simple strategies to enhance your teaching or leadership practices.

1. Salo, M., & Wagner, D. (2020). Communication overload and team collaboration: Exploring the role of Slack in modern workplaces. Journal of Organizational Communication, 34(2), 115-128.
2. Kay, R., LeSage, A., & Knaack, L. (2021). Exploring Slack for educational collaboration: A multi-case study. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69(1), 215-234.
3. Pappas, A. (2020). Online learning communities in higher education: Comparing Slack to email. Journal of Online Learning Research, 6(3), 200-215.
4. Hamid, S., Waycott, J., & Kurnia, S. (2021). Instant messaging for educational engagement: Evidence from Slack. Interactive Learning Environments, 29(4), 465-482.

How are you fostering communication and collaboration in your school or organization? Share your tools and strategies with us on social media or via email at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com.

Thank you for tuning in to Tech Tuesday! Let’s keep innovating communication in education and leadership.

Welcome to Teach-Lead-Innovate! On this week’s Motivation Monday, we’re exploring the transformative power of micro-habits—those small, consistent actions that lead to lasting change. Whether you’re a teacher, a school leader, or a lifelong learner, micro-habits can help you create big impacts over time.

• What Are Micro-Habits? Discover how small, sustainable behaviors can create momentum for success.
• Real-World Success Stories: Learn how educators and leaders have used micro-habits to improve teaching practices, foster stronger relationships, and boost student engagement.
• Research-Backed Benefits: Explore the science behind why micro-habits work, supported by findings from Fogg (2019), Duhigg (2014), and other scholars.
• Actionable Steps: Get practical tips to start your own micro-habits and transform your daily routines.

1. Anchor Habits to Existing Routines: Pair your new habit with something you already do to make it easier to start.
2. Start Small: Focus on habits that take two minutes or less to build momentum.
3. Celebrate Progress: Reinforce your success by celebrating even the smallest wins.

1. Duhigg, C. (2014). The power of habit: Why we do what we do in life and business. Random House.
2. Fogg, B. J. (2019). Tiny habits: The small changes that change everything. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
3. Grissom, J. A., & Loeb, S. (2011). Triangulating principal effectiveness: How perspectives of parents, teachers, and assistant principals identify the central importance of managerial skills. American Educational Research Journal, 48(5), 1091–1123.
4. Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111–131.
5. Weinstein, C. E., Acee, T. W., & Jung, J. (2018). Self-regulation and learning strategies. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2018(155), 45–53.

What micro-habit will you start this week? Share your goals and experiences with us on social media or via email at thepedalingprincipal@gmail.com. Let’s inspire and support each other to make big changes, one small step at a time!