ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT | SCHOOL LEADER SUMMER REFLECTIONS
3 Areas for Summer Reflection for School Leaders
by Stephanie Clagnaz, Ed.D.
The last few weeks of school are filled with activities, celebrations, and excitement! Educators anxiously await the coming of summer and some well-deserved relaxation. After enjoying the crisp beach breezes, visits with family and friends, and moments of silence for reflection, our minds start to wander back to our schools and districts. What will the new school year bring? What challenges will we face? Are surprises waiting for us? How about joy and excitement that will surface in the 2025-26 school year? The unfortunate thing about summer is that it passes quickly. It’s essential to set aside time for intentional reflection. As we contemplate what will arise, here are a few issues for school leaders to ponder:
Cell Phone Ban
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that the New York State “distraction-free” ban on cell phones and internet-ready devices from bell-to-bell means, “no cellphones (or personal laptops, tablets, or smart watches) in a child’s hand from the moment they enter school until they leave.” The ban not only includes class time but also applies to lunchtime, free periods, and between-class periods. Schools and districts are now called upon to develop policies and procedures to enact this ban. New York is one of 16 states nationwide that have implemented a a ban on student cell phone use. As we prepare to put the ban in place, some questions for administrators to consider include: Will we collect phones? How will we monitor the ban on internet-ready devices and phones? Will more conflict develop between students, teachers, and other adults who are trying to enforce the ban? What about families who need to contact their kids? School and district policies are to be posted to the appropriate websites by August 1, 2025. How are you and your colleagues thinking about the situation?
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
“While AI usage among students has skyrocketed - from 25% to 60% in the middle school level and 45% to 75% at the high school level over just two years - only 32% of teachers report using AI for academic purposes.” (eSchool News, June 2025) Many schools lack clear policies regarding the use of AI in schools. The use of AI in schools provides educators with both opportunities and challenges. Some opportunities include options for personalizing learning, providing additional access to resources, and easing the burden of administrative tasks. However, there are risks as well: privacy concerns surrounding data collection and use; the potential for reducing teacher-student interactions; and cheating, particularly in the form of plagiarism. The National Education Association reports that only 16 states have issued guidance regarding the use of AI in education. Making decisions about the use of AI is something that requires much study and discussion. What are you thinking about AI use in school? Perhaps summer will provide you with an opportunity to do some research and reflect.
Well-Being and Support of School Staff
Results of a 2023 Rand Corporation study revealed that teachers are almost twice as likely as other U.S. workers to report frequent job related stress. Teacher burnout is a well-documented, long-standing phenomenon worldwide. Furthermore, burnout, which sometimes leads to mental health issues for staff, is intensified in high poverty areas. Mounting academic pressures, increased student needs, and lower funding to provide supports are some of the reasons for stress, depression, and burnout among educators. How can leaders address these issues? What are long-term solutions to preventing these negative symptoms from keeping your staff engaged, satisfied, and fulfilled in their positions? Consider relationships with teachers and staff: Are we treating them like professionals? Supporting them when they face challenging teaching situations? Contributing to their professional growth? Administrators can enhance teacher stress or they can practice empathy as they try to alleviate it. Summer reflection may provide some time to contemplate how we might prevent our teachers from experiencing undue tension and pressure.
Having a thought partner can often produce high quality solutions to these issues and more. Professionals at LEDbetter can become your thought partner as you reflect on the upcoming school year. We listen to understand and will pose questions that help you and your team come up with solutions that meet your individual needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and more information about how we can meet your unique and specific needs!
To learn more about how we can support you, please email excelerator@led-better.org, or schedule a call with us.
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