Imposter syndrome is defined as a psychological experience where a person doubts their skills and feels like an intellectual or professional fraud despite clear proof of their success. Our human nature can sometimes be our worst enemy. We have the tendency to sometimes think the worst of ourselves.

Successful people occasionally have negative thoughts about their job performance in the forefront of their mind. Am I doing okay? Am I as good as I portray myself to be? What if I am not living up to what people expect of me?

Do any of these questions sound familiar? How often do you have these thoughts? You are not alone when it comes to doubting your abilities. According to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their working lives.

Where do these thoughts come from and what is the cause for feeling as if you’re an imposter? Imposter Syndrome is strongly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and burnout. Chronic stress from work can have a heavy mental and physical toll.

Self confidence is another aspect of Imposter Syndrome. Feeling that your work is not good enough or that you did not complete a task that was satisfactory. These thoughts can creep in, even if there is no proof to support them.

Let’s do an honest assessment. In order to shake those feelings of being inadequate, start with self reflection. Inspect the work that you are doing and the impact that it has. Are you completing tasks in a timely manner? Do you receive compliments for the things that you do? You’re more than likely performing better than you think you are.

Combatting Imposter Syndrome is an ongoing thing. Who do you have in your corner that can tell you the truth? What measures are you taking to ensure that your work is up to par? Do you give yourself an opportunity to step away from tasks to refocus? Are you knowledgeable about the work that you’re tasked with doing?

We have to remember to give ourselves grace. No one is going to perform perfectly at anything. Take time to reflect on how far you have come and lean into your expertise. Do what you do best. Have pride in your intellectual abilities. Your skill set is unique and valuable. If any of this resonates with you, I would love to hear your thoughts.

There are systems for everything in our lives. From transportation to your everyday routines, there’s a system in place. Systems help to keep things running smoothly. Without certain procedures in place our society would plummet into chaos. The same goes for our schools.

We need systems for everything. The way students enter the building, how students travel through the building, entering and sitting in the cafeteria, how students leave at dismissal, all of these things require a sense of organization. Imagine if there were no agreed to procedures, it would be a recipe for disaster.

Systems provide stability for our students. Everyone feels better when they know what to expect during the course of the day. Just think about your habits as a consumer. People frequent places where they know they will receive good customer service. Good systems help to provide a better experience.

Just as systems are important, so are the people that implement them. Developing procedures with a team heightens the chances of success. There are brilliant people in our schools, use them to your advantage. There is a far greater chance of procedures being implemented with fidelity when stakeholder thoughts and opinions are considered.

As we begin the new school year, focus on tight systems. The more students and parents understand school procedures, the smoother things will operate. Predictably for students provides fertile ground for academic achievement. Consistent systems help teachers to be effective in their responsibilities.

Setting the expectation and trusting the people that implement processes is important. As the saying goes, in difficult times we fall to the level of our systems. Start strong, set the tone, and adjust as needed. Have a great school year.

When you hear the word celebrity it’s often associated with a person that we see in movies, tv shows, or social media. You know, the people whose every move is obsessed over. The people who society thinks are important. Hey educators, guess what, you’re a celebrity too.

No, you’re probably not getting mobbed by photographers everywhere you go. Neither do you get dinner comped in a fancy restaurant. Your celebrity is more localized. You receive Amazon gift cards, homemade cards, and gifts that you’re not quite sure if the items are new or regifted. All of this is done because of what you give to others.

Whether you realize it or not, you are a public figure. This reality began the moment you became a professional educator. Everything that you do will be scrutinized. Is it fair, no it isn’t.

Before the school year starts, parents have already looked at the school’s website and searched your social media to find out as much as they can about you. Students and parents will spot you at the grocery store, gas station, or local restaurants. It’s just the way it goes. Your name will be shouted out in the stands of sporting events and fine arts performances. It behooves you to be mindful of your behavior in public.

When you serve in one place for a long time the impact is even greater. I frequently see parents and students that I have served in the past. My wife and daughter often joke that we can’t go anywhere without someone knowing who I am. That’s not exactly true, but you get the point.

Being renown for your work is a good thing. I hope that as we enter a new school year all educators strive to make the best of the time that we have. Keep in mind, that student in your class will only experience that grade level once, make it count. In a time when education is under intense scrutiny, be a positive representation. Instead of getting upset about being recognized, lean into the blessings that come from making a positive impact on a person’s life.

Change is an inevitable part of life. Change can sometimes not be easy, but at times it is necessary. I have found myself in a time of change that is much needed.

The last five years I’ve served in the same school district. I can say that I notice the growth in my career. There have been lessons learned that I will carry forward. I have met some incredible people that are doing great things in the world of education.

I am a person that seeks to find the good in every situation. Even in the most difficult circumstances I seek to find the lesson that comes from them. I also seek the knowledge of others that I know have been through difficult times.

The past two years have been extremely difficult for me. I am fully aware that the job of a school administrator is hard, but I have always found ways to navigate the ebbs and flows and still enjoy my work. I hate to say it, but the weight that I carried the past year truly tested my resolve.

I did my best to navigate through the school year as best that I could. Two hundred and ten days is a long time in a space where you feel that you cannot be at your best. In spite of having mornings where I simply did not want to go to work, I continued to show up. I wanted to honor my responsibility to students and staff by making the best of the situation.

In early May I received an email that I did not expect. This correspondence led to interviews and ultimately an opportunity in a different district. To say that I was excited is an understatement. Three years of research, applications, and denials finally led to a new beginning.

In late July I will begin the next phase of my journey in the school district where I began my career in education. I did not see this coming, but I’m thankful. Although I will be in a different environment the mission remains the same, supporting teachers to provide the very best environment for students to succeed academically and socially. I’m looking forward to recharging this summer and preparing for the 2026-2027 school year.

If you’re an educator or the parent of a school aged child, you are more than aware that we are in the middle of the Spring testing season. Over the next few weeks schools across the nation will begin the process of administering state exams. This yearly process elicits strong emotions among stakeholders.

During my career I have witnessed the drastic shift in how state assessments are handled. I remember being able to use my computer during testing my first year as a teacher. Now, test administrators are not allowed to use electronics while students in the room are testing. The gravity of the results of student assessments has become immense.

Here in the state where I live, school systems and individual campuses are judged primarily by their performance on state tests. This reality has caused an incredible amount of angst among school leaders and parents. A vast amount of resources are used year after year to improve schools performance to meet the ever changing standards.

We are now in the stage of the school year where teachers begin “camps” to prepare for state assessments. Frequently tested standards are reviewed, testing strategies practiced, and pep rallies are held. All of these things are done in hopes that students will do their very best.

All of these things are good ways to show that educators are preparing students for tests. I believe that there should be purposeful planning for state exams throughout the entire school year. Many educators already do something similar.

States have a blueprint on what has been assessed in years past. This can be used to make sure that students are exposed to the content they could be possibly tested on. This is not done excluding the curriculum that is to be taught, but in addition to it.

This can be achieved by having a “do now” problem at the beginning of class. Students solve the problem, teacher reviews with the class, and then move into the lesson of the day. This could take no longer than five to ten minutes and does not interrupt regular instruction. This practice, done throughout the entire school year, could help to boost student confidence when it comes to Spring testing.

I’ve heard the statement for years that teachers are teaching to the test. This mainly comes from people that may have students in school but don’t truly know the curriculum that is taught. In every industry that requires a test to gain certification, there are test prep materials available. The people that take those exams spend differing amounts of time preparing. This is no different than teachers preparing students.

Every state has set standards for exams. Educators, for better or worse, have a responsibility to meet the standard. While scores on standardized tests are what schools are mostly judged by, they don’t tell the full story of the work that is happening in schools.

As with most jobs, you don’t know how to do the job until you DO the job. Being a school leader is no different. Universities teach you theory but nothing equates to living and working through situations with people. How do we bridge the gap between educational leadership curriculums and real experience?

Most Masters programs do a good job of providing information on educational theory and not enough practical application. Most educators have heard the phrase when taking certification exams “think perfect world and you’ll be okay”. While this may help you pass the exam, this thinking does nothing to help prepare you for the actual work. The most useful class in educational programs is Educational Law.

As a school leader, no day is the same. Situations arise quickly, some that require immediate attention. No matter how well you think you’ve planned your day, be prepared for a curveball or two. Your level of competence and confidence make a difference.

Future administrators need real experiences to help them prepare for future roles. Sitting in on a 504/IEP meeting could be beneficial as you get to see how the committee works together in the best interest of a student. Even witnessing a mediation between students or teachers, with permission, add valuable insight needed to develop conflict resolution skills.

Having the opportunity to attend a data meeting gives the future school leader a chance to analyze data from a different perspective than just their classroom. Learning to look at data as it relates to the entire campus helps to develop a more in depth understanding of teaching and learning on the campus as a whole. Participating in campus leadership team meetings helps to gain insight into how decisions are made that affect the entire school from budget to campus safety and everything in between.

Teacher coaching and observation is a big part of your responsibility as an administrator. Visiting classrooms and sharing observation notes with an experienced administrator is beneficial for aspiring school leaders. Getting a glimpse of how feedback is given and how it aligns to campus goals is very valuable.

A few keys to being successful as a school leader are to have strong leadership models, a collaborative network of other school leaders, and a good mentor. Knowing how to do things makes a difference, having someone to go to for advice, and having people to glean ideas from sets new leaders up for success.

This, in no way, covers all of the things that could help aspiring administrators to be successful. These are my thoughts on how university programs could build curriculum to really show the many facets of school leadership. I would love to hear ideas about how we can better prepare our future school leaders.

Work is hard when you do it alone. This is especially true in Education. Things are more bearable when you can share the load. Due to our human nature, we can sometimes feel that we’re in a situation on our own.

This is why having people in your circle that know and understand the nature of your work is so important. Sometimes, it’s the people that work in your building that support you. Other times, it’s people that you have met along the way that you may not see often.

The best thing that came from the global pandemic was increased use of technology. Social media, in most cases, has helped people connect in positive ways. Now, you don’t have to live in the same city, state, or country to connect with someone that does the same work as you do.

Sometimes we need a fresh perspective on the things that we deal with on a daily basis. This is where your network comes in. A mentor or thought partner is a phone call, text, or dm away.

You may be wondering, “How do I build a professional learning network?” There are several ways to do this. You could possibly start with someone whose work you admire in your building or district. Also, reaching out to someone whose work you have seen through social media could be beneficial. Attending conferences and professional development is another way to gain people to add to your network.

In an effort to learn and grow, gleaning from others with a different perspective is a must. Growing your professional network requires effort on your part. Most people are more than willing to share their experiences and knowledge with someone genuinely interested in learning. If you haven’t already, start reaching out to others who are doing something that you admire. You never know where your connections could lead you.

Entering my twenty-first year in education I’ve had mixed emotions. There have been moments over the past month that have made me question if I’m on the right path. There are some things that are weighing on me heavily, but I know I have a job to do. For the first time in my career, I don’t have that excited feeling to be in the school building when I wake up during the week.

I recognize that my feelings and struggles are not unique to me, that doesn’t make it any easier. I also know that as a campus leader, a lot of eyes are on me. Everyday I am setting the example for staff, students, and other members of the community.

My energy comes from having teachers and staff in the building. I love serving others. I appreciate the learning process that happens every school year. I enjoy having conversations with teachers and helping them to grow in their practice. I enjoy working with students to help them navigate their feelings and how they learn.

Removing the focus from myself, teachers have a lot of responsibility. There are new challenges that teachers are facing, especially in the state where I live. There are a portion of lawmakers that are against public education. State testing, funding challenges, and public opinion have created a perfect storm that is clouding the future of education.

I am of the belief that as educators, we can rise above all of these challenges. There are brilliant educational leaders and teachers that are fearless. In spite of the challenges, there are educators that are determined to help students succeed. I believe that this school year will be one where we see growth in our students and schools across this country.

I am hopeful that the 2025-2026 school year will be fruitful. I hope that every teacher, leader, parent, and student will find moments of success and joy throughout this year. Everyday is another opportunity to make a positive impact. Let’s make the most of the moment and have a great school year.