Corry Spies

Husband. Father of four. Son. Elementary School Principal in Muscatine, Iowa. Passionate about living, learning, and leading.

[Lewin | Wealth Pill 💊 @Wealth_Pill]

Maturity is a mindset, not age. Here are 15 signs you're mature...

1. You understand life is cool when nobody knows anything about you.

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

https://t.co/6j0KW9e1QR

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

@paco_wester @sai_iowa Thanks, Jason!

[Justin McMillan @justinwmcmillan]

Attitude is a Choice
I love this excerpt from Relentless by Hamish Brewer (@brewerhm). It’s a reminder we all need to hear:

“#Attitude
You get to choose your attitude. You own it. Your attitude is your responsibility.

Before you go through the doors of your school each morning, think about the opportunity that you have each and every day, the reasons you wanted to be a leader and educator. If you are not thinking about the opportunity, then you are focused on the obligation of a j-o-b, and that is where average lives. If you are leading and teaching for opportunity, you are on fire.

Your attitude is one of the few things that is within your absolute control. As educators, we spend way too much time trying to control the things we have no control over. Release yourself from the shackles of toxic behaviors and conversations that weigh down your attitude. You know the kind of conversations I’m talking about. Most people do an amazing job of talking about other people or issues. They are great at bringing problems to the table. But there are relatively few people who talk about solutions or talk about being the answer to an issue.

I challenge you to hold yourself to a higher standard. You will feel liberated and stress-free when you stop surrounding yourself with negative people and behaviors, when you stop trying to control the things you can’t. As I tell students, do not let anyone steal your future. If the people around you do not make you better, then cut them loose.

Living in fear of what others may think is another thing that can affect your attitude, especially when others look at you like you’re crazy for coming into the building so happy or sharing how much you love your job. Just because other people hate their job (or life) doesn’t mean you can’t love yours. That’s on them. Don’t let their negativity slow you down, and don’t worry about upsetting those around you by striving to improve yourself and your work. Cut negativity loose.”

Takeaways for Educators and Leaders:
• Own your attitude. Nobody else is responsible for your mindset.
• Lead for opportunity, not obligation. When you focus on why you started, you bring energy and passion to your work.
• Choose solutions over complaints. Be the answer, not just the person pointing out the problem.
• Protect your circle. Surround yourself with people who make you better. Cut loose the negativity.
• Do not apologize for loving your work. Positivity is contagious. Spread it, even if others do not understand it.

We get to do this work every day. Let’s lead and teach with fire, with joy, and with the belief that what we do matters.
#Relentless #Attitude #Leadership #RoyalsLead

[Daniel Pink @DanielPink]

Most people fail to master skills because they chase perfection instead of just getting the reps.

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

A Wiser Way To Ask Important Questions, by @shanesnow https://t.co/wcAPUOsoC0

[Daniel Pink @DanielPink]

What if you had a user manual… for yourself?

If you keep clashing with your partner, coworkers, or friends…

This simple tool will change everything.

It's fast. It's free. And it's shockingly effective. ****

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

10 Ways to Talk While Listening https://t.co/6vJ2COWrHz

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

Stop saying ‘I think’—use this simple swap to sound more confident https://t.co/hh6FLAssq5

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

As a Principal, I Thought I Promoted Psychological Safety. Then a Colleague Spoke Up. https://t.co/sflpKvN5mU via @EdSurge

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Principals Turnover, Stress, and Burnout are real! Check out my article
https://t.co/PEx1IlNds0

[Muscatine Community School District @MuscatineCSD]

Here's former @muscatinehs Softball Head Coach Dennis Schuur before tonight's grand opening. The press box was dedicated in Coach Schuur's name. Denny is a current school board member who (along with his fellow board members & our Superintendent) prioritized this field project!

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

https://t.co/mF0d5PJh47

[Dan Rockwell @Leadershipfreak]

Stress kills.

7 Quick strategies to stay alive longer:

1. Create routines.
2. Choose low-stress friends.
3. Establish what you can control and what you can't.
4. Go to bed on time.
5. Drink a little less coffee.
6. Take walks.
7. Do fewer things you hate doing.

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

@msromza Happy Thanksgiving, Maria!!!

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

https://t.co/0RwbLCfY52

[Corry Spies @Corry_Spies]

What to Do About Increasing Dysregulation in the Early Grades https://t.co/AoGtArORZl

[Muscatine Community School District @MuscatineCSD]

Day 2 of #MuskieSPARK was a busy one!

https://t.co/DblcB5kiuq

#MuskieSchools

[Muscatine Community School District @MuscatineCSD]

#MuskieShoutOut, and thank you to Ed Morse Muscatine for their donation of a 2013 Ford Edge! The Krieger Family and now the Ed Morse team have donated a vehicle for the past 25 years! 1 @MuscatineHS Senior will win it Sat night at C.A.P.E. TY Ed Morse team!

#EdMorseMuscatine

[Jim Knight 🇺🇦 @jimknight99]

Great to see Quinta Brunson’s monologue about teachers on SNL https://t.co/qAK7QsScPB