My BAD

I gave up doing what I loved to chase success on other people's terms. Finally, I realized that I needed to pursue what I am meant to do. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @robyn_mindsteps @bamradionetwork Robyn Jackson is the CEO of Mindsteps Inc. a professional development firm for k12 Educators. She's the author of 10 books and the host of the podcast School Leadership Reimagined.

I was a new teacher, a young teacher, and new to the school when I made a comment that changed everything. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @AndrewSharosAP @bamradionetwork Andrew Sharos is the Assitant Principal at West Leyden near Chicago. He is the author of All 4s and 5s, Amazon's #1 selling book in gifted education. The book outlines strategies for teaching and leading Advanced Placement and is told through student narratives.

We often talk about the importance of getting buy-in on school programs and projects. I didn't get that memo. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @derekrhodenizer @bamradionetwork Derek Rhodenizer, Academic Director of Westoboro Academy in Ottawa. Derek runs the "beyond the Staffroom" podcast on a variety of schows found on Voiced Radio. He is a specialist in exceptionalities, who sees exploration of technology as a means to both engage students and accomplish learning objectives.

I've been on the other side of teacher evaluations, but I found myself doing the very things I detested when I became an instructional technology coach. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @EdTechMason @bamradionetwork Mason Mason is an educator in Dallas, TX. He works as an Education Technology National Instructor at EdTechTeacher, and he is currently pursuing his doctorate in education at Southern Methodist University.

I discovered that unresolved issues can have, and explosive impact if left to fester. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @French@bamradionetwork Mark French is a 36-year educator with 21 years as an elementary school principal. He serves as past president of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association and loves being connected to become a better principal.

Because I had prior experience with a parent I was sure that I understood her motivations. I learned an important lesson when I discovered I was wrong. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @DevonBeck365 @bamradionetwork Devon Beck is a hip hop artist, motivational speaker and a Family & Student Liaison at Sandy Hill Elementary. He has dedicated his life to helping others find purpose and follow their dreams.

My project failed to turn out as expected. I knew the proper way to respond but I failed to do what I knew I should do. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @EricEwald_Iowa @bamradionetwork Eric Ewald is Amy's husband; Ryne and Olivia’s Dad; a co-founder of the #DadsAsPrincipals movement. Lead learner and chief story teller at Van Allen Elementary a PreK through 6th grade school in North Liberty, Iowa; this is my sixth year as an elementary school principal.

I feel an unrelenting pressure to please people. The result is that I too often say yes to the requests I receive when I should simply say no. But I continue to struggle with this. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @AngelaMaiers @bamradionetwork Angela Maiers has been creating and leading change in education and enterprise for over 25 years. She is a keynote speaker for education conferences, corporate events and innovation summits and the author of six books, and the founder of Choose2Matter, a global movement that challenges and inspires students to work collaboratively to develop innovative solutions to social problems.

I was at the end of my emotional rope. My student wasn't responding the way I wanted and I mentally wrote him off. Then I discovered something about him that I never expected. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @lmstump@bamradionetwork Lindsy Stumpenhorst is a 3-5 grade Principal in Sterling, Illinois at Washington Elementary School. She expects her staff and students to work hard, but never alone.

I was young, I was new to leadership and I was rigid. I demanded performance overnight without offering support and ran into a wall. Here's how I turned my leadership, my school and my career around. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @josuefalaise @bamradionetwork Over his 19 years in education, Dr. Josue Falaise has been a teacher, vice principal, principal and chief academic officer (CAO). He is currently the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Gomo Educational Services, LLC, @gomoeds.

My student called me a racist. At least, that's what I heard. So I tossed him out of the class. As it turned out I was wrong. Now what? Follow: @jonHarper70bd @LaVonnaRoth @bamradionetwork LaVonna Roth is an internationally known learning specialist, author, keynote speaker and consultant. LaVonna taught at the elementary and secondary levels for 10 years, is the author of 8 books and is the creator and founder of the Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E.® movement-where every person is committed to finding, fostering and flourishing, his or her skills, talents, and gifts… to illuminate the world.

I was a new principal with years of experience in the classroom and great ideas share. Why didn't all of my staff agree with me? Follow: @jonHarper70bd @jeff_zoul @bamradionetwork Dr. Jeff Zoul currently serves as Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning with Deerfield Public Schools in Illinois. He is the author of Improving Your School One week at a Time and several other books about education.

To this day, I still feel remorse about the way I handled one of my first leadership decisions. Later I learned, where I went wrong and how to avoid the mistake in the future. Winston Sakurai was recently recognized by the National Association of Secondary School Principals as a 2016 National Digital Principal of the Year and by the Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators as the 2016 Hawaii State Principal of the Year. Previously he served as Vice Chairperson of the Hawaii State Board of Education.

I threw desks and forgot about a student. If you are looking for a powerful example of learning and growing from reflecting on our biggest mistakes this is it. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @jeffreykubiak @bamradionetwork Jeffrey Kubiak is a #Kidsfirst Educational Disrupter, mindful leader, visionary, innovative thinker, water nut, problem solver, proud husband and father of two; he's been an educator for over 20 years, after having coached swimming to athletes of all levels. Having made about 16 trillion mistakes in his life, he loves helping kids understand the importance of being wrong, and figuring out a great way to "Right" it.

Managing student behavior can be a challenge. So when I handled a difficult student problem, I was proud. Later I found that my pride was premature. Follow: @jonHarper70bd @ShannaPeeples @bamradionetwork Shanna Peeples is 2015 National Teacher of the Year, 2016 NEA Global Fellow, and 14-year English teacher in Title I middle and high schools. Currently Secondary English Language Arts Curriculum Specialist for the Amarillo Independent School District and a co-author of the book: Best Lesson Series: Literature 15 Master Teachers Share What Works.