Thursday, July 31, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
15 Tips for the New Principal
In a blog dated August, 1, 2012, Bill Carozza (@wcarozza) compiled a list of tips for the New Principal in response to the question "What advice do you have for a new principal?" I will propose a similar question (What advice do you have for a first-year principal?) to principals throughout the country and compile their responses on this blog at a later date.
Two tips that particularly resonate with me as I look back and reflect on my first year as a principal are "grow some leather and schedule yourself to be with students." Tough skin is a MUST....The principalship is not for the faint at heart. There are so many competing events during the school day that you MUST, you MUST, you MUST spend (quality) time with students...Even if that means putting it on your calendar!
The tips are below, but please click on the highlighted link below to read in further detail about each tip.
1. Meet with all of your staff in the summer. (I will add...if you can or as soon after you are appointed as you can).
2. Honor the History of your school.
3. Identify the major players and support them.
4. ...be fair to all.
5. Be kind, caring, and respectful in all of your relationships and be willing to apologize.
6. Focus on school and classroom culture.
7. Budget...
8. Grow some leather.
9. Get to know your facility.
10. Set fewer and more succinct goals in Year 1
11. Model great practice.
12. Keep your "Immediate Supervisor" in the loop (The original tip said keep your "Superintendent" in the loop. In larger school districts you may have other individuals they you need to report to and not directly to the school's district superintendent, i.e. Instructional Director, Area Superintendent).
13. Communicate well with your staff and community.
14. Find a mentor.
15. Schedule yourself to be with students.
Two tips that particularly resonate with me as I look back and reflect on my first year as a principal are "grow some leather and schedule yourself to be with students." Tough skin is a MUST....The principalship is not for the faint at heart. There are so many competing events during the school day that you MUST, you MUST, you MUST spend (quality) time with students...Even if that means putting it on your calendar!
The tips are below, but please click on the highlighted link below to read in further detail about each tip.
1. Meet with all of your staff in the summer. (I will add...if you can or as soon after you are appointed as you can).
2. Honor the History of your school.
3. Identify the major players and support them.
4. ...be fair to all.
5. Be kind, caring, and respectful in all of your relationships and be willing to apologize.
6. Focus on school and classroom culture.
7. Budget...
8. Grow some leather.
9. Get to know your facility.
10. Set fewer and more succinct goals in Year 1
11. Model great practice.
12. Keep your "Immediate Supervisor" in the loop (The original tip said keep your "Superintendent" in the loop. In larger school districts you may have other individuals they you need to report to and not directly to the school's district superintendent, i.e. Instructional Director, Area Superintendent).
13. Communicate well with your staff and community.
14. Find a mentor.
15. Schedule yourself to be with students.
Integrity, Balance, and Self-Deception
http://www.management-issues.com/opinion/6929/integrity-balance-and-self-deception/
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Traditional Leadership vs Collaborative Leadership
This is a comparative look at eight major differences between the traditional leadership approach and collaborative leadership. Collaborative leadership has a lot in common with transformational leadership and servant leadership.
One of the ways in which I used collaborative leadership was decision-making through the leadership team. Advantages of this approach include more involvement and responsibility in implementation. The open-process of collaborative leadership helped build trust among my leadership team and entire staff.
Collaborative leadership also encourages ownership and builds commitment to the mission and vision. As a collaborative leader, you must lead the process, not the people. You become a master facilitator.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Leadership: How to Get From Good to Great
In this article, Peter Economy discusses ways leaders can motivate, inspire, and support their team:
How-to Get From Good-to-Great
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Decisiveness
- Integration
- Inspiration
How-to Get From Good-to-Great
Leadership Lessons From Tim Duncan's Career
I absolutely love taking leadership lessons from non-educational leaders. It is amazing how you can find leadership lessons in just about everything. Scott Williams identifies ten great leadership lessons from NBA star Tim Duncan's career.
Click on the highlighted link below:
Leadership Lessons From Tim Duncan's Career
Click on the highlighted link below:
Leadership Lessons From Tim Duncan's Career
Time Management LessonsI
This article really speaks to me. Time Management was the one thing I struggled with as a beginning principal. I was a procrastinator to the 10th degree. I used the excuse " I work better under pressure" as a way to validate the procrastination.
The following three lessons helped me the most:
#6 Get up early
#11 Practice clearing your mind before you work
#14 Keep the distractions you love out of your sight
Number 6 and number 11 works hand in hand for me...When I get up early I am able to clear my mind before the start of my work day. I go to the gym or read something inspirational.
Number 14 is a new lesson that I have had to learn quickly. When I am working, my phone is put away!!! Once I began my doctoral program (again), I had to go as far as deactivating my Facebook account...Yikes....That took more will power than constantly going on there to connect with family and friends.
Click on the highlighted link below to see the list of time-management lessons! Please share your time-management tips in the comments!
Time Management Lessons
The following three lessons helped me the most:
#6 Get up early
#11 Practice clearing your mind before you work
#14 Keep the distractions you love out of your sight
Number 6 and number 11 works hand in hand for me...When I get up early I am able to clear my mind before the start of my work day. I go to the gym or read something inspirational.
Number 14 is a new lesson that I have had to learn quickly. When I am working, my phone is put away!!! Once I began my doctoral program (again), I had to go as far as deactivating my Facebook account...Yikes....That took more will power than constantly going on there to connect with family and friends.
Click on the highlighted link below to see the list of time-management lessons! Please share your time-management tips in the comments!
Time Management Lessons
Leadership Lessons From Admiral Michelle Howard
On July 1, 2014, Admiral Michelle Howard became the highest ranking woman in the Navy's 38th Vice 236-year history. She currently serves as Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
Click the link below to read the leadership lessons from Admiral Howard.
Leadership Lessons From Admiral Michelle Howard
Click the link below to read the leadership lessons from Admiral Howard.
Leadership Lessons From Admiral Michelle Howard
Monday, July 14, 2014
The Most Valuable Talent of a True Leader
Finding and affirming others' talents go hand in hand with building leadership capacity. A sign of a true leader is a leader that develops other leaders. Lyle Kirtman, president of Future Management Systems, writes about the "Four Steps to Building Leadership Capacity:
1. Leaders examine their own leadership style.
2. Leaders review the leadership profile of their team.
3. Leaders commit to an on-going process.
4. Leaders maintain a positive culture of change despite barriers
In my experience as a principal, you will find those who will do almost anything to be placed in a "leadership role" (e.g. team leader, grade level chair, department chair), and then you will find individuals that want nothing more than to be left alone to teach. You must find the talent that each individual possess. Don't wait for them to tell you what their strengths are, let their actions speak for them.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Friday, July 11, 2014
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