A Reader Asks... Am I in the Power Zone

A LYS Teacher asks the following question:

SC,

When I’m working one-on-one with a student, am I in the Power Zone?

SC Response

Here is the definition of the Power Zone: Teaching or monitoring in close proximity to one or more students.

This means that if the teacher in working one-on-one with a student, she is in the Power Zone.

If the teacher in working with a small group of students, she is in the Power Zone.

If the teacher is working the whole room during a whole group activity, she is in the Power Zone.

The only caveat is this, by definition, I could work with a single student for the entire period and be considered to be working in the Power Zone.  However, every other student in my room might beg to differ.  A little mobility significantly leverages the power of the Power Zone.

I hope this helps.

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: Texas ASCD Summer Conference, The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Stop with the Lazy Feedback

There are those who espouse that it is OK for someone to visit a classroom for three to five minutes, check some boxes on a form and then send the teacher the form “so she can have immediate feedback.”

There are many adjectives that I can use to describe this all too common practice.  Today I will select one of the more polite terms... LAZY.  Yes, lazy.

We’re not even going to discuss the lack of validity of a single 3-minute observation. Let’s just hit the fact that getting a form with random check marks really doesn’t tell the teacher much of anything. Other than no matter how hard she tries, she can’t do everything. Is that the feedback we want to give teachers?

So, move past lazy and do this.  Be honest with your teachers, tell them that it will take a number of short observations (around 20) to separate random occurrence from typical practice.  Which means that instead of teachers having to chase their tails, trying to do everything, all the time, they should teach while you watch for a couple of weeks. And then, here’s the hard part, you and the teacher will sit down and have an actual conversation about the practices the teacher typically uses and what practices can be replaced, added or leveraged.  That’s real feedback. 

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: Texas ASCD Summer Conference, The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• 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 9, 2017

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of April 9, 2017 when they were first posted.  And if you are on Twitter, you might want to check out the Tweeters who made this week’s list.

1. Instead of saying, we have "____ more days until summer," Let's say we have "____ days left to INSPIRE." (By @kara_welty)

2. Effort determines outcomes...that goes for students, teachers, and leaders. (By @BluntEducator)

3. “The true textbook for the pupil should be an enthusiastic, engaging teacher” (By @DrRichAllen)

4. The best teachers have three things in common: 1 - They are all about the kids. 2 - They are relentless about getting better. 3 - They are always positive. (By @SteeleThoughts)

5. If you want someone to get better at what they do, make them responsible for outcomes and coach them! Those who will not or cannot must go! (By @tgrierhisd)

6. "Assessment is really about moving forward in your learning, and not about the grade.” (By @NLearning)

7. Educational leaders never please everyone. They are criticized for whatever they do. The good ones always do what is right for children. (By @tgrierhisd)

8. Vision is not a luxury—it’s an essential for leaders. (By @GrowingLeaders)

9. Some 'leaders' have an insatiable appetite for recognition. They spend more time looking and applying for awards than doing meaningful work! (By @tgrierhisd)

10. A great soccer player won’t help the swim team win. (By @Leadershipfreak)

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: Texas ASCD Summer Conference, The National Principals Conference; The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook