Authentic Guidance
Educational Leadership Expert & Special Education Advocate
Let's talk truths: Real answers from a former school principal with 20 years of educational experience.
Empowering School Leaders, Teachers & Parents with the Truth
Principal Amy is a doctoral candidate pursuing her Doctor of Education in educational leadership. She has been in education for over 20 years in some form or fashion. She spent the last 9 years in 100% special education settings as a teacher and school principal. She also has served as the LEA in IEP meetings.
Get Ready
Clear, honest answers and solutions without the political maneuvering or ego for school leaders, teachers, and individual families.
Services
Family Consultation
ASYNCHRONOUS online Courses
Family Consultation
For Families: If you need help finding the right services for your child, are unsure how to proceed, what questions to ask, or need help deciphering the educational lingo. I am available hourly to provide expert advice and guidance.
School Consultations
ASYNCHRONOUS online Courses
Family Consultation
For Schools: If you need help building positive school culture or staff morale, improving staff retention, or grow your people. I am available hourly to provide expert advice and guidance.
ASYNCHRONOUS online Courses
ASYNCHRONOUS online Courses
ASYNCHRONOUS online Courses
Access asynchronous, self-paced courses on topics related to: COMING SOON!
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Educational leadership consultants can have a significant impact on school culture, staff morale, and staff retention by providing guidance, strategies, and support to create a positive and conducive working environment. Here's how they can help:
1. Assessing Current Culture: Consultants begin by assessing the existing school culture, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This involves gathering feedback from staff, conducting surveys, and analyzing data to understand the prevailing culture.
2. Developing a Vision: Consultants work with school leaders to define a clear and compelling vision for the desired school culture. This vision serves as a guidepost for aligning efforts and fostering a shared sense of purpose.
3. Cultivating Positive Relationships: Consultants help foster positive relationships among staff members, administrators, and stakeholders. They provide training on effective communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration to create a harmonious atmosphere.
4. Leadership Development: Consultants offer leadership development programs for school administrators and leaders. Effective leadership plays a critical role in setting the tone for the school culture and staff morale.
5. Professional Development: Consultants provide targeted professional development opportunities for teachers and staff, focusing on areas that contribute to job satisfaction and growth, such as instructional techniques, classroom management, and innovative practices.
6. Team Building: Consultants facilitate team-building activities and workshops that encourage teamwork, trust, and a sense of community among staff members.
7. Recognition and Appreciation: Consultants help establish systems for recognizing and appreciating staff members' efforts and achievements. Recognizing contributions boosts morale and reinforces a positive culture.
8. Feedback and Communication: Consultants guide school leaders in establishing open channels of communication that allow staff members to provide input, share ideas, and offer feedback. Transparent communication enhances morale and empowers staff.
9. Addressing Concerns: Consultants assist in addressing issues that affect staff morale, such as burnout, workload imbalance, or conflicts. They help develop strategies to address these concerns and improve the working environment.
10. Staff Empowerment: Consultants work with leaders to empower staff by involving them in decision-making processes, allowing them to take ownership of their roles, and providing opportunities for professional growth.
11. Creating Inclusive Environments: Consultants help schools create inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and promote equity. Inclusive schools foster a sense of belonging and positive morale among all staff members.
12. Retention Strategies: Consultants develop strategies for staff retention by identifying factors that contribute to turnover and implementing measures to address them. This may include mentorship programs, ongoing support, and career development pathways.
13. Monitoring and Evaluation: Consultants establish mechanisms to monitor the progress of culture improvement initiatives and assess their impact on staff morale and retention. Regular evaluations ensure that efforts remain on track.
By focusing on these areas, educational leadership consultants can help schools create a culture where staff members feel valued, supported, and motivated to contribute their best efforts, leading to improved morale, higher retention rates, and ultimately better educational outcomes for students.
A former school principal and special education advocate can provide valuable support and guidance to families navigating the complexities of the education system, especially when they have children with special needs. Here are several ways in which they can help:
1. Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Assistance:
- Reviewing and explaining the IEP process to families.
- Providing guidance on how to advocate for their child's needs during IEP meeting
effectively.
- Assisting in drafting IEP goals and objectives that are tailored to the child's unique needs.
2. Education Rights and Laws:
- Educating families about their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) and other relevant laws.
- Explaining the legal protections and accommodations available to students with
disabilities.
3. School Communication and Collaboration:
- Coaching families on effective communication with school staff, teachers, and
administrators.
- Facilitating positive relationships between families and schools to foster a collaborative
approach to supporting the child.
4. Reviewing Educational Assessments:
- Helping families understand the results of educational assessments and how they inform
instructional planning.
- Advising families on seeking additional evaluations if needed.
5. Behavior Management and Support:
- Providing strategies and resources for managing challenging behaviors at home and
school.
- Collaborating with families to develop behavior intervention plans.
6. Transition Planning:
- Assisting families in planning for transitions between grade levels, schools, or educational
settings.
- Offering guidance for transitioning from early intervention to school services or from high
school to post-secondary options.
7. Identifying Resources:
- Connecting families to community resources, support groups, and advocacy
organizations for parents of children with special needs.
8. IEP Meeting Preparation:
- Helping families prepare for IEP meetings by discussing goals, concerns, and desired
outcomes.
- Role-playing scenarios to empower families to communicate their child's needs
effectively during meetings.
9. Dispute Resolution:
- Offering guidance on dispute resolution processes, such as mediation and due process
hearings, if families encounter disagreements with the school district.
10. Emotional Support:
- Providing emotional support and understanding to families facing challenges in
advocating for their child's education and well-being.
By leveraging their experience as a former school principal and special education advocate, this individual can empower families to make informed decisions, effectively advocate for their child's needs, and work collaboratively with the education system to ensure the best possible outcomes for their children with special needs.
Principal Amy's Insights
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