Resources


I created this resource page to easily list recommended services, products, and companies that I use and/or those I know are valuable. This way you can quickly find great products and services all in one place. 

 Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below and I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post, but these are all products I highly recommend. I won't put anything on this page that I haven't verified and/or personally used.


 Canva - This is a great site to create free custom graphics.  There are a TON of free resources there. They have a lot of editing tools and free photos to use, and you can also upload your own photos or photos from the web. 3 Excellent Sites to Get FREE images

 Voxer - Voxer is a free walkie-talkie app that allows live conversation and a voice messaging system, too. (Think group chat with texts, photo, video, and voice messages.) How can I use Voxer as a School Leader?

Standing Mobile Desk -- This desk was a huge help to me for being visible. I would "park" in hallways and near intersections and work during classes, where I was able to greet teachers and students, monitor hallways, and still get some paperwork done. Several teachers in our school purchased them for their classrooms - some for their own personal use, and some have purchased one to a few to have on hand as flexible seating options for students who would like to stand during class. 
While I have read MANY books in my career, there are a few that I find have been most impactful for me and or my staff. I have read some awesome books, books that I could recommend, but these are the ones that will make immediate impact with staff everywhere. 



While principal at Hoover High, I led a virtual parent and teacher book study using Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine by Michele Borba, and it became one of the most meaningful learning experiences we shared as a school community. The book sparked powerful conversations about resilience, empathy, mental wellness, and the character strengths students need to navigate an increasingly challenging world. I appreciated how Dr. Borba combined research with practical strategies that parents and educators could immediately apply. One of the highlights of the experience was having Michele join our discussion virtually, which made the study even more impactful. Thrivers is a resource I highly recommend to anyone passionate about helping students grow not only academically, but emotionally, socially, and personally as well.

This book by Dr. Stephen G. Peters is one of those rare books whose message remains just as powerful and relevant today as it was when it was first published 20 years ago. I was introduced to this book around 2008, and its focus on relationships, student voice, trust, and understanding the whole child deeply impacted my thinking as an educator and leader. A few years later, I had the opportunity to connect personally with Dr. Peters, which made the book even more meaningful to me. Because of the impact it had on my leadership and philosophy of education, I selected it as part of a summer Twitter book study with members of our staff and later placed copies in our school’s Professional Room so teacher teams could continue the conversations together. This book serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful learning begins with truly knowing, valuing, and understanding our students.

This is one of the books that most shaped my thinking about school culture and relationship-centered leadership. Author Jimmy Casas reminds educators that culture is built through everyday interactions, intentional relationships, and a relentless commitment to ensuring every student feels valued and supported. The message of this book deeply aligns with my belief that students must feel safe, known, and cared for before meaningful learning can truly happen, which is an idea I explored in my blog post, We Must Maslow Before We Bloom. This is a must-read for educators and leaders who want to create schools where both students and adults can thrive.

 The Innovator's Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity    
This book by George Couros is a book I read and discussed with a group of teachers at our school, and it challenged all of us to think more deeply about what meaningful learning and leadership should look like in today’s world. George encourages educators to be reflective, empathetic, creative, and courageous while creating environments where both students and teachers can thrive. What I appreciate most about this book is that it builds on the timeless foundation of strong relationships while also pushing educators to embrace innovation, voice, curiosity, and authentic learning experiences. Throughout the book, George includes practical ideas and thoughtful reflection questions that make it both inspiring and immediately applicable for educators at every level.


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