It was all over the news the last week of December, but just in case you missed it: Justine Sacco, now ex-communications director for huge parent company InterActive Corp (IAC), made an ill-advised racist tweet directly before her twelve-hour international flight to Africa. Sacco had to turn her phone off for the duration of the flight, so she was blissfully unaware of the social media maelstrom her 140-character message had generated: “Going to Africa. Hope I don't get Aids. Just kidding. I'm white!”

It’s New Year’s resolution time again, and since you finished the books from last year, we’d like to take the opportunity to compile some of the recommendations from educational professionals and leaders from all disciplines. These books should help all leaders in your school, from high-achieving faculty to the School Head.

The media and companies tout new and improved teaching strategies every year. Remember when everyone thought that MOOCs—Massive Open Online Courses—were the solution to slashed budgets? Now it seems that low completion rates and limited interaction have crippled the online course movement’s momentum, with only a 4% completion rate in some college courses. However, just because one new idea wasn’t fully vetted or properly implemented doesn’t mean that you should avoid trying novel programs.

Winter break is a time to recharge your battery, as well as reconnect with family and friends. But, how many times do you and your faculty come back feeling down and discouraged? January hits like a dump truck and everyone’s enthusiasm is as flat as week-old champagne sitting in those glasses you still haven’t cleaned. While others daydream of their immediate vacation plans, you as Division Head should make plans now to counter the seasonal malaise.

The New Year is right around the corner. For some of us, it's a time to reflect and make changes within ourselves for our greater good. As a School Head, your role is to lead your leaders to excellence. It’s a term you’ve probably heard more than once, especially if you’re an avid ISM reader. The phrase carries more weight than you may think. It’s not about simply being able to direct, or appointing tasks, or having perfected communication skills. It’s about being a mentor.

This time last year, the education community was rattled by violence that swept through Newtown, Connecticut. Our televisions broke through regular programming to bring us live coverage of an enfolding tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. For days, new reports continuously scrolled through the photos of 20 innocent children who wouldn’t be celebrating the holiday season, as sobering music conflicted with joyful commercials announcing last day sales. On December 14, 2012, the holiday season stopped—everything stopped—as the world watched the second-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The holidays bring many of us closer. It’s a time to celebrate, unite, and reflect regardless what faith or nationality you are. However, the season isn’t bright for all of us. The season can also force us to face or remember loved ones lost, hard times, and difficult moments. If you find yourself slipping into depression this time of year, here are some techniques that might help you push through the season.

Q: I have to terminate an employee; what is the best way to do that?

Managing your school risk includes keeping on top bullying trends, legal cases, and, of course, your school’s personal incidents. Certainly, as the holidays near, it’s not a topic many of us want to sink into when we’d rather be celebrating the joy that the season brings. But, perhaps a recent court ruling will also shed some hope and light—U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadmueller recently decided in favor of a private school, stating, “our greater attention to bullying must also develop a more refined definition.”

Technology has given us the ability to take our electronic textbooks on the go. As we travel from here to there, so can our studies. And, certainly textbook publishing companies and Apple continue to push the transition from paper to electronic devices for schools and universities. But, we must stop and ask how electronic reading is impacting comprehension.