I was in my second year of teaching when my year level coordinator went on unexpected leave. I got a tap on the shoulder and just like that I became a school leader overnight. I'd like to tell you about a day I'll never forget.I had been in the leadership role for about 6 months. I was still learning the dynamics of how to manage my own classroom whilst at the same time learning how do I hold the load of the students, the parents and the staff of the grade. I also had started my master's degree just a coupl ...

It's 6:30 at night and the building is quiet. The last teacher has gone home for the day. The hallways are dark, but my office light is still on.I am staring at my computer screen looking at an endless stream of emails and my mind is racing trying to figure out how I can finish all of my tasks for the day before I can finally go home to see my family. I'm physically present, but my spirit has checked out. This isn't an isolated incident.This is a quiet crisis that is simmering in our schools every single da ...