Ownyourepic

#OwnYourEpic is a culmination of stories and experiences from the perspective of a high school teacher turned principal. Through these stories and experiences, Dr. Jay Dostal shares the leadership lessons he has learned. While his perspective is from the vantage point of an educational administrator, #OwnYourEpic is relatable to all people who are ready to challenge themselves to be vulnerable and real so they can begin to own their epic. Through storytelling, readers are challenged to read, reflect, and write their own stories and experiences in the hope they will develop, write, and share their epic with others. Anyone can tell stories, but writing them down and reflecting on what you have learned from them is the act of taking ownership. By the end of the book, readers will be well on their way to writing their own epic story.

Praise for Sheila Brown Were fortunate to have a great community partner in Sheila Brown, who continues to turn ideas into action to create positive change in Buffalo. The Honorale Mayor Byron W. Brown City of Buffalo, NY Sheila Brown is a trailblazer in the gospel music industry. She has gone where many people are afraid to tread. By Gods grace and mercy, she is the perfect exemplary for all to follow. Wanda Adams, CEO Marketing Ministry, LLC Sheila Brown is a phenomenal, talented woman of God who is boldly walking out her faith! Sandy White Former Los Angeles and BET Broadcaster, Author, and Filmmaker A name given to Sheila Brown when she first got into the radio industry was Radioalways, Here comes Radio! Mack Luckey Doris Records

The results are in: observations are not improving teaching and learning. Pertinently, the Gates Foundation’s recently completed effort to improve student outcomes through enhancing the teacher evaluation process failed to achieve substantive improvement. The way observations are currently designed serve as an obstacle to teacher risk-taking. Teachers fear negative evaluations when their pedagogy is rated, and they lack faith in being supported by supervisors because a trusting relationship between them and their observer has not been built. Trust-Based Observations: Maximizing Teaching and Learning Growth is a schema changing evaluation model that understands people perform at their best when they feel safe and supported. It begins with twelve, 20 minute observations per week followed by collegial conversations driven by reflective questions, sharing observed teaching strengths, and the building of safe and trusting relationships with teachers. Add the elimination of rating pedagogical skills and replace it with rating mindset, and teachers trust. When teachers fully embrace risk-taking and innovation, it leads to remarkable teaching transformations and improved student learning.

The best view comes after the hardest climb. While the principal's office may sometimes feel like the loneliest place in the building, it doesn't have to be. In Principaled, veteran principals Kate Barker, Kourtney Ferrua, and Rachael George draw back the curtain on their years of experience, revealing the strategies, mind-sets, and practices that have helped them flourish in their roles. With humor, humility, and candor, the authors detail the key ingredients to finding balance as a school leader: taking time to reflect and learn, seeking out mentors, crafting simple and clear goals, and not neglecting self-care. The authors present a step-by-step approach to facing the challenges of school change and demonstrate that achievement and improving culture are not mutually exclusive goals. Strengthened by their hard-earned wisdom, the dynamic trio behind Principaled will elevate school leaders and help them find their footing along the route to career contentment. "Being a principal is a rocky ride. Tomorrow always has surprises waiting, there are always too many priorities, and for most of us good is not good enough. This is a rare book, written from the front line. A must-have for future, new, and experienced school leaders." -John Hattie, PhD, director of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute "Barker, Ferrua, and George's Principaled should be required as the go-to playbook for every education leader seeking to lead effectively. The reader is left with the seeds of effective leadership and a developed purpose, and presented with a comprehensive game plan on how effective principals can be cultivated through strategic reflection." -Dr. A. Katrise Perera, 2015 NASS Superintendent of the Year "Barker, Ferrua, and George masterfully identify the areas where it matters the most: knowing yourself, knowing your people, and knowing your skill sets. The authors share personal stories and relevant examples with refreshing honesty and insight." -Jimmy Casas, leadership coach, educator, author, and speaker

Emersyn Blake is an adorable children's character exploring her world through a lens of STEM. Having loved all things related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math my entire life, it has always been a dream of mine to write a children's picture book. When my granddaughter, Emersyn Blake, was born, and we saw early on that she was curious and always wanted to be outside, I knew I had to write a series about her explorations! I hope you enjoy reading about the little-known creatures Emersyn finds, researches, and loves. I also hope it inspires you to explore, be curious, wonder, and learn new things no matter where you are!

Are Your Dreams Big Enough? Dreams can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary! In TeamMakers, experienced educators Laura Robb and Evan Robb invite you to reimagine what education could be and then collaborate to create something amazing. TeamMakers invites all members of the school system to dream, share stories, and generate ideas that inspire positive change. By providing a roadmap for effective dreaming and planning, this book reveals that there is no limit to what schools can achieve on behalf of students. You can be a catalyst for change. "Laura and Evan show us how to break free of excuses that obstruct our view so that we can bravely envision the possibilities awaiting us at the edge of uncertainty. . . .TeamMakers is an invitational how-to for translating professional dreams into transformational actions." --Dr. Mary Howard, author of Good to Great Teaching "Laura and Evan invite us to risk imagining what could be, to envision and work together to build strong and honest relationships with our students and our colleagues that enable us to pull our feet from the muck of tradition and march forward toward our professional vision." --Lester Laminack, coauthor of Reading to Make a Difference "I urge you to read this book. It caused me to fall in love with teaching all over again. And I know it will do the same for you." --S. Travis Crowder, coauthor of Sparks in the Dark "Laura and Evan have created a wonderful blueprint for creating relevant, dynamic learning with today's students in mind. Our schools can be places of greater meaning, purpose, and hope." --David Guerin, author of Future Driven

What are the specific qualities and practices of great principals which elevate them above the rest? Blending school-centered studies and experience working with hundreds of administrators, the author reveals the 15 things that the most successful principals do and that other principals do not.

Ooof, I wish:?I had more time for...?I could find time to...?My mind wasn't jumbled because I need time to...If you feel overwhelmed, want to get focused, and want lasting change for yourself, then the Elevate Your Vibe Action Planner with Purpose IS the tool you need! Take control of your time, so you can do those things you want to do.This planner is packed with mindset tools to help you plan, organize, and reflect. Turn your visions into reality. Repurpose your overwhelm by taking inventory on your habits that are not serving you and create action with purpose that WILL serve you.Customize 6 undated months with a monthly focus.?Weekly mindset tools will help you Elevate Your Vibe, stay on track, and move forward with momentum.?Undated weekly action planning layout has the option to create time blocks in your schedule.?Weekly and monthly reflections will help you keep your VIBE ELEVATING.With an elevated mindset you will be able to conquer your goals personally and professionally.

After serving in linguistically diverse schools for over a decade, Carly Spina has scoured for the most effective and meaningful ways to support multilingual learners. The overwhelming answer has always been this: "Just add visuals!" When it comes to serving our multilingual learners, there are countless ways for us to strengthen our practice! This book will help us to reflect on ways to move beyond our current practices and really dive deep into ways to enhance instruction, create meaningful social-emotional learning experiences, empower families, partner with our community, and more. Let's reflect on our roles as change agents in our systems! It's time to flip lenses and disrupt the deficit narratives of those we serve. Ready? Let's move beyond for multilingual learners!

You are not lost! You are not alone! A GPS system navigates you to where you are going, but your name could lead to what you are looking for. What's in a name? Ekuwah Mends uses the alphabet letters to answer that question. She opens a window into her family, history, culture, language, geography, and more. Look through Ekuwah's actual family photos, Mother's artwork, and Father's artifact collection. My Name is an Address comes to life and touches your heart. Exit the story by finding your own Akan name. Also, return when you need to feel connected. Ultimately, be inspired to find your own address.