Jodie Villemaire

Every principal I know works hard. The problem is that hard work alone does not guarantee you are spending time on the work that matters most. You can run all day, solve a dozen problems, answer the urgent emails, handle the parent concern, cover the duty gap, and still leave the building wondering why you never got to the leadership work you meant to do. The difficult part of school leadership is that almost everything feels important while it is happening. Schools are busy, emotional,...

Teacher Appreciation Week is a good thing. I love seeing schools celebrate teachers with breakfast in the lounge, handwritten notes from students, snacks, treats, and all the little extras that help people feel seen. Teachers deserve every bit of that recognition. But a week of appreciation in May cannot make up for a year where teachers feel unheard, unsupported, or disconnected from campus decisions. That is the part we have to be honest about as school leaders. The real appreciation...