Category Archives: Classroom Leadership

Squeezing Every Drop of Potential: Leadership Lessons from a Tube of Toothpaste

13 Friday Sep 2024

Posted by in Achieve, Classroom Leadership, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Motivation, Teachers, Uncategorized

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When to throw it away? That is the question. The other night, I was getting ready to brush my teeth, and there it was… lying on the counter… the tube of toothpaste staring at me. Who would win? I know toothpaste is left in there, but could I squeeze it all out? Who would win? The fight began… I smoothed it out with the edge of my toothbrush. I pulled it across the top edge of the counter. I even maxed out rolling it up and got a black binder clip (I remember my dad doing this) to hold. Oh, the fight. That was four days ago, and yes, I’m still squeezing some out, yet the struggle remains…

In leadership, getting the best out of others is akin to getting the last bit of toothpaste out of a tube. This can be applied to any level of an organization or even as an educator trying to get the most they can out of students. At first, it’s easy—just a gentle squeeze and you get a full portion with little or no effort. But as the tube empties and time goes on, extracting the last bit of potential takes more effort and finesse, just like getting that stubborn final bit of toothpaste.

So, the leadership tube of toothpaste connection… (think of how you tackle your own tube of toothpaste…)

Gentle Pressure, Focused Impact

Initially, toothpaste flows easily, much like how people will deliver results with general guidance. However, as with anything, relationships mature, and quality leadership has to apply a more focused, deliberate approach. Leaders must shift from giving broad directions to providing more specific guidance tailored to each individual’s strengths. It’s no longer about squeezing randomly—it’s about applying pressure strategically, knowing when to push and when to ease off. As you know, there is an art to getting the final remains out.

Maximize Efficiency

Only a little toothpaste comes out if we always squeeze near the nozzle where the cap is (I guess that is what we call it) when we use it often. Just like rolling up the toothpaste tube to push everything toward the nozzle, leaders need to help during the processes, find and eliminate inefficiencies, and optimize resources. This isn’t about working harder, but working smarter. Leaders should empower team members with the right tools, training, and opportunities for growth to unlock hidden potential. And then, please let them do their job… Trust in their abilities and empower them to take charge.

Don’t Let Anything Go to Waste

A good leader knows there’s more inside people than meets the eye, but this is done through establishing a leadership relationship and allowing an environment to work with and not for. Just like there’s always a little more toothpaste in the tube than you first thought when it gets down to the end. Sometimes, it’s about digging deeper, identifying untapped skills, finding a way to transform, and encouraging team members to stretch their capabilities.

Ultimately, leadership is about a hands-on strategy and belief in the potential of others. Like a well-squeezed tube of toothpaste, people who are guided and supported well will deliver value until the very end.

I believe I can get a few more squeezes out over the next few days. I’m going to apply pressure, fold, squeeze, and maybe put the tube in a vice grip… However, I’m drawing the line at filleting the tube open and scraping the sides…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… X @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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A “Teacher Gram” for Sherri Ottis…

26 Friday Apr 2024

Posted by in Appreciation, Classroom Leadership, Compassion, Craft, Education, Educational Leadership, Empathy, Empower, Encouragement, Expectations, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Resilience, Respect, Students, Teacher Appreciation, Teachers, Value, Wisdom

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Hi, my name is Dave… I’m a Sock Baby and belong to one of Sherri Ottis’ former students. I live in a golf bag and I want to give a shout out to…IMG_3116

After devoting all 25 teaching years at Clinton High, Mrs. Ottis is retiring. She has taught almost everything under the “Social Studies” platform, including psychology, sociology, and a bunch of other classes. Her room is the last on the East End side. Either you are going to her class or leaving the building. Anyway…

IMG_6358The two things that set Mrs. Ottis apart are her pursuit of helping teachers feel valued with Teacher Grams, overseeing this project since 2002, and her sociology class, where students model parenting skills with Sock Babies. That’s where I, Dave, came into the world. So, today, I want to give Sherri Ottis a Teacher Gram tribute, whose dedication to teaching transcends the ordinary and resonates for many other teachers to model.

In the long hallways of Clinton High School, Mrs. Ottis’ impact echoes through the years, leaving an enduring mark on students and colleagues. Sherri Ottis is the epitome of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment. She personifies the essence of a dedicated educator. With a nurturing demeanor and an infectious passion for learning (she is also a published author of the book Silent Heroes: Downed Airmen and the French Underground), every day, her classroom is transformed into a sanctuary of knowledge, fostering an environment where students feel empowered to explore, inquire, and thrive. Walking into her classroom, one would think they were entering an “Educational Emporium.” Beyond textbooks and lesson plans, Mrs. Ottis cultivates a sense of belonging, instilling values of empathy, resilience, and integrity in her students’ hearts, a lost commodity, it seems, in the education world today.

Mrs. Ottis shines as an educational inspiration. Her unwavering dedication to her craft and genuine care for her students’ well-being exemplify the essence of educational excellence. Through her innovative teaching methods, boundless enthusiasm, and unwavering support, she ignites a spark that has lighted many a flame for her students, propelling them towards success and self-discovery. But don’t play her; it doesn’t take long for anyone to figure out where you stand. Her value of what education should be and the wisdom she offers, stands at the pinnacle of what educational success is lacking today.

Personally, I will miss Sherri’s subtle wit and common thinking ground. I will even miss her “Pope Leo X’s” Bible she used in our Monday morning Bible study group, and her great “one word, one liner” (those who know, know). We have had many talks and solved most of life’s problems, as if the world would listen to us. I am also grateful for the time I have had being an educator with her, as I am sure many of you are as well, and for the impact she has had on students’ lives and on all our lives, for that matter. A legacy she leaves. Education needs more educators like Sherri Ottis because people like Sherri Ottis are extraordinary educators. Sherri is my teaching colleague and, in many ways, a mentor and a confidant. Most importantly, Sherri is my friend, and I will miss seeing her at the end of the hallways of Clinton High.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2024 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… “X” @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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It’s That Time Of The Year: Gifts That Keep On Giving In Education…

01 Friday Dec 2023

Posted by in Actions, Christmas, Classroom Leadership, Communication, Conversations, Culture, Decisions, Education, Educational Leadership, Encouragement, Joy, Leader, Leadership, Light, Students, Teachers, Unity

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It’s December 1, and Christmas time is officially here. With the season in full swing, as educators, we are presented with a unique opportunity to foster a sense of unity, joy, and growth within our schools for three weeks. With diversity in schools, Christmas is sometimes celebrated differently due to cultures, or if at all, in student households. However, Christmas is a festive season, a time for celebration, and a period with immense potential to wrap up the first semester by creating an enriching and supportive environment that can help jumpstart and motivate for the second semester.

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Christmas time offers a sense of belonging. One thing is certain: in education, we foster a community for many students who have the need for belonging and need acceptance. As we lead in our schools, we might be the only ones offering belonging…

Communication is key to belonging. Educators can use this time to communicate, as stated in the beginning, to convey a sense of joy, unity, growth, and many other characteristics that may not be explicitly seen during the different times of the school year. A simple gesture of gratitude telling a student thank you might do wonders for their self-esteem (everyone enjoys this, by the way).

As we all know, educators remain a crucial piece of the jigsaw puzzle in setting the tone for a positive and inclusive atmosphere, welcoming all (why would we not?). How we decide to do this helps light the candle, brightening the season’s spirit. It starts with each one of us. Lighting someone else’s candle is hard if yours is not burning.

Educational leadership during Christmas is an extra opportunity to create a nurturing and vibrant learning environment. Throughout the school year, educators can make a lasting impact on students. Still, there are times, as now, when this impact can be even more relevant. As we celebrate the season, let us remember that the spirit of Christmas extends beyond festivities—it is a time for joy, unity, and growth. These are gifts that keep on giving (and no, not the jelly of the month club gift, Cousin Eddie).

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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The Emotional Temperature of a Classroom: What Does The Thermometer Read?

03 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in Actions, Classroom Leadership, Classroom Management, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Emotion, Emotional Temperature, Empower, Leader, Leadership, Teachers

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The other day, I was listening to a future educator talk about what issues she sees in education and where they are going. One topic she hit on was how students gauge the emotional temperature of the classroom. Interesting thought, I told her, and then she gave me examples of her past teachers and how those classrooms felt.

So, I got to thinking more about this…

Education isn’t just about textbooks and lectures, and contrary to popular belief, it should be more than test scores, but that is where we live with education at the moment. At some point, we have gotten away from the idea that educating the whole child is not the best for students.

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But I digress…

The classroom… Education should be about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment centered around all students; this can be gauged by its “emotional temperature.” This thermometer reflects the climate in a classroom and plays a pivotal role in determining students’ success.

A positive emotional temperature in a classroom fosters engagement and motivation. Allowing students to feel safe where they enjoy the environment, where they are supported and valued, they are more likely to actively participate in their learning. Oh, but how this sometimes does not happen, and as educators, we miss the opportunity…

Too often, we see students only in school to fulfill the attendance requirements. Many students are genuinely interested in the subject matter, and this enthusiasm fuels their success. So, why do so many students enter a cold emotional climate? This cold climate is usually characterized by fear, anxiety, or indifference; all which can stifle students’ curiosity and willingness to learn. Considering this, why would we not want to offer an inviting atmosphere?

A warm emotional temperature also promotes well-being; just like getting out in the sun helps your immune system. Students who feel emotionally secure in the classroom are more likely to manage stress effectively, build resilience, and maintain their mental health.

Now, what about the teachers? Emotional temperature directly affects student-teacher relationships. Teachers who are approachable, and supportive often inspire trust and admiration among their students. These strong bonds encourage open communication, making it easier for students to seek help when they’re struggling, leading to more substantial progress in their academic journey and through all of this, standards can still be kept high.

Educational environments must collectively strive to maintain a warm emotional temperature in the classroom and with teachers to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive academically and emotionally.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

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