Summary: <br> This morning I read a gripping opinion post in Education Week by Lisa Mead, a principal in upstate New York, whose piece titled <a href="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-principals-assessment-were-not-ok/2022/01" title="https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-principals-assessment-were-not-ok/2022/01" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Principal’s Assessment: ‘We’re Not OK’.</a><br> <br> <br> <br> She shared what I’ve heard from many principals this past year: 2021 was in many ways harder than 2020. Among the many important ideas she shared, she included the following:<br> <br> <br> <br> “We are not only in a COVID pandemic, but we are also struggling to survive in an emotionally devoid epidemic. Grace and forgiveness are scarce. The stresses and mental health of students, teachers, and leaders are high. We can’t rely on routine as there isn’t much of one left, and our hopes about finally returning to a typical school year this year have evaporated.”<br> <br> <br> <br> With this sobering truth in mind, I’ve been amazed at the obstacles school leaders have faced this past year. In addition, I’ve been encouraged by the innovation, determination, and commitment among education leaders to continue serving students, teachers and communities – no matter what. Somehow you keep serving while inspiring others to do the same. At the same time, school leaders are tired, and it’s OK to say ‘We’re Not Ok.”<br> <br> <br> <br> I’ll never forget in 2012 when I attended my first national principal meeting. As a part of being recognized as Oklahoma’s Assistant Principal of the Year, I met principals from across the states who shared stories from their schools. I remember looking around the room and thinking, ‘Wow, this is a room full of people who also represent unsung heroes in schools across the nation I’ve never met. People who hear heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of students and families. How can I better connect with their stories?‘<br> <br> <br> <br> It was then the idea for starting a blog for school leaders began to germinate in my thoughts. My blogging journey began in February 2013, and later in December 2015, I transitioned that work to a podcast as well.<br> <br> <br> <br> This February will mark the 8th anniversary of the Principal Matters blog and this past month marked the 6th anniversary of the podcast. <br> <br> <br> <br> Each year, I like to take time to review the year past and set goals for the New Year. <br> <br> <br> <br> 2021 in Review for Principal Matters, LLC. Here are several milestones we reached in 2021:<br> <br> <br> <br> Podcast Guests<br> <br> <br> <br> This year I interviewed 28 guests. <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/jenschwankeconsulting/home?authuser=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jen Schwanke</a>, co-hosted 12 episodes throughout the year. The other 27 guests included:<br> <br> <br> <br> Samantha Bartrom<br> <br> <br> <br> TJ Warren<br> <br> <br> <br> Emily Paschall<br> <br> <br> <br> Toirdealbhach Ó Lionáird<br> <br> <br> <br> Ann-Marie Maw<br> <br> <br> <br> Andrew O’Farrell<br> <br> <br> <br> Jessica Wee<br> <br> <br> <br> Britainy Harris<br> <br> <br> <br> Paul Wendler<br> <br> <br> <br> Loredana Borello<br> <br> <br> <br> Seán Óg Ó Duinnín<br> <br> <br> <br> Kimberly Miles<br> <br> <br> <br> Sam Fuller<br> <br> <br> <br> Eric Hoops<br> <br> <br> <br> Cynthia Winchester<br> <br> <br> <br> Joy Kelly<br> <br> <br> <br> Marita Diffenbaugh<br> <br> <br> <br> Erin Igoe<br> <br> <br> <br> Latrese D. Younger<br> <br> <br> <br> Trevor Goertzen<br> <br> <br> <br> Eric Sheniger<br> <br> <br> <br> Daniel Bauer<br> <br> <br> <br> Enid Lee<br> <br> <br>
