New Leader

Resources for New School Leaders

Stepping into school leadership for the first time comes with a learning curve. You can find support in building trust, school culture, and effective educational leadership from day one with these tools.

Two woman stand in a library. They high-five each other.

High Five Friday

An activity to spark quick check-ins and conversations while offering a small reward.

Ongoing

A woman stands in front of a white pegboard with posters taped to it. Assorted office supplies are on the table in front of the pegboard.

Year of Thanks: Year-Round Teacher Recognition for Every Team

A yearlong staff recognition system that spotlights a different department or grade level each month.

Varies

Several sheets of paper, one with writing on it, sit on a wooden desk. A blue pen, sticky notes, jar of pens, small plant, and coffee cup are placed around the paper.

TGIF Reflection: An End-of-Week Teacher Activity

A simple end-of-week reflection that helps staff reflect on positive moments.

5–10 min

A white, stuffed alpaca sits on a shelf in front of green and purple bulletin boards. A handwritten note is propped up in front of the alapca.

Mascot Pass: A Weekly Teacher Appreciation Activity

A weekly recognition tradition that keeps appreciation moving all year long.

5 min

A notecard with a written note, scissor, and paper clips lay on a green background.

9 Ways to Welcome New Teachers and Staff to Your School

Pick the ideas that fit your team and your style.

Ongoing

Six pieces of paper are taped to a white wall with colorful sticky notes placed all around. Two people reach in from each side to place more sticky notes.

Sticky Note Staff Check-In

An easy way to ask your staff how they’re doing.

10–15 min

Two women sit at a table looking at each other and smiling. Pens, paper and coffee cups are on the table. There is a shelf with books and school supplies in the background.

One-on-One Meeting Template for Principals

A simple way to connect, listen, and grow with your team.

15 min

Several sheets of paper a clipboard, tape dispenser, and pencil lay on a green bac

Teacher Check-In Tracker: Stay Connected With Every Staff Member

A simple staff and teacher wellbeing system for tracking check-ins.

1-2 min

An array of snacks in blue bags sits in front of a wall with a poster and blue sticky-notes.

Out of the Blue: A Snack Cart Idea to Delight Your Staff

A snack cart idea that shows appreciation to your staff with a fun, blue-themed cart.

Ongoing

A laptop with logos for MagicSchool and Alpaca on the screen sits on a wood desk with a coffee cup and jar of pens.

How to Use AI to Build a Stronger School Culture

A five-step leadership framework for building school culture and staff wellbeing, plus AI tools to help.

Varies

Weekly Staff Newsletter Tips

Seven simple ways to write a newsletter your staff will actually read.

20-30 min

One person holds a clipboard with a piece of paper on it, and a pen in hand. Two others stand around, and all three point at the clipboard.

Common Thread

A fast, no-prep icebreaker where small groups race to find the most unique things they all have in common.

10-15 min

An orange notebook with two notecards on it, three small notecards, blue pens, and blue tape dispenser lay on a pink background.

5-Minute Professional Development Ideas for Teachers

Five simple, low-prep ideas for supporting staff growth and building confidence throughout the year.

5 min

Cut-out puzzle pieces, sheets of paper, scissors, and pens lay on a dark blue background.

Piece By Piece

Celebrate every role on your school team, one puzzle piece at a time.

Ongoing

Three sheets of paper that say "team value ideas" streamers, sticky notes, and tape lay on a green background.

Establish Your Team Values

A collaborative staff activity that gets everyone on the same page from day one.

30–45 min

A hand writes on a postcard that says "welcome to the team."

Postcards to Welcome New Staff to Your Building

A low-prep onboarding activity that helps school leaders build connection from day one.

5 min

Four women stand in front of a yellow wall placing sticky notes under pieces of paper that say "start, stop, continue."

A School Staff Exercise: Start, Stop, Continue

A start, stop, continue template that invites big conversations.

15 min

A man sits at a wood desk with pens, a coffee cup, and sheets of paper on it. He holds two pieces of paper in his hands.

SMART Goals for Teachers and Staff

A practical guide for leading goal-setting conversations that help staff grow, stay focused, and feel supported all year long.

20-30 min

A woman stands in a doorway to a school waving. Two women walk toward her.

Back-to-School Night Ideas That Families Will Remember

A list of ideas to engage families and students.

1-2 hours

A hand holds up a pennant that says "first day" on it. Blue sky in the background.

Celebrating the First Day: Fun Ways to Welcome Students

A menu of easy, high-energy ideas to make your school's first day feel like a celebration.

20-45 min

A binder with multiple sheets of paper and pen on it lays on a green background.

One Message, One School

A school culture guide helps principals plan a unified kickoff with scripts.

30-60 min (per session)

A card that says "question bank", notecard and part of a clipboard lays on a light blue background.

Classroom Walkthrough Tips for School Leaders

A guide to making quick, 5-10 minute classroom walkthroughs count.

5-10 min

A man sits at a desk, smiling at a woman sitting across from him. Papers and a plant are on the desk.

A Quick Guide to Honest Conversations

One-on-one check-in questions that help school leaders open honest conversations.

15–30 min

Toot Your Horn Tuesday

A weekly teacher recognition idea for school leaders.

2-3 min (per visit)

A person sitting at a table writes a hand-written note.

Celebration Notes

A ready-to-print stack of little notes that go a long way.

Several sheets of paper lay on a bright blue background. To the right of them is a clipboard with a sheet of paper on it. Sticky notes, pens, stickers and tape are scattered around them.

Creative Ideas to Celebrate School Appreciation Days

A full-year calendar plus ready-to-use activities for each date.

Varies

Sheets of paper, notecards, pens, and a clipboard with a piece of paper on it lay on a green background.

10 Ways to Support and Retain New Teachers

10 practical leadership habits principals can use all year long.

Ongoing

A man stands at a whiteboard writing on notecards with peoples' names on them.

Staff Superpowers

One of the easiest teacher recognition ideas for building a proud, connected school culture.

Ongoing

A poster that says "corner 2" is taped to an orange wall. A hand reaches in to place a list of questions below it.

Who's In My Corner Icebreaker

A fun, no-prep way to kick off any staff meeting or PD day.

15–30 min

Hands hold a small piece of paper that says "let's talk" on it. Several other small notecards lay on a table with notebooks and pens.

Let's Talk Table

A low-key way to connect with staff and build real trust, one conversation at a time.

15–30 min

Two women sit at a table, one smiles at the other. There are notecards and pens in their hands.

Fun Fact Frenzy

A quick, no-prep staff meeting icebreaker where staff write surprising facts about themselves and the group guesses whose it whose.

2 min

Two women hold bingo cards and face each other. Each are writing on the cards. Background is a multicolored rug.

Back-to-School Team Building Bingo

A fun staff meeting icebreaker your team will love. This bingo activity gets staff moving, talking, and connecting in just 10 minutes.

10-15 min

A person writes on the sidewalk with chalk. Message says "outdoor movie night."

Outdoor Family Engagement Activities

Outdoor family engagement activities for schools, from picnics to glow runs, that help families and staff connect.

30-60 min

Two women sit on a bench in front of a window and wall with children's drawings on it. They are smiling at each other and have notebooks in the laps.

A Guide to Stay Interviews

Keep great teachers by having the right conversations.

10–15 min

Two women sit across from each other at a table. Papers, laptops and notebooks lay on the table.

Coaching Through Questions: A Practical Guide for School Leaders

A simple coaching tool that helps school leaders ask better questions.

2 min

Two women stand in front of a whiteboard placing sticky notes underneath posters that say belonging, safety, and voice.

Pulse and Perspective

A yearlong bulletin board for staff reflection and connection.

Ongoing

Three sheets of paper with lists of ideas are on a white bulletin board. A blue boarder and markers are around them.

35 Fun-Raisers for School Spirit

Ideas organized by category, from big events to quick wins, ready to help schools raise money.

Varies

A laptop screen with Claude on it. A hand reaches near the screen.

Using AI to Lighten Your Leadership Load

Draft staff messages, summarize long reports, prep for meetings, and turn voice notes into action lists.

Ongoing

A woman sits at a desk with an open laptop on it, writing on a piece of paper. A brick wall and whiteboard are in the background.

Two Stars and a Wish

A structured peer feedback format where staff share two specific strengths and one growth suggestion.

10-15 min

Two women place sticky-notes under four posters with "learned, liked, lacked, and longed for" printed on them on a frosted glass wall. A yellow table with pens and a plant is between them.

The 4 L's Retro

A simple reflection activity to celebrate wins, spot gaps, and plan what comes next.

15-20 min

A tea station with flowers is set up on a table. A hand reaches in and pours water into a mug.

TEA-riffic Teachers

A simple, yet effective staff appreciation activity.

Ongoing

Papers are taped to a white wall with purple sticky notes stuck around them. A hand reaches in to place a note.

Sticky Note Stations

A simple way for teachers to share honest feedback and ideas anonymously.

Ongoing

A man stands in front of a table in a library reading off a piece of paper. At the table, two women stand and two women sit.

Stand Up If

A fast, fun staff meeting icebreaker where teachers stand up if a statement applies to them.

5-10 min

A stack of books and a sheet of paper lay on a yellow table.

Staff Book Club

A staff book club gives your team a low-key way to explore new ideas, spark conversation, and grow together professionally.

20-30 min

Three women sit at a table in a library. They write on piece of paper and talk with one another. Notebooks, papers, and pens are scattered on the table.

Small Group Brainstorm Breakouts

A low-prep way to get more voices to speak up.

10-15 min

Two women sit at a wooden table. One writes on a sheet of paper. Notebooks, pens, a laptop, and post-it notes are scattered on the table.

Similarities and Differences

A quick, low-prep icebreaker where staff mingle and discover one similarity and one difference with each colleague they meet.

15-20 min

A man and a woman take a selfie in a stairwell. A woman goes down the stairs behind them.

Quick! Take a Pic

A fun team building activity for teachers.

10–15 min

A woman in a red dress stands in a library. In front of her is a table with three women at it, two of them are raising their hands.

Mystery Staff Member

A fun back-to-school icebreaker where staff fill out an "About Me" form.

15-20 min

A man sits at a desk writing. In the background is a clipboard with a sheet of paper on it.

Supporting Teachers Through Challenging Behaviors

A practical guide and printable desk card that gives a clear plan for when they feel unsafe at school.

Ongoing

A woman sits at a wooden desk with a jar of markers and potted plant on it. She has a piece of paper and notecard in front of her and she is writing on them.

Growth Goal Quick Check

Turn a quick hallway chat into a moment for reflection and support.

3-5 min

One hand reaches in to hand a hand-written note to another hand.

Growth Goal Celebration Shoutouts

A teacher recognition idea for principals: turn quick growth check-ins into staff shoutouts.

5 min

Two women look down at a notecard with handwriting on it.

Goal Buddy Pair-Ups

A simple professional development idea that builds lasting peer support.

5-10 min

A man sits at a desk in a classroom. He is looking at blank notecards and making notes in a notebook.

Glow and Grow Cards

A quick peer feedback activity for staff meetings and PD days.

5-10 min

Two women hold bingo sheets and write on them with pens. A colorful rug is in the background.

Find Someone Who Icebreaker

A staff meeting icebreaker that gets people moving and connecting fast.

10-15 min

A colorful paper chain lays on a yellow table. Two hands reach in to add another link to the chain.

Family Connection Projects

A year-round family engagement project for school leaders.

Ongoing

A woman stands in a hallway smiling while another woman hands her a small piece of paper.

Staff Meeting Exit Ticket

A quick slip for the end of a meeting or PD session to capture takeaways and questions.

2-3 min

Someone holds a peach water bottle in their hands.

The PD Cafe: Wellness and Growth

A PD activity where staff choose a quick reset to an ongoing habit each week.

15-20 min

Two women sit at a wooden table with an open laptop between them. They write on pieces of paper in front of them.

The PD Cafe: Technology and Innovation

A menu-style PD activity that lets staff test new tools and tricks.

15-20 min

A woman stands writing at a whiteboard. Another woman sits at a table and makes notes in a small notebook.

The PD Cafe: Instructional Practices

An activity to develop professional development ideas for teachers.

15-20 min

A woman sits next to bookshelves as a table writing on a piece of paper.

The PD Cafe: Equity and Inclusion

A PD exercise to build culturally responsive teaching skills.

15-20 min

Coffee mugs, to-go cups, a kettle, and coffee supplies sit on a wooden table in front of a peg board. A poster and handwritten notes are taped to the peg board. A hand reaches in to grab a coffee mug.

Coffee & Compliments

A coffee station paired with a compliment board where staff leave anonymous notes of appreciation.

Ongoing

A holiday present wrapped in red and white paper lays on a desk.

Classroom White Elephant

A staff gift exchange with items already in their classroom.

15 min

Someone stands in front of a wood table with paper cuttters and office supplies on it. They place items in a blue folder.

Classroom Support Program

A list of tips for organizing classroom volunteer programs.

Ongoing

Small boxes of cereal, plastic spoons and bowls lay on a table. In the background is a brown wall with a poster that says "our staff is cereal-iously the best."

Cereal-iously the Best Staff

A low-prep treat that gives staff a quick break and a sweet reminder that you appreciate them.

Ongoing

A hand places a notecard with handwritten notes on it in a slot mailbox.

Appreciation Avalanche

A simple teacher recognition idea.

Ongoing

Several notecards lay on a blue background. Markers are scattered around them.

What's Your W.I.N.?

An activity that combines recognition and a way to check in on staff.

15 min

A bulletin board is covered in pieces of paper with gold stars on them. A hand reaches in from the right to place another sticker.

Four Square Responses

A simple way to ask your staff how they’re doing.

10–20 min

A laptop, set of gray over-the-ear headphones and two sheets of paper lay on a wood table.

Staff Podcast Picks

A collaborative activity where staff share podcast episodes focused on personal and professional growth.

10-15 min

A woman sits reading notecards with hand-written notes on them.

If I Were Principal...

A quick staff feedback activity that gives every teacher a voice.

10-15 min

A man holding a clipboard stands in front of a woman seated at a desk in a classroom.

Quick Check-In, Real Connection

Ready-to-use one-on-one check-in questions for every moment of the school year.

5 min

A man sits at a desk with school supplies on it. He writes with a pencil on a piece of paper. Background is a wood wall with reels of paper.

Reflect & Refine

A set of ready-to-use reflection forms that help school leaders gather honest staff feedback throughout the year.

10-15 min

A white peg board sits in front of a white wall with shelves on it. Small notes are attached to the peg board. Two men reach in from either side to place more notes.

Morning Boost

A daily practice for principals who want to show up for their staff before the first bell.

5-10 min

A man sits at a desk writing on a sheet of paper. An open laptop sits beside him.

Finding the Joy in the Everyday

An activity to notice bright moments, jot them down, then share and display them.

5-10 min

Someone holds a piece of paper with "this" and "that" on it. People in the background stand to one side of a room.

This or That Icebreaker

A get-on-your-feet icebreaker where staff vote on fun "this or that" prompts.

5-10 min

A hand writes with a green pen on a small postcard on a desk filled with office supplies, a cup of coffee, and small plant.

Postcard Goal Check

A goal setting activity that celebrates little wins and big plans.

5 min

A woman stands in front of a whiteboard that has a poster on it. She tapes a notecard near the poster.

Idea Parking Lot

A way to give staff a standing place to submit ideas between meetings.

Ongoing

A hand places a handwritten note in a backpack.

5-Minute Ideas for Family Engagement

Quick family engagement ideas for schools, from phone calls to postcards.

5 min

Three women sit at a table in a cluttered classroom. They converse and write while at the desk.

Vertical Planning Guide for School Leaders

A practical guide to aligning your teachers across grade levels.

30-45 min

A man sits at a desk with a notebook, coffee cup, and open laptop. He fills in a bingo card with a blue pen.

Family Connection Bingo

A bingo card full of family engagement activities.

Ongoing

A hand places a note on a desk. Behind it is a gift bag and sparkling birthday hat.

Staff Appreciation Activities for Birthday Celebrations

Simple staff appreciation activities for celebrating birthdays all year.

20-30 min

Man holds a piece of paper with writing on it as he stands in front of three women seated at a table.

Habits for High-Impact Meetings

A guide to help school leaders make meetings more purposeful and productive.

Varies

A man walks down a school hallway, and two women wave to him.

Ideas to Build Trust Through Transparent Leadership

Ways to share feedback updates with staff, build trust, and strengthen school culture without adding to your plate.

Ongoing

A coffee maker, coffee supplies, and colorful mugs sit on a counter. A hand reaches in to grab a mug.

Mug Exchange

A simple team building activity for teachers where staff swap mugs.

15-20 min

A basket full of orange colored snack bags sits on a desk along with orange office supplies. On the wall is a sign and orange sticky notes with handwritten messages.

Orange You Glad It's Friday?

A low-effort, high-joy way to close out the week.

Ongoing

A woman sits as a table completing a bingo card.

Professional Growth Bingo

An activity to encourage your staff to try new professional growth ideas.

Ongoing

A hand writes on a piece of paper that lays on a wood table with an open laptop and notebook nearby.

Strategies to Maximize Your Day as a School Leader

A practical time management approach for school leaders.

Ongoing

A woman sits at a wooden desk writing on a piece of paper.

The Streamline & Simplify System

Practical first year principal tips to simplify daily duties.

Ongoing

A hand reaches across a messy desk to pace a notecard near a pencil holder.

5-Minute Personal Growth Ideas for School Leaders

Five quick, low-prep ideas principals can use to support professional growth.

5 minutes

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