An Offer from a Member of the LYS Nation

See below for yet another example of the LYS Nation stepping up to help its own. At the very least, print a copy of this and keep it in your desk. You never know when you may want to take Bret up on his offer.

Sean,

For any leader transitioning into a new position, I recommend the following two books:

1. You’re in Charge - Now What, by Thomas J. Neff and James N. Citrin

2. The First 90 Day, by Michael Watkins

I know you have read at least one of them. From those books, I developed my own transition plan/agenda for when I became Deputy Superintendent at Grand Prairie. I will gladly share my plan/agenda with the LYS nation. Anyone interested in receiving it need only e-mail me. I also have my highlights of both books typed up. I will also share them with the LYS Nation. Again, just email me.

Bret Jimerson, Ed.D., J.D.
Deputy Superintendent of Educational Operations
Grand Prairie Independent School District
2602 South Belt Line Road
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
(972) 264-6141
Bret.Jimerson@gpisd.org

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (A Conversation with One of the Smart Guys - Part 1)

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

“I want to work for Brett Jimmerson!”

SC Response
It is interesting that you sent in this comment, because recently I have observed the following phenomena, and it is picking up speed and intensity.

1. LYS’ers want to work with and/or for other LYS’ers.

2. Adamant non-LYS’ers do not want to work for LYS’ers. But, in general, their course of action is to either quickly leave or try to hunker down and wait out the storm.

3. LYS’ers are miserable when they work for adamant non-LYS’ers. However, in general, their course of action is to soldier on, keeping the focus on their class, team, or campus. All the while, scanning the horizon in search of an organization that better fits their tempo and beliefs.

As to your comment, I will remind everyone of this. First, LYS’er or not, no boss/leader is perfect. You, as the employee, have to decide if your leader’s strength set outweighs his or her weakness set. That is a personal decision.

Second, if you want to work for Jimmerson, or any other LYS district for that matter, send LYS a copy of your resume. Brown and Brezina head up the LYS Executive Search Team. They are constantly evaluating and placing up and coming school leaders (AP’s, Principals, Assistant Superintendents and Superintendents). As one Superintendent recently said, “Get me as many Brezina and Brown disciples you can find.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Converstaion with One of the Smart Guys

I was recently talking to Brett Jimmerson (one of the scary-smart guys in our field). He was almost giddy (as was I) when looking what his district has been able to do in just three years. Here’s the recap:

2008: 8 schools Recognized or Exemplary (mostly recognized)

2009: 24 schools Recognized or Exemplary (mostly recognized)

2010: 32 schools Recognized or Exemplary (even 16 / 16 split)

The formula: The Foundation Trinity; the Fundamental Five, data driven decisions; a motivated and aggressive Principal corp; and a critical and ever growing mass of teachers committed to working differently.

But here was his question, “Why isn’t the media beating down our doors to report the story about the Grand Prairie Miracle?”

Of course I don’t have the definitive answer, but here is my opinion. The Grand Prairie Miracle (like the “miracle” at scores of LYS schools) isn’t flashy. The miracle isn’t a miracle. Instead it is a lot of hard work, a commitment to asking hard questions, and holding yourself accountable to purposefully improving.

In a world that wants to “program” it’s way out of a problem, that’s not a story, that’s a reminder that we’re not better because we lack commitment.

Jimmerson wrapped up with this, “We didn’t do this for the publicity, but our people and our kids have busted their tails for three years now and you would think that someone outside our system would care.”

That’s why there is an LYS Nation. The world may not care but the Nation does.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...