Christina Ruoss, PhD

@SecCardona Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to educators and our nation’s youth.

Today I am signing off as the Secretary of Education, my dream job. What I used to tell my students on the last day of school is that this isn’t goodbye, but rather a celebration of our time together. This is the same, here are some things I’m celebrating today. 🧵1/6

What is the meaning of life? Hear 2021 chemistry laureate Benjamin List answer the question we all are trying to find an answer to. #NobelPrize

@GovernorShapiro Thank you.

Our kids are crying out for more resources to help them deal with mental health — and I knew we had to act.   In my first year, we secured $100 million towards mental health resources for our kids.   This year, we doubled down on that investment — and delivered another $100 million for kids all across Pennsylvania.

@BeckyPringle A key factor in retention is leadership. District and building leaders need to lead with grace and compassion in order to keep teachers from leaving. Recruiting without retention will not solve this problem.

In addressing the educator shortage, we can't only talk about recruiting. We must talk about retaining. And we must talk about respect.

@joanne59178 @malcolmkenyatta He indeed means “handmaid”. It is a reference to a work by Margaret Atwood. Oftentimes this style of reference is known as an allusion. It allows the reader to grasp a fuller understanding of the concepts presented.

@malcolmkenyatta Or 'handmade.' Not "handmaid." Another reason I will continue to ask how you think you're even remotely qualified to be Auditor General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I guess you were absent in 3rd grade when homophones were taught.

@heymrsbond The Veldt and Desiree’s Baby are two of my all time favorites. Love to watch the reaction of my students to both of these stories!

This is truth! 💯

Teachers who are passionate, on the ball, sometimes outspoken and have high expectations in the classroom, also have the same expectations of their leaders. Effective leaders embrace these staff members because they know together they make each other better! Iron Sharpens Iron

2) “If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simple language will do.” ― Daniel Kahneman

It’s a tragedy when schools ditch novels for online textbooks like StudySync that are comprised entirely of short excerpts of text paired with comprehension strategies and multiple choice tests on comprehension strategies.

Leaders, Want to Build TRUST Capital?

After an already long year, and as testing season approaches, it is important to keep this in mind for everyone in the school building.

Students work harder for for teachers they like, respect, and perceive as caring about them. #Relationshipsbeforerigor

Admin, instead of just evaluating, try Aspirational Conversations with staff to show you value them. 1) Have we helped you succeed? 2) What do you think we do well? 3) What do you think would make us better? 4) What are your professional goals? How can we help you achieve them?

Teacher retention: if you want to keep the best teachers, treat them like they are the best. Few teachers leave an environment where they feel valued, supported, appreciated, and treated like professionals.

Here is what I am reflecting on this morning based on my coaching work within schools? Why are our people feeling beat down? My takeaway... Our system is wearing our people down leaving them more vulnerable to feel beat down. In many if not most cases, burnout is not an individual issue, but rather a systemic issue. Thoughts? #Recalibrate

The teacher is the most important factor for student success in the classroom. That's why my PD is focused on inspiring, affirming, and helping teachers be their best self. Message me for summer or fall availability. Doctorbradjohnson.com

Three keys for exponential student growth: Highly effective teachers Good leadership Low turnover for consistency among effective teachers/ leaders

Effective leaders encourage good teachers to stay by providing support, encouragement, and appreciation, rather than by creating reasons for them to leave!