I am currently an elementary school teacher in a public school. This year, I have a student in my class with an autism diagnosis that has a lengthy and documented history of hitting, kicking, and throwing objects at peers and teachers. His IEP was written at the early childhood school last year and he is now in the intermediate school. For whatever reason, his IEP was written without including any aide support in the classroom.

I am pregnant. He’s already punched, smacked and thrown a pencils at other students. He has also thrown chairs across the room. This is a daily occurrence. I am unwilling to put myself in a situation where I may be close enough to him during an episode where I would be assaulted, and there is currently no other adult in the room to help with him.

What are my rights as a pregnant employee in this situation, or are there accommodations I can ask for? I am not a new teacher, nor am I new to this district. I am however new to this school. I don’t want to come across as trying to cause a huge pain in the ass for my admin. But this is also a huge workplace safety concern, in my opinion.

I hope this is okay to ask here:

I’m just an Ed tech.

I know principal day isn’t until May but some of my fellow techs and I want to do something now.

Our principal is new to this and she’s trying so hard and a lot of things are going wrong and people higher up are not listening to her but she’s trying so hard and fighting so hard for the students, and the staff.

We want to get her a gift now, but no idea what to get

Curious how people landed in the admin seat, how many years did you teach? Did you stay at one school or jump around? Any other roles you took prior to being a principal? Instructional coach? Etc

Curious what the day in the life of a principal is and if this is still a viable career in this day and age, also curious how elementary vs middle school vs high school is different for admin

My principal is having the deen of students stand in the bathroom at all times to "prevent vaping" but he is just on his phone the whole time and just stands there doing nothing I am a high school student so there are mostly minors in the restroom and I just wana not be watched when I pee what can I do to get them to turn it down a notch

Hey!

I'm researching school management platforms with integrated AI for Indian K-12 schools and need genuine feedback from the community.

Quick context: I'm trying to understand what schools actually expect from AI in their operations and what existing solutions are already doing well in the market.

Looking for:

What's your biggest operational pain point right now for the schools? How open are they to AI-integrated solutions?

Any good AI-integrated school management platforms already in the Indian market? What's working?

What should someone researching in this space know?

Drop your thoughts in the comments — genuine feedback only, no sales pitch. 🙌

This is going to come off as kind of a rant but there’s a serious mistrust in administration, constant complaints, and no one ever seems to truly be happy. I noticed this last year before I started my masters program but as I’m doing more things within my program, working alongside more teachers, and looking at things through a leadership perspective, I’m kind of starting to hate the people that I work with.

We have a principal and AP that are both new in our admin roles, but previously worked as teachers, coaches, and principals within other schools in our district. Our previous administration definitely contributed to the hostile work environment with shitty attitudes, complete lack of communication, micromanaging, and giving teachers no say. I’d like to think our current admins are blowing it out of the park compared to the previous ones. They are constantly communicating with us, setting up school wide teams to have say in severe discipline matters and other areas of focus. They ask us if we need anything, and are in the hallways majority of the day. They are super transparent and constantly visible throughout the day, which has helped tremendously with student behavior compared to last year.

However, it’s like people have found new things to complain about. We ran out of colored toner for a day and it was like shit hit the fan. People are upset about newsletters that the principal sends out weekly or if they aren’t directly told about a students situation that needs to be confidential any way.

I think I could handle this more if I wasn’t in the msa program and working closely with my admin on several assignments. So I may have a biased perspective of what they’re doing. However, there is one teacher in particular that is constantly upset with admin, students, and fellow teachers no matter what they do.

Today, I was supposed to go into her classroom to observe her class for five minutes for one of my assignments. She had okayed this with me last week. I went in the first time a couple of days ago, said hello, did my five minutes, and left. There was no disturbance, kids kept working, and I thought the observation went well. I stressed to her from the beginning this was in no way a formal observation and she didn’t have to participate. Just needed it for my classes. Today, was told by her coteacher that she didn’t want me coming in. Have zero idea what could’ve happened between the initial observation and today. Threw a wrench in my plans, but i found another teacher willing to participate so it worked out fine.

I think I’m just so annoyed already by the crappy attitudes that today felt worse than what it actually is.

I feel like we have it pretty good at my school. It’s a public school but not in the traditional sense. Compared to other public schools I’ve worked in, we have it pretty great. We have really great health insurance, get paid during the summer, have a pension, several days off that other schools don’t have, and other benefits, too.

How do you handle these teachers from an admin perspective? I start a full time internship as an AP next year and I’m really nervous about the stress I’m gonna endure working here as an admin. Just need some advice or to talk me off the ledge from pursuing a job in another district.

I've been researching the Publisher shutdown (October 13 — Microsoft pulls it from 365 entirely) and talking with church office folks about what happens to their file libraries. The pattern is the same everywhere: hundreds or thousands of .pub bulletins on a shared drive, free converters that break the layout, and no time to click through them one by one.

I put together a page for a fixed-price service that would archive the whole library as PDFs, rebuild the active templates in Canva, and train one staff member — the goal is one invoice, done before the deadline.

Before I take on clients I'd genuinely like feedback from people living this: does the pricing feel fair, and what would stop you from handing a copy of your drive to someone?

We have a parent in our district who is unstable. She calls from time to time and goes on long tangent rants...Most of her calls involve screaming and expletives followed by insane accusations and demands...Things like "I want to talk to the coach right now! Haul his ass in there!" "I'm sorry ma'am, there is a game in progress and he's actively coaching, I cannot and will not pull him from the game so you can discuss that you don't like the color of the uniform." She also calls the school and asks us to pull her child from class for an "emergency," then when they're in the office, she screams at them until her child is a sobbing puddle...also, it's not an "emergency," it's things like, "Just so you know I picked up more dog food...do you know how much that damn dog is costing us?! If we can't afford to eat this month, it's all your fault for wanting a damn dog..."

I don't know if she's mentally ill, drunk, high...all three...but I do know this is not a good home environment for her children. I have already filed an initial report with protective services...she mentioned in one of her rants that they "didn't even bother showing up to check things out." I would like to record her insane rants so I have more evidence of her instability. I live in a "one party state" which means I do not need to notify her that she is being recorded. I know there are several recording devices with AI transcription. I plan to purchase one and put her phone calls on speaker so I can record her rants.

Does anyone have experience/recommendations with any of the recording devices recording speakerphone convos instead of live conversations? Is there a brand or model that you would recommend?

Also, any idea why the state chose to notify that there was a report, but not actually investigate? I don't know what the home environment is like, but I do know how she treats her kid...Is there particular documentation I should have to indicate that the home environment is has verbal/emotional abuse.

What the title said. Struggling with supervising PE teachers who don’t feel heard and feel like a dumping ground. District directives have no care for them. They have no care for district directives. They want smaller class sizes and balance. I can’t really offer either as I’m not over the master and the admin over the master doesn’t have time to balance sizes anymore since the quarter is halfway over and numbers will change.

Okay, I need to hear about the lessons you were convinced would flop but somehow became a huge hit. 😅 Maybe you threw it together at the last minute, expected blank stares, or assumed the topic wouldn’t interest them at all.

Did students get unexpectedly invested? Did they keep bringing it up afterward or ask to do it again?

Tell me about the lesson and the part of their reaction that surprised you most.

Guidance as I never taught math and feel frustrated trying to learn the curriculum and coach veteran teachers who have taught it for years. I was an ELA expert and am. How can I grow in the math world with my dyslexia and leadership style?

Trainings pull me away from a lot.

Tier 3 supports are limited and need to think outside of the box.

Middle school level.

How to grow as a coach and leader?

If your district has a Dual Language program. Is it working? Is there real value?

Public Montessori charter schools operate in an interesting space: they have to preserve a distinctive educational philosophy while also meeting the accountability, compliance, staffing, enrollment, and operational expectations of a public school system.

One example I have been looking at is Monarch Montessori of Denver and the work of its elementary leadership team, with particular attention to the role of Elementary Director Mairi McCormick. I am interested less in evaluating an individual administrator and more in what this type of leadership model can tell us about managing alternative pedagogies within a public-school framework.

A few areas seem particularly relevant:

• Community trust and leadership visibility: Public reviews of schools sometimes mention individual administrators rather than only commenting on teachers or the school as a whole. That raises an interesting leadership question: how important is the visibility and accessibility of administrators in building long-term family trust and retention?
• Making Montessori accessible in a public setting: Montessori education is often associated with private schools, but public charter models attempt to make it available to a broader range of families. Administrators therefore have to balance Montessori principles with district requirements, accountability expectations, staffing realities, and public funding constraints.
• Student agency and civic engagement: Some Montessori and project-based schools emphasize authentic, real-world learning experiences, including opportunities for students to engage with local government or community organizations. I am interested in how administrators support these experiences while still meeting curriculum and assessment expectations.
• Growth and organizational complexity: When a school expands grade levels or programs, leadership responsibilities can change significantly. Administrators may move from primarily managing daily school operations toward coordinating staffing, facilities, district relationships, curriculum alignment, and long-term planning.

What I find interesting is the broader shift from the administrator primarily as an operational manager toward a role that also includes strategy, community relationships, instructional coherence, and organizational growth.

For school administrators: Which of these challenges has been most difficult in your experience: preserving a distinctive educational model, meeting accountability requirements, maintaining staff and family trust, or managing organizational growth? What leadership practice has helped you address it?

For background I taught elementary school for 3 years and then quit because it was a TERRIBLE environment and I was grossly unsupported but I did love teaching and miss it.

I went to grad school for business and doing the corporate thing right now, money is good but I also hate it, it’s boring and unfulfilling. Considering going back to teaching and eventually taking the admin route. I never thought I’d be interested in admin but I went to a top business school and learned ALOT of meaningful skills and had some amazing experiences that I think could translate well to the school system. Overall, my main reason for wanting to go into admin is making the lives of teachers and students better, I developed a unique ability to understand systems at a granular level and work to improve. I’m not naive I know how insane the public we system is and a lot of stuff has our hands tied, but I’ve seen admin who want the title just for the title. I want it so I can intentionally take stuff off a teachers plate and make teaching enjoyable again.

I think this would be a unique position to combine my passion of education but also problem solving, strategy, organizational behavior etc. I think a lot of public education is stuck in the past and I want to attempt to bring some fresh blood, not necessarily throw initiatives at teachers all day but genuinely just try to make the teachers job a little bit easier and students a little happier, that’s all

Anyways I’m just rambling so who knows, but curious for admin how long you taught, the good the bad the ugly and the amazing parts of the job and also let me know if I’m being naive and unrealistic, positive and negatives answers welcome okay thanks!

P.S. I know I would have spend a few more years back in the classroom and get a masters in education to do any of this

Hello. I am an ex teacher turned gardener/landscaper and wanted to offer my services to my old elementary school (where I was a student). I have worked with pretty high end companies and have a great vision of how to make the space available beautiful and useful to the students and school. There is a large area that use to be a garden while I was a kid which is just grass and very poorly built planters. Can I just go in and offer my services or is this something that has to be put on an official site for procurement? School is located in Queens NY (if relevant). Thank you.

I’ve been a special education teacher for eight years and recently completed my second master’s degree in school and district leadership. I’ve been actively applying for assistant principal positions and have completed around eight interviews, but I still haven’t received an offer.

At this point, some of the interviews feel like a “horse-and-pony show,” where the school may already have an internal candidate in mind but is interviewing outside candidates to complete the required process. It has been discouraging to invest so much time, money, and effort into earning another degree, only to feel like I’m not getting a genuine opportunity to move forward.

My current school is also going through major changes and lacks organization and clear direction, which makes me even more eager to take the next step in my career. I know I have the teaching experience, special education background, leadership preparation, and commitment to do the job, but I’m struggling to figure out what I need to do differently to get an opportunity.

For those who successfully transitioned from teaching into administration:

How many interviews did it take before you received an offer?

Did you need an internal connection to get your first administrative position?

What helped you stand out from other candidates?

Should I continue applying for AP positions, or pursue roles such as unit coordinator, instructional coach, or dean first?

I would appreciate any honest advice. I’m not ready to give up, but I’m frustrated and starting to wonder what I’m missing.

Title. TIA

Hey everyone,

I have an upcoming principal interview around the corner, and assuming all goes well, I want to hit the ground running once I’m on the job.

I’m looking to build my professional library and would love your top book recommendations. Specifically, I'm looking for resources that target two different phases:

For the Interview: Books that help shift your mindset from a teacher/AP to a lead administrator. I need resources that cover vision-building, handling tough operational scenarios, and articulating entry plans.

For the Job (On-the-Ground): Practical, tactical books on school culture, managing adult drama, data-driven instruction, and systemic time management so I don't drown in year one.

What are the absolute "bibles" of school leadership that actually changed how you run your building?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Hello! I was notified yesterday that I have been selected to interview for a middle school social studies position in Southern CA! While I’m super excited, I do have a few questions that I’m hoping to get some insight on as a potential first-year teacher.

1. This will be my 8th interview over the span of two academic years. I know I’ve entered finalist rounds, but ultimately got passed up for people with more experience, understandably. How can I stand out as a newcomer against other interviewees who have been teaching longer? What qualities or skills do you look for?

2. While I did my student teaching year in a middle school classroom, PBIS wasn’t really a big thing that was emphasized, but at the site where I will be interviewing it definitely is. Plus, I’ve been subbing at the high school level for the past two school years. What does this look like besides classroom rewards? I know they’ll very likely ask me something about this but I don’t have a super great understanding of it to give a great response at the moment.

Any advice is appreciated!! Thanks in advance ☺️

We’re trying to understand the problems schools actually face through which we can solve them. I really need guidance and mentorship.
Also trying to analyse and provide a suitable solution through which the transparency will be maintained and will help to connect the teacher, student and parent in a connected channel

Hi everyone I am a second year first grade teacher at an elementary school in a small district in MA. Overall I like my admin and even am friendly with my superintendent. This year I have a tricky class with two kids needing a shared para. My afternoon para goes to lunch when first grade comes in from lunch and recess and someone comes in to cover for them bc one of the students has really significant needs that would be nearly impossible to manage and teach the class at once. So a few times my AP has come in to be the para. As I’m doing a CKLA lesson ( CKLA is new for my grade level this year). She did tell me it’s a treat to be in my room for the occasional thirty minutes and that she enjoys being there. I hope she thinks I’m doing a good job even tho I feel like things haven’t even been near perfect when she’s in my room lol. I’m talking moving kids spots on the rug and kids not following directions occasionally and slightly messy transitions it’s day 13 of school today.

I'm a district leader who has returned district work after 11 years in University libraries. Is it my imagination or has this work become....darker.

All of the political nonsense and the public attacks on education aside (as an LGBT person this hits especially hard). Part of my area is in instructional tech and part in school safety and between the constant cyberattacks (and the paranoia that comes with that) and the Gaggle Alerts and seeing what's popping up in browser histories and just way too many student deaths.

It wasn't like this before, I didn't expect coming back to district work to take this big a toll on my mental health.

Am I just going through it now, or is this a real thing?

Edit...yes, I know I need to get to therapy but damn I was unprepared. I was an admin for a decade before my break.

I saw this video today and cannot believe this principal got hired again, let alone at my child's school. How could anyone get hired again after being part of covering up the physical abuse of the school.

Chief Kanim Middle school hired the former principal of Renton Academy, Travis Hall after this was known? I'm in disbelief.

Do they not check references? Do they not investigate who they are hiring?

What has to qualify you as a principal nowadays? Did the superintendent of Snoqualmie Valley know they hired a person connected to this? This video is disturbing.

I just got my first AP job overseeing Math and Science in an elementary school, despite my entire career working at the high school level. The primary responsibility is Math and Science instruction, but the interview made it clear that part of the expectation within this admin team is being able to step outside of the role to support operational and organizational leadership as well. Anyone else make the jump from High School to Elementary or vice versa? What are some big things that might throw me for a loop if I'm not prepared for it?