Welcome to The Principal’s Handbook—your go-to resource for principals looking to revamp their leadership approach and prioritize self-care.
I’m Barb Flowers, a certified life coach with eight years of experience as an elementary principal.

Each week, we explore strategies for boosting mental resilience, managing time effectively, and nurturing overall wellness.
From tackling daily challenges to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we’ll navigate the complexities of school leadership together.
This is a podcast where your well-being is the top priority. Let’s dive in!

Hey everyone, welcome to today’s episode!
As I’m recording this, we are deep into December—the thick of the holiday season.

While this season brings a lot of joy and excitement, it also brings a noticeable increase in tension throughout the building.
In education, the end of the year often means heightened student behaviors, and educators can feel overwhelmed by all that’s happening—both professionally and personally.

This particular week has been a whirlwind for me: managing disruptive behaviors, attending meetings with concerned parents, and just navigating all the “extras” that December tends to bring.

Over the years, I’ve come to recognize this pattern: December is stressful.
Students are stressed. Teachers are stressed. Parents are stressed. And, of course, principals are stressed. It just feels like every stakeholder in the building needs something from you all at once.

Today, we’re talking about how to navigate this stressful season—because as leaders, it’s our job to balance the needs of students, staff, and parents. It’s not easy, but it’s crucial.
When we allow that collective stress to take over, it can disrupt the positive culture we work so hard to build.

Even when it seems calm on the surface, you can often feel the tension bubbling underneath.
So during this busy season, it’s vital that we foster community, resilience, and understanding.
By acknowledging the stress, we can create a more supportive atmosphere where students, parents, and staff can finish the semester strong.

My personal commitment is not just to manage the daily logistics, but to create a stable, nurturing environment for everyone.

So today, I’m excited to share a few tips to help you navigate the stress leading up to the break.

Tip #1: Identify the Problems and Foster Awareness

Take time to assess who is feeling stressed and why.
Is it the upcoming break? A specific event? Uncertainty?
By acknowledging stress as a shared experience, you create a sense of unity.
Talking openly about it helps people feel seen—and when people feel seen, they feel supported.

In my building, we often find that just talking about the stress allows us to laugh about it later.
What seems overwhelming in the moment often looks much smaller once we take a breath and share a laugh.
Acknowledging stress isn’t weakness—it’s leadership.

Tip #2: Prioritize Your Well-Being as a Leader

You set the emotional tone for your building.
When stress comes from all sides—students, staff, parents—you must manage your own stress first.

For me, exercising in the morning, avoiding over-scheduling, and taking short breaks throughout the day help me stay centered.
A calm and collected leader influences the entire school climate.
When I stay calm, staff and students are more likely to stay calm too.
Sometimes, if things are chaotic, I’ll take a minute in my office to regroup before responding to anything major.
It’s not about ignoring problems—it’s about responding thoughtfully, not reactively.

Tip #3: Take Things One Step at a Time

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pause and reassess.
Look at your to-do list and focus on the true priorities.

It’s easy to get caught up in the “emergencies” that come up—but remember, unless someone’s immediate safety is at risk, it’s usually not an emergency.
Stay focused on what must be handled right now, and trust that everything else will still be there later.

Tip #4: Cultivate a Focus on the Positive

During difficult times, make a conscious effort to notice and celebrate the good.

Celebrate the strengths of your team, the small wins with your students, and the moments that remind you why you do this work.
When I get frustrated with a grade level, I remind myself: it’s usually just a small group making poor choices, not the entire class.
There are still so many wonderful moments happening every day—you just have to look for them.

Tip #5: Encourage Open Communication

Create space for teachers, staff, and students to express concerns.

When people feel heard, they are more resilient.
Sometimes people don’t need a solution—they just need someone to listen.
Maintain an open-door policy where people know they can come to you without fear of judgment.

Tip #6: Celebrate the Small Wins

Don’t wait for something big to celebrate.
Find three things each day—no matter how small—that you can celebrate.

Recognizing small victories boosts morale and creates a culture where positivity can grow even in challenging times.
Remember: small wins add up to big wins over time.

Reflection Questions

I also want to leave you with a few reflection questions:

• Who among your team is showing the most stress? Are there common triggers?

• How have you personally reacted to the heightened stress levels?

• How are you feeling right now? How has your stress impacted your interactions with others?

• What adjustments can you make—both personally and as a leader—to foster a healthier, more resilient environment?

It’s never too late to reflect, make a change, or even apologize if needed.
Your leadership, especially during stressful times, is what helps shape a supportive and thriving school culture.

Thank you so much for joining me today.
I hope these tips help you—and your team—navigate the weeks leading up to break with calm and purpose.

Also, I’m hosting a free December Support Group for Educators!
Check the show notes or visit me on Instagram @barbflowerscoaching to join.
We’ll have giveaways, tips, and lots of encouragement to help make December a positive month.

If you found this podcast helpful, please leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Stay tuned for next week’s episode!