The Principal Blog

Episode 32: 7 Truths About Getting Healthy

This episode is the whole story behind my 2022 journey to feel better and be healthier. Every episode this year includes a brief reflection on my adventures in feeling better. This episode is the whole story. Or at least the first chapter of what hope is many years of feeling better and not eating crap. Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https:...

Episode 31: Grace, Gratitude, and Get Over It

Episode 30: Staff Communication - 5 Ways to Communicate With Your Staff

These are 5 ways you can communicate to your staff and why it's important. What is your favorite communication tool with your staff. If you say texting....I'll block you:):):) Listen to find out what I think of texting.

Episode 29: Teacher Retirement - What it's like to retire in Missouri

This episode is audio pulled from a video on my Youtube channel about retirement. I just announced my retirement and these are the thoughts and feelings I have gone through when planning this. These are the mental and financial considerations I made when deciding this was the year.

Episode 28: Why I Quit The Principal Blog

"The Great Resignation" is real. While I didn't actually resign from my position as a school principal, I did temporarily quit The Principal Blog. Maybe you can help me find my way back or plan for life AFTER being a principal. This is a vulnerable look inside the break I took for a few months.

Episode 27: Becoming a Productive Principal

What does it mean to be a productive principal? Are any principals productive? There are a few things that principals can take control of to master their productivity for most days. I am not sure productivity can be achieved on a daily basis for us but we can get close. Check out other principal resources: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: htt...

Episode 26: Principal/Mom-Life Balance - 6 Lessons So Far

Work/life balance is achievable even as a mom and a principal. Here are few lessons I have learned along the way. For other resources for you journey as a mom and principal, check out the links below. You are going to get on the waitlist for a one-of-a-kind productivity course for principals by a principal! https://melindasmiller.com/waitlist Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pin...

Episode 25: March Appreciation Ideas

Here is the process I go through for planning the month of March. My planning is the same for most months however each month has a different set of circumstances. Lots of ideas for appreciation/fun days included. More resources for school principals: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinda.s.miller/ Youtube: https:/...

Episode 24: Urgent vs. Important - How do you know?

How do you know if something is urgent and important? We had training in the Eisenhower matrix last week and reviewed how to stay out of the land of overwhelm? There are 4 quadrants urgent, not urgent, important, and not important. Here is how I determine which is which and lessons learned along the way. Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https...

Episode 23: Does Email Help or Hurt Leadership

As a leader , one of your primary responsibilities is to clearly communicate what you expect others to do. Today, this is often done through email . However, how you use or don't use email can hurt your leadership. In this episode, I give examples of how email can model leadership. I also give an example of what it means to not email your people at all. You can find more principal resources here: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: htt...

Episode 22: Prepping for State Testing

If you are a school leader who oversees state testing, maybe these tips will help you. You will learn there are a lot of people helping with state testing and it shouldn't fall on one person. Common sense is also a big part of state testing. We want students to feel prepared whether they know all the information or not. Check out these other resources for principals: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 P...

Episode 21: Planning A Staff Meeing

Here are on principal's thoughts on how to plan a staff meeting. It's a little different these days during a pandemic and it takes a lot of energy to plan a meeting well. These are the basics. Staff meetings can be elaborate or they can be basic. I'd say give them a mix each time. Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mel...

Episode 20: Habits, Rituals, & Disciplines - The TRUTH!

What are your habits, rituals, and/or disciplines? Do you have any? Listen as I talked about resources used to create new habits and my examples. It's taken a few years but over time I have gotten better at things using the tips and tricks shared in this episode. During this episode, I am using my AirPods and I think they were in noise-canceling mode and I was talking too softly:):)

Episode 19: Do's and Dont's of Staff Morale in February

In this episode, we talk about how to have a "Fabulous February" during hard times. Staff morale activities are important for any time of the year but especially in February and especially this year. Here are 7 pieces of advice to help plan and/or get through February in 2022. Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinda...

Episode 18: Social Media Detox for Principals

The top 7 social media detox tips and tricks for principals. In this episode you are presented with a social media detox challenge. You will hear why you should stop aimlessly scrolling social media. There are also 7 tips and tricks to help you on your journey to more productivity.

Episode 17: The Great Christmas Reset for Principals

Christmas break can be the perfect time to reset your body and mind if you are a principal! In this episode, I talk about the 3 things I am doing this Christmas break to feel better and hopefully have more energy.

Episode 16: Skills for School Secretaries

What skills are needed to be a school secretary. This is my 5th year sharing information with school secretaries all over Missouri. Our principal's organization MAESP hosts a 2-day secretary training every summer. In this episode, I share what I shared with them and a link to resources you can use with your secretary. Other Principal Resources can be found here: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinter...

Episode 15: Digital Planner for iPad

Just what the busy principal needs! In this episode I talk through some of my planning strategies and the what, why, and how of digital planning on the ipad.

Episode 14: Social Media Time-Savers

You don't have to get lost in social media for hours to enjoy it. Here are 7 tips to save time both personally and professionally using social media.

Episode 13: Who's On Your School Action Teams

Ever wondering what committees and teams different schools have? Well here is a peek inside the "Action Teams" we have at my elementary school. We are a "Leader In Me" school so our teams are aligned with that framework.

Episode 12: 2021 Secret Princi-PAL Gift Exchange

Let's celebrate Principals after the longest school year of our lives. In this episode, I share the 5 things you need to know about signing up for the secret principal gift exchange!

Episode 11: Principal Self-Care

Self-care can happen every day! In this episode, I will give you 3 opportunities to practice self-care daily. You can also find The Principal Blog here: Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinda.s.miller/

Episode 10: Setting Boundaries

Let's get organized! How about we start with our desks? This is this year's desk/office organization. Website: http://melindasmiller.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePrincipalBlog Twitter: https://twitter.com/mmiller7571 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mmiller7571 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melinda.s.miller/

Episode 9: Productivity Tip: Brain Dump

Get everything out of your head and on paper! Trying to keep things stored in your head never works. You forget. You lose it. Details are missing. Just put in on paper. (Actually you can use any capture device/app/tool that works best for you!

Documentation for Principals

How do you keep track of eveything that goes on at school? In this episodei will share the 3 P’s of documention for school principals.

Episode 6: One Principal's Morning Routine

Is your morning productive or personal? There are books and workshops and advice from everyone on how to schedule your morning routine. Mine is pretty simple and I am happy to share. Please share your morning routine. What works for you? I'd love to know so I can add or change mine for the better.

Using a Staff Only Facebook Group

Facebook can be used for good and not always evil. Listen for ideas and how my staff has utilized a Facebook group as something that adds value.

AMI Snow Days - Alternative Methods of Instruction

Gone are the good ole days of surprises snow days! In this epeiside I explain how our district transitioned to online learning with only 48 hours notice.

Friday Memo - Staff Communication

What is your system or process for communicating with your staff? In this episode I talk about how i regularly and consistently communicate with my staff.

Episode 2: 30-Second Feedback

Teacher feedback is so important yet can be so hard for principals. In this episode, I explain the easiest way I have started giving 30-second feedback to my teachers.