School leaders in the second quarter of the year have an opportunity to continue moving their schools forward. Some tips to consider, despite all the complexity of school operations, include the following:
·
Conduct learning walks so that the professional staff has an opportunity to understand what is happening in the school beyond their own classrooms. For an example of what this can look like, see:
https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/the-learning-walk
Learning walks are more than lesson observations and evaluation compliance measures. They can help to advance a school as a true learning organization.
·
Keep focused on “
right things”
that include higher level thinking skills and applications ala Bloom. Understand that there probably will be a temporary dip in performance as teachers perfect their practices with new learning strategies and techniques. Focus on continuous improvement.
·
Get to know the school community more deeply. Spend time with leaders of the PTO and others connected to families. Listen and empathetically try to understand their concerns, interests and needs. Know that they want quality teaching and learning for their children in real time. Excuses are unacceptable to them.
·
Continue keeping the focus on the end users—aka the children and what they need. Develop their voice and choice. Servant leaders put them and those who serve them at the forefront of attention.
·
Always proceed with positive intent.
Effective leaders understand the need to build a school community that allows them the opportunity to do what they seek to do—advance the school’s mission. They know that there is a process and a business of it all, and that in 2019 and beyond families have even more options about where to send their children for an education. Focused attention upon the 5 points in this article will help to remind families why your school
is
the right choice.
Please consider sharing tips that are working for you. Send them to Dr. Mike Dietz, Director of Innovation and Global Outreach,
[email protected]
, 262-365-3947.