Doug Knott EdD

Maslow before Bloom isn’t just for students—it’s for everyone in a school. Teachers teach best when they feel supported. Administrators lead best when they feel secure. Staff perform best when they are valued. Just as students need safety, rest, and belonging to learn, so do the adults who guide them. A thriving school starts with meeting human needs at every level. -Dr. Bryan Pearlman “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook Group: Facebook. com/groups/maslowbeforebloom

@Joe_Sanfelippo @ParentSquare Keep up the great work Joe!

I see you @ParentSquare. Who’s comin to #TCEA?!?!? Stop by and say hi…and get a free book!!!

@JulieBrakeRD Thank you!

@KnottDoug You are a blessing to our community. Best wishes! I'm sure you will be fantastic!

Retirement was great, but duty calls… happy to announce my new role as the Program Manager over Fire & Life Safety Educ. for Cherokee Fire & Emergency Services.

@Joe_Sanfelippo Ready to sign the petition!

I’m in Humble Texas and getting ready to petition the city…feel like I have a solid argument. #gocrickets

Absolutely! It’s such a simple way to strengthen the student:teacher relationship and thus student achievement. Those who think they don’t have time with all they have to teach are neglecting a strategy that can actually give you back time.

We…Us…Our over Me…You…Them. People won’t change the way they talk about schools until we change the way that we talk about schools. Something I think about with every conversation. #LeadFromWhereYouAre

@BrianMendler @NASSP @casas_jimmy @Joe_Sanfelippo Three amazing and inspiring guys!

Caption this, y’all! Great time @NASSP in Denver with my friends @casas_jimmy & @Joe_Sanfelippo. #legends #thatonekid

@DrP_Principal Maslow before Bloom! YES!!!

Why “Maslow Before Bloom”? There was a boy named JJ. He was very little when two of his siblings died in a fire. JJ survived but had severe asthma as a result of exposure to inhaling a great deal of smoke. Mom fell out of the picture and grannie raised him and his cousins. In reality, the streets raised JJ. JJ was an explorer and a “frequent flyer” to the counselor and assistant principal’s office. Some of these visits were due to disrupting the class and others were daily stops on his wandering around the building tour. There were times when he would look pre-occupied or deep in thought. When asked about it, he either could not articulate what he was thinking or said he’d rather not speak about it. As difficult as JJ’s behaviors could be in class, there was something very likeable about JJ. He was a salesman, negotiator, and finagler. JJ had great eye contact, a big smile, and an infectious laugh. The day before winter break, JJ was sent to the office for being extremely disrespectful to a substitute teacher. The assistant principal lectured him (probably yelled at him) and told him about how disappointed he was in JJ. The conversation went on to how many people were in JJ’s corner and how maybe JJ was just wasting their time if he wasn’t going to step up and do the right thing. JJ cried for the first time that anyone at school could remember. He promised that he would do better and that he was sorry for letting everyone down. Word spread through the building that the Assistant Principal “stuck it” to JJ. Several staff members stopped by the Assistant Principal’s office to give him a high five and to thank him for being tough on JJ. The assistant principal went home and felt proud of himself for making JJ cry and for teaching him a lesson. He then went on to enjoy winter break with his family, knowing that things would be different and easier with JJ when they returned in January. A few days later on Christmas day, I received a phone call from the head principal. JJ had a severe asthma attack and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I went to JJ’s funeral. Grannie told stories about JJ as a baby, toddler, and as a child. She smiled and cried as she detailed memories of his mischief and also the many kind and thoughtful acts he did for his little sister. Grannie then talked about how much he liked his school, his friends, and playing kickball. Grannie paused, surveyed the room, and looked me right in the eyes. She said that the person he loved the most and the one who cared most about him was Dr Bryan Pearlman - his assistant principal. I got up and left. I was crying uncontrollably. I would have given anything to have five more minutes with JJ. I would have apologized for my behavior and for making him cry. I would have promised him that I would learn more and do better moving forward. I would have told him about how much I enjoyed spending time with him. I would have told him about how amazing he was! Shame on me. I didn’t know anything about mental health or trauma. I suspended kids and really believed that they would come back with a better attitude and improved behaviors. I kept sending the same students home over and over and really expected a different outcome (this is the definition of insanity). This was particularly ineffective for students dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma. Take some time to think about your own “JJ”. Think of one new thing you will try that may help the relationship and reduce the negative behaviors. I think of JJ every day. I miss him so much! Christmas is always the hardest time. I remember that phone call like it was yesterday. “Maslow Before Bloom” Join a community of caring educators, mental health professionals and others who are committed to helping all students to succeed in school and life at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: Facebook.com/groups/maslowb….

@DrBradJohnson Been saying this for years but there is a fixed mindset from many curriculum leaders. If I heard “research based” once, I’ve heard it a 1K times! Why is the research supporting research, play (structured and unstructured) and the arts so hard for our school leaders to embrace?

We spend 50% more hours in school than Finland. They get 15 mins of recess every hour. They have NO standardized tests until the PISA in HS & they outperform us every time. When we can’t give students more recess, play, or Arts, but make them sit longer hours, we have it wrong!

“Are my students better because I lead them? When I asked this question at a recent leadership workshop, there was a long silence before a principal stood up to answer, “My students are achieving at high levels, but it's not because of me—it's thanks to my dedicated staff, who are energetic, enthusiastic, and collaborative and they love their work. They are a family.” I listened to his words closely then responded, “ I appreciate everything you just said, but allow me to give you another perspective, Imagine if we took your staff and airlifted them to another school, but in this case with a leader who doesn't stress camaraderie, or who makes coming to work an uncomfortable chore for staff. Do you think they would exhibit anywhere near the same levels of energy, enthusiasm, and collaboration?” These characteristics are in large part a function of your leadership. Is there a direct correlation between your leadership of the school and student outcomes? Can you confidently say that your leadership is a catalyst for staff contentment and student progress? When all is said and done, you must be able to embrace the fact that whether your students succeed or fail is deeply rooted in your own leadership. Excerpt From Is My School Better BECAUSE I Lead It? Baruti K. Kafele @PrincipalKafele #BecauseILeadIt #LeadershipMatters #leadership

The most effective classrooms always involved this strategy and other methods to build a family environment.

@hurstwbmsap @WBMSprincipal @FultonZone7 @mgarnerwbms @WebbBridgeMS @wbms_pta Congratulations!!!

I am so proud to formally announce that Webb Bridge Middle School has been announced as a 2023 National School of Character! It's the RIGHT work! @WBMSprincipal @FultonZone7 @mgarnerwbms @WebbBridgeMS @wbms_pta

@Joe_Sanfelippo @wiaawistate Outstanding!

Ladies and gentlemen…your Wisconsin D3 State Pole Vault Champion…Alena Sanfelippo. PR and another school record. Well done, little one. #gocrickets #sanfampix #wiaatrack @wiaawistate

True with school culture as well…

“Do not take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice.” Great advice that was given to me by @Joe_Sanfelippo and I hope that it can help someone else.

This would seem to be such a simple concept, unless you are a leader who puts I before we. #BeThatLeader

“The most valuable resource you have as an administrator is your teachers.” Every teacher in my building is the key to success! Thanks for helping me get refocused on building trust, organizing teams, and celebrating positives with this read @DrBradJohnson! #LMSbest #CPSbest

Even the best teachers and administrators who seem to have it all together still need encouragement, support,and to know they’re appreciated.

Two questions for school leadership to always be considering: 1. What does the staff need? 2. What does the staff need taken off their plate?