The culture exists to manage the organization in its present state. If we could talk to culture, the future would be clear: The culture would tell us, just repeat the past.” - Gruenert and Whitaker, 2015 When educational leaders are new to their position, or newly
Turning parents from critics to collaborators, from spectators to effective team-players, and from external evaluators to partners, implies developing mutual empathetic understanding. A generational-friendly approach can provide tips and solutions for better home-school partnerships and increased academic results. But let’s start at the beginning: Do
“The more leaders focus their influence, their learning, and their relationships with teachers on the core business of teaching and learning, the greater their likely influence on student outcomes” (Robinson, 2008, p. 636). Teachers have the greatest influence on student achievement, yet often are subject to
In an era of relentless educational change, it is somewhat counter-cultural, I suspect, to write a book with the title of Reduce Change to Increase Improvement. My purpose in doing so, is to disrupt the assumption that change is always desirable, and to challenge educational leaders
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” –Scott Adams “Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable.” –William Pollard “Creativity is the key
Do you look forward to going to work most days? Do you feel that your work matters? Are you part of the decision-making process in your school or district? Do you use your unique strengths and talents most days? If you answered, “Yes” to the above
To better meet the needs of today’s learners, more and more school systems are shifting away from traditional teaching practices. Some schools are engaging students in more meaningful, real-world learning experiences through project-based learning. Others are embracing makerspaces, design thinking, gamification, blended or personalized learning.
The principal is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in the school—from staff and student safety, to the operation and maintenance of the physical plant, to student achievement. How, then, can a principal share leadership, and what are the benefits and drawbacks? First, for those unfamiliar
The instructional leader is a relic – an outdated caricature that never really existed. Note the emphasis on “the” and “leader.” Instructional leadership is alive and well – not to mention more necessary than at any point in history. Ask any great leader—I asked a number of them
Every system is perfectly designed to achieve the results it produces. Think about it – if a system is designed to produce great watches and 10 out of every 100 are defective, then the system as currently constituted is designed to produce great watches 90