Melinda S. Miller

The Principal Blog

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10 Year Blog-A-versary & Makeover

 

Anyone out there been blogging for 10 years?!!! (I feel like I am asking if you’re out there in outer space. Um…NO. You know what I mean.) I cant’ even believe it myself! My blog was seeming dated and I had noticed that other bloggers had updated their designs. I thought what the heck! Then when I started looking back….HOLY COW! I have been doing this for over 10 years!

Five Reflections

Re-purposing posts – Things have obviously changed in 10 years! Did I even have an iPhone back then? Going to have to take time to rewrite some things.

Tons of topics – Over the years I didn’t realize all the topics covered in my writing. Check out all the labels. I tried to keep my writing organized so I could refer people to posts that were helpful. Now I probably can’t even find what I am looking for. I moved “Search” to the top of the sidebar.

Productivity still wins – Most of my information seemed to be about productivity. I just like it. It’s something I am passionate about and I can always learn about being more productive. Think of all the technology apps and devices that have been invented in 10 years?!
 
Connections win the internet! The absolute biggest gift this blog has given me over the years are the connections with amazing people. Never would I ever imaging meeting and connecting with so many amazing educators! 

Where am I now? Blogging may have been the only sharing social media 10 years ago? Twitter was just getting started too I think. (I don’t have time to google all this stuff.) When Facebook became a “thing” I dabbled in that until my brother and I made a bet to see who could get the most followers. There wasn’t even a reason to have a lot of followers at the time. I just wanted more than my brother.
Now it is even easier to connect and share. I would not be the mom/principal/person I am today without BOTH real life connections and the connections I have made online. You can find me here now:
  • Instagram – Love that it is visual and not too much reading.
  • Instagram stories – These are fun quick videos you can post. These posts can happen at the spur of the moment when you think of something or are doing something that could help someone else.
  • Personal Facebook – My personal feed/story is pretty boring. I don’t really post much there. It’s connected to my instagram so I can post to both at the same time.
  • Facebook Page – This page is for principal stuff and sharing ideas for school. If I like it I post it if I remember. I usually just sync this blog to that page.
  • Facebook groups – I. LOVE. THESE.  Groups are the greatest was to connect that I have found. If you’re a principal you can join my 2 closed groups for principals. I am glad that I initiated the groups but I cannot take any credit for the amazing information posted in these groups.

So there it is…….Happy Blog-a-versary to me! You should try it! It’s about the journey and it’s been amazing!

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Latest on the Blog

13 Money Mistakes That Won’t Derail Your Retirement

Retirement has taken over The Principal Blog! Turns out starting over is harder than I thought after 30 years in education. Currently, the retirement niche has caught my attention. Settling into retirement was a little harder than I imagined. This is one video about retirement in a series of videos on my channel. There are still some principal lessons to unpack but not like I thought there would be.Join me on this journey on my Youtube channell as I figure out what's next!Here are some of the money mistakes I made over the years. I was still able to retire early! ... Read More about 13 Money Mistakes That Won’t Derail Your Retirement

Retirement Planning: 8 Questions to Ask Before Retiring

Have you thought about what it would be like to retire?  Are you within 5 years of retirement? Is retirement even an option for you? Here are 8 questions that can help you with retirement planning.In this video, I share with you the thinking that went into my decision to retire this year.As I spend the last 3 months in a career I have had for almost 3 decades, I have asked myself these questions: When, exactly, can I retire and bring home the most money?Missouri teacher retirement is amazing. If you can stick it out long enough, you can bring home as much as you were making when you were actually working. When I was married I ... Read More about Retirement Planning: 8 Questions to Ask Before Retiring

Top 5 Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Retirement mistakes are real but not detremental. Last year I wrote questions to ask yourself before you retire. One year later I have learned a lot. Hopefully, this list of retirement mistakes to avoid can help you with your retiremnt planning.Retirement is an exciting phase of life, promising the freedom to pursue passions and enjoy well-earned leisure. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Missteps in planning can lead to financial strain and boredom. Here are the top five retirement mistakes and how you can avoid them. 1. Not Having a Plan for Free TimeThe Mistake:The most exciting perk of retirement is looking ... Read More about Top 5 Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Why Go Digital? 5 Benefits of Digital Planning in the 2024

Digital planners have been around for years. Whether your a new principal or been in education administration for many years, let this be your year to start using a digital planner. Here are five fantastic benefits of going digital this school year:1. Makes Brainstorming EasyBusy principals are always brainstorming. Grabbing post it notes, writing on the back of an envelope, or looking for the first piece of paper in sight. One of the first benefits of digital planning is that going digital makes brainstorming easier and more efficient than ever. With a digital planner you can capture ideas on the fly, organize them effortlessly, ... Read More about Why Go Digital? 5 Benefits of Digital Planning in the 2024

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Junior Prom 2025 Junior Prom 2025
Gotta love school pictures🤦🏼‍♀️ Here’s to 30 years! Cassidy was so frustrated I didn’t make to 30….guess I showed her🤷🏼‍♀️
Never say never…. 29 years a Tiger but today mar Never say never…. 29 years a Tiger but today marked my first day as the Elementary Principal for the Sparta Trojans. Thank you for welcoming me to your school and community. (Retirement lasted exactly ONE school week🤷🏼‍♀️)
Uh…oh? What happens to this sign? 🤷🏼‍♀ Uh…oh? What happens to this sign? 🤷🏼‍♀️😜 Will I ever not consider myself a principal? Just not a “practicing” principal👍🏻
Agree!!!! 🙌🏻💜💎 Agree!!!! 🙌🏻💜💎
Updated retirement photo! Here’s to whatever com Updated retirement photo! Here’s to whatever comes next and I have no idea what that is…I’m okay with that…I think😬🤷🏼‍♀️😂
Instagram post 17977663016317942 Instagram post 17977663016317942
My head’s cut off in the post before this one🤦🏼‍♀️ Let’s try this one! #filtered Try apps for a teacher appreciation project so far completely failing. Oh well🤷🏼‍♀️
🖤🤍Courtwarming 2023❤️🖤🤍 🖤🤍Courtwarming 2023❤️🖤🤍

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The Principal Blog

9 months ago

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Getting better and faster at editing and making cute thumbnails! Thumbnail game is on POINT!!🎯 ... See MoreSee Less

Top Productivity Tips for Retirees and Remote Workers

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In this video, I’m sharing practical, actionable tips tailored to retirees and those working from home. Retirement or working from home—both sound like a dre...

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The Principal Blog

9 months ago

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Oops!!! If you watched my last video I uploaded the wrong day in the life🤦🏼‍♀️ This is new one but I did fix the other one if you want to go back and see that one🤷🏼‍♀️ ... See MoreSee Less

Too Old? From Retired to Youtube

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Are you ever too old to start something new? In today’s video, I’m diving into relaunching my YouTube channel after 50. From retirement to content creation, ...

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The Principal Blog

9 months ago

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Retirement update! 🤦🏼‍♀️ What’s next? If only knew…🤷🏼‍♀️ ... See MoreSee Less

Retirement??? What it's really like..

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One recently retired Missouri educator/administrator explains retirement after retiring TWICE in two years. Retirement is a lot more mental than financial I ...

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The Principal Blog

10 months ago

The Principal Blog
I posted something in the productivity facebook group and the members wanted to know more about what "office etiquette" meant in my back-to-school notes. Well, here ya go!!! ... See MoreSee Less

Office Etiquette 101 For The Principal's Office

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Navigating the principal's office with professionalism and respect is crucial for fostering a positive school environment. In this video, I'll cover essentia...

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10 months ago

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