Summary: Join C.T. and guest Tauvia Harrigan, principal of Earl Frost Elementary School in San Jose, California, as they explore her inspiring philosophy centered on love, laughter, and learning that shapes a vibrant and inclusive school environment. With over three decades of experience in education leadership, Tauvia shares how her diverse school community—representing 14 different home languages and a wide range of cultural backgrounds—thrives through a culture of acceptance and unity. 

Key Takeaways:

• Love as the Foundation: Love for the students and the work is essential; it creates a positive environment where both staff and students are motivated and engaged, making learning a two-way, infectious process.
• Learning through Fun and Engagement: Learning must be fun, relevant, and stimulating to keep students’ brains active. Boredom shuts down learning, so lessons should be designed from the child’s perspective to be exciting and engaging.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Earl Frost Elementary embraces its rich cultural and linguistic diversity, fostering a community where differences are celebrated and unity is promoted through shared values and traditions.
• Mindset, Motivation, and Monitoring (the 3 Ms):
• Mindset: High expectations and belief in every student’s potential are crucial. Teachers and students alike need a positive, growth-oriented mindset.
• Motivation: Combines intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, using strategies like VIP parties to reward goal achievement and build confidence, gradually fostering intrinsic motivation.
• Monitoring: Continuous data review is vital to assess student progress and instructional effectiveness, balanced with fun activities to keep staff morale high during data analysis.
• Modern Educational Approach: Recognizing that today’s children are wired differently due to technology, teaching methods must evolve beyond traditional models to incorporate relevant, motivating tools that resonate with students’ experiences.
• Leadership Philosophy: Tauvia’s leadership is characterized by passion, energy, and a commitment to creating a joyful, inclusive school culture where students feel valued and empowered to succeed.

Chapters:

00:00  Introduction

00:37  Meet Tauvia Harrigan: A Leader in Education

01:33  The Unique Diversity of Earl Frost Elementary

05:26  Philosophy of Love, Laughter, and Learning

11:28  Motivation and Mindset: The Three M's

23:25  The Journey to Leadership

28:19  Advice for Aspiring Leaders

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Tauvia Harrigan: frost.ogsd.net/about/principal



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