Here at The New School Leader, we are committed to helping new and aspiring school leaders develop the skills that they need to take the next step in their leadership journey.
We believe good leadership can transform a life, a campus, and a culture.
We believe leadership is a skill that anyone can develop.
We believe the best leaders belong to a community of like-minded people who are committed to developing their craft.
We believe leadership is based on actions, not titles.
Last month, I traveled to San Antonio to support several different programs from our campus. Thursday and Friday were spent at the State Swim/Dive Meet, and Saturday was spent at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, where our All-State musicians performed. On paper, it was a simple trip. In reality, …
Early in school leadership, many of us confuse availability with care. We keep our doors open.We answer emails quickly.We pride ourselves on being reachable at all times. It feels generous. It feels supportive. It feels like good leadership. Over time, many leaders realize those things are not the same as …
Many assistant principal candidates answer interview questions by describing what they did. The situation.The decision.The outcome. That’s a solid start—but it’s rarely where strong leadership thinking ends. Where Answers Often Stop Too Soon Most candidates can clearly explain: The problem they faced The decision they made The steps they took …
Most leadership decisions don’t announce themselves as big decisions. They’re murky.They’re incomplete.And they rarely feel urgent when they first appear. What often does feel clear is which option will be easier right now. The easier path might: Avoid conflict Buy time Preserve surface-level calm And in the moment, that can …
There’s a moment in many assistant principal interviews that reveals more than your responses to the questions. A candidate finishes responding to a question… And then they keep talking. They add context.They clarify intent.They explain what they really meant. When this happens, what often gets lost is the answer. Why …
