It’s been a good week. I had to take a day off for a slew of appointments, and my family and I got out to a pumpkin patch afterward on a Tuesday afternoon. Hardly another soul in sight. It was awesome.

If you missed it, I sent out the results of the recent admin survey on AI and tech. It seemed to be well received, largely because you all showed up and filled it out. Thanks!

Also, just a day after publishing, we already have quite a few votes for sending out a collection of resources provided by you all.

So, my humble ask is this:

If your district has a solid AI policy, please, please take a moment to reply here and shoot me the link. I’ll do the work of compiling and sending them back out.

Much appreciated.

I hope you all enjoy this week’s video. It’s a bit long, but entertaining. A bit lighter than our usual fare. And the Emailable PD this week is a topic I’m particularly passionate about. I hope you find it helpful.

That’s all for now. Hug your families!

Mike

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

School Trick Shots

Possible Caption: May all of your students have this level of persistence.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

Christopher Reeve

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: What is something you’ve done in the last 24 hours that made someone’s life better?

Note: I think people believe this will be a shaming question because, “What if I ask someone and they don’t have anything to share?” I very rarely find this to be the case. Instead, you learn that a lot of people (especially students) do very selfless things all the time and would never “brag” about it. Give them the opportunity to be recognized. It’s magical.

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on how caring relationships can help students build resilience. When students feel safe enough to share what they’re facing, school can become a place to find support and take a next step.

The challenge is responding in ways that build trust and student agency. Listening without rushing to fix, recognizing the challenge without defining the student by it, and following up can help students feel supported while keeping expectations clear.

These slides offer practical ways to strengthen connection. By listening with curiosity, offering manageable choices, and making connection part of the routine, teachers can help students feel seen, supported, and ready to keep moving forward.

Read more

First of all, thanks for your patience on processing and compiling the results from our latest survey. The data I received was fascinating. It uncovered several areas where folks are quite concerned about a few things, mainly AI.

But before we get to that, I want to say a huge thanks for contributing!

We got a decent turnout of 49 respondents, mostly from principals (86%) and fairly evenly spread across elementary (39%), middle (25%), and high schools (22%).

As I found in the survey, like many of you, I use AI to help with certain tasks. At the top of that list would typically be something like reviewing survey data. And yet, I find that I don’t get much out of it unless I parse through it myself. And while I used some help compiling some statistics, a lot of the visuals and such are homegrown, hence the time it took to create. Thanks again for your patience there.

Without further ado, here are a few quick insights and then on to the report itself:

• It seems that the phone battle has largely been won. Not too many folks are putting out fires on that front anymore.

• Teacher AI readiness is all over the darn place. Only about 20% of respondents have a clear policy and plan in place. It seems that a lot of folks are waiting for their DOs and boards to catch up, and the frontier is moving forward fast in the meantime.

• The biggest concern about student AI use is brain drain. A full 67% of you said that “Loss of productive struggle and original thinking” is your main concern.

• In the comments, many of you expressed concerns about the need for all kinds of issues to be addressed, but also use it as a time saver.

Find the full results in the report below.

A quick ask for everyone’s benefit …

As I mentioned, it sounds like a small portion of schools and districts have done some important work around this issue.

If your school/district has a clear AI policy on either student or staff use (or both), consider replying to this email with a link to the policy.

I’d be more than happy to compile all that is out there and to share with everyone, free and paid subscribers alike. Thanks!

Phones, AI, and Tech Full Report

Click the link below for access to a downloadable PDF version.

Read more

It’s been a hectic week and it ended on a somber note. Another school shooting this week; this one just a few hours from home for me. I never know what to say about these incidents anymore. The more often it happens, the fewer words I have, other than to lament.

This week’s Emailable PD is about the importance of school connectedness. There’s so much we can do to help maintain a positive connection with our kiddos, even when there are significant trials outside of our buildings. See below for a resource that addresses just a few of these possibilities.

And I really love this week’s video. In my class last week, students had to develop their own personal ethics statement that outlines the values that will guide their decision-making. What struck me about this video is that this single moment will likely solidify a lifetime of integrity for these girls. What a golden opportunity! So much more valuable than keeping the win.

That’s all for now. Hug your families!

Mike

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

High School Basketball Team Does the Right Thing

Possible Caption: These kids gained an integrity that won’t expire.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

"Like snowflakes, the human pattern is never cast twice. We are uncommonly and marvelously intricate in thought and action, our problems are most complex and, too often, silently borne."

Alice Childress

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: What is a small, simple thing that brings you real joy?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on school connectedness: students’ sense that adults and peers care about them and their learning. A dependable relationship at school can help students feel supported, especially when they’re facing challenges.

The challenge is recognizing what students may be carrying while helping them stay connected to school. Small, steady actions, such as setting clear expectations, offering meaningful choices, and keeping promises, can help build trust and belonging.

These slides offer practical ways to strengthen connection. By noticing students’ efforts, inviting their input, and following through, teachers can help students feel seen, supported, and ready to keep learning.

Read more

It’s been a solid week. Nothing like parent conferences to mark the middle of the term. Can’t believe we’ve hit October!

Are the leaves falling all around your neighborhood as well?

Thanks to everyone who filled out the survey. Nearly 50 responses and tons of great suggestions and thoughts on AI in the comments. I’ll be sharing it all very soon!

In my search for my weekly video, I stumbled upon this gem. I decided to not use it as the official vid because it has some strong language. But, hey, your teachers are adults. Should you decide to use it, I won’t tell anyone. Flippin’ hilarious.

This week’s actual video is below and covers the importance of serving others in our vocation as one way of finding happiness. If it’s one thing educators do, it’s creating value with their lives. I hope it’s encouraging.

I hope you have a great week, everyone!

Talk soon!

Mike

P.S. This week’s Emailable PD is free for everyone this week. And if you like, access the Canva template and edit as needed. Cheers!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Can Work Make You Happy?

Possible Caption: Spoiler Alert: It can!

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

“Sometimes opportunities float right past your nose. Work hard, apply yourself, and be ready. When an opportunity comes you can grab it.”

Julie Andrews

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: How much would you need to be paid to let your frenemy choose a neck tattoo for you?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on giving students meaningful influence while maintaining clear structure. When students have a voice and purposeful choices, they can take greater ownership of their learning.

The challenge is sharing responsibility while keeping goals and boundaries clear. Teachers provide the framework; students help shape the path.

These slides offer practical ways to build student agency. By asking real questions, offering manageable choices, and handing over meaningful roles, teachers can strengthen engagement, develop responsibility, and keep learning moving forward.

Download a PDF here or JPEGs here.

Something Interesting or Fun (or Both)

I found this amusing … maybe you will, too.

Best Small Towns in the US 🗺️

Talk soon,

Read more

It’s the end of our homecoming week, which means that it’s been busy, but super fun.

I tell you, friends, I stumbled upon this week’s video, and it really had my head turning for a while. It’s an endearing story. Take a look when you have the chance, maybe even before reading further.

Here’s a question I got to pondering: How many of us would do our jobs if we knew we would never retire?

I’m not sure about you, but the Oregon pension is not too shabby. (Well, I’m on the third rung, which isn’t great, but those first-round draft picks are crushing it.) For many, the pension is that pot at the end of the rainbow. And the strings attached to the pot - to mix a metaphor - forces them to stay in the game. Maybe longer than they should.

For a very few others, I don’t think this impacts their vocational math much. They love teaching, and they’d do it either way. And I can think of at least one person in my building who I know will need to be forcibly removed from her classroom when it simply becomes physically impossible. She loves kids so much and is so good at her job; there’s just no turning it off for her.

And so, at the ripe age of 46, I’m forced to ponder which camp I’ll wind up in. The more convicting thought looming around my brain is how much I take my job for granted.

There’s a line in the video that says something to the effect of, “Most spend their days dreaming of retirement; she spent her retirement dreaming of her kids.”

And it’s so true. I took a few years off to run a PD company, and I slowly felt the fire inside me start to fade. I needed to be around kids. And now that I am every day, I don’t know that I appreciate it like I will when I hang up my lanyard.

I feel like I need to savor it more. Sigh …

A bit of Mike stream-of-consciousness this week. Hope you don’t mind.

Talk soon!

P.S. Last chance to take the survey!

P.P.S. Man, I’ve gotten some seriously honoring feedback from folks in the comments of the survey. I’ve nearly teared up a couple of times. And it’s anonymous, so there's no way to respond. So, I’ll just say “thanks.” The feedback helps keep me going. Appreciate you!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Veteran Teacher Returns to Kindergarten

Possible Caption: Maybe retirement isn’t the only path.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Monthly Admin Survey

Gain insights from your admin peers around the country

One more week! Take the survey if you haven’t! I’ll drop results soon.

Take Survey (2 Min)

Weekly Quote

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

Yogi Berra

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: What is something adults have made unnecessarily complicated?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a foundational part of classroom management: being firm, being fair, and showing care. When expectations are clear and corrections are calm and predictable, students can better understand the boundaries and trust the person holding them.

The challenge is maintaining consistent expectations while recognizing that students may need different support to meet them. Fairness means protecting everyone’s dignity, keeping the standard visible, and helping students find a manageable next step.

These slides offer practical ways to build boundaries students can trust. By teaching routines, correcting privately, and communicating belief in students’ ability to succeed, teachers can reinforce accountability, strengthen relationships, and keep learning moving forward.

Read more

Hope you all had a solid week. It’s important work that we do, and rest is equally important. Hopefully you’re enjoying some right now!

The name of the game this week felt like improv. Something would be planned, it would go haywire, and folks were left scrambling. Some weeks come off without a hitch, and some feel like you’re rewriting the plan every five minutes. Regardless of the week you had, I thought I’d share this fun video of someone beautifully pivoting on the fly. So many goosebumps.

We’ve got some fun resources on deck this week. Please take the Monthly Admin Survey! This one is all about AI and tech use. I think the feedback will be very informative for all.

And check out this week’s Emailable PD. It’s all about the downsides of the whole-class consequence - if any of your teachers need a reminder. (Not me, no, no, no.)

Have a great week!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

The Role of Role Models

Possible Caption: Keep striving to do new things.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Monthly Admin Survey

Gain insights from your admin peers around the country

Here we go! We’re talking AI, phones, and tech in your school. Share your insights and I’ll share the results in a couple weeks. Thanks so much!

Take Survey (2 Min)

Weekly Quote

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more."

Jonas Salk

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: You just won a lifetime supply of the thing you purchased most recently. How do you feel?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a common classroom management misstep: responding to one student’s behavior with a consequence for everyone. While collective consequences may feel efficient in the moment, they can frustrate students who were meeting expectations and weaken trust across the class.

The challenge is not ignoring behavior, but matching the response to the students involved. Quiet, proportional, and connected corrections allow teachers to address the problem directly without widening its impact or creating unnecessary resentment.

These slides offer a simple framework for responding fairly and effectively. By correcting privately, keeping the response proportional, and assigning a repair connected to what happened, teachers can reinforce accountability, protect relationships, and keep learning moving forward.

Read more

I hope you’re having a lovely day. We’re rolling out our second admin survey this month, and it’s all about tech, AI, and phones in school.

And when you add your two cents, we all benefit!

I’d be very grateful if you would take two minutes and share your thoughts.

Take the Survey (2 Minutes)

Thanks,

Mike

Read more

By now, everyone is well into the year. I hope it’s going swimmingly.

I was shocked on Monday to see that a full third of my class was absent. We’re in our third week of classes and the colds are hitting hard! Thankfully, I’m still standing. Pray for health. And send hand sanitizer.

I hope that you’re still feeling fresh and strong as the back-to-school honeymoon begins to fade. This week, we’re covering the all-important lesson intro in our Emailable PD. For years, I had neglected this tactic as one solely used by newbies. I’ve recently rediscovered the magic of spiking anticipation early. Do it right, and it really creates the momentum needed to keep kids locked in.

Also, I rarely re-use a video and I think it’s been about four years since I’ve shared this one. You may have seen it, but I needed to see this again this week. I have a couple of kids that I need to view more creatively. I need to discern their potential, and this video always inspires me to do so.

Have a great week!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Be a Mr. Jensen

Possible Caption: Let’s be creative encouragers.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

"Talent without effort is wasted talent. And while effort is the one thing you can control in your life, applying that effort intelligently is next on the list."

Mark Cuban

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: During which decade would you like to be a teenager?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a simple but powerful part of instruction: the opening moments of a lesson. When students see relevance, feel curious, or have something to do right away, attention is easier to earn and sustain.

The challenge is not making every lesson feel like a performance, but creating a reason for students to lean in. A meaningful question, an unexpected example, or a clear connection to their lives can quickly create interest and momentum.

These slides offer practical ways to design stronger lesson openings. By starting with relevance, curiosity, novelty, and early participation, teachers can turn the first few minutes into a launch point for deeper engagement.

Read more

Happy Saturday! I know quite a few folks just started school this week. I sincerely hope it was a successful beginning. You’re no doubt feeling a bit worn out. Take some downtime this weekend with your loved ones. You deserve it! And so do they!

It’s been a good week here in Oregon. It rained all of last week, and it seems that we’ve been revisited by summer one last time before we enter the wet season. I think kids enjoyed the short, “second summer” of a holiday weekend and are feeling a little less squirely.

We’ve got a great video for you this week. A heartwarming reminder that there are people all over the place who care for our kids as much as we do. And as many of us enter the second week or second month of school, the honeymoon has subsided, and we’ve begun to notice some work avoidance. We have some helpful Emailable PD tips to help you make some headway.

Have a great week!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Mama McDonald’s Unconditional Love

Possible Caption: You don’t have to work in a school to become somebody’s teacher.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.”

Ernest Hemingway

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: Which of your teachers would survive longest in the zombie apocalypse?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a common classroom challenge: connecting with students who avoid the work. When students feel known, respected, and supported, they are more likely to take risks, engage, and keep trying.

The challenge is not simply getting students to comply, but understanding what may be underneath the avoidance. Overwhelm, skill gaps, past failure, or disconnection can all make starting feel harder than it looks.

This week’s resource offers practical ways to lower barriers, build stronger relationships, and create momentum through small wins. With curiosity, consistency, and manageable next steps, teachers can help students reengage without lowering expectations.

Read more

We’re just coming to the end of the first week back with students. And, man, I’m tuckered out.

I tell my wife each year that the first week back with a building full of students is equal parts fun and exhaustion. It’s like each day is a huge adrenaline rush followed by bigger and bigger crashes. When you make it to Saturday, you’re burnt toast.

This week has definitely met those expectations, but it’s been so much fun nonetheless. Nothing over-the-top to report, just another week that confirms that I still love this job, hard as it may be.

I hope you enjoy this week’s resources. A hearty video reminding us to thank our mentors. And some PD that challenges us to contact parents on a positive note while the year is young. I fail at this one often, but I’m going to try to actually do it this year.

Have a great week!

P.S. If you didn’t catch the email on Thursday, check out the results from our first monthly admin survey. Very fun! Another one coming soon.

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Former Student Surprises High School Teacher

Possible Caption: We all have someone to thank for where we’ve landed.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

"Purpose is an essential element of you … the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose.”

Chadwick Boseman

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: When was the last time you laughed so hard that you nearly cried?

If you have one, hit “comment” at the bottom of this post and share yours! Mine: It was about three weeks ago.

Note: The answer to this question is why I love working with kids. Ask a group of kids this question, and 95% of them will give an answer within the last 24-48 hours. Ask most adults, and many of them can’t even remember. Maybe years. We need to laugh more, and kids do it naturally.

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a simple way to strengthen trust: communicating before something becomes urgent. When students, families, and colleagues hear from us during ordinary moments, not only when a problem arises, future conversations begin with a stronger foundation.

The challenge is not communicating more, but communicating with greater intention. A warm introduction, specific good news, the right channel, and a little context can make messages clearer, more human, and easier to receive.

This week’s resource offers practical ways to make proactive communication part of everyday teaching. By reaching out early, sharing positive details, and asking for support before situations escalate, teachers can build trust that makes difficult conversations more productive.

Read more

At long last, this year’s first admin survey results are in!

This was quite a fun exercise. Thanks to the over fifty folks who responded. The responses were fascinating and are covered in detail below. In perusing the feedback about starting the year strong, a few themes emerged:

• School leaders are entering the year focused on the fundamentals: strong instruction, healthy culture, and welcoming students well.

• Your early priorities center on creating consistent routines while helping students feel known, connected, and supported.

• You want to reduce unnecessary urgency and new initiatives so schools can spend more time sharing effective practices, collaborating, and celebrating progress. (This was probably the most consistent finding).

• The reflections point toward a steadier kind of leadership, like being present, communicating clearly, following through, and helping others build their capacity to solve problems.

Here’s a visual rundown of the feedback. The last several pages (for paid subs only) contain a word-for-word compilation of all of the leadership lessons learned last year. I think those alone are worth the price of admission. Paid subs can also access the whole report in PDF form below.

Thanks for participating! The next survey drops soon!

Read more

It’s been a fantastically busy week, but a darn good one.

I’ve seen all of my colleagues, quite a few students, and have made too many staff hats to count. (Check out the video in last week’s email if you missed it). It’s starting feel like the year is back, and I’m here for it!

Can I be transparent about something? Last year was my fifth year of this here newsletter, and, to be honest, it started to drag a bit for me. The PD was time-consuming to develop; it was getting harder to find fun videos, and I just found myself without as much motivation as in years past.

Well, thanks to a few small tweaks, I’m really enjoying the vibe of this year’s newsletter so far. The videos have been fun to find, the PD is coming together, and I’m loving sharing the discussion questions each week. Also, reading the first survey and compiling the results has been a blast! You all have some amazing insights … which I plan to share midweek!

All that to say, thanks for being a part of this. It means a lot to me and I’m glad you’re here.

This week we’ve got a fascinating video on leadership (and followership) and PD on making connections with students at the beginning of the year. I hope it’s helpful!

Have a great week!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

How to Start a Movement

Possible Caption: Leadership starts something. Courageous followership helps it become something.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

"No one has ever become poor by giving."

Anne Frank

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

Question: Do you talk to yourself? If so, how often?

If you have one, hit “comment” at the bottom of this post and share yours! Mine: I talk to myself constantly.

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a foundation for learning: strong connections. When students feel known, respected, and capable, they are more likely to trust their teacher, engage in class, and persevere through challenges.

The challenge is not planning elaborate activities, but making small moments count. Real questions, respectful redirection, and specific encouragement communicate care while preserving clear expectations.

This week’s resource offers four low-prep ways to build connection into everyday teaching. With a few names, a few minutes, and consistent follow-through, small interactions can strengthen trust over time.

Read more

Thanks for all of the positive feedback on last week’s inaugural email of the year. Mighty good to hear that the resources we dig up are still helpful.

Though I’ve already been back to the building, all of our staff report for duty on Monday. I’m quite excited to see folks and catch up a bit. Here’s a sneak peek at a welcome back merch idea. Hat Bar!

If this was the first week back for either staff or students (or both 😳), I hope it went splendidly for you.

Quite a few folks took the first-ever Monthly Admin Survey. Very cool and I’m super excited to share the results with you. If you didn’t get the chance, please do take a quick moment and submit your thoughts. I think the more folks that participate the better the quality of the results for everyone. Thanks so much!

I hope you find this week’s resources useful. A very heartwarming video about the power of one kiddo who seeks connection. And, of course, we’re talking more classroom routines in this week’s Emailable PD.

Quick survey spoiler alert: When answering the question “What should your school do more of this year?” the top answer was abundantly clear: Share successful teaching practices. And here comes the shameless plug …

One thing we try to do with our Emailable PD is to share such successful teaching practices in bite-sized, accessible chunks. And you won’t have to hear, “This could’ve been an email” because it is an email!

So, if that’s your goal this year, consider accessing our Emailable PD archives (paid subs only) for two years of PDFs available immediately, along with our weekly dose of new material

I promise I didn’t plant that question to endorse my own resources … but the confirmation is nice!

This week, remember to go out of your way to make a new student or new staff member feel exceptionally welcome in your building. That’s the challenge I’m setting for myself.

Have a great week!

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

Four-year-old heals “inner lonliness by bringing his neighborhood together

Possible Caption: Never underestimate what can grow out of one small, consistent act of connection.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Monthly Admin Survey

Gain insights from your admin peers around the country

Last week, we had about 40 people take our monthly admin survey. If you haven’t taken it yet, give it a whirl. I’ll share the results next week!

Take the Survey (3 min)

Weekly Quote

"Negative energy is wasted energy. You want to become a master at overcoming hard moments. That is, to me, the sign of a champion."

Roger Federer

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

This is my favorite new segment. I ask students crazy questions all the time. We do it in a structured way every Friday, and every student is required to answer. I thought kids would hate it. For several years, it’s been the highlight of the week for some of my most disengaged students. Try it at a staff meeting as well. It works! Connection is the key!

Question: What is the most unlikely food combination that you absolutely love?

If you have one, hit “comment” at the bottom of this post and share yours! Mine: grilled cheese sandwiches and ketchup

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on an essential ingredient in a well-managed classroom: predictability. When students understand what to do, how to do it, and what will happen next, they can spend less energy navigating uncertainty and more energy engaging in learning.

The challenge is not simply establishing routines, but teaching and maintaining them with consistency. By naming expectations, explaining their purpose, modeling them clearly, and providing opportunities to practice, teachers can build trust without becoming rigid.

This week’s resource offers a practical approach: identify the moments that create the most friction, explicitly teach the routines students need, and calmly reteach them when they begin to slip. Over time, these predictable structures can create calmer classrooms where students feel secure, capable, and ready to learn.

Read more

To subscribers both new and seasoned, a hearty “Welcome Back!” to each and every one of you.

It’s been an incredible summer. I could share all of my adventures, but that may take up more of your time than you’re able to give. For now, I’ll simply drop a pic from the week spent at my wife’s family reunion at Donner Lake near Truckee, California. Tons of cousins, kiddos, great food, hikes and naps. Can’t beat it.

I’m super excited to kick off the inaugural email of the ‘26-27 school year. To think, this will be the fifth year of sending out a video each week?! And my hope is that it continues to get better and better.

As mentioned in my email earlier this summer, we’re changing very little about the newsletter this year. The two big additions are Turnkey Courses (see our first here - complimentary access to all paid subs), Monthly Admin Surveys (see below for the first edition), and Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Questions.

These were developed based on feedback from our annual survey. We’re trying to offer more resources that are immediately usable and unique to this newsletter - meaning things you can’t generate in 2 minutes using AI.

With that, on with this week’s email. This is a phenomenal video that truly underscores the value of holding students to high expectations. And this week’s Emailable PD is all about starting the year with structure.

Enjoy!

Mike

P.S. This week’s full email is free to all subscribers. Today is the last day to save 40% on your first year’s subscription.

Subscribe now

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

New Jersey school requires freshmen to go on a 55-mile hike

Possible Caption: Sometimes the struggle isn’t getting in the way of the learning. Sometimes the struggle is the learning.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Monthly Admin Survey

Gain insights from your admin peers around the country

As mentioned above, I’ll send out a survey once a month. The goal will be to anonymously gather and share insights from your admin peers. The topics may be broad, like starting the year strong (see this month’s survey below), or more specific, like dealing with difficult parents or students. There will always be the opportunity to add comments/suggestions to be shared with the group - we can all benefit from one another’s wisdom.

Surveys will always be anonymous, except that they may identify you by basic demographic data (ex. “High School Principal with 10-15 years experience.”)

Finally, all subscribers (free and paid) can participate and will receive results; however, paid subs will receive more comments and granular data.

Take the Survey (3 min)

Weekly Quote

“Success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles.”

Walter Cronkite

Weekly Staff/Student Discussion Question

Use in a staff meeting, student discussion, ask your own kids … see what happens!

This is my favorite new segment. I ask students crazy questions all the time. We do it in a structured way every Friday, and every student is required to answer. I thought kids would hate it. For several years, it’s been the highlight of the week for some of my most disengaged students. Try it at a staff meeting as well. It works! Connection is the key!

Question: How long has it been since you laughed uncontrollably?

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on an important way to begin the year: creating clear, predictable structure. When students know how to enter, transition, ask for help, and finish their work, they can spend less energy wondering what comes next and more energy learning.

The challenge is not simply introducing expectations, but teaching routines like academic content. By modeling them clearly and providing time to rehearse and reset, teachers can build consistency without constant reminders or corrections.

This week’s resource offers a practical approach: choose a few essential routines, teach and practice each one, and refine them as needed. With the right structures in place, teachers can create calmer classrooms with more room for learning and connection.

Download a PDF here or JPEGs here.

Something Interesting or Fun (or Both)

I found this amusing … maybe you will, too.

America’s Richest School Districts ‼️

Talk soon,

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Just thought I’d say a quick hello!

As so many of us are welcoming staff and students back to buildings, Week One of the ‘26-27 Weekly Inspo Vids newsletter will arrive in your inbox this Saturday morning!

Be sure to check out the new Monthly Admin Survey feature. Take three short minutes to fill it out on Saturday morning, and everyone will get the results. It’s gonna be super fun and was a major request on this year’s annual survey.

And if you haven’t upgraded yet, this is your last chance to take advantage on a significant discount for the coming year. From now until Saturday night, get 40% off your first year!

Subscribe now

You also get immediate access to our new course How to Raise REAL Funds: The Turnkey School Apparel Shop without paying the $499 price - it’s included in your subscription!

Talk soon,

Mike

Hey friends,

I’ve been tinkering away all summer to bring you something that I’m actually really proud of.

Now, to be clear, this is the lowest-production-quality batch of videos I’ve ever produced. I’ve owned a commercial film business and still have tens of thousands of dollars of high-end equipment.

And I filmed all of this on a single GoPro and a laptop.

I’m not the least bit sorry, because it’s the least polished but most substantive piece of content I’ve ever developed.

And you don’t have to watch a single second of it.

The best thing I can offer you is something so valuable and yet so completely turnkey that anyone, and I mean anyone on your staff, can pull it off. And in just about an hour or two per week.

Imagine being done with fundraisers that are as exhausting as they are disappointing. Instead, picture having access to an extra $1,000 here, and an extra $5,000 there - regularly - that can help fund all the little things you’d love to accomplish for students around your building.

This is the playbook on how to do just that. And it works for any school leader, at any level, in any type of situation. And it will only cost you about $700 in a single equipment purchase.

Check out this 60-second preview. It could be the only piece you have to watch:

You can see the full details on the course here. (And don’t worry, you don’t have to pay the $499 listed to get it).

Now, paid subscribers can get access right now for free. Your personal access code is at the end of this email.

Free subscribers have one more chance to subscribe at a super steep discount today only. I’ll still offer a discount as we get closer to the fall, but it won’t be this good. Get it while you can. It expires tonight at midnight.

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Most administrators I know do two things in July:

1. Dream about how to improve things in the coming year

2. Take a much-needed break

I love this time of year because it allows us to release the pressure valve enough to look at the big picture. And in education, one of the most important drives or student success is the systems you put in place. July i…

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I hope summer has been treating you well.

I’m getting ready for a camping trip, but before I head out, I wanted to give you a quick preview of something I’m building for the coming year.

Here’s the question:

How would you like to say “no” to your next fundraiser that requires a ton of staff time just to raise a couple hundred bucks?

There’s a bet…

Read more

Happiest of summer breaks to each and every one of you. I hope this finds you on a beach, on a mountain, or at least logging some extra sleep.

I’m a week into vacation and have been to the Oregon coast, completing a few house projects, and am gearing up for a camping trip. And, of course, I’ve been chipping away at the revamps for next year’s newsletter.

I’m really excited to announce the updates, and I’ll get to that over the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, I wanted to share the full results of the survey. Thanks again to everyone who participated. It means a lot.

If you’re a data nerd like me, enjoy the results!

Talk soon,

Mike

Survey Results

• Folks like the newsletter - 91% of paid readers and 74% of free readers said they would definitely recommend the newsletter.

• Short, relevant surveys are in high demand - 78% of paid readers and 50% of free readers said they would be very interested in participating.

• AI-assisted design isn’t a terrible thing - Most said effectiveness matters more than how content is created, and 75% of respondents in the newer poll liked the AI-designed Emailable PD.

  • I have a lot of thoughts about AI and some of these results have had me pondering a lot. More on this later.

• You want practical, shareable content. The clearest requests were more administrator-focused PD, useful leadership ideas, and the return of “Would You Rather?” questions.

Read all of the comments here.

Talk soon,

Read more

We made it! Week forty and the final (regularly scheduled) email of the year. Congrats all around!

Here in Oregon, we’re entering our final week. We just had graduation for seniors last night and will get the rest of our kiddos across the finish line for the year in a few days.

It’s far too soon to post much of a reflection on the year, but this week’s Emailable PD encourages teachers to start that process.

I’m big on reflection. I think it’s one of the real advantages of having an extended amount of time away from kids. I do a lot of thinking about my professional practice during the summer and always come back with a short list of things to change. I can’t bear the thought of having the same year on repeat.

I hope this week’s resource is helpful to your staff in that regard.

And I just love this week’s video. It feels like such a no-brainer and a brilliant idea. And while it’s not necessarily related to K12 education, I think this creativity and intergenerational collaboration are how we solve some major problems.

Finally, I’ll talk more over the summer about last week’s question regarding the role of AI in the design of Emailable PD. I’ll also share the survey results and will announce the changes to the newsletter for next year. I think folks will be pretty stoked about some of the new offerings.

Have a great week, everyone! You’ll be hearing more from me soon!

Mike

Weekly Video

Use in staff newsletters, encouraging emails, etc.

College students move into an assisted living home

Possible Caption: Some things just make perfect sense.

Vote below, and we’ll track your favorite videos in our archive.

Looking for a past video. Check our archive.

Weekly Quote

“I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.”

Neil Armstrong

Weekly Emailable PD

Use in staff newsletters, emailable PD messages, etc.

Suggested Email Body:

This week’s resource focuses on a simple but meaningful way to close the year: helping teachers notice what is worth carrying forward. As the year winds down, it can be easy to focus only on finishing tasks, wrapping up logistics, or getting ready for summer.

The challenge is not simply getting to the end, but pausing long enough to recognize what actually worked. When teachers reflect on instruction, relationships, systems, and mindsets, they begin to see the practices and habits that helped students learn and grow.

This week’s resource offers practical, low-prep ways to reflect in the final stretch, helping teachers name what to keep, what to tweak, and what to let go, so they can end the year with clarity and begin the next one with greater intention.

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