By Michael Brisciana As I was working with an administrator recently, discussing strategies for improving the performance of a staff member who seemed to be “cracking” under pressure, a “light bulb” went on for me. There we were, trying to fix what appeared on the surface to be a ”job performance” problem — never recognizing that the real issue was likely something far different. This caused me to flash on advice from an “old friend”—Abraham Maslow.

You can’t deny that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is probably the most recognizable cancer survivor in the world. His LIVESTRONG Foundation pioneered the support bracelet, the little yellow wrist band that millions of people wear every day to show their support. Now LIVESTRONG is bringing cancer education into the classroom. According to the LIVESTRONG Web site, “one in three people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. That means children in your classroom are likely to be dealing with cancer right now—whether through a grandparent, parent, family member, friend, or teacher.”

Q: In order to reduce costs, we’ve considered requiring candidates for faculty openings to provide (and pay for) their own background checks. Is this a good idea? What are the pros and cons?

Star Trek fans, remember the Kobayashi Maru (how could you forget—it’s got its own Wikipedia entry)? It was no-win scenario test that Kirk beat during his Academy training by “changing the conditions of the test.” Well, the band Atomic Tom did the same thing–and its innovation video has gone viral. Everyone sharing Atomic Tom’s subway ride! Yes, it is marketing, but it demonstrates how changing the conditions, the tools, the delivery can generate the spark of new thinking and new learning. Back in 1997, Apple’s slogan was “Think Different.” Well, Apple has become the innovator of the information/music delivery system, coming up with the “coolest” products—the iPhone and the iPod—that everyone wants. It's all part of the same thinking as the 21st Century School concept.

Much has been written as what “might” happen with health care reform in the wake of the dramatic changeover of party leadership in Congress in the recent midterm elections. Some have speculated that opponents of the Patient Protection and Care Act (PPACA), signed into law by the president in March, will seek to have the law overturned in its entirety or limit its effect by refusing to fund certain of the law’s initiatives.

When budgets get tight, one of the first things cut is the arts. “For decades, arts education has been treated as though it was the novice teacher at school—the last hired and the first fired with times get tough,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

In an economy where enrollment may be suffering, budgets are tight, and change is the only thing schools can predict, here shines the power of positive—creative—thinking. The power of positive thinking and the inevitable element of change just might be the layer of hope private schools in the Northeast have been waiting for—and from an unexpected source, too.

For many people, it’s hard enough asking others for money. So, when your phonathon volunteers hear objections to making a pledge, are they likely to just say “that’s okay, thank you” and end the call? Or are they prepared to manage those objections in a productive and supportive way? It’s important to train your volunteers on handling objections.

More likely than not, when your donors are scrambling to make those last-minute contributions of the 2010 tax year, your school will be closed for the holidays. But your donors are ready to give THEN. Will you be ready to RECEIVE what could be significant donations? Nothing is worse than a donor calling in a gift and hearing “The Point School is closed until January 3. We look forward to hearing from you then.”

According to ForeSee Results’ 2010 Social Media Study, YouTube is the second most powerful social network for consumer engagement. (You’ll have to download their study to learn what was ranked number one.) This proves that having an online video strategy is an important social networking strategy. The following four tips can help your school establish—and maximize—your YouTube strategy for the most impact.