“It seems counterintuitive. The washing machine’s job is to wash—why would the machine itself need to be cleaned? Isn’t it always filled with water and soap?”
​- Allison Hess, How and Why You Should Clean Your Washing Machine​

Your work matters.

How often do you clean your washing machine? As Allison Hess puts it, deep cleaning our washing machines seems counterintuitive. (Hess, 2017) It is a WASHING machine - we use soap and water with it every time it is in use. I’ve pressed the self-clean button on our front loader while throwing in one of those cleaning tabs, wiped out the rubber gasket and left our washer door open to let it air out. I thought I was doing pretty well. But the algorithm seems to know that I have NEVER taken out the drawer where soap and fabric softener goes. And, when I finally removed the drawer after seeing enough deep cleaning videos? It was NOT PRETTY.

That got me thinking about what might happen if we “removed the drawer” in our systems and really did a deep clean? Are we unknowingly allowing bacteria to build up because we are avoiding the deep clean?
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What might this look like in education? Some of us might think of the term de-implementation when we think of a deep clean. But a deep clean is not removing clutter or creating our “Keep, Trash, Recycle” piles. (Click here for that resource guide.) Keep Trash Recycle Protocol.pdf This type of cleaning goes beyond the work of organizing and wiping down counters.

A deep clean requires us to think about how our systems are working for us (or against us). Think of something that has “always worked this way” or something you haven’t really given a second thought. That’s your “washer drawer” to clean.

For example, have you always had an intervention block in your schedule to create a time for small groups and pull-out support from specialists? Oftentimes, this shared block of time allows us to provide the needed interventions and advanced learning our students need; sometimes it allows us to share students across the grade level and provide targeted small group instruction. This is all a WIN! However, have we given thought to our students that are twice-exceptional? Are we serving students who are identified as gifted and multilingual learners? Gifted and dyslexic? How might our system need to shift so that students in this category receive the services they deserve?

This type of “cleaning” does not come to mind easily, which is why I needed those reminder videos to prompt me into action. The same is true for us in education. Consider this your reminder to clean the things you can’t get to every day, week, month of quarter. It’s time to prepare for the deep clean tasks.

Deep Cleaning Guide:

1. Make a list of systems that function in your building(s) that have “always worked this way.”
2. Take it apart - identify the people, processes, products, and culture that function as part of the system.
3. Consider how each piece is functioning effectively (or ineffectively).
   1. Give it a good shine. (White vinegar and baking soda works wonders!)
4. Engage a team (the people) that works in the system for feedback on the clean system.
5. Give it a go and add a calendar date for next year’s deep clean cycle.

Leadership Moves:

1. Declutter to make room for a deep clean. (See April 2023 Newsletter)
2. Identify your “washer drawers”.
3. Apply the Deep Cleaning Guide to your systems.

What does this mean for me?

How often do you stop to reflect on how your systems are working for you and your staff? On the surface, things might seem to be functioning just fine. But avoiding the deep clean might mean you’re not finding a growing bacteria that is keeping you from success.

Revolution Resources

Coaching System Assessment Download the PDF below ​LRC Coaching System Assessment PDF - Final.pdf​

Literacy System Assessment Download the PDF below ​LRC Literacy System Assessment PDF - Final.pdf​

Join me TODAY at 12:30 EST for April's free workshop, Assessing Your Literacy System!

Join me on May 28th at 2:30 EST to discuss research relevant to coaching systems. We will read the text Improving Teaching Practice with Instructional Coaching then come together to discuss the implications for our systems!

Where have we been?

ASCD Blog: Why Leaders Must Learn the Science of reading I was published by ASCD! This year, I set a goal of writing more and becoming brave enough to send it somewhere. Goal accomplished, and I'm working on more! Read the full article here.

Pictured are a collection of birthday gifts from the amazing coach team in Rowan Salisbury Schools, one of my long-term clients. Thank you to this beautiful team for sharing so much love with me! Fun facts about me related to these gifts: I hate pickles. I'm a Swiftie (yes, I'm pretty sure Taylor dropped her album on my birthday week on PURPOSE) I love coffee I put stickers on my laptop I love to read I carry multi-colored felt-tip pens with me

Let's Work Together

Your school or school system has unique challenges, strengths and needs - and your strategy deserves to be tailored to your specific context and goals. Gaining clarity on your system’s current picture can help write next year’s story.

If literacy or coaching is part of your strategic plan or goals, let’s work together to identify highlights, considerations and opportunities that inform priorities for 2024-2025. Click here to sync our calendars for a conversation.

Expanded Services: One on one support for school leaders

This is a perfect time of year to work with Mojdeh for three months and go into the Fall with a clarity. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just hired, she brings experience and guidance that can help you feel prepared. With over a decade of school leadership experience and now Human Resources experience, Mojdeh brings a vast amount of knowledge to this role.

Learn more about our services for leaders at this link. Mojdeh meets with each applicant for a "gain clarity" call that allows you the space to share your needs. Apply now to set up this call.

Where can we connect? Bold font shows events at which I'm presenting. IMA Biennial Conference 2026 | Learn more here​ 2026 PaTTAN Literacy Symposium | Learn more here​ The Reading League 10th Annual Conference | Learn more here​ Check out my calendar Would you like me to join an upcoming event as a speaker? Please reply to this email to inquire about how I can support you and your event.

Sharing the Work of Others

My colleague Matthew Ebert of Ebert Educational Consulting recently published a TED Talk! I encourage you to check it out!