The Role of the Principal - Connector

I’ve been thinking alot lately about how research in education and other fields makes it way from academia to teachers in classrooms. One of the things I’ve realised is the importance of the school principal as a “connector”. To be sure, academics share their research in all kinds of ways that get their material read and implemented, and practising teachers also often seek out new sources of information, including current research. However, the school principal is perfectly positioned to be a conduit for current research to make its way into the hands of busy classroom teachers. 

An example of this came up for me in a recent meeting. In the meeting we were discussing what resources we would purchase to teach reading at school. Several options were presented from a variety of publishers. What was immediately apparent for me was that research into how children acquire the skills of reading is evolving, and some methods and resources that were common and widespread even just 2 or 3 years ago are outdated, called into question, or even discredited. (see “The Science of Reading Progresses”) 

I’m grateful to have the time outside of the classroom to learn about and share new ideas. I’m grateful to have the network to draw new ideas and resources from far and wide into my school. The potential for influencing teaching practise and the impact on learners and their future success is inspiring, and hopeful. That’s a great feeling to take home at the end of a day!

Creating a Digital Learning Commons

cc licensed flickr photo by Enkhtuvshin

Refreshed, rejuvenated, revisioning...

Having spent the weekend with school administrators from around BC I am feeling energized and ready to leap back into some of life's challenges again. It was great to reconnect with folks and to meet some people I've only ever known from social networks and blogs. While following the twitter feed at the conference (#bcpvpaconf) I came across this blogpost by Johnny Bevaqua (@jvbevacqua), one of the Principals who's blog I follow. It was great to read about a library project that is rethinking how we use that kind of space. It was also a good reminder for me that sometimes a blogpost doesn't need to be about a momentous "aha!", but can be about relating something exciting we are trying in our schools.
At one of my elementary schools this year we are rethinking how we use our library space, and how we access and interact with texts. We are planning to use tablets and an app like Overdrive media to borrow public library books. Teachers will also be using the devices to plan projects. The ultimate goal is to find a way to access digitized resources from our newly branded District Learning Commons.
Together with teachers and students from the school, community members,  district resource staff and admin from both sites, we have embarked on a journey -- one that is uncertain in that we don't know where it will lead. This makes me nervous, even a little afraid. It's funny though, because as a teacher this is what I did every day and every lesson. Somehow setting off into the unknown feels a little more risky these days. It's exciting, and I'm glad to be part of a team. I'm looking forward to documenting the journey here over the next few months.

Think (and act) Positive

As I prepare for a new school year, and my first year as school principal, I've had several occasions to think about the power of positivity. I've enjoyed reading a couple posts by other administrators on this topic, in particular a post by @MrWejr on the Friday 5, and @L_Hilt on The Power of Positivity. Like these principals, I see so much energy around me, but much of it appears wasted on negative, draining pursuits.

Happiness is an attitude.

There is anxiety that comes with starting a new school year. Folks want to be ready, to have it all together, to feel organised. Adding to an already stressful situation for some, is the challenge of a labour dispute in our province. Without delving into that hot topic, it is safe to say that some people feel a little more anxiety than usual. My thoughts lately have strayed towards how I can influence the climate in our schools in a positive way. The primary way I see myself doing that is by being "solution oriented" -- thinking and acting in a positive way.

For me, being in the solution means considering the problem, but not getting weighed down by it. As @L_Hilt pointed out in her post, we are in the people business, and the business of serving students and families. I need to look at problems as challenges, or jigsaw puzzles. I often have some of the pieces but can't see the whole picture. It is part of my role as a leader to pop my head up and try to orient us in the bigger picture. Being forward thinking or solution oriented keeps me driving towards that purpose.

Another way I like to think of problems and solutions is using the analogy of a balance. When I am stuck in the problem, I am adding grains of sand to the problem side of the balance. If I am solution oriented I can tip the balance in the other direction. It is important for me to remember when I am in the thick of it that it only takes one grain of sand, one seemingly small action, to tip the scales in a new direction.

The upswing for me is that positivity is infectious, and the result is often happiness! Although it is sometimes hard work, as Seth Godin writes in his post "The problem with positive thinking", it is worth it. It is hard to be a downer around an enthusiastic, smiling and positive person. The effect on staff, and hence students and the learning environment, is magnificent. I owe it to myself to affect this change.

Vision Reimagined

I will be a vice principal for a few more days. Then I will begin to wrap up this part of my career, and look forward to a new stage. I've spent so many days working on becoming an administrator, and a few years as a vice principal learning from my colleagues. It feels strange to be moving to a new school and taking on this new role.

I am keenly aware of the need to continue learning from the students and teachers I work most closely with, and to cultivate a growth mindset in my interactions with other colleagues. I think what is affecting me most profoundly is this fresh opportunity to recreate myself, to reinvest with purpose in my growth as a learner and a leader.

I am very excited to close out my school year with another visit to UBC to participate in the annual Short Course. I think it will be an excellent way to refuel after an exciting (but exhausting) school year. I look forward to making new connections and catching up with friends. I know I will come away with new eyes and fresh ideas.

I am interested to hear from others what works for them when they transition into new roles, as leaders and learners. I am eager to learn about the cultures at my new schools (2 rural schools), and find my niche with my new colleagues. If you have any suggestions or ideas, any and all feedback is welcome.

What's your sentence?

I was recently inspired by Daniel Pink's "What's Your Sentence?" project to try something similar with the staff at our school. We are a newly amalgamated elementary school, and were in need of a focus, a mission. I pitched the idea at a staff meeting, and while no one groaned outwardly or rolled their eyes, I could feel the temperature drop in the room. Over the next few days I heard through the grapevine about the grumbling, and started to wonder if this idea was going to bear any fruit. I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised! At first bulleted lists started to arrive in my inbox, then paragraphs started to roll in, and gradually carefully refined sentences. Here are some of the responses:

The list:

• Initiative, Flexibility, Proactive, team player
• Striving for academic and social excellence in a community of respect and caring.
• Our students should endeavor to become well-rounded people who take responsibility and ownership for their own learning and contribute positively to the greater community.
• We are preparing students to be productive, responsible citizens.
• All students are challenged to reach their maximum potential by becoming independent learners and thinkers who are accountable for their own actions and learning.
• The student will enjoy life long learning.
• Our students should learn respect for themselves and others and value inquiry with a critical eye.
• Heather Park provides opportunities for students to achieve their personal best, become responsible and productive citizens, and embrace lifelong learning in a safe and positive environment.
• Ecole Heather Park Elementary: a community where inspiration and caring fosters self discovery, self confidence and success.
• Character (integrity, compassion, persistence), Critical Thinking (problem-solving), Creativity, Collaboration (teaming and leadership), and Communication (writing, public speaking, networking and technology).
• Education is a means by which teachers inspire students to understand the value of learning and hard work, responsibility for one's own actions and thoughts, and developing a self-motivated enthusiasm for success.
• Teachers ignite a passion within their students to be energetic and enthusiastic life-long learners.
• The goal of education is to inspire students to be curious, cultivate tenacity and persistence, and develop an internal drive to value learning in all aspects of life.
• Heather Park Elementary is a community of learners where students are encouraged to become independent critical thinkers who are expected to treat themselves and one another with respect and compassion.

I'm not sure if we're all that much closer to defining our one sentence, but I do feel like we've embarked upon a journey as a team, and that we are working together to identify values and beliefs that inform our work in public education. Our next step will be to sit down together and begin to refine our work, and try to come up with a single sentence.

I have several questions for you. Have you used an activity like this with staff? Did you find the naysayers took away from the discussion appreciably, or did they come around for the most part? Has anyone come up with a really great sentence?

An Introduction

I've been inspired by reading several blogs recently. They have caused me to want to work a little harder at personal and professional improvement. To that end, I am going to work at posting here as often as possible, and share some of my process

Here is a graphic of some key words that have meaning for me:

I recently developed a 100 Day Plan (With thanks to the Mission School District, and the folks that put me onto this idea at the UBC Short Course, July 2010). I have continued to use it as a guiding document that helps keep me on track at school:

100 Day Leadership Plan

Principals’ leadership behaviours during the first 100 days of their tenure are critical to their success in moving the student learning agenda forward (Allison, 2008). Using what research tells us works in school leadership (Marzano, 2005), describe below three non-negotiable leadership strategies that you’ll employ during the first 100 days of the current school year to focus for your work with staff on the school growth plan. Examples of these strategies include daily classroom walkthroughs, double blocking for literacy, scheduled time for teacher collaboration, learning focussed staff meetings, etc.

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