Allyson Apsey

How is What Makes a Great Principal unique, and what sets it apart from other leadership books? Many leadership books outline the "what" of effective leadership without delving into the "how." What sets What Makes a Great Principal apart from others are three key elements: a clear emphasis on what truly matters, narratives and strategies directly sourced from teachers and students, and a diverse range of perspectives that collectively paint a comprehensive picture of impactful school leadership. Our book distinctly identifies the five pillars essential to great principals, providing a framework that enables school leaders to prioritize daily tasks and establish long-term objectives. Drawing from a blend of research, personal experiences, and external expertise, we crafted these pillars understanding the constant demands on principals' attention. Recognizing the need for support in prioritization, our book equips school leaders with tools and strategies to implement these pillars effectively. Crucially, the means to put these pillars into action are shared by those directly under the principal's leadership-teachers and students. What Makes a Great Principal showcases poignant stories and specific practices from educators and learners, offering insights into what inspired and supported them in achieving their best work. By presenting school leadership through the lens of those most impacted by the principal, this book redefines the essence of effective leadership in education.

Design Meetings Your Team Will Love In the age of time-strapped teachers, shifting standards, and distance learning, how can educational leaders ensure that every staff meeting absolutely could not have been an email? Jessica Gomez and Allyson Apsey set the agenda for planning-and leading-meetings that are purposeful, impactful, and inspiring. Lead with Collaboration serves as a meeting guidebook for educators who understand that leadership is a collective endeavor. Staff centered and outcome oriented, these carefully curated strategies are designed to serve the needs of any team in any situation. So, whether you're helping new hires to build confidence, or you're navigating a crisis with a group of veteran teachers, Lead with Collaboration can offer you the tools you need to make every meeting an opportunity for connection. Endorsements"Lead with Collaboration is a top-notch resource for all educational leaders. Apsey and Gomez share strategies that are purposeful and practical."-Dr. Majalise W. Tolan, superintendent and author of She Leads: The Women's Guide to a Career in Educational Leadership"Apsey and Gomez provide experienced and aspiring leaders with daily guidelines for effective collaboration with colleagues, students, and families." -Douglas Reeves, founder, Creative Leadership Solutions, and author of Fearless Schools"An indispensable resource that emphasizes the power of human interaction and the art of engaging others." -Jerry Almendarez, superintendent

What Can Leaders Do for Teachers? Amid the growing teacher shortage crisis and the extra demands placed on teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic, if there's anything we've learned as educational leaders, it's that some things are out of our control. But we do have agency in ensuring that our teachers are well supported and that we're meeting their needs, and when teachers are nurtured, they are better able to nurture their students. As Allyson Apsey illustrates in her groundbreaking new book, every teacher brings their whole self to school: their dreams, their personal challenges, their hopes and fears, and their desire to be valued, to be connected, and to learn and grow. As school leaders, we have a duty to create an environment that can support every part of a teacher, that can help them stay connected to their why, and that can fulfill their servant hearts. Changing a school culture takes careful planning and it takes time, and leading the whole teacher calls for a deeper level of systematic change than typical teacher appreciation efforts. Let's dream for a moment about what school could be for teachers. How could school leaders create a school environment that nurtures the whole teacher? What impact could a school that sets teachers up for success have on student achievement? This book explores the six components of the whole teacher with strategies and ideas to create the environment that teachers need to thrive. Endorsements"Recognizing the emotional and psychological needs of classroom educators, Allyson Apsey gives leaders essential insights on how to improve teacher effectiveness, engage their hearts, and regain their commitment to our profession. At a time when many teachers are burned out and traumatized, Apsey offers hope." -Douglas Reeves, author, Fearless Schools: Building Trust and Resilience for Learning, Teaching, and Leading "With deep credibility and an authentic voice, Leading the Whole Teacher will provide you a clear path to protecting the most important part of education-the people. This book will engage your heart and mind as you serve your staff and school in a manner that's meaningful to them."-Dr. Brad Gustafson, award-winning principal (MN), author, and speaker "As a service-oriented leader, Allyson has created a resource that is a necessary addition to the field. Leading the Whole Teacher is a book you will keep close to your desk and return to throughout the year."-Jessica Cabeen, principal of Austin Online Academy, author, and speaker

This is your book. It's a place for you to . . . write, think, draw, dream, and wonder. Most of all, it's a place for you to discover the moments of serendipity in your life . . . because they are there But the thing about serendipity is that you don't actually find it by accident. You have to watch for it. Pay attention to it. Seize it Your Serendipity Journal is the perfect place to capture the best (and the worst and the silliest and the most embarrassing) moments and find the serendipity in them. Happy writing

A new town, a new school, no friends . . . and now Kip has to deal with a bully. It's going to take more than luck to make it through sixth grade; it's going to take some serendipity. When Kip's dad loses his job, her family packs up and moves to Jackson. She misses her friends, her old school, and having her own room Then, just when she thinks things can't get any worse, a boy at school tries to make her life miserable. Kip's Serendipity Journal is the one place where she can share how she really feels. And it's where she discovers that sometimes serendipity is even better than luck.

When three spoiled princes set out to see what life is like outside the castle, they end up finding new friends and unexpected treasures. In The Princes of Serendip, Allyson Apsey offers a twist on an age-old tale and reveals the true meaning of the word serendipity. Join the three princes as they learn that hard work, love, and living life to its fullest just may be the path to discovering the greatest joys life has to offer. "This delightful story will be appreciated by children as well as the adults in their lives . . . Congratulations to Allyson Apsey for this impressive debut in picture book writing."--Nell K. Duke, professor of literacy, language, and culture, University of Michigan "Allyson Apsey has created a sweet story about three princes and the lessons they learn about kindness, gratitude, and pride--lessons that are so important for every child to hear."--Todd Nesloney, award-winning educator and bestselling author "The Princes of Serendip is a must-read for all learners and ages." --Jessica Cabeen, author of Hacking Early Learning and coauthor of Balance Like a Pirate "My daughters love this book They loved how the princes learned kindness, love, and gratitude. My oldest daughter said, 'The story made me feel great because the princes were working hard to help people in need. I love how they saw the beauty in others.'" --Karen Festa, wife, mom, and passionate educator

You get to choose what kind of life you want to live. Every day. But it doesn't always seem that way. When challenges arise and throw you off course, life can feel frustrating, maddening . . . heartbreaking. Even in those moments, you have the choice to find the gift. Through tragedy and triumph--and even in the many mundane moments in between--life offers love, wisdom, and self-discovery. The best gift of all is the freedom to choose who you want to be and what kind of life you want to live. The Path to Serendipity by education leader Allyson Apsey is a funny, genuine, and clever look at the fortunes we can gain from even our worst experiences. Through her personal, relatable stories, you will learn strategies for living a meaningful life regardless of the craziness happening around you. Don't miss the gift. "The Path to Serendipity is a soul-searching adventure. Get ready to bloom as you discover some secrets to a better you and more fulfilling life." --LaVonna Roth, creator and founder of Ignite Your S. H. I. N. E.(R) "The heart of this book focuses on learning from and growing through life's many lessons . . . finding true happiness each day, and learning how to live life serendipitously." --Kayla Delzer, CEO of Top Dog Teaching Inc. "This book will change your thinking and help you be the best version of yourself." --Todd Whitaker, author, professor at University of Missouri "Unabashedly uplifting This book is so honest, and Allyson's accounts are so moving. It has both humor and a refreshingly earthy touch." --Adolph Brown, thought leader, author, humorist