It's Never as Bad as It Could Be

Summer time is construction and remodel time. I know a lot of you are dealing with this right now and are concerned about what will happen if the construction crews don’t finish on time. Having dealt with this numerous times in my career I feel very confident in sharing the following.

1. Assume that project will not be completed on time. Plan as if that is the reality.

2. The only absolute is that the students are returning on the first day of school.

3. No matter what happens, act as if it is the way it is supposed to be. Fake it and the kids won’t miss a beat.

4. Keep reminding the adults to stay flexible.

5. Know that no matter how bad it is, it could be worse and below I submit photographic evidence of this.

Here is a picture from last week of me and John Montelongo (one of the original LYS principals) standing in the construction site that is his 5A high school. This project will last for the next 18 months. As is to be expected in the LYS Nation, John and his staff are embracing this project. They recognize that in this chaotic setting is the rare opportunity to recast everything and make it better. The construction years are the most memorable because they are the most novel. It’s up to you to make a good or bad memory.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Submits... Pursuing My First Principalship

An active member of the LYS Nation submits:

“Again, I have to admit that SC is right. If you are looking for your first principalship outside of your home district, it will take 100 applications, for ten interviews, for one job. By my count, I have now applied for 43 open positions. I have had three interviews. I have been the runner-up twice and I am still waiting for "the big chair” job.

What I have gleaned through this process is I am able to learn a lot about the district by how they treat applicants, interview candidates and make their final selection. You really begin to understand an organization in your attempt to become part of it. Clear communication, friendliness, collegiality, and vision reveal themselves from the first phone conversation to the last.

If I do not get a particular job because I am passionate, on fire, enthusiastic and an LYS change agent, then so be it. I will not compromise who I am. I drink the "LYS Kool-aid" and believe in its tenets. The LYS philosophy that has changed my life and the life of my students!!!"

SC Response
First of all, though I wish I could take credit for it, Dr. Richard Hooker (an icon in Texas public education) shared the 100 application rule with me when I was a frustrated teacher trying to land my first AP job. When he told it to me I was skeptical, but like you, over time I have found that it is a good rule of thumb. And it helps to remind you during your search that the rejection is just part of the process.

Second, I glad you are starting to see that the interview process is a two-way street. After all, if a district can’t treat strangers (who they want to impress) with professionalism and dignity and communicate a sense of mission and purpose, how do you think they treat and support their actual staff?

Third, the search process does have a hidden positive benefit. It smoothes off the rough edges of our delivery and makes us focus on the critical components of our message. A skillful leader is able to make and support her case concisely, with conviction, without alienating the audience. A host of skeptical interview committees that holds the keys to your career provides you with multiple opportunities to practice and refine this particular skill.

Fourth, when you are applying for the next level job, there are two candidate piles, with experience and without experience. Those with experience have a significant advantage. So when you are in the second group, it takes a little more time, perseverance and sometimes a break. What it doesn’t take is luck. Luck is just the intersection of preparation and opportunity. This means you have to keep preparing and keep putting yourself out there.

Finally, thanks for the kind words and know that your success is what motivates us.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (A Convesation with One of the Smart Guys - Part 2)

In response to the post, "A Conversation with One of the Smart Guys," a reader writes:

“I am in GP and very proud to be a part of it. At the end of May, I was sitting in a meeting with other teachers from other GP schools. One teacher went off on LYS and asked to see the research and why it is so important. Another person said the same thing. In fact, I am pretty sure that (he or she) said, "I have asked to see the research on its effectiveness, but was told to be quiet and never ask again."

That is not verbatim, but close. Look at the growth that GPISD has had in the last 3 years. Right there is a validation of the research!!! What LYS and GPISD is doing, IS WORKING!!!”

SC Response
As you (and the majority of the GPISD staff) have proven, all it takes is the courage to let go of the stale practices of habit and embrace small changes that pay big dividends in student performance. Kudos to you.

The “research question” is the biggest crock of malarkey you can image and is simply a tool that the naysayer uses to stop change. The research is not secret, as we point out and share over and over again. LYS practices are entrenched in the works of Schmoker, Marzano, DuFour, Fullan, Schelecty and Caulkin just to name a few. Then, just as you have done, we point to the work of LYS that has been validated in the field over and over again. All the naysayer has to do is read a book and/or look at the data.

As for the the statement, “I was told not to ask.”

Again, made up garbage by someone who doesn’t want to change at a pace that is beneficial for students. One reason why LYS and GPISD works well together is because GPISD leadership is constantly is looking for the answers to the qestions, "what works, how do we know it and how do we start doing it?" As does LYS.

Plus, there is the blog. As regular readers know, I (and by extension LYS and the LYS Nation) will discuss any topic and address any concern that is brought forth in this forum. As I have written before, this is a forum of ideas and may the best idea win.

So when someone is throwing stones, consider the following options:

1. Say nothing. Often just knowing that you are right and they are wrong is enough.

2. Ask them to explain away the data that shows that things are improving.

3. Ask them if they have actually had a conversation with me or any of the LYS coaching staff. We are easy to find.

Regardless, don’t let the naysayers slow you down. In the short run, a little skepticism is healthy. In the long run, the continuous improvement and success of you and your students will either convince them to change or convince them to leave. Either way, their students win.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Asks... 4 Books

A LYS Assistant Superintendent recently asked me what four books I would recommend to school leaders that best encapsulate the LYS philosophy.

I have to admit that I failed. I could create the top ten list and I could create a top seven list. However, try as I might I could not create a top four list. But I did get close; here are the five books that I believe that every member of the LYS Nation should read. These works are a critical part of the tapestry that is at the core of LYS beliefs and actions. Now in order:

1. Results Now, by Mike Schmoker. This book sets the LYS tone. If on the whole you disagree with what Mike writes in this book, you are going to disagree with LYS (the organization and probably the Nation).

2. Corp Business, by David H. Freedman. This is the book I had every new AP I hired read. I have yet to find a book that does a better job of laying out the actionable ABC’s of leading people in the field.

3. Good to Great, by Jim Collins. There are hedgehogs and foxes. Reject your fox instincts and embrace your inner hedgehog. Don't have a clue what I'm talking about? Read the book.

4. The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. The primer on the power of the few. Those who question the power of the LYS Nation just don’t recognize the implication of a network of the best Mavens, Connectors and Salespeople in our field.

5. Classroom Instruction That Works, by Robert Marzano. The final word on the research that proves the effect of best practice. This book is so critical to our profession that if you haven’t read it yet, you have to question whether or not you deserve a seat at the table when the discussion turns to instruction.

There you go, my recommended initial reading assignment for the summer.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

Quick Hitters from Recent Posts

Here are some quick hitters relating to recent posts.

In response to “Urban School Myth,” Brezina writes:

"Great post. This topic should be expanded into a book."

SC Response
Not a bad idea, it is simply a matter of time (finding it) and interest (does anyone outside of the LYS Nation care).

In response to “Come By and Say Hi,” there were a number of “Wish I was there,” comments and a couple of the ones similar to the following:

"SC, we missed you at our school district’s conference. No one generated the buzz like you did last year."

SC Response
I appreciate the sentiment, but during the summer, too many of the conferences overlap. Even though we would like too, we can’t get to all of them. Plus, I saw the speaker lists at a number of the conferences I was unable to get to, no one got the short end of the stick.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...