SamTastic Weekly Tip: 12/1/25 - Stay in the Green all December

This week’s Tip: Stay in the Green all December

Did you arrive this morning to a TimeTrack in the green? If so, you have a plan for the day. Congratulations! If not, have your SAM Daily Meeting early so you can be your better self today.

Some SAM teams play catch-up in the first week in December. Some make excuses: “There aren’t many school days in December. We’ll start scheduling in the GREEN when we come back in January.”

Keep in mind that your school community observes what you do, or don’t. If you want teachers in your school to continue teaching in December, you need to lead by example by doing your own work with the same intentionality you displayed in October.

Intentionality is what your SAM work is all about. Look at your plan for today. What events will likely result in improved practice? What would you like to do that isn’t on your TimeTrack today?

During your SAM Daily Meeting, examine time spent with each teacher new to your school. Can you identify improvement? If so, great! Schedule a 15-minute celebratory feedback session. If not, schedule a 30-minute session non-directive feedback session, share your data, and ask three questions: “What am I doing that helps? What could I do differently that would help more? What do you think you need to focus on?

Your TimeTrack has a wealth of data you can use to improve your work. Open your dashboard and explore.

Connecting time spent with improved practice, by using your TimeTrack data to make the best time use choices for your staff and school, is your best move.

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19^th Annual National SAM Conference

Registration link:  https://registration.samprocess.com/ 

A few things to consider when planning to attend:

Ø The conference is January 15-18. 2026.

Ø To be eligible to attend, you must be a SAM team member doing the process with efficacy, NSIP staff, Board member or presenter.

Ø The conference will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort

Keynote Speakers

·      Will Parker, Principals Matter: Living your Best Life as an Educator

·      Will Bowen, You Can’t Complain Your Way to Success

·      Tracie Swilley, The PrinciPAL Effect: Setting the Vibe, Energy, and Excellence Every Day

·      John Antonetti, Personal Response: Am I safe to share my thinking?

·      William Martinez, Signing the Song: The Power of Belonging

Pre-Conference All-Day Workshop Presenters

·      Jim Masters, Beyond Why and What – Getting to How School Leaders Make a Difference

·      Ken Williams, Better Teachers, Better Results: Where Students Learn Because Of US

·      Willow Sweeney, Top 20 Moves for Building Effective Staff and Student Relationships

·      Brendan Houdek and Caleb Shomaker:  Executive Speaking Coaching Seminar

Breakout session preference selection, featuring national presenters and SAM practitioners, will open next week.  Travel information is due December 1.