Proud Principal of Suffield Middle School, a school where we: Work Hard, Work Smart, and Work Together
Connecticut, USA
Joined November 2015
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- Following170
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Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
One of the first lessons I learned as a school leader was that I could not personally care for every student each day. The best way to care for students was to invest in and support the teachers and staff who serve them daily.
@SteeleThoughts
Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
We often assume leadership belongs to the oldest kids, the most polished kids, or the ones who already look ready.
But what Brian shares is a better lesson: when students are trusted with meaningful work, passion can matter more than experience, and confidence can grow faster than anyone expected.
If your team wants to create more of that kind of growth, RULER Institute Online is a powerful place to begin.
🔗 f.mtr.cool/ydvatzorkc
#Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #Education #EmotionsMatter
SMS Advanced FCS students just finished their mobile eateries unit with a visit from Christopher—owner and operator of Sweet Memories—who gave our class an exclusive tour of his state-of-the-art donut truck. What a finale to their Food Truck Showdown! #SweetMemories @SuffieldPS
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At SMS, we celebrate our student writers! Congratulations to all of our 6th grade authors and the teachers who made this event possible: Mrs.Zavisza, Ms. Kradas, and Mrs. Barrette! We had quite a turnout of parents and staff! @SuffieldPS
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Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
Well this fires me up!
When your staff finds value in the nuggets of wisdom from other educators… thanks @SteeleThoughts for the calendars you created this year. You have helped us improve #theHeARTofExcellence at TFAA!
Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
🙋🏼♀️ What are other students doing at the other stations in a real-time feedback station rotation?
It’s totally up to you!
More here: bit.ly/3ym5nU7
#k12 #edchat
Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
Reading Instruction Must Use Whole Books (Opinion) edweek.org/teaching-learning…
Some real truths in this post…
Teachers don’t get better because the job gets easier. They get better because experience leaves behind small truths that change everything.
Looking back at photos from my first years in the classroom, I see energy, optimism—and a lot I hadn’t learned yet. Here’s what I wish I knew then.
Classroom management isn’t about rules. It’s about relationships. And kids know if you like them.
They’ll finish work faster than you expect.
They won’t care about your lesson if you don’t care about it.
Students may forget the content, but they will never forget how you treated them.
Stand at your door. Learn names quickly. Offer a fist bump. Those moments matter more than any bell ringer.
Your enthusiasm sets the ceiling. And the students who frustrate you the most? They need your love the most.
Never embarrass a student. Most misbehavior comes from an unmet need, not defiance.
You don’t know what a child is carrying from home. Always be kind. Always be patient.
Students know busy work instantly. Have a plan—or change course.
Don’t rush past great questions just to stay on schedule. Teachable moments are where the real learning lives.
Kids are capable of more than you think. Keep expectations high.
Next week: I’ll share what experience taught me about discipline, trust, and the moments that actually define us as teachers.
Cheers,
Danny
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Followed by the 8th-grade Chorus, small but powerful group, singing a traditional English carol @SuffieldPS
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The SMS Choral Winter Concert begins with some high energy from our 6th grade chorus! @SuffieldPS
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This would be a great exercise/discussion for both staff and students when working with a new concept being learned…
🧠 “Connect, Extend, Challenge” is one of my favorite ways to help students reflect & stretch their thinking in meaningful ways.
See how this routine can come to life in elementary and secondary classrooms: bit.ly/4dnfPdC
#edchat #k12
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Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
I have no idea how we ever strayed from reading whole books in class as the rule and not the exception.
“In 2015, researchers at the University of Sussex in England asked a group of 20 English teachers in Year 8, the U.S. equivalent of 7th grade, to change their practice for 12 weeks. During that period, they would read two novels back to back, with all of the reading done in class—a much faster pace than these students, who usually read two books over the course of a year, were used to.
At the end of the 12 weeks, average reading comprehension for all students—as measured by a standardized test—improved by the equivalent of 8.5 months of regular instruction. The effect nearly doubled for struggling readers, who made 16 months improvement during that period.”
@s_e_schwartz explores the issue of books disappearing from US curriculum.
Including evidence like this study, in favor of work with whole books.
In the SMS Media Center today, our 6th-grade students engaged in a “Book Tasting” of various YA books. Hats off to the 6th-grade ELA teachers and Mrs. Barrette, our School Librarian for facilitating such a great opportunity!! @SuffieldPS
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Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
NEW WALK!! LEADERS!!We are a few weeks into the new school year. When is the next thank you?
You don’t need to
GIVE THEM STUFF.
You need to
GIVE THEM YOUR TIME.
Recognize. Acknowledge.
Extend.
#LeadFromWhereYouAre #1minwalk2work #CraftingTheCulture #GiveYourselfAChance
Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” - John F. Kennedy
Kenneth M. Smith retweeted
Questions are not always about getting kids to answer — they're about getting kids to think 💭
Sketchnote via @woodard_julie
