Hello, welcome to our May 2025 newsletter
We’re thrilled to connect with you again this month! At Thrive & Rise Academy, we’re all about helping you thrive—not just in your career, but in every area of your life. As always, we put YOU at the center of everything we do. Your insights and feedback continue to be the compass that guides us, and we are trying something NEW and innovative this month to gather ideas!
What you shared inspired us to start something new…
We have been busily interviewing a number of leaders who have been giving us honest feedback about current challenges and frustrations in their roles.
We have learned so much! But one of the things that has stood out to us is the fact that women are missing the opportunity to connect with one another in person.
At Thrive & Rise, we are envisioning a rise of an ALL NEW women’s leadership networking group in our community that would be an open space for education leaders in ANY position, in ANY Board or other organization, retired or working, to come and be part of a new community of women → women who care about leadership, supporting and empowering one another, and learning how to take control to feel their absolute best.
We are going to be designing this vision, and asking for more feedback from a small group of women across the Region at a small networking event on June 12th. To say we are excited is an understatement!
This event will occur in Kitchener and will be open only to those leaders receiving a personal invitation from us. If this design process is something that you would like to be part of, please reply to this email and we can put you on a waitlist for cancellations.
In the meantime, please forward this email to any of your colleagues or friends who you think might be interested in this kind of networking opportunity for the 2025-2026 school year.
They can join our email list:
What we are currently reading!
In "The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More," Jefferson Fisher offers a transformative guide to improving communication in all aspects of life. This book provides immediately actionable strategies and practical phrases to navigate everything from everyday discussions to challenging confrontations at work or home. Drawing on evidence-based approaches and his extensive experience as a trial lawyer, Fisher presents clear methodologies for reducing conflict and fostering genuine connection. You will definitely appreciate the down-to-earth teachings and relatable examples that make complex communication skills easy to understand and apply. You’ll breeze through reading or listening to it! If you're looking to enhance your relationships and build confidence in your conversational abilities, I (Dana) highly recommend you pick up or download this book!
How to stay strong when the pressure is on
Let’s talk about something real that we have heard about from so many of you and have experienced ourselves…
Leadership is, unfortunately, rarely applause and appreciation—it’s often navigating tough conversations, managing expectations, and, yes, dealing with criticism that can feel personal. For school principals, this can be especially challenging when facing verbally abusive parents or feeling unrecognized and criticized for the incredible work you and your staff do every day.
I (Angie) can remember one particularly challenging time as a principal dealing with a parent of a primary child who was on the spectrum, with significant violent behaviours. As a staff we were doing EVERYTHING and more to support this student, and the family. The parent had their own mental health challenges that made communication highly volatile and challenging. I can remember closing my office door after one exceptionally charged situation where the parent was yelling in the hall, affecting not only me but also my staff, and the students in the hallways. Although my mantra was to never take things personally, this one affected me deeply, as my resilience”bank” was at an all time low. I found myself crying behind my desk with the door closed. It was tough. These kinds of situations are becoming more and more prevalent for you all in this post- pandemic time.
But here’s the truth: resilience isn’t just about enduring—it’s about rising. It’s about protecting your energy, staying aligned with your purpose, and leading with courage, even when it’s hard.
One of the most powerful tools to help you rise is journaling. Journaling isn’t just about writing—it’s about reflecting, processing, and reframing your experiences. It helps you capture the wins, release the emotional charge of tough moments, and reconnect with your purpose. When you journal, you’re not just recording your day—you’re building resilience, clarity, and strength for the challenges ahead.
Here’s a simple framework to help you lead with resilience, paired with journaling prompts to guide your reflection:
The Resilience Framework: “R.I.S.E.”
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Reframe the Criticism:
Remember, their anger is often a reflection of their own struggles—not your worth. Detach emotionally and focus on what you can control.
Journaling Prompt: Write down the criticism you’ve received and ask yourself, “What’s the truth here? What’s just noise? What can I learn from this?” This helps you process and release the emotional charge.
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Institute Boundaries:
Protect your energy by setting clear boundaries. For example, establish procedures and protocols for communication and stick to them. Respect starts with how you teach others to treat you.
Journaling Prompt: Each morning, jot down one boundary you’ll reinforce that day and why it matters to your well-being and leadership.
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Spotlight the Wins:
Shift your focus to the positive impact you’re making. Reflect on the students you’ve helped, the teachers you’ve empowered, and the moments that remind you why you lead.
Journaling Prompt: End your day by listing three wins—big or small—that reminded you of your purpose and progress.
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Engage Your Support System:
Lean on your team, peers, or a trusted coach. You don’t have to carry the weight alone—connection builds strength.
Journaling Prompt: Reflect on who in your life lifts you up and how you can intentionally connect with them this week. Write down one action step to nurture those relationships.
If this resonates with you, we’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s one way you’ve built resilience as a leader? Click reply and share your story—we’re here to support you.
Looking for daily inspiration?
Check out GrowthDay Membership with Angie or GrowthDay Membership with Dana (sign up with the person who brought you here to Thrive & Rise!) for access to live training, events, and so much more to level up your life. It’s the world’s leading personal development platform, designed to help you stay consistent and motivated on your growth journey. Both of us love and use GrowthDay daily. This can also be claimed as a Professional Development Expense, which for some of you, needs to be used by the end of June!
Stay connected
Follow us on Instagram for more tips, updates, and inspiration!
Thank you for being part of our community. We’re here to support you every step of the way. You are the reason we do what we do, and we’re so excited to continue this journey with you. Let’s grow together!
With gratitude and excitement,
Angie & Dana
Thrive & Rise Academy
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