Laura Kroll

wife, mom, grandparent, PreK-5 Principal at EMF #emfbobcats

[EMF Public Schools @EMFPublicSchool]

The EMF Bobcats wrapped up a great season at the state track meet!
A huge congratulations to our state medalists, Caleb and Hunter, for bringing home hardware in pole vault!
Proud of all our Bobcats for representing EMF with pride, effort, and class all season long. #EMFBobcats

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

The NCA initiated the JH Coach of the Year Award in 1985-86. In 2004, the NCA Board of Directors changed the name to the Jim Farrand Award. Please congratulate Coach Martin when you see him! He has been selected as a recipient of the 2025-2026 Jim Farrand Award. #EMFbobcats

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Veteran teachers don’t struggle with feedback because they’re unwilling to grow.
The issue is the system treats a first-year teacher and a 20-year teacher the same. That doesn’t make sense.
A new teacher is building a foundation. They need structure, modeling, and direct feedback. A veteran teacher is in a different place. They’ve taught thousands of lessons, worked with hundreds of students, and refined their craft. They need someone who can challenge them and understand their level.

But the system applies the same rubric, checklist, and process to everyone.

And it’s not working.
Large-scale evaluation reforms haven’t shown meaningful gains in student achievement. In another study, only about one in four teachers said feedback actually improved their teaching.

That should tell us something.
The strongest research points elsewhere. Instructional coaching shows significant improvement in both teaching and student outcomes. Why? It’s ongoing, specific, and grounded in real classrooms. It meets teachers where they are.

That’s the difference.
You can standardize evaluation, but you can’t standardize growth.

We’ve tried to fix weak feedback by making it more standardized. The problem isn’t the form. It’s the fit.
This isn’t about administrators doing something wrong. Most are doing what they’ve been asked to do. The system just doesn’t match the complexity of the work.

A veteran teacher doesn’t need more boxes checked. They need someone who understands what they’re trying to do and can think with them at a high level.
Evaluation should be less about judging and more about helping.
More aspirational. More conversational.

Not “Here’s what to fix,” but:
What are you working on?
What’s been effective?
Where do you want to grow?
Because growth is voluntary. You can require evaluation, but you can’t force improvement.
That comes down to credibility and relevance.
Teachers act on feedback when they believe the person giving it understands their work, content, and students.

That’s why coaching works. It’s ongoing, specific, and built around real practice. It creates ownership, not compliance.

Veteran teachers don’t ignore feedback because they think they know everything. They ignore feedback that doesn’t match their level.

After enough years, you learn to filter what helps from what just checks a box.

Because growth isn’t one-size-fits-all.

And pretending it is doesn’t make it better. It just makes it look more organized.

References:
National Bureau of Economic Research
American Educational Research Association / American Educational Research Journal
Review of Educational Research

[NREA @nrea1]

This week, NREA affiliates visited over 60 congressional offices to speak on rural issues! Thank you to our 20+ advocates for taking the trip to Washington, DC, and to those that listened to the voice of rural America. #NREAHillDay #America250

[Shelli Mueller @Mueller2004]

Thank you to Brandy from UNL extension office for working with the students today in preparation for the STEM day next week. #emfbobcats @UNLExtension

[Shelli Mueller @Mueller2004]

#emfbobcats at Fillmore County Fairgrounds for STEM Day. First up. EggStreme Engineering

[Shelli Mueller @Mueller2004]

#emfbobcats at Fillmore County Fairgrounds for STEM Day. Next Snap Circuits with NPPD.

[Shelli Mueller @Mueller2004]

#emfbobcats at Fillmore County Fairgrounds for STEM Day. Food Science with drink combinations.

[Shelli Mueller @Mueller2004]

#emfbobcats at Fillmore County Fairgrounds for STEM Day. Learning about raptors from Edgerton Explorit Center. A real Eagle was brought in to show. Students were so quiet.

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

Spring break isn’t just a vacation for educators. It’s recovery. Teaching is one of the few professions where you give your mind, your heart, your patience, and your energy to dozens or hundreds of young people every single day. After months of pouring out support, encouragement, and stability for others, it’s essential to pause and refill your own tank. Rest. Sleep. Laugh. Spend time with the people who refill you. Because when educators take time to reset, they return not just rested, but renewed. And that renewed energy becomes one of the greatest gifts they can give their students.

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

Thank you for your kind words! I totally agree! 😁

[Brian Daniell @briandaniell76]

@Mandery Great atmosphere and great efforts by both teams. EMF is a good young team I predict they’ll be back.

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

From the cheerleaders, to the student section to the youngest fans, we are proud to carry the Bobcat name! #EMFbobcats

[EMF Public Schools @EMFPublicSchool]

Paint, laugh, repeat 🎨✨ Join us at Family Art Night—where the masterpieces are messy, the colors are bright, and the memories last forever. 💛 #EMFBobcats

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

You sleep on Sunday after church! Good luck!

[Dallas Sweet, CAA @DallasSweet]

Asking for a friend…

The night before a state championship game….How do you people sleep at night????

Ok not for a friend, it’s happened like 8 times in my lifetime, and I don’t have a clue how someone answers!

Man, I love high school sports!

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

No truer words, Joe! 👏🏻👏🏻

[Joe Sanfelippo @Joe_Sanfelippo]

When we wait to SUPPORT PEOPLE until they are at their breaking point they can never be their best. Then it feels more like triage for everyone. I screwed this up a lot. Embedding support into the SYSTEM gives EVERYONE a better chance. #1minwalkthrowback #LeadFromWhoYouAre

[Laura Kroll @Mandery]

#EMFbobcats

[EMF Public Schools @EMFPublicSchool]

The Book Fair is coming to EMF!

March 2-5
Mon-Wed 3:30-4:30
Thurs 1:00-7:00

Set up an e-wallet or shop online! (corrected link below)

https://t.co/ElXWDAmYGN