Posts
In response to the discussion on “Programs,” a reader writes:
“OMG, who is the “Quit entertaining programs and start leading” writer? What a wake-up call. I’m taping that quote to my computer.”
SC Response
He’s a “Brown” guy, who is on my list of the “Top 10” assistant principals in Texas. Students love him, teachers admire him, and the competition fears him. All qualities I looked for in my staff.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Reader Writes... (The Problem with Programs - Part 5)
In response to the discussion on “Programs,” a reader writes:
“I don't disagree with this reader at all. However, I still contend that big gains, perhaps the biggest gains, occur when we focus on improving the quality of instruction in the classrooms. Endless programs implementation takes our eyes off of that prize. Without quality instruction in the classrooms, I contend you are attempting to put icing on a cake that isn't even baked yet.”
SC Response
Let me solidify your response. Improved student performance and improved front line teaching are directly correlated. As you are well aware, the first trick to improving a campus is the recognition that bad instruction is better than no instruction. Then replace bad instruction with better, and so on and so on….
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
“I don't disagree with this reader at all. However, I still contend that big gains, perhaps the biggest gains, occur when we focus on improving the quality of instruction in the classrooms. Endless programs implementation takes our eyes off of that prize. Without quality instruction in the classrooms, I contend you are attempting to put icing on a cake that isn't even baked yet.”
SC Response
Let me solidify your response. Improved student performance and improved front line teaching are directly correlated. As you are well aware, the first trick to improving a campus is the recognition that bad instruction is better than no instruction. Then replace bad instruction with better, and so on and so on….
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A Reader Writes... The Problem with Programs - Part 3)
In response to the discussion on “Programs,” a reader writes:
“The biggest problem with programs is that we are talking about them! The point is we give too much credence to programs hence, this endless string of posts to this devastatingly boring and useless topic. LYS philosophy is about building strong teachers, supporting them, and leading them to victory - period. We get off task when we even entertain the world of programs. Shut up and start leading! Said with 'fidelity.' Respond if you dare.”
SC Response
I understand this reader’s frustration. I sit in on too many meetings where the discussion is how to succeed in spite of teachers (the selling point of many programs). The key is front line teaching.
Leadership must provide both induction and on-going advanced training for teachers. Leadership must provide necessary tools and resources to teachers. Leadership must ensure that teachers implement the training and use the tools and resources. And, leadership must remediate or remove consistently ineffective teachers. This can only be done if leadership is engaged with teachers and instruction on a daily basis.
When you find yourself trying to figure out how to overcome teachers, as opposed to how to improve the effectiveness of teachers, the issue is the system. System failure is leadership failure. Or as the reader so delicately wrote, “Quit entertaining programs and start leading.”
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
“The biggest problem with programs is that we are talking about them! The point is we give too much credence to programs hence, this endless string of posts to this devastatingly boring and useless topic. LYS philosophy is about building strong teachers, supporting them, and leading them to victory - period. We get off task when we even entertain the world of programs. Shut up and start leading! Said with 'fidelity.' Respond if you dare.”
SC Response
I understand this reader’s frustration. I sit in on too many meetings where the discussion is how to succeed in spite of teachers (the selling point of many programs). The key is front line teaching.
Leadership must provide both induction and on-going advanced training for teachers. Leadership must provide necessary tools and resources to teachers. Leadership must ensure that teachers implement the training and use the tools and resources. And, leadership must remediate or remove consistently ineffective teachers. This can only be done if leadership is engaged with teachers and instruction on a daily basis.
When you find yourself trying to figure out how to overcome teachers, as opposed to how to improve the effectiveness of teachers, the issue is the system. System failure is leadership failure. Or as the reader so delicately wrote, “Quit entertaining programs and start leading.”
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
State of theBlog - The Last 100 Posts (300 and Counting)
Hello, LYS Nation. This is the 300th post to the column, so as has become a tradition, we will review our progress.
First, the review:
The 1st post was on Monday, February 16, 2009.
The 100th post was on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
The 200th post was on, June 10, 2009
The 300th post is today, September 2, 2009
It has taken 192 days to reach the 300 post milestone.
The 300 posts represent more than 196 pages of single spaced text. This is the equivalent of a 1,000 page book.
The top 6 key words have been: Leadership (91); E. Don Brown (37); Robert “Bob” Brezina (32); Advice (24); Book Recommendation (20); and Staff Expectations (20)
At this point, the LYS Nation is driving the discussion on the blog. Let’s keep this up, I find the blog much more interesting as a dialogue.
There are 193 e-mail subscribers. Thank you!
There have been over 5,500 site hits.
All of this is incredibly exciting; especially when you consider that just 192 days ago, every number was 0.
A Little Blatant Self Promotion:
First, if you like the site and you haven’t signed up for the e-mail subscription, please do so. I find that it’s easier to write to people than it is to write to web hits.
Second, if you like the site and find it useful, tell three other people. This blog will become a much more powerful resource for school improvement as we add brain power.
Finally,
Thank you so much for reading and responding. This was a little blog that started out as a way for just couple of schools to stay connected. In six months it has turned into a community of board members, central office administrators, campus leaders, and teachers who are focused on redefining what schools and students are capable of. Who knows what we will discuss in the next 100 posts.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
First, the review:
The 1st post was on Monday, February 16, 2009.
The 100th post was on Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
The 200th post was on, June 10, 2009
The 300th post is today, September 2, 2009
It has taken 192 days to reach the 300 post milestone.
The 300 posts represent more than 196 pages of single spaced text. This is the equivalent of a 1,000 page book.
The top 6 key words have been: Leadership (91); E. Don Brown (37); Robert “Bob” Brezina (32); Advice (24); Book Recommendation (20); and Staff Expectations (20)
At this point, the LYS Nation is driving the discussion on the blog. Let’s keep this up, I find the blog much more interesting as a dialogue.
There are 193 e-mail subscribers. Thank you!
There have been over 5,500 site hits.
All of this is incredibly exciting; especially when you consider that just 192 days ago, every number was 0.
A Little Blatant Self Promotion:
First, if you like the site and you haven’t signed up for the e-mail subscription, please do so. I find that it’s easier to write to people than it is to write to web hits.
Second, if you like the site and find it useful, tell three other people. This blog will become a much more powerful resource for school improvement as we add brain power.
Finally,
Thank you so much for reading and responding. This was a little blog that started out as a way for just couple of schools to stay connected. In six months it has turned into a community of board members, central office administrators, campus leaders, and teachers who are focused on redefining what schools and students are capable of. Who knows what we will discuss in the next 100 posts.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
A Reader Writes... (The Problem with Programs - Part 2)
Continuing the conversation on “The Problem with Programs,” a reader writes:
“Programs are only effective if implemented with fidelity. Including training for teachers and follow through by teacher leaders monitoring the implementation, reviewing the data and acting on the data.”
SC Response
Amen. There are a couple of posts to be written on what you just touched on.
1. Fidelity. A program half implemented is not a program. It is a jumbled mess with little chance for success.
2. On-going support. If you believe that someone can replicate a procedure or practice perfectly, the first time, then you have not been paying attention.
3. Implementation. This is the responsibility of leadership.
Discussion to follow.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
“Programs are only effective if implemented with fidelity. Including training for teachers and follow through by teacher leaders monitoring the implementation, reviewing the data and acting on the data.”
SC Response
Amen. There are a couple of posts to be written on what you just touched on.
1. Fidelity. A program half implemented is not a program. It is a jumbled mess with little chance for success.
2. On-going support. If you believe that someone can replicate a procedure or practice perfectly, the first time, then you have not been paying attention.
3. Implementation. This is the responsibility of leadership.
Discussion to follow.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Reader Writes... First Week of School Observations
“From previous experience with setting up for meetings, I was told to plan for more, set up for less and build for success. If I expected fifty people to show up, set up for forty and look like you are building beyond expectation. Of course, you were supposed to plan for seventy-five and adjust your presentation for the number that was actually in attendance. This means that you had to be as prepared for 10 as you were for a hundred.
So, what happens when you far exceeded the expectation and do not have enough resources to meet the need? This week our school enrolled one hundred more students than was expected (a 13% increase) and one hundred forty more than were enrolled the previous year (an 18% increase).
Needless to say, students were like sardines and instruction was like casting seed into the wind. But, what kept it all running as smooth as possible? High visibility and verbal support. Tensions could have run away with the campus like a team of horses without a lead. Instead, administrators stayed mobile and on the alert. They picked up the slack and quick responses averted relational collisions. Each opportunity was seen as a teaching moment for students and faculty. Calm resolve provided smooth transitions. Cool heads turned simmering kettles into lemonade stands. Positive attitudes leveled mountains into molehills. In the end, prepared leadership enables a possible disaster to become an exemplar of success.
And this is the hardest week? Then the next thirty-nine ought to be smooth sailing!”
SC Response
This is what I mean by action oriented leadership. When leadership is out with the staff, it is in a position to solve problems when they are small and get resources to where the need is critical. This cannot be done from the office or by reading e-mail reports from the field. What is interesting is that when leadership is close by providing support and resources, it is never viewed as micro-managing. It is when leadership shows up infrequently and then provides little but criticism and “helpful” suggestions, that staff begin to bristle.
Congratulations on the exciting week and the increase in enrollment. When you are successful in solving the unexpected problems, the run of the mill problems seem to start solving themselves.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
So, what happens when you far exceeded the expectation and do not have enough resources to meet the need? This week our school enrolled one hundred more students than was expected (a 13% increase) and one hundred forty more than were enrolled the previous year (an 18% increase).
Needless to say, students were like sardines and instruction was like casting seed into the wind. But, what kept it all running as smooth as possible? High visibility and verbal support. Tensions could have run away with the campus like a team of horses without a lead. Instead, administrators stayed mobile and on the alert. They picked up the slack and quick responses averted relational collisions. Each opportunity was seen as a teaching moment for students and faculty. Calm resolve provided smooth transitions. Cool heads turned simmering kettles into lemonade stands. Positive attitudes leveled mountains into molehills. In the end, prepared leadership enables a possible disaster to become an exemplar of success.
And this is the hardest week? Then the next thirty-nine ought to be smooth sailing!”
SC Response
This is what I mean by action oriented leadership. When leadership is out with the staff, it is in a position to solve problems when they are small and get resources to where the need is critical. This cannot be done from the office or by reading e-mail reports from the field. What is interesting is that when leadership is close by providing support and resources, it is never viewed as micro-managing. It is when leadership shows up infrequently and then provides little but criticism and “helpful” suggestions, that staff begin to bristle.
Congratulations on the exciting week and the increase in enrollment. When you are successful in solving the unexpected problems, the run of the mill problems seem to start solving themselves.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
Sunday Advice from an LYS Reader
Just a reminder for existing LYS readers and an invitation to new LYS readers, Sunday is advice day. Send me your favorite piece of advice and why, along with your mailing address. If I post it, I’ll send you a world famous Lead Your School can koozie.
An anonymous (send me you address and I’ll send your koozie) LYS reader submits the following:
Here is my favorite piece of advice,
“Under Promise, over produce, and claim victory no matter what.”
SC Response
Great advice. It is relevant at a personal, team, organization and career level.
Note to CL: Your koozie is in the mail.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
An anonymous (send me you address and I’ll send your koozie) LYS reader submits the following:
Here is my favorite piece of advice,
“Under Promise, over produce, and claim victory no matter what.”
SC Response
Great advice. It is relevant at a personal, team, organization and career level.
Note to CL: Your koozie is in the mail.
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...
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