Page 6 - NAESP Principal - Nov/Dec 2021

F R O M T H E
Editor NAE S P S TAF F

E X EC U T I V E D I R EC T O R ,
NAE S P FO U N D AT I O N P R E S I D E N T
L. Earl Franks, Ed.D., CAE
ED I T O R - I N - C H I EF
Principal Well-Being Kaylen Tucker, Ph.D.
ktucker@naesp.org
C OM M U N IC AT I ON S C O OR D I N AT OR
Edwin Colbert
Social-emotional competencies can help leaders cope, too
D IG I TA L C OM M U N IC AT I ON S A S S O C I AT E
Krysia Gabenski

VEN BEFORE THE pandemic began, researchers were ED I T O R I A L A DV I S ER S
highlighting educators’ increased concern for students’ Allyson Apsey, Michigan
social-emotional learning and mental health. Now we
E are in our third academic year of schooling impacted by Christopher Bailey, Texas
the pandemic, and even while students have mostly transitioned Julie Bloss, Oklahoma
back to in-person learning, their needs have been amplified as Todd L. Brist, South Dakota

they process the mental toll of unexpected school disruptions, so- Edward Cosentino, Maryland
cial unrest, and racial tension, as well as more common adverse childhood experiences. Jennifer DeRagon, Connecticut

But students aren’t the only ones suffering from compound grief and stress; educa-
tors are feeling it, too. According to the RAND report “Will This School Year Be Another Eric Ewald, Iowa
Casualty of the Pandemic?,” the impact has lowered teacher morale and contributed to Liz Garden, Massachusetts
increased burnout, which might cause a nationwide shortage of teachers and school Courtney Goodman, Illinois

staff—a condition that many schools and districts are already facing. Jessica Hutchison, Illinois
Principals need guidance in supporting teachers and students during this time, Aqila Malpass, Alabama
but they need to prioritize tending to their own wellness, too. In this issue of Principal Lyn Marsilio, Virginia
magazine, authors James A. Bailey and Randy Weiner explain how principals can take
care of their own well-being by embracing “positive spirals” to deepen SEL competen- Amy Mason, Alabama
cies of self-awareness and self-management. (See “Stress Reduction for the Selfless” Matt Scott, Alabama

on page 18.) Farrell Thomas Sr., South Carolina
Christopher Wooleyhand, Maryland
New Focus for New Principals
I’m proud to introduce “New Principal Navigator,” a new column dedicated to sup- If you are interested in submitting

porting early-career principals. Whether you are in your first few years of leadership an article for possible publication in

or are more of a veteran, you are sure to find nuggets to enhance your practice. Principal, review submission guidelines
This work is generously supported by The Wallace Foundation, and it represents at www.naesp.org/writing. Send letters

yet another way that NAESP supports principals at every career stage. The first to the editor or general inquiries to
publications@naesp.org.
installment, “But First, Relationships” (page 46), provides guidance on which of the
essential leadership skills principals should prioritize in their beginning years. AD V E R T I S I N G SAL E S
As always, I hope that this issue gives you the resources and inspiration you need
Fox Associates Inc.
to lead dynamic learning communities. 800-345-8670, ext. 119
Fax: 312-644-8718
—Kaylen Tucker, Ph.D. adinfo.nep@foxrep.com
LEADING Editor-in-Chief Printed in the USA by The YGS Group
Senior Managing Editor: Ashley Reid
LESSONS Senior Editor: Ian P. Murphy
Art Director: Zon Buckley
Copy Editor: Steve Kennedy
Download the latest issue of Leading
Lessons, “A Positive Approach to Reach Kaylen
School Discipline,” to correct discipline on Twitter
mistakes and align your practice to SEL to let her know how
competencies. Download it at naesp.org/ you like the issue
leading-lessons. @kaylentucker
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4 N OV EM B ER / D E C EM B ER 2 0 2 1 • NAE S P. O R G