From the Principal's Desk

This week we discuss the importance of Lent in our Lutheran schools. Special thanks to pastor Vogel for joining us again!

This week Mike and I discuss the budget process.  There is so much more that we could cover, so there will be a part 2 soon!

This week we discuss pastors and their roles in our Lutheran schools.  Featuring special guests Pastor Ben Vogel and Dr. Blake Willard.  Pastor Vogel currently serves at Bethany Lutheran Church and School in Parma, OH. Dr. Willard is the owner of 3E Formation Education Consulting.   Thank you to both of our guests for joining us and sharing their insights.  https://www.bethanyp...

This week Mike and I discuss planning for emergencies and how you plan for anything. 

Being a school leader can take a toll on you if you let it.  What do you do to stay effective, healthy, and happy?  This week Mike and I discuss what we do, how we can help, and what our priorities are.

Mychal Thom joins us to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in our Lutheran schools.  Mychal is the Dean of the College of Business and Technology and Chief Diversity Officer at Concordia St. Paul, former Head of School for Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a Van Lunen Fellow, and a current Van Lunen faculty member.

Knowing your strengths and the strengths of those you serve goes a long way toward improving your school.  Featuring special guests Dr. Blake Willard and Headmaster Adam Lockridge

This week we talk about NLSW and the wonderful ways we celebrate our Lutheran schools.

This week we discuss the Call and the Call process as it relates to new teachers and those deliberating a Call to be a school leader.

This week discuss clubs and activities at our Lutheran schools.  What unique opportunities do you offer students at your school?

On this episode we discuss the enrollment process from inquiry to acceptance.

This week we talk about marketing your school, sharing your story, and telling people about the Gospel.  

There are several school governance structures out there, and today we are discussing the school board.  We offer some guidance on working successfully with the school board and share a great resource from a man that literally wrote the book on school boards. 

Our Lutheran schools are great places because Jesus is there!  We are blessed to be able to celebrate Jesus' birth with our school and church communities.  We share what we do at our schools, and how we involve our greater community in our celebrations.  

Communication is such an important part of our success as Lutheran schools.  Mike and I share what we do, talk about the reasons behind good communication, and have some fun along the way. 

This week we discuss chapel at our schools, why it's important, and what we do.  How is chapel special at your school?

We are blessed to serve families as we work in partnership to teach their children.  Parent-Teacher conferences are an important part of the work we do.  This week we discuss the purpose of those conferences, how we have seen them handled, and some things we do that we find helpful as we work to support those events.  

Being a Lutheran teacher is difficult (but worthwhile!) work.  This week we discuss supporting God's teachers in our schools, and the principal's role in teacher wellness.  

We discuss the importance of school accreditation and explain the National Lutheran School Association accreditation process.  We also offer some tips for schools and principals going through this process for the first time.  

Helping our teachers improve is a vital part of the continued success of our schools.  This week we discuss what we do at our schools, and what tips we learned along the way. You can see what observation tools we use here:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g2z9TyMmBtrciuLfEdHjWJKHrMRgW99d?usp=sharing

What does discipline look like at your school?  How do you balance law and gospel when it comes to discipline in a Lutheran school?  This week we share what we do, and offer some tips we learned along the way.  

Tips for making the first week a success as a school principal.