Effective board meetings don't begin when the board chair calls the meeting to order. They are supported by the systems and structures the board puts in place long before everyone sits down at the table.

A little intentional work at the beginning of the school year can help your board governing strategically throughout the year.

Board self-assessments are one of the most valuable tools for strengthening governance. They help boards celebrate what's working, identify blind spots, and establish meaningful goals for improvement.

School leaders are whole people. While they may appear to devote every ounce of their energy to the students and communities they serve, they have passions, interests, and identities beyond their jobs. When those parts of a leader's life are nurtured, they become healthier, more fulfilled, and often more effective leaders.

Sometimes leaders need explicit permission from their boards to protect time for the things that matter most to them.

Like most things in my life, I had it all planned out. I would finish my doctoral degree, apply for full-time jobs, and get hired. Maybe I would become a charter network Executive Director or step back into a state-level leadership role. At this point in my career, I felt both selective and flexible.