National SAM Innovation Project Reviews

Mr. Stalter 2021.05.19

     

If you are looking for the next level to challenge your leadership, the National SAM Innovation Project is exactly what you are looking for! It is not a strategy or a one and done PD, but a new lens of thinking on using your time as a leader. I start my day using the SAMS process to focus my day and how to best harness my team's power. I started the process with around 25% of my time dedicated to working on instruction within my school, to one year later to averaging over 70%. I love how it has shaped my way of thinking and allows me to spend more time on instructional practices. Highly recommend! Paden Stalter. Michigan

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Erica Zigelman 2021.05.14

     

I have been a member of National SAM Innovation Project for seven years!!! This has been the absolute best professional development a principal could ask for. The work NSIP did with me made me a better principal which in turn led to high student achievement. The Time Track Calendar provides you with so much data. It really allows you to see your instructional work vs. management work. NSIP HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!! If you are interested in learning more please feel free to reach out to me.

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Catherine Kelly 2021.02.23

     

The SAM Innovation Project has been a game changer for me as a principal. The process provides me with the tools to manage my time, reflect on my actions and focus on what is most important--teaching and learning. Instructional leadership is the priority and it is a rewarding feeling when you see the "Green" each day!

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Samuel Hull 2021.02.22

     

Becoming a part of The SAMS Innovation Project has made my life as a Principal more rewarding. I am able to use my Time Track Calendar to be more of an Educational Leader instead of a building manager. I have seen an increase in my ability to improve principal impact on teaching and learning. Additionally, the SAMS Project has allowed me more opportunity for principal professional development and there has been a dramatic increase in principal productivity.

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Terrence Spencer 2021.02.17

     

The SAMS Innovation Project has been an extremely valuable tool in allowing me to focus on instruction. I have been able to use the data to drive my focus on helping teachers be effective and ultimately students learning.

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Joel Martin 2021.02.16

     

This is my third year partnering with a SAM and we strive to have a laser focus on improving principal impact on teaching and learning. The time management app and tools enable my SAM and I to dig deeper into data, identify trends, areas of strength, growth, and next steps. Before the SAM program I was lucky to average 50% of my time in instructional leadership and the last 4 months I have been invested over 70% each month in instructional leadership! If your goal is to maximize your time partnering with teacher leaders to support their growth through professional learning, develop meaningful learning opportunities, and create environments where all stakeholders can and do find their genius, then become a SAM school. You won't regret it.

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Rebecca Donaldson 2021.02.11

     

The SAM process provides purpose to support learning and teaching throughout the day. My SAM and I meet every morning to reconcile and schedule my day. This includes time in classroom, reflective conversations, and celebrations. Our SAM coach, Lewis, helps us reflect and supports this process and purposeful work.

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Nicole Parke 2021.02.11

     

The SAM process is one of the best things we have ever done for our school. It focuses our day, helps us to be more intentional, and gives us a true picture of the work we are doing. Our coach encourages us and helps us to reflect on our work. I would recommend this process to any school leader.

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Douglas White 2021.02.10

     

The National SAM Innovation Project has been one of the most effective professional development opportunities that I've experienced as a Principal. The focus on amount of time spent on instruction through the time management app and tools has helped me be more targeted and organized with planning my own instructionally related activities. I see the improvement that has been made on my impact as a Principal on the teaching and learning in my building. Also, the opportunity to interact with many of the leading national presenters in education has been highly rewarding. If given the chance to participate as a SAM school, I would absolutely recommend doing so.

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Cassie Harris 2021.02.07

     

I am an educational consultant, with 30 years' experience in elementary-through-high school instruction and administration, as well as a Principal Professional Development Coach. I am a devoted supporter of NSIP and the time-management tool, TimeTrack. It is an uncomplicated app to use and maintain, yet sophisticated. Research, as well as my own experiences, supports findings that when Principal productivity increases through effective time management, the Principal's impact on teaching and learning is realized more positively.

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ROBERT KAUFFMAN 2021.02.06

     

The National SAM project is single-handedly the greatest innovation and resource I know. I went from 38% of my time on instruction to almost 70% in almost two years time. I have more time for my family and feel tremendously more effective in my role as a principal.

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joe gentile 2021.02.06

     

A fantastic tool for improving time management skills as well as driving leadership efficiencies. Maybe the single best tool for leaders in any field!

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Richard Gutierrez 2021.02.05

     

The National SAMs Innovation Project is AMAZING! The SAMs process provides school leaders the tools and structure needed to focus on instructional work instead of managerial tasks. TimeTrack changed our lives! It keeps us on schedule, graphs and charts data, and provides insight into how to improve teaching and learning. Daily meetings with my SAM has dramatically improved my leadership, as well as built capacity among staff. Weekly Samtastic Tips, SAMs Talks, and SAMs Coffee Breaks provide support and strategies that impact instructional leadership and school leadership. Our amazing SAMs coach meets with us monthly to provide feedback and offer tech support. Continued professional growth, collaboration, and reflection makes the SAMs process invaluable to any school leader. Thank you NSIP! Rich & Susie

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LUANN TALLMAN 2021.02.05

     

I have used Sam's Time Tracking for over 10 years to manage my principal productivity each day. It has made me more aware of where and with whom I have spent my time, thus improving my impact on teaching and learning each day. I have appreciated the professional development they have provided me this year online. When I could have felt isolated at home serving remotely, I was connecting personally with principals throughout the county who too were struggling with running a school remotely. I have appreciated the personal relationships the Sam's staff has built with me, they really know me as a leader. Without Sam's I would never be able to make the impact I have in the schools I have served. Sincerely, LuAnn Tallman Principal Palmer Elementary Denver, Co

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Kim Shinn 2021.02.04

     

My name is Kim Shinn. I am the Elementary Principal in Monroe City, MO. I began the SAM Process in the fall of 2018. I have described it as career changing. The process has taught me how to be proactive in my principal time management. No longer am I a victim of what others want to “place on my calendar.” My day is what I make of it, starting with planning my calendar, the previous day, with the assistance of my SAM, a person who helps hold me accountable to do the most important job I have, improving principal impact on teaching and learning. The time management app and tools afforded me from Time Tracker, allow me to use real time data to set goals and assess my progress toward the goals. I can also share this information with my fellow administrators and my boss. Since implementing this process, my principal productivity has grown by leaps and bounds. My days are actually shorter in time but filled with only the most intentional and targeted activities. The professional development that goes along with this process is second to none I have ever experienced or even heard of. There are weekly emails, monthly webinars, and a national conference that exposes me to the all the most renowned authors and speakers in education. This experience rejuvenated my career!

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Finney, Christi 2021.02.04

     

The National SAM Innovation Project provides much more than simply a tool for principal time management and school leader time management! The process provides valuable data regarding management versus instructional tasks which allows leaders to focus on improving principal impact on teaching and learning.

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Tinishi Davis 2021.02.04

     

This is my second year participating in the SAM process; I have become more effective as a school leader because of the Time Management, shared practices, and on-going support provided by the SAM Innovation Project. Also, the learned practices have transferred to my personal life. I recommend SAMS to every leader of an organization.

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Emily Brown 2021.02.03

     

The SAM Project has changed the way I manage my time as a principal. The amount of time I am able to support teachers in the role of Instructional Leader has doubled. That is absolutely improving our work in teaching and learning. This is why I wanted to become a principal. Now I'm doing it.

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Steven Lonzo 2021.02.03

     

Do you have challenges managing your day to day schedule? Do you forget to attend and/or plan important meetings due to overload? Need a daily reflection partner? Need data that tracks your traffic pattern? I highly suggest National SAM Innovation Project!

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Kent Schnurbusch 2021.02.03

     

Speaking as a former principal and as a mentor and coach to school administrators at both the building and district levels, NSIP provides school leaders with effective strategies for time management that increase their engagement in instructional leadership with teachers, which is critical to student achievement. I have had the opportunity of working with school leaders during the COVID Pandemic and have witnessed an increase in instructional engagement by school leaders who are using the SAM process. They have not been consumed by management tasks and have increased their percentage of time spent supporting teachers with instruction in the virtual classroom.

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