
In the shadow of COVID, the current face of education has brought a new set of challenges into the (virtual) classroom. It can be difficult to know how to overcome these barriers and create the best environment for both educators and students.
Today, Andrew Marotta joins us on the Education Evolution podcast to give insight into how he’s able to hold this balance in his own life. Despite being a husband, father, principal, author, professional speaker, and more, Andrew maintains a positive energy and focus that has led to his success in the educational system. He reminds us of the grace we must extend to each other during this difficult time and gives us a call to do our best and believe in ourselves.
Listen in now to hear his advice on creating a positive impact for students, keeping up morale, and creating relationships to help students thrive no matter the situation.
About Andrew Marotta
Andrew Marotta is an energetic and enthusiastic leader who has put his positive imprint on his beloved Port Jervis High School, in Port Jervis, NY. He has led the transformation of PJHS, helping to raise the graduation rate from a low 60% to mid and upper 80%.
With the release of his first book, “The Principal: Surviving and Thriving,” Andrew is expanding his impact on the education leadership community. Husband, father, principal, former Division One College Basketball Official, professional speaker and developer, and now author, Andrew balances his busy lifestyle and shares with you the tips, tricks, procedures, and methods he uses to make it work.
Learn more through his blog and listen in on his podcast. You can also follow him on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
Jump Through the Conversation
[2:09] Treat your school like a restaurant
[6:53] Now is the time to release routines and try new things
[8:22] Do your best, be kind, and have empathy
[10:58] Be fully present and focus on the “big rocks” first
[16:16] Dr. Rob Gilbert’s success hotline
[18:38] Andrew’s Magic Wand: We MUST believe in ourselves and that we can have an impact
[22:49] Rita Pierson’s Ted Talk: Every Kid Needs a Champion on “Kids can’t learn from teachers they don’t like.”
[24:20] Maureen unpacking Andrew’s gems
– Being human
– Shining our light and making an impact
Links and Resources:
- Andrew Marotta’s The Principal: Surviving and Thriving
- Education Leadership and Beyond Blog
- Education Leadership and Beyond Podcast
- Stephen Covey’s Big Rocks First video
- Dr. Rob Gilbert’s Success Hotline: can subscribe or call 973-743-4690. (Success Hotline, started in 1992, is the world’s longest running inspirational telephone hotline. Daily 3-minute inspirations.)
- Rita Pierson’s Ted Talk: Every Kid Needs a Champion
- Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Marianne Williamson’s Our Deepest Fear poem
- Email Maureen
- Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
- Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
- LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
- Maureen’s book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids
- Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
- The Micro-School Coalition
- Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
- LEADPrep
Thanks for listening! Don’t forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Android. If you like what you heard, please leave a review on iTunes and share what you liked about the show.
Latest Episodes
Teaching Executive Function for School (and Life!) Success with Sean McCormick
We assume our children will organically learn how to organize their thoughts and belongings, be able to manage their time, and more. Not true. In fact, if you thought about it, you’d realize that you struggle with this too. We must teach these executive functioning...
Using Acting to Support Neurodivergency with Theater of Possibility
Neurodivergent students often get pulled out of classrooms and taught separately because they are “different.” Well, we’re all a little bit different. Does that mean we should all be taught in silos? Not a chance. There’s an inclusive program in the Seattle area...
Why Traditional Assessment Methods Don’t Work (and what to do instead)
How do we know if our children are digesting what we’re teaching? We give them assessments! And if you’ve ever stepped into a traditional classroom in the U.S., this could mean many things. Often it means large, summative assessments at the end of a unit or school...
Latest Blog Posts
Why Isn’t Educational Change Happening?
School change is so much harder than I thought! When I did my doctoral research on school innovation and created a hands-on learning school-within-a-school in the 90s, I had no idea that I’d spend the next few decades making tiny changes. Changes that often...
Instilling a Practice of Gratitude in Uncertain Times
Thanksgiving looks different this year. Traditions are being shattered in 2020 and new realities are emerging. Thanksgiving is no exception. After Canada’s Thanksgiving in October, COVID statistics jumped, reminding us that, sadly, the pandemic isn’t taking a break...
Building Interdisciplinary Learning into Traditional Classrooms
A traditional classroom setting is just that...traditional. Teachers must teach specific subjects for a required amount of time, often using prescribed curriculum materials that may be a decade old. There’s little consideration for the individual learner--their...
Categories
Coming Soon!
Subscribe
Related Posts
Using Acting to Support Neurodivergency with Theater of Possibility
Together we explore the role the current education system has had on neurodivergent youth, why pull-out programs might work in some instances (but generally don’t), the problem with special education, and why acting is a valuable tool for students with autism.
Why Traditional Assessment Methods Don’t Work (and what to do instead)
There are many ways to assess student learning, aside from the traditional test. And traditional summative assessments only test a student’s ability to memorize information for the short term. What happens when they need to remember information long-term and apply it in different scenarios?
Supporting Neurodivergent Youth in Schools with Vanessa Castañeda Gill
This week on the podcast, I’m talking with Doug Roberts, an educational consultant who works with education entrepreneurs and district superintendents. He’s recognized the importance of connecting leaders across state lines to help bridge the gaps that are all too evident now.
Sign Up for Podcast & Blog Announcements
and Get our Free Guide:
Five Interdependent Hacks to Lead the Creation of a Learner-Centered Culture!
By providing your email address you are agreeing to receive email communications from Education Evolution.
You can unsubscribe at any time.