Joey Risso

Husband, Assistant Principal @SpartanTweets, Educator, Life-long Learner, UNC MSA ‘23, App State ‘14

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

Ronald Acuña Jr. is your 2023 National League MVP!

[Sanderson High School @SpartanTweets]

Master Sergeant Howard is Sanderson’s Teacher of the Year! She works tirelessly in support of student growth & success and contributes to the school community in more ways than we can list. Congratulations, MSgt. Howard on this well-deserved recognition!
@SandersonNC939

[Sanderson High School @SpartanTweets]

Congratulations to Mr. Capers! Today, Coach LeVelle Moton presented Mr. Capers with the Velle Cares Foundation Teacher of the Month award.
This is a well-deserved recognition, Mr. Capers is an outstanding teacher. 👏🎉

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

Ms. Dwyer’s ESL Biology class using potatoes to measure the rate of diffusion with different solutions of sucrose. #SpartanStrong @SpartanTweets

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Dmitry Orlov Shakira

🤝
Hips don’t lie

[Carolina Hurricanes @Canes]

Prepare to #CauseChaos.

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

@fasc1nate Spyro!

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

Herr Wachter’s German I students practicing their greetings and conversations! #SpartanStrong

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

It’s Gameday! Go Spartans! #SpartanStrong

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

@HerbertAkinsMS @hollylshaw22 @WCPSSTeam Thank you. Once a Nighthawk, always a Nighthawk!

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

In honor National Black Cat Appreciation Day, I want to acknowledge my buddy Riley. Fun fact: he attended all my virtual Masters classes at UNC, so I like to think he has an honorary degree.

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

@Nighthawks_BB Thank you sir! Hope you are doing well!

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

It was awesome seeing all the new students and parents at orientation today. Special shout-out to all the staff, parents, and students who made all of this possible. #SpartanStrong

[Sanderson High School @SpartanTweets]

New Student Orientation! Welcome to our new Spartans!!

[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

Couldn’t agree more.

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Gregg Popovich said, "Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we."

Transparency builds trust.
Communication builds trust.

Trust is earned, not given.

A great team is not made of individuals seeking personal glory, but of individuals who trust each other enough to work towards a common goal.

Great teams create a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.

People want to know you trust them and they can trust you.

How Gregg Popovich builds trust with his teams:
1. Build Relationships
He holds famous family-style dinners when the team is on the road. Everyone on the team goes out to dinner together (which isn't common in the NBA) for food and wine. These dinners are meant to bring everyone together, to get to know each other, to have fun, and to remember that life is bigger than just a game.

Takeaway: People want to know that you care about them, that you trust them, and that they can trust you. That happens when you invest time with each other and build bonds.

2. Communicate Openly and Actively
He is known for his brutal honesty with players. Tony Parker said that he would balance being tough with being genuine to build his trust. Tony said he would be hard on him and balance it out by saying, "We can't pass up this chance to win. I can't help myself, Tony. You have to be ready. That's why I'm hard on you." Pop is always communicating.

Takeaway: When you communicate actively and honestly, you establish a foundation of credibility and integrity.

3. Admit Your Mistakes
When Popovich was coaching LaMarcus Aldridge, he realized that he wasn't getting the best out of LaMarcus. Popovich took the blame before allowing LaMarcus to play more freely. Popovich said, "We broke bread a few times, talked about it, laughed about it, discussed what we thought needed to happen, and frankly 95 percent of it fell on me because I made an error in trying to change him too much."

Takeaway: Acknowledging your mistakes and taking responsibility demonstrates honesty, humility, and builds trust because people know you will do what is right.

4. Lead by Example
After the Spurs lost the heartbreaking 2013 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, Popovich kicked off training camp with some military training and then turned on their Game 6 collapse. He played the game and they watched together. It was a defining moment to help them accept the loss. These moments helped them mourn and bond together, it gave them purpose for 2014.

Takeaway: When you lead by example, your actions align with your words and you build trust through your consistent behavior.

5. Be True to Your Word
Popovich's motto throughout the years has been, "Get over yourself." He builds relationships with players and gives to the team, but he doesn't do it for himself or the spotlight. He says, "You have to throw your ego out the door. It's all about the win. It's all about the work. It's about treating the people the right way. Period." Pop stays true to his word and his commitment to the team.

Takeaway: Keeping your promises and following through on commitments establishes reliability and fosters trust.

6. Be Consistent and Authentic
He is consistent in his approach and authentic to who he is. Bernie Bickerstaff said, "There's unique personalities everywhere and in every business and that's why everything is not the same. He's a very unique personality. The thing to me that you see it and you watch it is he'll cuss Tim Duncan out and then in the next situation, they're sitting down laughing. There's no grudges held. There's no ill intent. It's all about winning."

Takeaway: Consistency in your actions and character builds predictability, dependability, and trust because people know who you are and the values you stand for.

"Base yourself in loyalty and trust. Don't be companion with those who are not your moral equal. When you make a mistake, don't hesitate to correct it." - Confucius
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[Joey Risso @JoeyRisso]

@SpartanPTO I was amazed at this display when I walked into the building today. The welcoming feeling and representation of our students from the new display is amazing. I love the floor stickers as well. I look forward what the future holds! #SpartanStrong

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

John Wooden said, “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”

Criticism and praise are distractions if you let them be.

Your focus is what drives results.

Positive and negative events will always happen, but your ability to stay focused is what will determine your future.

Praise and criticism can influence your self-talk, beliefs, and actions.

There is no magic, just the decision on where to focus.

How to Deal with Praise and Criticism:
1. Stay Grounded With Humility
Embrace humility and stay grounded. You are never as good as your best performance and never as bad as your worst performance. Recognize that your worth is not defined by others' opinions.

2. Stay True To Yourself
Set your standard for performance and live to that standard. Be true to yourself and your values. Use praise as motivation and criticism as opportunities for growth while not losing sight of your purpose and goals.

3. Remember Your "Why"
Let your deeper motivations guide your actions and decisions. Praise and criticism don't define you as a person. When you know what you stand for then everything else becomes a distraction and noise.

4. Eliminate Distractions
Stay focused on what matters and who matters in your life. Everyone will always give you an opinion, but that doesn't mean it aligns with your goals. Create a supportive environment for your growth by managing the people and content you consume.

5. Use A Growth-Mindset
View all feedback as a chance to learn and improve. If it's praise, build on it. If it's criticism then address it constructively and see how you can improve. When you have an open mind then you realize that growth never stops.

6. Take Time To Reflect
Take time to reflect on the feedback received. Evaluate its relevance and think about the intent behind the feedback. Make sure that you reflect and take action based on how it aligns with your personal standards and aspirations.

7. Do It For Yourself, Not The Praise
External validation will always come and go. Avoid seeking it as your main source of confidence. Confidence starts from within so rely on your own sense of accomplishment and growth for self-assurance.

"A creative life cannot be sustained by approval any more than it can be destroyed by criticism." - Will Self

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[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Tom Coughlin said, “Winning is what happens when commitment, desire, talent, preparation, hard work, and leadership all come together.”

Success comes from doing the work.

Winning is your ability to look in the mirror and know you gave your best.

Everyone wants to win, but not everyone is willing to do what it takes to win.

When you focus on winning the moment, that is how you win today and ultimately how you win in life.

6 Keys To Achieving Your Goals and Winning:
1. Be Wholeheartedly Committed: It drives effort and focus showing that you're dedicated to the objective. Set clear and meaningful goals, create a detailed action plan, and remind yourself regularly of your WHY. Stay accountable by sharing your commitment with friends, mentors, and coaches who can support and encourage you on your journey.

2. Have A Passionate Desire for Success: Your passion fuels your motivation and resilience when you face challenges and adversity. Visualize the positive outcomes and how they will impact your life. Stay inspired by learning from the best and how they achieved their success.

3. Be Prepared and Ready: Preparation and readiness lay the groundwork. Break down your goals into smaller, actionable steps and create a plan. Anticipate potential challenges and develop strategies to overcome them. When you fail to prepare, you can't easily adapt and adjust. Continually reflect on your progress and adjust.

4. Show Up And Do The Work: Create the plan and then WORK the plan. Be disciplined and embrace the process. Invest time and energy in pursuit of your goals. You’re only as good as your long-term consistency, so stay disciplined and consistent. Celebrate small milestones and find joy and fulfillment in the journey, this will help you stay motivated and avoid burnout.

5. Focus On Growth and Improvement: Take time to self-reflect and understand your strengths. Work on your skills, improve, and focus on developing your talents. Continuously learn and improve to enhance your abilities and stand out. Think about growth and how you can make growth a daily habit.

6. LEAD, LEAD, LEAD: Set the example and be the example. Set your standard for performance and the be consistent with your action. In team environments, leadership and teamwork are essential for achieving goals. Encourage open communication, feedback, and foster innovation. Connect and build strong relationships with your team while leading with empathy and respect.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” - Brian Tracy
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[College Football Campus Tour @cfbcampustour]

🏆Best G5 Stadium Champion🏆

Kidd Brewer Stadium - Boone, NC

#CFBTwitter chose KBS as the best G5 stadium in the country. Shoutout to all the #GoApp fans who voted as well as retweets from your coaches, AD’s & official App State accounts. Enjoy your victory!

📸 @NelsonAerials

[ESPN @espn]

What a speech, Liam Hendriks 🥹

Join us and @TheVFoundation in the fight against cancer. https://t.co/6NwFh2XdEK

[Teacher Support @WCPSSTSP]

We know our Multi Track YR Scholars will have an amazing first day and school year! We know this because they have FANTASTIC educators and administrators leading them!!! 👏🏽❤️👏🏽❤️👀