Dr. Erika Garcia Niles

Every now and then, I’ll be sitting somewhere, lost in a random thought, and it suddenly hits me—oh yeah… I wrote a book.

a.co/d/hKiVhqc

Loved sharing my passion for teaching with future educators today. Even better? Watching two very different teachers demonstrate the same powerful combination of trust and high expectations. Great teaching takes many forms, and seeing it in action is energizing!

I’ve learned to pay attention to the vibe people bring to conversations. I’m always willing to reflect, own my mistakes, and talk things out. But I’ve also learned that not every uncomfortable feeling is someone else’s mistake to fix. Sometimes the work is internal.

If I could do one thing differently as a principal, I’d be more direct with adults whose actions were hurting school culture. Strong relationships make honest conversations easier, but leadership means being willing to have them either way.

Deep thoughts brought to you by coffee

wsj.com/health/wellnes…

When the WSJ reached out, I thought for sure they wanted to highlight my educational career. But, alas, it was my old age. Great article, especially for those squinting to see a menu!