Weekly Inspo Vids '26-27 - Week One

Could your students go on a 55-mile hike?

Aug 15, 2026

∙ Paid

Hey friends,

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.

From a sunrise hike around Donner Lake in late July.

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.

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.