Mid-Summer Check-In: EdFuel’s Tips for Staying on Track and Recharged
EdFuel | July 2025
You know that feeling, coming back from vacation and immediately thinking, “I need a vacation from my vacation.” We’ve all been there. This year, I was determined to break that cycle.
A few weeks ago, we had our summer quiet week at EdFuel, and my family hit the road for our annual trip to Disney World and to celebrate the 4th of July. Between endless hours at the beach, enjoying the theme park, good food, and reconnecting with loved ones, it was exactly the reset I needed – and for once, I came back feeling ready for what’s next.
But that didn’t happen by accident.
Before I left, I made myself a personal must-do list: schedule a dog walker, clear my inbox, remove perishables from the refrigerator, run what felt like 20 loads of laundry – you get the idea. Those intentional steps helped me truly unplug and come back recharged, rather than feeling overwhelmed.
Your list may be different, and to help get you started before you head out on a getaway or just plan to log off and breathe, we’ve pulled together a few EdFuel Must-Dos to help you (and your team) reset while staying ready for the work ahead. Check out our list below!
[Read More]The Most Overlooked Talent Strategy? A Year-End Stepback
EdFuel | June 2025
The end of the school year brings a natural pause— one that offers the perfect opportunity to zoom out and reflect on your talent strategy. Before the whirlwind of recruitment, onboarding, and summer planning kicks into high gear, take time to ask:
What worked?
What didn’t?
What patterns are emerging, and what do they tell us about where we need to grow?
At EdFuel, we believe this reflective moment is one of the most strategically powerful points in the year - a time to pause, reflect, and refine. That’s why we recommend building in an annual Talent Stepback— a dedicated, collaborative time to look holistically at your talent practices and use data and experience to drive your priorities for the next school year.
Step 1: Conduct a Talent Stepback with Your Team
Start with our Strategic Talent Stepback Protocol. It’s designed to help leaders facilitate focused conversations around hiring, retention and staff culture. This window— when the year is still fresh but the pace is slowing— is ideal for surfacing real insights.
The protocol includes guiding questions, sample data points, and a facilitation plan to make this stepback both efficient and meaningful. Whether you hold a one-hour session or a half-day retreat, the insights you surface can shape smarter planning going forward.
Leading Intentionally: Navigating DEI in an Evolving Political Climate
In recent months, new executive orders and political pressure have brought fresh scrutiny to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Some organizations have taken this moment to roll back DEI initiatives, while others have stood firm. For organizations deeply committed to equity, especially those receiving public funding, this moment may feel uncertain, even risky. We all respond to risk differently. And yet the question for mission-driven leaders remains:
How can mission-driven nonprofits/schools respond with both responsibility and integrity?
As a white woman in this work, I’ve been reflecting on how my identity shapes my response to this moment. I often feel the pull to protect – to minimize exposure, reduce risk, and stay safe. That instinct is real. But I’ve been learning to pause and ask: What values am I protecting? Whose safety am I prioritizing?
[Read More]
Leading Through the Hardest Moments
Dear EdFuel Community, You may have noticed in our last newsletter that our team has gotten smaller. Like many nonprofit and educational organizations recently, we have had to navigate reduced funding, which ultimately led us to implement a reduction in force last year.
While this is something no organization ever wants to face, it has become an unfortunate reality for many – and as talent leaders, it’s our responsibility to make these decisions in a way that honors both our financial stability and our values. Many of us have seen, or even experienced, examples of how organizations handle moments like this poorly. At EdFuel, we are committed to learning from the experience, sharing what we can, and walking alongside others who may find themselves here too.
Here’s the truth: leading through a reduction in force has been the hardest professional experience of my career – and one of the hardest personal experiences too. The weight of the decision was something I carried with me constantly. It sat with me during early mornings and late nights. It tugged at me in quiet moments with my family. It even took my edges; thankfully, they’ve grown back. [Read More]
Recent Posts
Check out our some of our other posts below!
Mid-Summer Check-In: EdFuel’s Tips for Staying on Track and Recharged
July 22, 2025The Most Overlooked Talent Strategy? A Year-End Stepback
June 23, 2025Leading Intentionally: Navigating DEI in an Evolving Political Climate
May 23, 2025Leading Through the Hardest Moments
April 29, 2025Contribute to Talent Talks!
Have a resource, problem of practice, or story that might be useful for others to learn about? Reach out to us at info@edfuel.org to let us know if you’re interested in contributing to Talent Talks, EdFuel’s blog on all things talent. We look forward to hearing from you!