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We in K-12 should not treat Students like they are in "The real world" because, quite Frankly, school is sometimes Anything but. We are, however, obligated To have reasonable expectations. For me as a writing teacher, This includes attention to, Among other things, completely Responding to the prompt. For me as a principal, This means showing up In expected ways—taking Advantage of the Opportunity to learn & Allowing others to do The same. Establishing this as a must Can create a bit of pressure And urgency--both of which Are helpful when familiar & Therefore effectively managed. Both of which are helpful When they finally hit "The real world..." However you wish To define it.
A two-time South Dakota High School Principal of the Year nominee, Lisa Parry has been a SD educator for 30 years. Her mission is to equip others with positive ways to think about, talk about, and react to challenges. Her expertise transcends the K-12 space and includes a focus on topics including, but not limited to, people-pleasing, likable leadership, meaningful messaging, and everyday engagement. Working as Lisa Parry Consulting, LLC, Lisa presents, writes, coaches, and mentors professionals seeking to establish and maintain a positive and healthy professional and personal life. She is proud to lead a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School and a 2020 ESEA Distinguished School, and she is a co-developer and facilitator of the South Dakota Department of Education's Good to Great Teacher Mentoring Program. This opportunity allows her to share her experiences and enthusiasm for this critical vocation with our next generation of educators. Lisa has presented at the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Conference and the National Making Schools Work Conference, both in Orlando, Florida; she leads professional development in and out of South Dakota; and she has shared leadership lessons with individuals in industries ranging from telecommunications to photo organizing. Parry achieved of her loftiest goals in April 2024 when she presented at TEDx at the University of South Dakota. Lisa earned her M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership from South Dakota State University and a B.S.Ed. in English Education from the University of South Dakota. As principal of a rural PK-12 school of approximately 300 students, Parry opts to continue teaching one course each year. She credits daily interaction with students as a guiding force in staying grounded in the experiences and challenges of today’s classroom teachers. Lisa is a champion of the next generation of leaders and leans into mentoring. As co-founder of the South Dakota Department of Education’s Good to Great Teacher Mentoring Program, Lisa is an active contributor to ongoing cohorts, which develop educators in their 3rd-5th year of teaching. Her passion in this area stems from a personal commitment to equip and encourage new educators, preparing them for a career of impact and longevity.
“Everything begins and ends with perception. I find that most people truly want to bring their best. We all feel safe and valued when our perspective is heard and validated,” Lisa says. Parry's ability to find turning points within difficult conversations and moments of conflict is based in relentless commitment to maintaining genuine curiosity and compassion. “Conflict resolution is a superpower that I never expected to have, much less find so much joy in,” she says with a warm smile. Parry notes that despite seemingly unique experiences, the best leaders across all industries share a single, essential point of commonality - the desire to help others succeed. Even after 30 years, she sees each day as an opportunity to start anew. “We have to believe this for ourselves, for our colleagues, for our customers and for those we love,” Lisa says. “Everyday we make a choice. A choice to strive for a mindset that fosters growth, to allow ourselves to make new mistakes. In doing so, we're able to move forward together.” |
