Mat Nelson

Husband, Father of three awesome kids, Discovery Elementary Principal, BHM District Technology Director, Minnesota Sports Fan

[Eric Partaker @Eric_Partaker]

12 Wake-up Calls That Every Leader Needs to Hear in 2024:

[Andrew Taylor @andrewtaylor09]

“Leaders pick up trash. It keeps the leader humble and the parking lot clean.” Coach Don Meyer #MeyerMonday 📸: Doug Dreyer/AP

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Buzz Williams said, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

Leadership is your behavior.

It means setting the standard and being the example of that standard every day.

Leadership isn't about being in charge, it’s about inspiring and connecting with others.

The 6 P's of Leadership:
Purpose - Purpose is the foundation of effective leadership. It means having a clear vision and a strong sense of why you are leading, which guides decision-making. It gives your team a direction to follow. A leader with a strong purpose can inspire and align their team towards common goals and a shared mission.

People - Leadership is fundamentally about people; understanding them, connecting with them, and getting the best out of them. Effective leaders focus on build strong relationships, foster teamwork, and develop the talents and potential of their team members. They prioritize their team's development and well-being.

Passion - Passion in leadership manifests as enthusiasm and a deep commitment to one's work and goals. A passionate leader is driven, motivated, and able to inspire and energize their team. This energy can be contagious, encouraging others to put their heart into their work and strive for excellence.

Persistence - Persistence is about maintaining determination and resilience in the face of challenges. Leaders who exhibit persistence stay focused on their goals despite obstacles and setbacks, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to their vision. This trait is crucial in motivating a team to keep striving forward, even when times are tough.

Performance - Performance is a measure of a leader's effectiveness in achieving results and executing strategies. Leaders focus on performance, set high standards for themselves and their teams, and use metrics and goals to drive progress. They are results-oriented, constantly seeking ways to improve outcomes and efficiency.

Presence - Leaders have confidence in their vision, message, and practice the power of being present. They are approachable, engaging and confident, as well as having the ability to command respect and attention. A leader with a strong presence can effectively communicate, influence others, and lead by example, creating a positive impact on their team and organization.

[Matt Hackenberg @CoachHackGO]

“It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it”

–John Wooden

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

We don’t need our teachers to be the most dynamic, the most innovative, or the most tech savvy. We need them to care about kids… work well with their colleagues… and come to work every day, excited about making a difference.

[Mike Flynn @MikeFlynn55]

Today's PSA: "Learning Loss" is a made-up construct and only serves to deflate students, educators, and caregivers. It invalidates their hard work and resiliency, ignores all the learning that happened, and adds unnecessary stress. #remotelearning #education

[gerry brooks @gerrybrooksprin]

If you think you must have a title to be important, then you don’t really know what it means to be important.

[Michael Smith Supt @principalspage]

The guidelines for opening schools in the fall... are going to change all summer long. Roll with it. Easier and less stressful than crying.

[Meghan Lawson @Meghan_Lawson]

Listen up, leaders:
“What people want most. They don’t want the lessons. They want to see me struggling with the lessons...I try to be honest about how hard it is and that I think it’s worth it.” - @BreneBrown, #60Minutes
Let’s stop making leadership something perfect people do.

[Meghan Lawson @Meghan_Lawson]

It’s nearly impossible to show up with your whole heart and not cry sometimes.

If I was writing a short memoir about my day, it would be titled, “I Cried at Work Today and that’s OK.”

[Mat Nelson @Dr_Mat_Nelson]

I am Mat Nelson and I am a culturizer and community builder! Thanks @casas_jimmy for the reminder! #ImpactEDU19

[𝙎𝙪𝙣��𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 “𝙎𝙐𝙉𝙉𝙔” 𝙒𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙨 @CoachSundance]

Dear Coach Meyer✊🏻,

We all miss you in our own ways...what I miss most is you telling me to pick up a 🖊 and saying...Sunny...write this down 📓Thanks for being tough on me Coach🙏🏻

“Do the next right thing right and you will be as close to perfect as a human being can be.”

[Centerview Elementary @CenterviewElem1]

Did you catch this story about Centerview's unique, one-of-a-kind design on @KSTP last week? We are #SLPPantherProud of our school!

https://t.co/1r2IcNIUvX

[Mat Nelson @Dr_Mat_Nelson]

So true!

[Minnesota Department of Education @MnDeptEd]

Today is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! School bus drivers play an important role in a student's day. Thank you to the thousands of school bus drivers in Minnesota who get our students safely to school every morning and home every afternoon. We appreciate all you do!

[George Couros @gcouros]

A couple of thoughts:

1. Traditional practice does not equal bad practice. We can't use the terms interchangeably.

2. Innovation is ONLY innovation if it leads to something better. "New" is not enough.

#InnovatorsMindset

[Mat Nelson @Dr_Mat_Nelson]

Tomorrow all Discovery ss will be participating in Global Day of Play!!! Ss will spend the afternoon organizing their own “technology free” play, which is so important for them emotionally, socially, and academically!
@bouncebackpro

[Brett Bowers @brettbowersAVID]

When conferencing with a teacher after an immensely successful lesson, don't nitpick to find a constructive criticism opportunity in the name of giving feedback. Highlight aspects of the lesson most important to its success and ask how they can be transferred to other lessons.

[Dan McCabe @danieldmccabe]

Language of successful principals:

How can I help?
What do you think?
Your work matters
I trust you and our team
I appreciate your commitment
Thank you for working hard
I was wrong, I am sorry
Your success is my priority
Do you have the tools to succeed?

#LeadLap

[Mat Nelson @Dr_Mat_Nelson]

I think the 4th-grade math class at Discovery Elementary might have this leadership thing all figured out!