Blog
Entries by Susan Huff
An Elementary School Schedule that Promotes Student Learning
[Editor's note: Refer to Table I and Table II above for a visual representation of the author's scheduling practices.] Spring is a great time to consider some high-leverage work that . . . Read more
Keep the Focus on Learning
“Only half of the students in our school were proficient on last year’s end-of-level test, and our teachers seem satisfied with that!” This was the frustrating observation of a school principal that he shared with me in a recent conversation. My first response to him was that perhaps it’s time to revisit why you exist—to go back to your school’s mission and vision—to revisit the first big idea of a professional learning community: an unwavering focus on student learning. Read more
Strategic School Schedules Support Interventions
One common condition I often find in schools that are not improving is that they lack a strategic school schedule that provides time for intervention and extension. Schools that seriously embrace . . . Read more
Common Core Implementation in a PLC - Part 3 of 3
Change can be a challenge for schools—for the individuals within the school, as well as for the school as a whole. Common Core (CC) implementation presents the opportunity... Read more
Common Core Implementation in a PLC - Part 2 of 3
The role of the principal is key in helping a school move forward with Common Core (CC) implementation. As an elementary school principal now in my third principalship assignment , I recognize principal leadership as an opportunity and a responsibility... Read more
Common Core Implementation in a PLC - Part 1 of 3
A new school year has begun—the 33rd new school year for me. Every year holds great anticipation and excitement as we welcome back students. I finally stopped having the recurring nightmare of sleeping in on the first day of school or coming to school in my pajamas... Read more
Q&A on Guided Reading in a PLC
The following is a Q&A email correspondence between Susan Huff, PLC at Work™ associate and principal in Spanish Fork, Utah, and Cynthia Watkins, a third-grade teacher in Asheville, North Carolina... Read more
The Battle Over Homework
Last night we held parent/teacher conferences at our elementary school. I’ve been a principal at three different elementary schools over the past 13 years, and before that I was a classroom . . . Read more