In this episode we dive into three strategies that you can use to maintain a positive mindset throughout the school year.

Be sure to check out my newest podcast: The X Factor: Level Up Your Mental Game. The episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They are short and meant to give you a small thought to start your day with.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-x-factor-level-up-your-mental-game/id1778957745?i=1000677067356

In this episode I share a few takeaways from the past school year.

Today I’m joined by Natalie Poli. She’s an elementary principal, an author, a former instructional coach, and so much more.

And in this conversation listen as Natalie discusses about not taking no for an answer, how to persevere through tough situations, and ways to develop a hustler mindset. Listen as she discusses embracing our uniqueness, becoming a great teacher by design, having an agenda for planning time, and so much more.

Topics Covered:
1. Be your unique self because that is the best person that you can be.

2. Know how to persevere through a tough situation.

3. Mindset - There’s only one way. It is forward and up!

4. I don’t take no for an answer. No challenge is too big. No barrier is to tall.

5. Kids need to know that the environment they’re in is positive and supportive.

6. Embrace whatever uniqueness they bring to us.

7. We want the students to have the ability to ask questions of one another.

8. Our kids need to know that everyone in our buildings care about them.

9. We need to embody what we want others to be.

10. We want great teachers by design, not by chance.

11. Understand what initiative we are driving towards.

12. It’s ok when things don’t go ok instructionally.

13. Have an agenda for planning time. What are we focusing on? Are we making sure everyone’s voices are heard. What’s our time commitment. How are they going to function on effectively?

14. Recognize past experiences help create tools and skills.

15. Everyone makes parenting special in their own way.

16. How do we capitalize on the situation?

17. Podcast: Elaina Aguilar - Bright Morning Podcast and Unsupervised Leadership Podcast

22. It’s not about having a bucket list. It’s about having drive, determination. Perseverance.

23. What’s meant for you will not miss you.

24. Go do it!

25. Be bold. Be brave. Be you!

Connect with Natalie:
X: @NataliePoliU46

Natalie’s Book;
https://www.amazon.com/Sparkles-Special-Adventures-Friends-Collection/dp/B0CWKWBB85/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1WCRHGRI72JA5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3FJS6YopMaoWRWrEhikowCsLIDOprX2DNJpX3RYZ7hc6gFfBdDm2P2_bi5Em8fO5pvJ0U9Qz7_QKq6vbvvJ3HQ.0AutoBvF7jbRrvHoaQPCKR-_PcG0mlYtsRqQ-FcmNnk&dib_tag=se&keywords=sassy+sparkles+her+special+heart&qid=1719111135&sprefix=sassy+sparkles%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-1

Today I’m joined by LaVonna Roth – she is a former educator, an author, speaker, consultant, and founder of IGNITE your SHINE. And in this episode listen as LaVonna talks about ways to create confidence, the power of being vulnerable, what it means to fear less, why we shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help from those around us, ways to amplimfy our SHINE and so much more.

Connect with LaVonna:
https://www.igniteyourshine.com/leadership/

Instagram: @igniteyourshinenow

Facebook: Ignite Your Shine

On Demand Educators Virtual Bash:
https://rfvbash.com/

This week on the podcast we dive into three strategies that we can use to stay positive and be more optimistic.

This episode I dive into three lessons I learned from others this week. These reminders challenge me to be a little better this week and hopefully will do the same for you!

In this conversation I’m joined by Dr. Genelle Morris. Dr. Morris has over 30 years in education and is currently serving the role as superintendent. She is passionate about education and has dedicated her life to ensuring each child graduates from high school ready for college or a career. And in this conversation Dr. Morris dives into leadership lessons she has learned from her various experiences, she discusses the importance of building relationships, creating trust, and being authentic. We also dive into the future of education, AI, and planning for the future.



Dr. Morris is proud to serve as Superintendent of the Olean City School District. She joined the district in July of 2022. A passionate advocate for providing high-quality education for all children, Dr. Morris has spent more than 30 years in education, dedicating her life to ensuring each child graduates from high school ready for college or a career. While pursuing that goal, she worked in varying roles, including science instruction, curriculum and assessment development, and leading work in assessment, accountability, research, and evaluation at the district level.

Before joining Olean, Dr. Morris worked in Buffalo Public Schools and the Rochester City Schools. While in Rochester, she served as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and Deputy of Operations and Systems Innovation. Her last role in the Buffalo Public Schools was the Chief Accountability Officer/Chief Information Officer. She began her career as a Biology teacher with the Buffalo Public Schools and has also served as Assistant Superintendent of Shared Accountability, Director of Data Analysis, Supervisor of Data Analysis, principal, and assistant principal. She has a strong history of working with community, city, and county organizations and is committed to developing partnerships with the Olean community.

Dr. Morris earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University at Buffalo, receiving the prestigious “Thinking Outside the Box” award for her thesis, which studied the implementation of the Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) in New York State. She earned a master’s degree and Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and Policy and a master’s degree in Science Education from the University at Buffalo. Her bachelor’s degree in biology was earned from Canisius College.

Dr. Morris has also served on various educational committees and boards at the local, regional, state, and national levels. She has served as an adjunct faculty member for several years and has served on various education committees and councils at the local, regional, state, and national levels. Her passion for student advocacy, diversity, and progress ignites everything she does.

As the end of the school year is rapidly approaching do you find yourself in a positive headspace? In this episode we share a strategy you can use to keep yourself in a positive headspace and finish the year on a high note.