SamTastic Weekly Tip - 1/22/26 - What’s Your Walk-up Song?

This week’s Tip: What’s Your Walk-up Song?

Hello from Fort Lauderdale!  The 19th annual National SAM Conference wrapped up Saturday night with an exciting party by the ocean.  The five keynotes and 31 breakout sessions provided inspiration and new ideas and content.  We captured the five keynote presentations and musical summary in HD video.  Editors are hard at work so we can share with you in a few weeks.

One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Tracie Swilley, SAM district leader and National High School Principal of the Year, talked about having a walk-up song as you enter your school to set your vibe for the day.  She picks a song that makes her want to smile and dance.  Her presentation was inspirational and demonstrated the importance of the principal bringing positive energy and enthusiasm to school each morning.  She helps all staff understand the importance of projecting happiness and enthusiasm about the mission each morning as it sets the expectation for students and colleagues.  What would your walk-up song be?  Mine?  Can’t Stop the Feeling, Justin Timberlake.  Singing this in the car, or on the walk into my office, makes me feel happy and ready for the day.

We are pleased to announce the location and dates for the 20^th Annual National SAM Conference:

        Sumerlin, Nevada ~ JW Marriott Resort

Wednesday, January 13, 2027: Pre-conference all-day sessions (optional)

Thursday, January 14-Saturday, January 16, 2027 (regular conference)

Sunday January 17, 2027: Return home or stay over for the holiday.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday, Monday, January 18, 2027

Use Harry Reid International Airport, LAS.  Summerlin is 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.

Ground transportation, of course, will be provided, between the resort and airport.

The closing event will be Saturday night: Treasure Island, Cirque du Soleil, Mystere

Registration opens Labor Day, September 7, 2026

Would you like to see next year’s conference site?  https://bit.ly/3Nr3xZE

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The NSIP Board of Directors met prior the annual conference last week.  Here’s a report from Board President Bert Hendee:

Your NSIP Board of Directors’ most recent meeting was held prior to our very successful National Conference on January 14 & 18, 2026. 

Carol Lensing, a long-time board member and current emeritus member, retired from active participation with the board.  She will be missed for her wisdom and grace, but we hope to persuade her to not completely leave us. 

As we have shared with you before, the board of directors meets two times a year in person.  One meeting is held in conjunction with the National Conference and one in the summer either June or July.  Two other virtual meetings may be held each year as well.  At each meeting we have updates from each member of the board and the executive director.  Our vision, mission, bylaws, policies and procedures and board goals are reviewed at each meeting as well.   We are all educators and are passionate about this work and will always work towards improvements in our performance, support of NSIP and the work you all do every day.

In addition, at this meeting we reviewed the recently developed infographic for SAMs that we encourage you to share on your websites as well as with at least one colleague in 2026.  You will find it included with this SamTastic Weekly Tip.  We hope you will share the good work you all do.

We are going to be seeking an additional SAM process practitioner in 2026!  Be watching for the application coming in August or September. 

If you have questions please feel free to reach out to any board member at any time.  Our contact information is on the NSIP website.

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 1/12/26 - You Can Cool a Heated Discussion.

This week’s Tip: You can cool a heated discussion.

Hello from Fort Lauderdale!  The NSIP staff is in South Florida today preparing to welcome SAM teams from across the US at the 19th annual National SAM Conference.

If you’ve attended a National SAM Conference before, you know this is a valuable and inspirational experience. Plan to attend next year and benefit from the five keynote this year, available in HD video mid-February.

Heated conversations can be stressful.  Communications guru Jefferson Fisher has a way to cool it down.

You’re in the middle of a heated argument that’s spiraling out of control.

Emotions are high. Voices are raised. And neither side is willing to back down.

Here are 3 simple strategies to stop a heated argument:

#1. Ask, “Is this something we have to agree on?”

The answer is probably “no.” Just recognizing that agreement isn’t necessary can immediately reduce the tension.

It shifts the focus from trying to convince the other person to simply understanding them.

#2. Use the emergency brake phrase: “Well, maybe so.”

This phrase is like an emergency brake in an argument.

It defuses the situation by suggesting that there’s a possibility the other person could be right. And often, that’s all they need to hear to start calming down.

#3. Lower your voice and slow down your words.

It’s not always about what you say, but how you say it. When someone starts raising their voice, resist the temptation to match their volume.

Instead, lower your voice and slow down your words. They’ll naturally start to mirror your lower tone, bringing the intensity of the argument down with it.

Use these 3 strategies the next time you find yourself in a heated argument.

They’ll help you keep your cool and bring the conversation back to a productive place.

The calmest voice in the room often has the most power. Stay cool and keep control.

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 1/5/26 - Welcome the New Year

This week’s Tip: Welcome the New Year

Welcome the New Year.  You set the stage as you interact with staff, students and parents as they enter your school today. You started the Christmas break with gratitude.  You worked to make staff feel seen and respected.  Why not start January the same way?  Enthusiasm for the mission and appreciation and care for others is contagious.  What you model makes a difference and sets an expectation for everyone entering your school.

Working on your own skills models your expectations, too.  Author and executive coach Melody Wilding, ”Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge shares a few ideas for working with others, that may be helpful in your work.

1. Build consensus before a meeting

The time to get buy-in is in the days leading up to an important conversation, not during it. Savvy professionals preview their ideas one-on-one beforehand. They reach out privately and say, “I’m thinking about proposing [X] during Friday’s check-in. What concerns do you have?” Or: “Before I bring this to the group, I want to answer your questions first.” By the time the formal meeting happens, you’ve cleared objections, built trust, and turned potentially adversaries into advocates. 

2. Avoid making yourself indispensable

When you’re the only one who can execute certain responsibilities, your manager panics at the thought of you leaving or advancing. Train a second-in-command. Show you can build systems so the team can operate without you. 

3. Don’t say ‘no’ too much

You’re absolutely entitled to set boundaries and protect your time. But if all your colleagues hear is, “No, that isn’t possible,” you’ll quickly get labeled as “difficult” or “not a team player.” Focus on what you can do instead. You teach people how to treat you in the workplace and beyond.

• Don’t say: “I’m not able to meet at that time” Instead try: “I’m available at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. What works for you?”

• Don’t say: “I can’t stay late to finish this.“Instead try: “I can give this another hour today and pick back up in the morning.” 

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The 19^th Annual National SAM Conference is next week in Fort Lauderdale

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