Tiff Stephey

Asst. Principal at Newton High School, USD 373; Mom to Chris and Mia, Grandma to my sweet Ava ❤.
Nerd and Triathlete; Love who I am and love what I do!

[Tiff Stephey @tdstephey]

"The days can be easy if the years are consistent. You can write a book or get in shape or code a piece of software in 30 minutes per day. But the key is you can't miss a bunch of days."

-@JamesClear

[Newton Railer Bands @NewtonBands]

The first home game for NHS Football and the RAILER MARCHING BAND is this Friday, September 15! The band will rehearse at Fischer Field 3:45-4:45 pm, then return with uniforms (including black shoes & socks) at 6:20 pm to get ready for pre-game. GO RAILERS!

[Steve Magness @stevemagness]

What's the best predictor of your grades in college?

Not SAT scores, HS GPA, or your study time & habits.

It's whether you show up. Attendance is one of the best predictors of academic performance.

Same goes for any pursuit. Showing up is the most important part of performing

[Newton Schools @NewtonSchoolsKS]

🎶 Congratulations to Mrs. Ives and the NHS Tri-M chapter for being selected as the Kansas Tri-M chapter of the year! #RailerPride

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

When you burn people out, you push them out. Stars are the first to leave—they have the most opportunities.

The solution is not to pile on the perks. It’s to pinpoint the root causes of overload and design more manageable jobs.

If you want to keep people, stop exhausting them.

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

Why “Maslow Before Bloom”?

There was a boy named JJ. He was very little when two of his siblings died in a fire. JJ survived but had severe asthma as a result of exposure to inhaling a great deal of smoke. Mom fell out of the picture and grannie raised him and his cousins. In reality, the streets raised JJ. JJ was an explorer and a “frequent flyer” to the counselor and assistant principal’s office. Some of these visits were due to disrupting the class and others were daily stops on his wandering around the building tour. There were times when he would look pre-occupied or deep in thought. When asked about it, he either could not articulate what he was thinking or said he’d rather not speak about it.

As difficult as JJ’s behaviors could be in class, there was something very likeable about JJ. He was a salesman, negotiator, and finagler. JJ had great eye contact, a big smile, and an infectious laugh.

The day before winter break, JJ was sent to the office for being extremely disrespectful to a substitute teacher. The assistant principal lectured him (probably yelled at him) and told him about how disappointed he was in JJ. The conversation went on to how many people were in JJ’s corner and how maybe JJ was just wasting their time if he wasn’t going to step up and do the right thing. JJ cried for the first time that anyone at school could remember. He promised that he would do better and that he was sorry for letting everyone down.

Word spread through the building that the Assistant Principal “stuck it” to JJ. Several staff members stopped by the Assistant Principal’s office to give him a high five and to thank him for being tough on JJ. The assistant principal went home and felt proud of himself for making JJ cry and for teaching him a lesson. He then went on to enjoy winter break with his family, knowing that things would be different and easier with JJ when they returned in January.

A few days later on Christmas day, I received a phone call from the head principal. JJ had a severe asthma attack and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

I went to JJ’s funeral. Grannie told stories about JJ as a baby, toddler, and as a child. She smiled and cried as she detailed memories of his mischief and also the many kind and thoughtful acts he did for his little sister. Grannie then talked about how much he liked his school, his friends, and playing kickball. Grannie paused, surveyed the room, and looked me right in the eyes. She said that the person he loved the most and the one who cared most about him was Dr Bryan Pearlman - his assistant principal. I got up and left. I was crying uncontrollably.

I would have given anything to have five more minutes with JJ. I would have apologized for my behavior and for making him cry. I would have promised him that I would learn more and do better moving forward. I would have told him about how much I enjoyed spending time with him. I would have told him about how amazing he was!

Shame on me. I didn’t know anything about mental health or trauma. I suspended kids and really believed that they would come back with a better attitude and improved behaviors. I kept sending the same students home over and over and really expected a different outcome (this is the definition of insanity). This was particularly ineffective for students dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Take some time to think about your own “JJ”. Think of one new thing you will try that may help the relationship and reduce the negative behaviors.

I think of JJ every day. I miss him so much! Christmas is always the hardest time. I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.

“Maslow Before Bloom”

Join a community of caring educators, mental health professionals and others who are committed to helping all students to succeed in school and life at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m.

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

Annie came to our school as a six-year-old. She struggled with behaviors, making friends, and pretty much in all academic areas. Annie had been abused and neglected. She had seen so many bad things that we hope no child ever has to see. We had a very difficult time managing Annie’s behaviors. She used inappropriate language, she pushed and shoved, and she regularly eloped from the classroom and our school. Most of our strategies, interventions, and methods were not successful.

After a while, we noticed that she had a real gift for making change. Nobody was sure how she picked up this skill, but she really was good at it.

Our cafeteria staff recruited Annie to help with making change at breakfast before school. After a few weeks, she was promoted to coordinator of biscuit distribution (she used the large tongs to place a biscuit on each student’s tray). The cafeteria staff provided her with her own customized uniform consisting of a hair net, an apron that was about 10 sizes too big with her name on it, and a box of clear plastic gloves. After a month on the job, they allowed Annie to pick the radio station that they listened to while working. They quickly learned that beyond making change, Annie had some great dance moves and could really keep the beat. She became a full-fledged member of our cafeteria staff team.

It didn’t take long for our school PTO/boosters to take notice of the kitchen star. One of the mom’s knew about Annie’s struggles and also about her ability to make change. They too recruited Annie. She was tasked with helping run the school store that was open during lunchtime. They relied on her change making abilities. The boosters made Annie a uniform too. It was a shirt that was bedazzled with the words “Annie, Honorary Booster Board Member”. Annie became the youngest member of the booster sorority.

Annie’s negative behaviors reduced significantly. She was a totally different child in the most positive of ways.

One day, she came to visit me in my office. Annie said that she was feeling something. I was worried that she was going to throw up, so I quickly ran to get my trashcan. She said that it didn’t feel like throwing up, it was something different. Annie said that it was a tingly feeling in her belly and in her chest. She also showed me lots of goosebumps on her arms. After a moment, I realized what Annie was feeling. It was love, kindness, pride, success, and hope. She had never felt these feelings before. Annie left my office and I started to tear up.

It truly takes a village. Keep doing whatever it takes for kids! It is so worth it!

Join us at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m.

[NHS Lady Railer Basketball @LadyRailerBball]

The Lady Railers 22-23 season has come to an end tonight against Emporia High School. What a ride this season was! To our seniors, thank you for the legacy you have left for the underclassmen. To our fans, thank you for your continued support. Until next season! #foreverfamily

[Orange Book 🍊📖 @orangebook]

You naturally get rid of your sense of entitlement once you are abroad.

You understand that no one knows you, and that no one cares, unless you bring value first.

[Inner Practitioner @MindTendencies2]

You leak energy when you overshare. Protect your energy and keep your personal life private. Maturity is living in private, dating in private, making money in private, healing in private, unlearning in private, growing in private, and letting them assume and be wrong about you.

[NHS Railiners @therailiners]

OUR FIRST TOC PERFORMANCE IN 3 YEARS! We were so happy to perform at the Newton wrestling tournament this year!
Choreography: Coach Amy

[Tiff Stephey @tdstephey]

@dmoscte @WichitaKat Whatever I had before break KNOCKED me out!

[Brian Skinner @BrianSkinnerKS]

Thank you #capturingkidshearts for an amazing two days helping us grow as public educators, so we can best meet each of our students’ needs. We had a blast! @ckhflippengroup @erica_huggard @MrsGazzano @tdstephey #ktoy2023

[Diane Moser @dmoscte]

We are rocking and rolling here @NewtonHSKS with Experiential Learning Day

[Tessa Davis @TessaRDavis]

More than 25 million people use Google Docs.

But most of us still don't know its best features.

Here are 11 Google Docs tips that'll save you 100s of hours of your life:

[KS Dept of Education @ksdehq]

These eight amazing educators are your 2023 Kansas Teacher of the Year finalists. #2023KTOY

[Tiff Stephey @tdstephey]

It's about that time! Ready to see our Railer Family again!

[Laurel Scott @barefootpond]

One of my friends refers to it as a rose and a thorn... whatever you call it, check for highs and lows!
#sel #selawareness #zonesofregulation #emotionalhealth