Spring Survival Mode
A Free Checklist for School Leaders Navigating the Final Stretch
Dear School Leaders,
It’s that time again.
The clocks have sprung forward, the testing window is wide open, and somehow your to-do list seems to regenerate like clockwork, just when you thought you had a handle on it.
If you’re feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like you’re running a marathon in a sprint’s body… you’re not alone. Spring in schools is a season unlike any other. Between high-stakes testing, staff burnout, end-of-year evaluations, and student behavior peaks, it’s no wonder this time of year feels like a pressure cooker.
But here’s the truth I want you to hold onto:
Your leadership matters now more than ever.
✅ The calm and clarity you bring creates stability for your staff and students.
✅ The culture you’ve cultivated all year is what sustains your community in the chaos.
✅ The systems you’ve put in place will serve your school far better than any last-minute scramble.
This is not the moment to go it alone.
Leadership was never meant to be a solo journey, and certainly not in testing season!
That’s why I created something to support you through this stretch:
🎯 The Spring Leadership Checklist — a free resource to help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters in the weeks ahead.
🔗 Download your free copy here:
Inside the checklist, you’ll find:
- Priority action items for the season (because not everything needs to be urgent)
- Reminders that center people over paperwork
- Reflections to help you lead with purpose, not just pace
Take a breath. You’ve been preparing for this all year!
Now’s the time to lead with clarity, compassion, and community.
What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing this spring? Send me a message—I’m here to help problem-solve with you.
Dr. Deonna Smith is an advocate for educational justice, teacher and abolitionist. Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Deonna grew up navigating a system that was built to suppress and marginalize Black and Brown kids. Deonna’s passion for justice began early, as the only student of color in most places, and a first generation college student, Deonna experienced firsthand the corrosive nature of systemic racism. After completing her undergraduate degree Deonna sought to be the Black teacher she never had. Years in the classroom exposed just how deep the roots of systemic racism ran. Having a Black teacher wasn’t enough if you were working at a school that refused to confront racism, inequity and bias. As a teacher, Deonna saw how systemic racism impacted her students. As an administrator, she saw how it impacted her school and even the community.
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