Husband, Dad, Award-Winning Principal, Author, Speaker, @NAESP Leadership Centers Senior Fellow - Posts express personal views
Virginia, USA
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The Japanese soccer team just left their locker room looking spotless with a thank you note even after losing a World Cup match yesterday. No one is too good to sweep the sheds or clean up after yourself! Culture begins with how you act when no one is looking! #culturize #legacy
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Custodians are some of the most underrecognized, underappreciated, and underrated members of our school community. The shine on the floor reflects the pride they put into the jobs. Thank you to all those custodians out there for making schools a special place for kids!
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I subbed for a teacher this week & had to teach both kids at school in person & at home via zoom at the same time. Whoa! Every principal & district leader should do this. Way more difficult than people realize. Our teachers are saints. We are asking a lot from them. #ashlandsoar
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Please be very careful with what your kids hear about any decisions for distance vs in-person learning. If we are visibly upset in front of our kids, it doesn't help them. It only adds even more stress to a tough situation that they don't fully understand.
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Don't tell your students to just breathe. Use strategies that help them regulate their body and get their mind focused on something other than the problem they are facing in that moment. We added these to our schoolwide sensory calming kits today. PS, they're good for us too.
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Be careful how much physical and emotional energy you give to things you can't control. Put your head down and work the problems in front of you today. Tomorrow's problems will be there tomorrow. Next week's problems will be there next week. Stay focused. Push away the noise.
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I love it when I'm conducting an interview and I can tell that the candidate really wants the job with our school specifically because of our amazing staff. Who you work with is just as important as the work itself. Your teammates are what keep you going when the job gets tough.
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We do the weird and fun things for our kids to love school! @KBoyerNAESP saw first hand today! #ashlandsoar #PositivelyPWCS #naesp
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"Teaching isn't just what she does, it's who she is." - Pres-Elect Joe Biden speaking of his wife, teacher Dr. Jill Biden. That speaks to all our teachers out there!!
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Sometimes kids just need a break. Not a reprimand. Not a phone call home. Not a 'consequence' for their actions. Just a break. We've all been there and appreciate it when others extended us that same grace and patience, too. #DisciplineWin
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Many schools are getting past the honeymoon phase and kids start testing limits. This is when it gets real. Don't wish for different kids. Be patient, love unconditionally, and embrace the ones you have!
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My first group of 5th graders as a first year principal are now graduating from high school!!! I'm so proud of them! Don't ever forget that Mr.
Jacks has your back! #ashlandsoar #pwcsproud #principalsinaction #KidsDeserveIt
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Great leaders lead with passion and positivity even when it's inconvenient and terribly difficult. Some of our problems like now seem impossible right up until the moment they're solved. Run into the fire. Lean into the storm. Grit your teeth. We can do this.
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My daughter went to the store and came back with this nugget...like or retweet when you see the problem with this picture.
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Won't be able to sleep tonight! Day one officially starts tomorrow as principal at The Nokesville School!! #TNS_Tigers #TheNokesvilleSchool #TNScommunity
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I feel like I've been running on a treadmill at full speed and someone just unplugged it, forcing it to come to a complete stop mid run, me falling all over the place. I can't believe schools are out for the year. Terrible. We had so much to do yet and so much to look forward to.
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It's official! Dr. J is in the house! Huge shout out to my family, @brewerhm, committee, school, and @virginia_tech! #ashlandsoar #PositivelyPWCS
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Teachers need and deserve the summer break, but you're crazy if you think they're not still thinking about and focused on their students! Last day of school and a day later, "When can I get in and set up for next year?" They're just built different!
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My son's piano teacher just gave him a hug and said she missed him to start the lesson. I'm sure he'll work twice as hard now for her. The problems in education can be complicated, but the solutions are often really simple. Start by showing them how much you care.
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I caught our Custodial Manager Mr. Wilson taking initiative to repaint the door frames while kids are out for virtual learning! Some people are just built different! Awesome! #ashlandsoar
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Crushing #LiteracyWeek reading with my son as Curious George to our kindergartners today #principalsinaction #ashlandsoar #dadsasprincipals
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Helping at the car rider line and my best friend rolls up surprising me with Starbucks on his way to a meeting #daymade
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That @tiktok_us is not automatically shutting down the #autismchallenge that has people trying to get likes by pretending to be disabled, yet posts #onecommunity in their feed is hypocritical & wrong. Shame on you. Big power=big responsibility. Do better. #AutismAcceptance
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When you start your school year, don't get too caught up on all the junk that comes with it. The children standing in front of you are counting on you to change their lives one moment at a time. The real work happens when you are 100% focused on the kids.
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Anyone else find it amazing how many educators are tweeting and sharing about how to be better for kids EVEN DURING THE SUMMER! What an awesome profession!
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Multicultural @Crayola crayons for every child in the school just came in! Kids need the tools, not just the words. Show them we value all kids, don't just tell them. #ashlandsoar
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Who says your leadership should be subtle?! Be bold! #BeYou #principalsinaction #kidsdeserveit #ashlandsoar
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What kind of attitude are you bringing into work today?! Every day can be the best day if you make it so. Be careful, because either way, it's contagious and spreads to others. You can't fake a good attitude. You have to own it and believe it yourself for it to be true!
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Making a statement to our students and families with our new school shirts. Inspired by #BlackHistoryMonth Our families' voices and stories matter to us tremendously. #ashlandsoar
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I'm excited to share that I'm making a move and will be the next principal at Ellis Elementary School next year! I'm pumped to get back to Title 1 and be right in the middle of some real work with the amazing staff at Ellis! #EllisExplorers
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The idealistic honeymoon of the first few days wears off and sometimes what follows is frustration about some students. When the reality of our mission sets in, remember why you decided to be an educator in the first place. Every child has value and is worth our full effort.
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Last day with kids at Ashland Elementary! 2010-2021 is a long time as principal, but wow did it go by in a blink of an eye! Couldn't be prouder of our entire school community here! #ashlandsoar
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The shine! The shine is where you see the extra love and effort our custodians give our schools!! Don't tell us how much you care about your kids, show us in your work! #ashlandsoar
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Excited to join the epic @dbc_inc team w/a new book contract! Even when things get tough w/discipline & students (like me) make it hard to be in school, we can't give up on them! If we're about kids, then we need to be about ALL kids! Can't wait to share! #dbcincbooks
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Ending Fri-yay riding laps around the hallways amongst cheering students! Why? Because it's way past time to get our kids smiling and having fun again in school! #ashlandsoar #principalsinaction
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Got my boy suited up to win PWCS Principal of the Year tonight! I'm such a proud papa!! #flhornets #relentless @brewerhm
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The question shouldn't be, "What consequence are we going to give?"
Instead, it should be, "How are we going to help improve this behavior?"
Consequences may happen, but that can't be all we discuss. Stay focused on solutions, teaching, connecting, and growth. #DisciplineWin
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Just passed the Prospectus Exam for my dissertation with @virginia_tech! One more stage of research to wrap up my doctorate! #ashlandsoar
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School leaders must listen to teachers now more than ever! We are all about kids, but the price for distance learning can't be so high that our staff breaks down along the way. Listen and use their input. Involve them in decisions. You'll be much stronger for it.
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If you want to have an amazing day, start by planning at least three ways each day you can be amazing for others. Actually write them down and plan to do them. This world has us so focused on ourselves that we forget our intended purpose should be to serve and inspire others.
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A new family registered their kids today and told me they worked hard to find a house nearby. They heard of what we do and made sure they came to our school. Your brand is what others say about your school when you're not around! #ashlandsoar
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Many teachers receive gifts this time of year, but special teachers like Ashland Elementary Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Shookster give back! She used her personal time to hand sew snowmen hats for every child in her class! #ashlandsoar #kidsdeserveit #positivelypwcs @PWCSNews
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Don't think worst case scenarios and potential long term ramifications. Just breathe and take one day at a time. The unexpected and special moments popping around us now with our family and friends are the blessings to get us through this together.
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We need to visit each others' schools and see the real action in person. Not only Twitter friends. Build real in depth relationships. One of the strengths of our VA association. We actually care about each other and have each others' backs. I know that first hand. #VAESPchat
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Going to dinner last night, I think we found the smallest elevator in Chicago!Thankful for vaccines, it's so great to get back to normal. Blessed to learn from these rockstars! #NAESP21
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People can see you smile even through your mask. Keep smiling and grinding. Nothing worth doing is easy!#PrincipalingInPlace #ashlandsoar
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Kids don't need us to be rock stars right now to help them. They need reliable adults in their lives as much as possible. Stability. Consistency. Kindness. Patience. Direction. We sometimes overlook the most basic and effective qualities to help our kids feel safe.
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Again I'm reminded about how important positive leadership is, even despite the troubles and difficulties around us. It's not always pretty. Leaders can't pick and choose only easy moments to step up. Leaders have to lead all the time, not just when it's convenient.
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Our school's office now has a permanent #Lego wall to show all visitors that kids come first! #ashlandsoar #kidsdeserveit #pwcsproud
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This amazing safety patrol all on her own taught these bus riders call and response songs to keep them in line and motivated. Our students are leading all around us. You just have to open your eyes and mind for them. #ashlandsoar #studentleaders
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Your school and class discipline is defined by how you treat your most challenging students. Fight the status quo of traditional school discipline and dont ever forget why you wanted to be a teacher in the first place.
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Bravery doesn't exist without fear. So if you're really scared of what's coming this school year, this is your chance to be more courageous than you've ever been. Pick your head up. Look for opportunities. This is your time.
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Principal tip: If you have a concert, make sure to stop and give the parents time to take pictures. Dont fight it, but embrace their love of their kids! We're in this together! #PrincipalsinAction #ashlandsoar #KidsDeserveIt
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Wife doesn't get it, what do you think? If it happens during Christmas, it's a Christmas movie?? #diehardisachristmasmovie #DieHard #MerryChristmas
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Check out our #FridayFive video newsletter for this week! #ashlandsoar #positivelypwcs #FridayFeeling #principalsinaction
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Special delivery! Signed copy from the one and only Relentless Principal! So proud of you bro! We've been talking about this for so long, its surreal to have it in our hands! Cross that off our napkin to do list! #relentless
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With all the talk about #principalreadalouds and which books to choose, I figured I would put my list together from this past year: andyjacks.co/2018/07/16/my-2…
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The most effective teachers are like FIRE and ICE. They know how to bring passion and inspire, but they also know how to get the room chill and focused. It's as skilled as any pro athlete, and it's amazing to watch. #ThankATeacher #DisciplineWin
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Today I saw a teacher cry tears of joy and sadness on a Zoom class meeting. Joy hearing her students sing happy birthday to her. Sadness in that she misses them so much. This was a real moment. I wish everyone had that level of dedication to their profession. Thank you teachers!
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Leadership is not what you are, but what you do. Your actions. Serving others. It's not about your title or what you say. What people see you do on a regular basis to help them is how they define your leadership.
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With students slowly making their way back to class this week, we can't ignore the work it will take to start up again. Here are five reminders to help stimulate their brains and warm their hearts for learning in #NewYear2024: 👇
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Mr. Rodgers trailer out today prompted a family viewing of an episode. Don't know if his Pittsburgh accent or the slow and relaxing feel made it more nostalgic, but it really hit home. Too fast-paced and rushed in this world today. What a great role model for us all.
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It's time. Time to move past problems and fight for solutions. We can't make everyone happy, but we can do the best we can to make the most of a terrible situation. Kids and families are looking to us for help. It's time.
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One of our military parents at Ashland Elementary came home from an 8 month deployment to surprise his daughter in school! We set up a pretend video conference as if he were still away, but with a twist! #ashlandsoar #PositivelyPWCS #militaryfamilies #militarylife @PWCSNews
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Multitasking is a myth. Do your mind a huge favor today. Focus all your energy on only one thing at a time as you knock out your to do list. Close all those tabs. Put aside your phone. Give yourself permission to concentrate and obsess. Work that one problem like a beast.
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Does anyone else get really excited about edged sidewalks? Worth the effort! #dadsasprincipals
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Now more than ever we need to promote love and support for those around us. Don't tear apart, but build relationships, especially those that try to alienate or isolate themselves. Look for those without positive relationships and make the connection that may change their lives.
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We were excited to welcome PWCS Superintendent Dr. McDade to Ashland today! She crushed her visit, meeting staff and hearing input from parents. So impressed! Dr. McDade, you are always welcome as part of the Ashland family! #ashlandsoar #positivelypwcs
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There is nothing quite like this feeling - holding the physical representation of a life of experiences, lessons learned as an educator, and so many late nights of research, all now officially in print. Thank you @dbc_inc for believing in this message of hope! #DisciplineWin
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No power and no lights should never equal no lunch!! Proud of our team for using open doors and flashlights to feed over 800 kids today! #nohesitation #togetherwesoarhigher #ashlandsoar
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School improvements need a plan, but the plan isn't what makes the difference. It's the people. Never make the plan more important than those implementing it!
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Tough roads are still ahead. Teachers must be involved in coming up with the solutions and given opportunities to share best practices along the way. Changes should be made with them, not at them.
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Never, ever, ever, give up on a child. Even when it's really hard. Always fight for what they need and be their biggest advocate. Others watch us in this and take our lead. I'm always amazed how much our attitudes influence those around us.
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Anxiety is a real thing, even in our little ones. We must have regular supports available at all times, because we never know when it will be needed most! Read for more info: andyjacks.co/2019/12/12/sens… Thank you to our brave teachers for adding new strategies! #ashlandsoar #sensory
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One of my favorite things about being a principal is when kids ask to take a selfie and feel comfortable enough to put their arms around my neck for the picture! Popsicles on the Playground today at Ashland was great! #ashlandsoar (4/4)
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Libraries can be a dynamic and thought provoking space for students, not just a place to be quiet and hushed. We started with the walls and are working our way down to the furniture next. #satchat
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Coming back either virtually or in person after break is emotionally draining. Many are very scared for their own safety. The stress of trying to be everything for everyone can be exhausting. Just be confident we will do our best and help each other through this!
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So proud of my friend Sue Danielson being recognized this week as Nationally Distinguished Principal at the National Principals' Conference! Way to represent Rosa Parks Elementary and PWCS!! #positivelypwcs #NAESP21
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Good stuff. Big occasions should be celebrated as such.
WAY TO GO! 6-year-old John Oliver just finished his very last chemo treatment and beat leukemia, so his entire school celebrated by giving him a standing ovation! ❤️😭
MORE: bit.ly/37Spnv2
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Forget your desk, not your people! 3rd year w/out a desk in my office to remind me to be #principalsinaction! #kidsdeserveit #ashlandsoar
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Kids are coming back after break excited to start another year. Every day is an opportunity for greatness, so don't waste a few days warming up. Start strong. #kidsdeserveit
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My 5th grade team went all in today, and I'm so proud of them. Never flinched. Did whatever it took. Today it was visiting 160 students at home to remind them we are here for them. That's how we change society, one family at a time. #ashlandsoar #SaturdayThoughts
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It was a special moment today seeing our former Ashland student turn into our new Ashland teacher! Thats the definition of #ashlandsoar for sure! That's how we do in #PositivelyPWCS, grow our own & help them soar! #PWCSCONNECT
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The double standard in this country on how we react to protestors is becoming more & more unbelievable, even though it's happening right in front of our eyes. I'm praying for the first responders & officers serving downtown, many of them friends, trying to keep everyone safe.
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Assuming kids know what "appropriate" means, especially now, is just naïve and only leads to frustrations for all. Let's do what we do best = TEACH! Instead of getting overwhelmed, focus on what we can control, our environment and instruction. Don't. Give. Up. #DisciplineWin 🏆
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"Dream with ambition. Lead with conviction." - Vice President Elect Kamala Harris.
What a powerful message for all those little girls like mine out there watching right now!
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Just like this flag created by cut-out hands of our students, our country is special when we include & value all. No one person owns the flag & what it represents, we all do. I'm proud to live in USA. Our continued fight for freedoms make us stronger & better for all. #4thofJuly
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You know I had to get my #dadsasprincipals selfie with my 4th grader and kindergartner!! She's been waiting a long time to come to her dad's school! #ashlandsoar #FirstDayOfSchool2019
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So many people are afraid of the unknown and tend to fear the worst. The best thing that leaders can do in times like these is to provide as much clarity and direction as possible. Be honest. Ask for help. You can't fake good leadership.
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Teachers and staff were super stressed about their own families and situations this week but they still showed up every day, gave their all, and put their students first. That's what it's all about. Show up and show out! Thank you! #ashlandsoar
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For educators, "playing under the lights" means something different. It's not as glamorous, but a lot more meaningful, walking back to your car late into the night because you busted your butt for your students! #KidsDeserveIt #dadsasprincipals #BeTheOne
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Your vibe attracts your tribe! Be a better person if you want a better crew around you! #culturize #principalsinaction #NSPRA2018 #ashlandsoar
@BethHouf @CrystalMwc @casas_jimmy @estone77
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Sometimes the hardest decision is just to get of bed. The trick is to not think about all the things you have to do for the day. Just worry about the one positive thing you can do next. Then repeat.
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I love this time of year! The custodians always rock out the floors! #NokesvilleTigers #UnsungHeroes
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Our new school shirts are out today, and it's great to see them in action. Ashland Custodian Mr. Abebe here is moving in new desks for more kids coming back in person this week. #ashlandsoar
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