Danny Steele

How does supporting our teachers FIRST help us serve our students well?

Check out this sketchnote from my recent conversation with @steelethoughts.bsky.social - now on the Teachers on Fire podcast.

“The best education does not prepare students for a test, or for a college, or for a job. It prepares them to keep learning.” —Danny Steele, Principal

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

YouTube video by Teachers On Fire Dr. DANNY STEELE: Support Your Staff FIRST to Serve Your Students Well

NEW EPISODE: Catch the edited version of my conversation with @steelethoughts.bsky.social on YouTube + wherever you listen to podcasts. youtu.be/DynbyKCv8Zg

Parenting…

“Holding students accountable and demonstrating compassion are not incompatible notions. You can always extend grace while you provide discipline. You can always respect their dignity while you administer consequences.” —Danny Steele, Principal

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

What teachers are looking for…

“Some would say administrators should visit classrooms, because that is how they can provide ‘Instructional Leadership.’ That may be true. But I think they should be in classrooms, so they always remember how challenging the work of teaching is.” —Danny Steele, Principal

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

#SchoolLeaders #EduSky

“The most important qualities of any educator are not adequately captured on a resume. It is hard to quantify passion, energy, dedication, patience, perseverance, and love… but in the classroom… those qualities make all the difference in the world.” —Danny Steele, Educator

🧡 @steelethoughts.bsky.social

For teachers about to start a new school year…

One of the best things a teacher can do in the course of the day is to have a conversation with a student about something other than school.

"Every kid you teach loves something. They are interested in something. They are nervous about something. They are good at something. Find out what that something is." —Educator Danny Steele

The more deeply you know your Ss, the more astonishing the growth you can inspire, says educator @steelethoughts.bsky.social 🌱

“The best education does not prepare students for a test, or for a college, or for a job. It prepares them to keep learning.” —Danny Steele, Principal

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

#EduSky #education

"Every kid you teach loves something. They are interested in something. They are nervous about something. They are good at something. Find out what that something is." —Educator Danny Steele

Reminder by educator @steelethoughts.bsky.social: Your Ss are amazing, complex, fascinating human beings!

Teachers have the ability to give students something that is far more valuable than good grades on a report card. 

They can give them hope.

“The most important qualities of any educator are not adequately captured on a resume. It is hard to quantify passion, energy, dedication, patience, perseverance, and love… but in the classroom… those qualities make all the difference in the world.” —Danny Steele, Educator

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

#EduSky #educators

“The best education does not prepare students for a test, or for a college, or for a job. It prepares them to keep learning.” —Danny Steele, Principal

— @steelethoughts.bsky.social

Administrators build relationships with their teachers, the same way teachers do with their students. They talk to them; they invest time in them; they respect them; they value them; they support them. It doesn’t have to be complicated… but it needs to be a priority.

You’re gonna make mistakes this year.  That’s ok… you’ll learn from them.  They’ll make you better.  Don’t be afraid of mistakes; embrace the process.

Reflecting on your year can be a good thing if it inspires joy and gratitude. If you had a hard year… let it go. You’re moving on down the road.

Hmmmm

When a student fails a quiz, or a test, or a project… what would compel that student to get it turned around for the next one? 

I’ll tell you one thing: the relentless encouragement and support of a teacher.  Props to the teachers who never give up on their students!

People may hear your words, and they may read your words. But that doesn’t mean they know your heart. What really matters, is what you do and how you treat others. It’s the example you set. The life you lead is always more powerful than the speech you give.

I think students can tell when their teachers enjoy teaching them. At least they think they can. And their perception matters.

In the words of Ted Lasso… “Be curious… not judgmental.”

Lightbulb moments…

We talk about the importance of teachers developing relationships with students. But it’s also important for administrators to develop relationships with their teachers. That is how they support them… how they encourage them… how they lead them. It is how culture is built.

When people are excited about what they do, when they are mindful of why they do it, and when they genuinely care about those they are with… cool stuff happens.