Saturday, April 20, 2013

National Search for a High School Principal


LYS Executive Search

~ High School Principal ~

A large, central Texas school district is searching for its next high school principal

The successful candidate will have
  • Demonstrated leadership success as a secondary campus principal
  • Demonstrated success educating at-risk student populations
  • LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note
  • Large 4A/5A high school campus
  • Urban, suburban setting
  • Diverse student population
  •  Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com
  •  Letter of Interest
  •  Resume
  • Administrator’s certifications
  • Two letters of reference
  • Recent campus performance data

Application Deadline: May 11, 2013

Search Consultant: E. Don Brown

LYS Executive Search
(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, Once again a school district is targeting you to be its next campus leader. Time to step up again!
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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)
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Friday, April 19, 2013

A Principal Writes... The Power of PowerWalks


A principal who recently began to implement LYS practices on her campus writes:

SC,

Since seeing your presentation, my Assistant Principal and I have implemented the five daily walk-thru’s (classroom observations) that you recommend.  We love it!  Since this implementation, our discipline has improved as well as instruction.  We are working with our marginal teachers without forgetting our best teachers and making them all better!

You were a definite inspiration to us and you continue to be as we throw your name around (I hope that's okay!).

Thank you and continued success to you and yours!

SC Response
Thank you for your kind words and quick status report.  As instructional leaders we add value when we cue new behaviors, problem solve and coach staff.  All of this begins with daily, focused classroom observations (Best tool – PowerWalks). If we are not doing this, at best we are operations managers.  Throw in the added bonus of decreased discipline issues (reductions of up to 75%) and the question for campus administrators becomes, “How can you not observe classrooms everyday?”

And yes, feel drop my name anywhere you want to.  There is no better endorsement.

Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Thursday, April 18, 2013

A Reader Writes... CSCOPE - Part 2


In response to the 2/7/13 post, “The Superintendent’s Corner... CSCOPE,” a reader writes:

SC,

Thank you for your positive comments about CSCOPE. A couple of comments:

1. Agree – There are many superintendents, principals, and other administrators that do not know how to implement CSCOPE. How can we say we are instructional leaders, unless we can lead?

2. CSCOPE is spelled CSCOPE - not C-SCOPE, or other variables. It is a created term for this product and is not an acronym. As educators, we should lead by example and use the correct spelling for educational terms.

3. If you listened to the Senate Education Committee - one has to agree with you that the leadership at TESCCC needs a big change. If you are going to run the number one curriculum system in Texas, you have to know how to be a politician.

4. As far as "free." Oh, my... what are we thinking? There is no free lunch. TESCCC does not make money. They flow money from ISDs to an organization that creates the content of our curriculum, assessments, keeps up with TEKS changes, etc. As individual districts none of us have the funds to do this by ourselves. TESCCC is exactly what Senator Patrick was encouraging us to do a few years ago, "join cooperatives." We have a curriculum cooperative. Free - it practically is! It is a 501.3c and doesn't create a dime. If you want it open, publishers will "steal" it; if you want it free, then SBEC or TEA will control it. Oh, that's a smart idea.

TESCCC needs a leadership change. Superintendents need to make sure they explain CSCOPE and that their principals can train teachers on how to use CSCOPE. Until that happens, we need to get ready for SBEC to take over on one of the biggest sides of the Foundation Trinity - aligned curriculum.

SC Response
I agree with your agreement.

1. Thanks for the correction.  Perhaps my not knowing that will put a halt to the rumor that I’m in some way connected to CSCOPE.  But I doubt it.

2. This is the case of no good deed goes unpunished. When the success of a group of dedicated educators get in the way of the agenda of a power hungry megalomaniac politician, don’t bet on the educators.

3. Agreed.  As for Senator Patrick (who actually represents me in spite of my best efforts), it is my belief and observation that getting re-elected motivates him.  It is only about him.  Cooperatives were simply a talking point to further himself.  Now dismantling cooperatives is simply a talking point to further himself. 

4. Agreed.  And expect the lessons to go away.  Which means for teachers with multiple preps, new preps or little experience, good luck... because once again, you are going to be on your own.  I suggest you remember that next time you are in the voting booth.  I can promise you that I will.

Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A Principal Responds to the "Math Expert"


At the recent Texas Senate hearings on CSCOPE a former teacher and self-proclaimed expert in Algebra instruction was given the opportunity to testify on the deficits of CSCOPE.  The summary of his testimony was that following CSCOPE made Algebra I hollow and devoid of all learning.  It forced him to simply provided an illusion of education.

In response to this a LYS Principal shares his observations.

I wish I would have been asked to testify after the “Math Expert.” I would have said the following:

"Members of the Committee, 
I worked in the same district as this man shortly after his departure. I was hired as the high school principal. Let me tell you the rest of the story.  This man was not on my staff. I simply inherited the mess he left.  I was hired to improve a campuses that had been chronically low performing. Especially telling were the deep-rooted math problems that persisted year after year. Based on what he left, I must conclude that this “Math Expert,” was ineffective as a teacher. And prior to my arrival, the staff was NOT using CSCOPE in any manner that could be construed as mandatory implementation. Thus based on the objective evidence that I inherited and then verified, in spite of what the “Math Expert” would like you to believe, the issue was with the archer, not the bow, arrow or target. 
Thank you.”
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

A Principal Asks... Master Schedule Options


A LYS Principal asks the following:

SC,

So if eight and nine period days are so awful, what does a good schedule look like?

Seven periods?

I am loaded with electives, what do I do with those folks?

My E/LA department believes and have shown through scores that if they are not blocked that they cannot cover state mandated material in just 46 minutes a day. This forces other classes to be larger and just creates more issues to deal with on a daily basis?

I can see having fewer periods, more time on task, and moving from 46 minutes to more than 50 minutes a period. Is this what you are getting at?

I am at a loss and want to assist my campus in being at the top by doing whatever is required. As they say "everything is on the table".

SC Response
Excellent questions that warrant expertise beyond my pay grade. So I referred your post to the best scheduling person I have every met, former “Principal of the World,” E. Don Brown.

EDB Response
You mentioned “block” in your question. Most have a single view of "extended time learning" and many administrators see the "block" as an increase in staffing cost so it is rarely used any more.

In Texas, where I understand your campus is located, due to state course requirements (4X4 and the distinguished diploma) and testing requirements (was TAKS, now STAAR) most principals see either the block, eight period, or nine period schedule as their only options. There are other options and my favorite is the "Trimester". Some may remember it from their college experience.

The Trimester is just as one would predict. Students are scheduled into three, twelve-week sessions, each session consisting of five courses. This allows students to earn 2½ credits each trimester, 7½ credits each year, and 30 credits for the four years of high school. But most importantly, the Trimester gives teachers time to teach and students the opportunity to focus on mastering a manageable course load.

The kicker is that STAAR does not fit perfectly into the Trimester system. But TAKS didn’t fit perfectly into the traditional semester system, as is still the case with the STAAR. This requires individualized accommodations that can and should be made for students, regardless of the schedule you are running. But sadly, most school leaders are not willing to do this extra work for two semesters, so doing it three times a year is out of question. Yet another example of adult convenience trumping student benefit.

Here are some basic facts about the TRIMESTER.
  • Students are enrolled in 5 classes each trimester (3 trimesters x 5 classes = 15 classes or 7½ credits per year.
  • Teachers teach 4 classes each trimester (3 trimesters x 4 classes = 12 classes or six sections per year.
  • Classes are 70 – 80 minutes long (extended learning time periods).

As with any good foundation, there are also several hybrid schedules that can be created from this basic format.

E. Don Brown

Think. Work. Achieve. 

Your turn...

  • 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)
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Monday, April 15, 2013

A New LYS Principal Search - Elementary School


LYS Executive Search

~ Elementary School Principal ~

A large, central Texas school district is searching for its next elementary school principal

The successful candidate will have
  • Demonstrated leadership success as a campus administrator
  • Demonstrated success educating at-risk student populations 
  • LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note
  • Mid-sized elementary school campus
  • Urban, suburban setting
  • Diverse student population
  • Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com
  •  Letter of Interest
  • Resume
  • Administrator’s certifications
  • Two letters of reference
  • Recent campus performance data

Application Deadline: May 11, 2013

Search Consultant: E. Don Brown

LYS Executive Search
(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, Once again a school district is targeting you to be its next campus leader. Time to step up again!
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A New LYS Principal Search - High School


LYS Executive Search

~ High School Principal ~

A large, central Texas school district is searching for its next high school principal

The successful candidate will have
  • Demonstrated leadership success as a secondary campus principal
  • Demonstrated success educating at-risk student populations
  •  LYS training and experience, preferred

Information of note
  • Large 4A/5A high school campus
  • Urban, suburban setting
  • Diverse student population
  • Competitive salary and benefits

Qualified and interested candidates submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com
  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume
  • Administrator’s certifications
  • Two letters of reference
  • Recent campus performance data

Application Deadline: May 11, 2013

Search Consultant: E. Don Brown

LYS Executive Search
(832) 477-5323

LYS Nation, Once again a school district is targeting you to be its next campus leader. Time to step up again!
Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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) 
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of April 7, 2013


A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  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 April 7, 2013.

1. Ms. Richmond (West Ave ES) was 5 for 5 on the Fundamental 5 when her class was visited today. Outstanding instruction!

2. Technically private school vouchers should be called public subsidies. (By @cheadhorn)

3. Bill Ratcliff, former Lt. Gov. - now with Raise Your Hand Texas, questions why state would cut public education funding and then fund vouchers. (By @e_mellon)

4. Implementing initiatives without walk-thrus is like a teacher assigning homework and not grading. (By @fosterbkay)

5. I'm a firm believer everyone is responsible for creating a welcoming school climate. One bad experience can ruin it all for a visitor. (By @casas_jimmy)

6. Want to ensure that your good people will leave? Keep "demoting up" your marginal and poor performers.

7. How not to transform your organization: Ignore the fact that inactions are decisions too. (By @brandyjbaker)

8. Real understanding isn't being able to comprehend when someone else explains; it's being able to explain it yourself. (By @anniemurphypaul)

9. The "creative class" is the 35% of people who continually refine their skills and self-educate even after graduation. (By @anniemurphypaul)

10. How not to transform your organization: When things go bad, retreat. (By @brandyjbaker)

Think. Work. Achieve.
Your turn...

  • 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)
  • Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook