Not every child walks back into school after Christmas break feeling rested, celebrated, or safe.
For some kids, the holidays are loud.
Or lonely.
Or heavy.
Or something they’re just relieved is over.
So as they come through our doors this week, love on your kids a little extra. A smile. A gentle word. Sitting down at their level. Letting them talk—or just letting them be quiet.
You may be the first genuine affection they’ve felt in two weeks.
The first adult who sees them.
The first place that feels steady again.
School isn’t just academics.
Sometimes it’s refuge.
Sometimes it’s regulation.
Sometimes it’s love.
Lead with grace this week.
Merry Christmas everyone. But more than that I hope you have a Blessed Christmas. And if you want to know what that means there’s probably not a better source than Linus. He explained it to Charlie Brown almost 60 years ago in a Christmas Special that has become an American favorite.
In 1965 it was extremely daring to have Linus recite from the Bible on prime time television. It probably wouldn’t even happen today and the network executives did not want it as part of the show then. But Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts, was a strong Christian man and he wouldn’t back down.
Schultz’s conviction resulted not only in Charlie Brown learning the true meaning of Christmas but in Luke Chapter 2 being heard by millions of people every year at Christmas time.
The essence of your legacy as a leader will not be defined by the titles you hold or the accomplishments listed on your resume. Instead, it will be shaped by the lasting impression you leave on the people you encounter throughout your life. #Leadership#LeadershipDevelopment
Nick Saban Gold 🥇
“Negative experiences without teaching kill morale.”
Read that again.
This is what being a “transformational” coach is all about.
Are you about winning or are you about teaching?
Are you about transactions or relationships?
Proud to be ranked the #3 Middle School in Mississippi with an “A” rating! 💙🚀 Huge thanks to our students, staff, parents & community for making this possible. #RocketPride#MultiplyExcellence
What about the main thing in life, all its riddles? If you want, I'll spell it out for you right now. Do not pursue what is illusionary -property and position: all that is gained at the expense of your nerves decade after decade, and is confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over life - don't be afraid of misfortune, and do not yearn for happiness; it is, after all, all the same: the bitter doesn't last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing. It is enough if you don't freeze in the cold and if thirst and hunger don't claw at your insides. If your back isn't broken, if your feet can walk, if both arms can bend, if both eyes can see, if both ears hear, then whom should you envy? And why? Our envy of others devours us most of all. Rub your eyes and purify your heart - and prize above all else in the world those who love you and who wish you well. Do not hurt them or scold them, and never part from any of them in anger; after all, you simply do not know: it may be your last act before your arrest, and that will be how you are imprinted on their memory.
- Solzhenitsyn
“Don’t wait to get the title to be a leader. Be the leader well before you get the title.”
Leadership isn’t about power- it’s about influence. Lead before you’re asked, serve before you’re noticed, and win trust before you win the title.
The Costs of Leadership: Kirby Smart
1. You will make hard decisions that negatively affect people.
2. You will be disliked despite your best attempts to do the best for the most.
3. You will be misunderstood & won't have the chance to defend yourself.
Loved spending the day with Neshoba County Schools yesterday! 🎤❤️
Grateful for the warm welcome and the chance to kick off the year with such passionate educators. Here’s to a year of purpose, impact, and multiplying excellence! 👏🍎
The new school year is right around the corner — and I’m excited to be working with leadership teams and delivering keynotes to help schools and districts start strong over the next few weeks. 💛
I love my full-time role as a school administrator, and I’m also grateful for the chance to step into other schools and connect with educators across the country. Helping teams start the year with energy, focus, and belief is one of my favorite things to do.
Looking for a speaker for the upcoming school year? I’d love to work with your team. Let’s connect!
Mississippi has the best demographic-adjusted NAEP (4th & 8th grade) scores now
The "Mississippi Miracle" started in 2012 when the Republican governor/legislature introduced phonics-based instruction and began to hold back ~10% of 3rd graders per year who fail a reading test
Coaching is all about Relationships.
“One of her superpowers was her ability to connect with her players."
Kara Lawson on coaching legend Pat Summitt 🏆.
https://t.co/AReA4u9sOb
Hurdle-ism 6: Hard Work Doesn't Guarantee Success; However, Not Working Hard Will Guarantee Not Having Success
My first manager in pro ball was Gary Blaylock. A few years down the road I came to the conclusion he was the perfect first manager for me. Gary was all about hard work, and his thinking was that anyone can work hard when they felt like it or when things were going well, but the truly elite worked hard just because it was what was necessary every day.
He shared with me that hard work separated players at every level. If you were a ball player, you were expected to work hard just like you got grits with breakfast in the South – you got grits just because, and you worked hard just because.
Gary also shared the fact that working hard could become contagious. It starts with one player, and then a couple more players want to work hard. And then a few more will get on board. Then working hard becomes your team's mentality. You all roll up your sleeves and go to work.
Hard work doesn't guarantee success; however, not working hard will guarantee *not* having success. So work hard and you've got a chance. Don't work hard, and you'll be home soon.
We know that hard work alone doesn't guarantee success. However, if you know you put in the work, then it's one thing you don't have to wonder about when you don't perform well. There are other parts of the game that need to be done well for a team, let alone a player, to have success.
I've always believed that my confidence going into a game was best served by having done the hard work. Fear can creep into anyone's mindset when we know we haven't done all the work and we haven't prepared. We can fool other people about what we've done to prepare, but the guy in the mirror knows. And when you're in the clubhouse with your teammates, some of them will know as well.
Many players also do their work when others aren't watching. They don't need to be seen nor do they care what others think. Their self-esteem and self-confidence are not swayed by the thoughts or observations of others outside their sphere of influence.
The other team has a say in what happens during the game and in regard to the final outcome. We all want to win. We all know it takes a personal commitment from every player on the team, and if you have a team of players committed to one another and are committed to working hard, you and your team are in the best position to have success.
Again, hard work doesn't guarantee success, but not working hard will guarantee *not* having success. You think this Hurdle-ism is true in your personal life?
Try not working hard in these areas:
•Any relationship
•Your marriage
•Your family time
•Your calendar management
•Returning calls, texts, or emails
•Your finances
Not working hard at any of those is a recipe for failure.
Work hard. You'll be glad you did and so will everyone you love.
UPDATE: One of the crash victims has been identified as Dustin Pope, a flight nurse with UMMC. Authorities have not yet released the names of the two others who passed away. https://t.co/lhVkHtiIfh
Achieving greatness doesn't mean you never failed.
Achieving greatness means you failed over and over again, but still committed to the process.
Do you want greatness in your school?
Commit. Fail. Stay the course.
Greatness follows.