A Reader Writes... (Sunday Advice 2/7/10 - Part 3)

In response to the posts relating to, “A Reader Shares… Sunday Advice (2/7/10),” a reader writes:

"When I first heard Brown's Law I too felt insulted. I didn't believe it and even discussed the issue with close friends who felt the same as I. But, after years of hard bumps and bruises, my friends and I accept Brown's Law as Truth.

I have seen it proven true time and again. Principal's who don't embrace Brown's Law are likely a detriment to their campus. Going farther, principal's who do not embrace Brown and Brezina are the likely the reason we have accountability.

Put another way: How did we get to the point where the government had to step in and do what's right for kids?

Answer: Because there were (and still are) a whole lot of principals out there who reject the Brown/Brezina principles of leadership.

On the issue of you being comfortable in your current position, this sailor will be bold and fire a shot over your bow. Marine, Move up or move out.

You are obviously talented, trained, and smart enough to be a LYS Leader. There are districts out there playing with the idea of just giving assistant principals a few years to move up; after the timeline expires they are out and new talent is brought in for potential development for the big chairs. Leadership is too important to let talented people get comfortable in positions that are key for developing leaders."

SC Response
When I was principal I was invited to be a part of a group of educators that meet with a group to state representatives to discuss accountability issues. As I explained how I thought a fair and productive system should be designed, the room got more and more quiet. So concerned, I quit talking. Someone said, “We could never agree to this. Where did you get these ideas?”

I said, “It’s not an idea, it’s how I operate my school and our school system.”

My boss at the time, Brezina. My coach, Wayne Schaper (who then unknown to me was a mentor, colleague and close personal friend of E. Don Brown.) So yes, I agree with you. The failure to embrace what Brezina, Brown, and those of their ilk modeled and taught has resulted in politicians making political hay by seeing who can slap us around the most. The bottom line is that great schools and their leaders don’t define themselves by meeting state minimum standards. They define themselves by the next mountain they are attempting to conquer.

As to your comment about how it is time for the Marine to move up, I could not agree more. He has been trained by the best and has been tested under fire. All that is left is to find the superintendent that values everything that a member of the LYS Nation brings to the table. And since I know the Marine personally, I’m not worried about him growing stagnant in his current role. Like you, he was trained by Brown and Brezina and actively looks for the good fight to engage in, everyday.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...