One year ago, we cut the ribbon on our book vending machine. In that year, students have taken home over 800 books freely, consistently, and with pride. Small systems, when designed well, change daily habits. This one helped make reading visible, exciting, and normal.

Alignment isn’t about agreement — it’s about what we’re willing to change. Sharing our district’s Portrait of an 8th Grader this week at the New York State Middle School Association regional conference.

#LIETS Calling LI educators!!!! Proposals are being accepted for our Long Island Educators Teacher Summit! It will be held on 2/28 at Hauppauge HS #LIELS Registration: https://t.co/msGuZgbROZ Proposals: https://t.co/T6F7iAqIau

The week after winter break is a systems test. People don’t come back to motivation. They come back to design. What’s the first system you’re taking a hard look at this month?

Most New Year’s resolutions fail for the same reason school initiatives do: they’re aspirations without a system.

School leaders: For many of us tomorrow is the last day before break. Feeling wiped tonight is normal. It’s what carrying responsibility over a long stretch feels like.

Culture isn’t just built in meetings. Sometimes it shows up in small, joyful moments.

Proud to partner with our incredible PTA to spread holiday cheer at Manorhaven Elementary! Together, we delivered hot cocoa door-to-door, bringing warmth and joy to our students and staff. Community partnerships like this make our school stronger.

Different system, same leadership demands. What works in a platoon often works in a school because both are human systems built on trust, clarity, and culture. Curious: Which non-education leadership books have shaped how you lead?

5. Where Good Ideas Come From — Steven Johnson. Innovation isn’t luck its environment. This book shows how to design systems where creativity spreads and teams collaborate. Perfect for school improvement work.

4. Leadership Strategy & Tactics — @jockowillink Practical, pressure-tested leadership. Communication. Accountability. Decisiveness. If you’ve ever had a day where 15 fires break out at once (every principal ever), this book will guide you through the challenges

3 Essentialism — @GregoryMcKeown A discipline every school leader needs. This book forces clarity: What work actually matters? What deserves your energy? What noise is drowning out the real work?

2. Turn the Ship Around! — L. David Marquet great for building leaders, not followers. If you want teacher teams that think, act, and lead this is the book.

1. Once an Eagle — Anton Myrer A look at integrity vs. ambition and how leaders reveal who they are when pressure hits. Every principal will see themselves in this book (for better or worse).

The 2026 Commandant’s Reading List was just released. In the USMC, it helps develop leaders. clarity, character, and accountability. Now that I lead a school, it’s obvious: more principals should be reading from this list. Here are 5 books I’d recommend for school leaders 👇

Just finished The Need to Lead by Dave Berke. Packed with powerful leadership lessons from outside the education world. For school leaders looking to grow, I highly recommend exploring resources from @EchelonFront Real-world clarity, ownership, and decision-making at its best.

Absolutely!

Belonging isn’t just a feeling — it’s a foundation for learning.

At Manorhaven, we’re creating a culture where every student feels seen, valued, and knows they belong. Our MARVEL framework empowers students to Model Respect, Act Responsibly, Reach for Excellence, Value Diversity, Express Emotions, and Lead by Example.

Schools thrive when joy and connection are part of the daily experience. Shared moments like this aren’t just fun — they’re strategic. They build a sense of belonging