TregoED Blog

Top 5 Critical Issues in Education in 2023

Critical: (crit·i·cal) having the potential to become disastrous, at a point of crisis having decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something. Education leaders are facing serious issues in 2023 driven by a period of disruption – a worldwide pandemic, divisive politics, prevalent gun violence, and financial crisis.  Looking at a Read the full article…

Making Decisions Under Pressure Requires Patience

“Pressure!”(With apologies to Billy Joel) Spending deadline’s coming up Pressure! You had better not screw this up Pressure! You have the money, now’s the time to spend But here you are with your wants and your needs and your shortages and such Your regulations and your tests and your parents and the rest It’s all Read the full article…

Make Your Meetings Matter

Looking forward to your next meeting?  In many cases, the answer to that question is “nope.”  Many meetings have been viewed as at worst – time-sucking obligations, mind-numbing information dumps, frustrating rehashes and/or contentious public forums of off-track topics, or at best dull and uninspiring.  Holding meetings in an online platform has only amplified those Read the full article…

3 Tips for Leading Difficult Conversations

Gun violence, Student safety, CRT…oh my!  Issues that bring out resistance, reactions, strong emotions, frustration can make for difficult decisions and daunting conversations. Using a well-thought-out approach can help you lead/facilitate those conversations resulting in collaborative solutions. In The Wisdom of Crowds, James Surowiecki explores the intriguing and well‐substantiated idea that the collective judgment of Read the full article…

Investing in Building Capacity Pays Off in Good Times and Bad

The pandemic has laid bare many faults and inequities in education systems, but it has also highlighted essential skills and successful leadership practices that have proven successful in addressing pandemic-related problems.  We have seen firsthand how proven decision-making and problem-solving processes have been the linchpin of success for leaders during times of crisis or stability. Read the full article…

Future-proof your workforce

Anyone familiar with theater recognizes the concept of the understudy – the person who learns another’s role to be able to step in on short notice and play the part.  Preparing for sudden departures, turnovers, and the Silver Tsunami in education, means building the leadership capacity for succession.  Succession planning in education is an essential Read the full article…

Protecting your Decisions with 4 Key Questions

Have you decided where your ESSER money investments will be most beneficial?  If so, how do you ensure these decisions actually reach your goals?  How can you prevent outside factors from “raining on your parade”? The success of a decision depends on the success of its implementation and the active management of the risks.  An Read the full article…

Increase Retention with Systemic Listening

Superintendent turnover, teacher turnover, principal turnover – are no doubt happening – AND there are not many replacements flowing in the pipeline.  Culture is at the top of the list of why people stay or leave their jobs.  In a recent report by Microsoft, employees reported that what they wanted most was “a culture that Read the full article…

No-Fail Ingredients for ESSER Budgeting Success

With the supply chain delays, labor shortages, escalating costs, and the deadline for ESSER spending looming, school superintendents are facing unique budget challenges.  Recent ESSER funding programs have changed the scope and complexity of budget decision making – and increased the visibility and volatility. To increase the chances for success in times of volatility– leaders Read the full article…

Want to Increase Retention? Don’t do this!

Retention – it seems to be on everyone’s radar these days – and with good reason.  Existing staff shortages, early retirements and potential resignations have us all thinking about ways to hold on to the staff that we have.  There are a lot of great ideas out there about how to go about accomplishing this Read the full article…