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The Masks We Wear
What Halloween, middle school behavior, and school turnaround have in common.
Melissa France
13 hours ago9 min read
Welcome to Sucktober
Sometimes life and school leadership collide in ways that leave even the most dedicated educators questioning how much more they can carry. Between staffing shortages, rising student behaviors, personal challenges, and the fear of losing hard-earned progress, October has lived up to its nickname: “Sucktober.” Yet amid the exhaustion and uncertainty, unexpected moments of kindness, student success, and community support remind us why we do this work. Turnaround isn't a straigh
Stephanie Nardi EdD
Oct 2510 min read
The Work is Hard. Celebrate Anyway.
Turnaround work is hard, and some weeks feel heavier than others. But celebration matters—especially during those weeks. Our first schoolwide assembly reminded us that building a school isn’t only about academics, data, and improvement goals; it’s about creating a community where students and staff feel connected, supported, and excited to come back on Monday.
Melissa France
Aug 305 min read
Will We Be the School They Look for During a Storm?
Why, when confronted with pictures of my hometown devastated by a tornado, did I instinctively search for my schools? Connection? Safety? Belonging? Positive memories? Maybe all of them. And because I am an educator, eventually the personal reflection became a professional one.
Stephanie Nardi EdD
Aug 87 min read
Waiting on the Ice
Waiting for state assessment scores feels a lot like walking across a frozen lake.
Which is a ridiculous metaphor because I live in Arizona, it's June, and it's 108 degrees outside.
The signs are encouraging, but we still wait for the full picture.
A reflection on leadership, culture, and anticipation in turnaround work.
#TurnaroundUnscripted
Stephanie Nardi EdD
Jun 105 min read
Holding Space for Anxiety and Still Moving Forward
Today was not a planned moment. It was not on the agenda. It was not part of a polished staff meeting slide deck. But it was exactly what we needed. In the middle of everything that comes with this time of year, state testing, fatigue, behavior consistency, and the quiet pressure to show growth, we paused and pulled the team into an impromptu circle. Just a check-in. Nothing formal. Just space. And what unfolded in that circle said more about our school than any data point ev
Melissa France
Apr 22 min read
Setting the Bar High in Middle School Turnaround
In middle school, where identities are forming and narratives about capability are still fragile, disciplined clarity may be the most caring leadership move we can make.
Turnaround is unscripted, but the path to rigor is clear if we are willing to practice it relentlessly.
Stephanie Nardi EdD
Feb 285 min read
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