A Reader Submits... Extension of the "Power Zone" Concept

An Old School LYS’er submits the following:

I am sure it has been said before, but in the midst of my “Leadership Morning Reading” (and posting in Project Share), I was inspired by the following thought:

Sean Cain, of Lead Your School, promotes the concept of the "Power Zone" for teachers as they work in the classroom. As a colleague encouraged our teachers, "We plan on our seat and teach on our feet." The concept illustrates the need to be engaged with students in the midst of students and not from behind a desk or a lectern. The best teaching comes when the teacher can put hands on the work of the students. The same can be said for leaders in other venues. The most successful and effective leadership comes not from behind a desk or boardroom door but from working in the midst of those you are leading and serving. This is our Power Zone.

But, it reminds me, too, that we need to keep our team members in their Power Zone as well. That is where they work from their strengths and not their weaknesses. Knowing the appropriate place for each person and being in place with each person builds success so that the team setting becomes a "Power Zone."

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

The Reference - Part 1

It’s that time of year again.  The time when districts look at what their campuses are doing and then look at LYS campuses and decide that it is time to make a hiring upgrade.  In the course of the recruitment dance, the interested district always wants a to hear from a reference or two.  And occasion, I'm one of those references.

So do you want to know why the LYS Leader is different?  Here is an excerpt from a letter that I just completed that attempts to explain just that.

 

(Masked Name) is an excellent, driven principal.  What is unique about (MASKED NAME) is her expertise in school finance and her growing reputation as a grassroots political leader.  She, more than any principal I know, is willing to take our fight for quality public schools to our political leaders who wish that we would just quietly go away. 

To her credit, right now, she is an credible irritant to our current political leadership that believes underfunding Texas public schools is actually good public policy.

I would place (MASKED NAME) in the top five young education leaders in the state.  She will do great things for the district who recognizes her unique skill set for the “once in a career” asset that it is.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Writes... Fundamental 5 / PDAS Alignment - Part 1

In response to the 3/21/2012 post, “Fundamental 5 – PDAS Alignment,” a LYS Principal writes:

SC,

These are GREAT correlations in black and white!! I plan to use these at upcoming summatives so that people who have not bought in/ chosen to turn a blind eye to 'consistency' can see very clearly why their students aren't striving at the levels of those whose teachers ARE on the Fundamental 5 bus... And why they aren't 'exceeding' in the 'quantity' AND 'quality' factors...

Thanks!!!

SC Response

You are welcome.  What I hope is that the alignment document takes some of the mystery out summative evaluations for teachers.  The idea that by focusing on doing more of, and getting better at five specific instructional practices is the key to earning a great evaluation ought to go a long way towards reducing teacher stress and improving the value of the annual assessment conference.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of June 3, 2012

So you are thinking about reassessing your ban on bootleg technology in your classroom(s). Good for you, but there will be student issues that you will have to deal with. After all, when in the course of human history has a teenager not pushed a limit or stepped over a line?  With that in mind, here are three preemptive measures to protect you, students and the sanctity of your classroom.

A. Have a short “Acceptable Use” contract.  List the type of sites that cannot be accessed; the type of messages that cannot be distributed; the times that devices can’t be used; the right of adult monitoring; and reasonable consequences for misuse. Keep it short and get it signed by both the student and the parent.

B. Only allow the use of headphones when you decide it is appropriate.

C. Devices must always be on top of the desk, face up. The rule is, “I trust you as long as I can verify what you are doing, looking at, and sharing.”

These three measures ought to solve about 97% of the management and discipline issues relating to the use of bootleg technology in the classroom.  And when a student abuses the privilege, which one will, be a little disappointed, then deal with it in a reasonable manner and move on.

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of June 3, 2012.

1. Henry Ford offered the Model T in one color. He knew choice was less efficient and increased cost. Choice was introduced at an increased cost. (By @txschoolsupe)

2. Same people who complain about $$$ for education spend thousands a year on athletic equipment/training/registration fees for their kid. (By @cheadhorn)

3. Education is a major component of the cure for poverty and instruction is THE major component of education. (By @txschoolsupe)

4. Gave my hard copy of “The Fundamental 5” to my boss, just purchased “The Fundamental 5” on Kindle for iOS. (By @mike_metz)

5. The true test of leadership is not if you win or lose. The true test is if you get up off the mat when the unexpected buckles your knees.

6. If you don't like the label "average" the answer is not to change the label. The answer is to change the performance.

7. If you don't change anything after you review the results of an assessment then all you are doing is taking grades. (By @TroyMooney)

8. By the way, we are using Fundamental 5 with principals this summer. I showed off my dog-eared copy. (By @museblogger)

9. School is out. Time to plan for next year. (By @DrJerryRBurkett)

10. Lead your school to greatness by following @LYSNation and watch the transformation begin! (By @tra_hall)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation