Create a Consistent Pattern

A recognizable, consistent pattern can reduce stress, free-up mental capacity and increase reaction speed.  As a principal, I didn’t view this as an interesting factoid; I recognized it as a competitive advantage.  So how did I leverage this competitive advantage?  

My teachers and I replicated a consistent room set up, from class to class to class.  Important messages, locations for pertinent information, decorations, and furniture arrangements were essentially the same, in every classroom.  So what did this redundancy and consistency get us?

Reduced student stress, deeper student thinking and accelerated student skill acquisition.  All of which was ultimately measured by the fact that my students significantly outperformed similar students in neighboring schools.

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: TASSP Aspiring Principal Workshop (Multiple Presentations), Learning for a Change Spring Summit (Keynote and Multiple Presentations) 
• 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

PowerWalks Alignment to T-TESS Domain 3

This is post three of a four post series addressing each T-TESS domain and its relationship and correlations to PowerWalks.

Link to T-TESS Domain 1 Post

Link to T-TESS Domain 2 Post 

Link to T-TESS Domain 4 Post

T-TESS Domain 3: Learning Environment

The research is clear that the environment can have either a positive or negative impact on student performance. Additionally, the components of an effective (leveraged) classroom environment can be observed.  When addressing classroom environment, the sole lens should be the effect of environmental factors on student performance.  The uncomfortable truth is this is not the lens used in the vast majority of schools and classrooms.  Instead, adult comfort and convenience are the primary considerations.  There are three things to consider before attempting to improve the environment in classrooms on a campus.

1. Instruction is always the first priority.

a. Bad instruction in a good environment = bad instruction.

b. Good to great instruction in a bad environment = good to great instruction.

c. Good to great instruction in a leveraged environment = enhanced student performance.

2. What the research teaches us about effective classroom environments is that the least we can do... is the most we can do.

3. It is the rare leader who possesses both the stomach and fortitude to address classroom environment issues, at scale.

See the chart below. The areas highlighted with the color GREEN represent areas of correlation.

T-TESS Domain 3: Learning Environment PowerWalks Modules	Environment, Routines and Procedures 3.1	Managing Student Behavior 3.2	Classroom Culture 3.3
Instructor Location
Pupil Engagement
Lesson Framing
High Yield Practices
Instructional Rigor
Instructional Relevance
Classroom Climate

PowerWalks Alignment and Correlation to Domain 3 

As a teacher gets better at the best practice addressed in the six PowerWalks modules, the appraiser is provided subjective evidence that the elements of T-TESS Domain 3 are being addressed.

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: TASSP Aspiring Principal Workshop (Multiple Presentations) 
• 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 March 27, 2016

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of March 27, 2016 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. Vouchers? Tuition tax credits? Home school deductions? Opportunity scholarships? Tax credit scholarships? No. Theft from children. Period. (By @pastors4txkids)

2. The Fundamental 5 (Cain & Laird) is a great instructional book. Allows for instructional boundaries and autonomy all in one. (By @iPrincipalJJ)

3. A guaranteed curriculum, formative assessments and instructional coaching are key differences between schools that succeed and schools that do not. (By @PrinRipmaster)

4. "School choice" is fancy policy designed to rob public money for private aims. It's a lie. Don't fall for it. (By @pastors4txkids)

5. Hey LYS Nation, I'll see you in June at the TEPSA Summer Conference! (By @LYSNation)

6. If you’re going to be a pioneer… just understand, you will have to spend periods of time serving as an outlier.

Embrace that opportunity! (By @DCulberhouse)

7. Improvements to classroom layout can result in a 45% increase in student engagement. (By @IntelK12Edu)

8. Negativity and high quality instruction do not mix. (By @BluntEducator)

9. Spending unhealthy amounts of time on social media can erode your attention span for real 'life' comprehension. Try speaking and listening. (By @idriselba)

10. Just found out that the University of Louisville is using The Fundamental 5 (Cain and Laird). Go Cardinals!!!! (By @LYSNation)

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Conference (Multiple Presentations); LYS / TASSP Advanced Leadership Academy (Keynote) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Facilities Support

It is difficult (but not impossible) to run a quality education program in a poorly maintained facility.  And even if the education program is of high quality, a subpar facility impedes student performance.  And in too many districts, the urgency of the Facility Staff leaves something to be desired.  (Side bar: I worked in two districts, one with horrible facilities support, and one with fantastic facilities support. For those of you who have experienced both, you know first hand the effect of environment on student performance).

The practical problem for principals is how to increase the urgency of Facilities Staff and have them better respond to the needs of your campus.  Here are some ideas to consider.

1. Treat the Facilities Staff as if they are the most important people in the World. This will make you unique. Most educators ignore Facilities Staff.  Would you give your all for someone who doesn’t know you exist?

2. Consider the Facilities Staff as part of your staff.  If you are feeding your staff, include them.  If you do staff shirts, include them. You get the idea.

3. Submitting work orders:

A. When you submit a work order, attach a picture. Facilities Staff seems to respond faster when they see the problem. 

B. If there has been no response after one week, resubmit the work order and picture, but CC your supervisor, and the Facilities Director.

C. If there has been no response after two weeks, resubmit the work order and picture, but now CC your supervisor, and the Facilities Director and the Superintendent.

4. And if none of the above works, send the Director (or Assistant Superintendent) of Facilities a bottle of his favorite Scotch every Christmas (this is what I did).

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
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: American Association of School Administrators Conference; National 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

The Five Fundamentals of Classroom Environment

School is starting in the next couple of weeks, so now is a good time to review the Fundamental 5 for cultivating classroom environments that enhance student performance.

1. When it comes to classroom displays and decor, LESS is more. For most teachers, a good rule of thumb is in comparison to what was in the room last year... reduce it by ½.

2. Reduce the amount of clutter in the room.  This means that any non-instructional decor or accents, leave them at home.

3. Get you room organized and keep it organized. This also includes the teacher’s workspace.

4. Keep the room clean.  The good news is with the reduced clutter and improved organization, this will be easier than ever before.

5. Keep the lights on, and if available, keep the window blinds open.  Long story, short: More light engages the brain, less light slows the brain down.

Embrace these 5 environment fundamentals and you will quickly notice improved student focus, engagement, and performance.

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

A Reader Asks... A Room Set-up Rubric

A LYS Principal asks the following:

SC,

Quick question... Do you have any examples of room set-up rubrics I could provide for my team as we prepare for the start of school? 

We are trying to make sure we don’t give away any student performance due to sub-par room set-up decisions.

Thanks.

SC Response

Kudos to you and your team for recognizing that the set-up of the classroom can either augment or impair student performance.  I don’t have a specific rubric for you but I can provide some guidelines for developing a rubric specific to your campus.  Which in my opinion is the optimal solution.

The rubric should define and be oriented towards "True North" in a classroom (for our southern hemisphere readers, use “True South”).  “True North” is the wall with the main display or white board, and usually is the direction that students face in that particular classroom.

Based on “True North,” line out how classroom items and decor should be situated.

Then line out what should be displayed and what should not be displayed.

Address what are allowable teacher furnishings and what would be considered excess furnishings.

Set base parameters for classroom clutter, organization, cleanliness and lighting.

And finally, use picture and diagram examples as much as possible.  After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (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 June 28, 2015

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 June 28, 2015.

1. "Texas public schools are fully funded." A lie is still a lie no matter how many times it's presented and repeated as the truth. (By @pastor4txkids)

2. Why insist schools are adequately funded when our courts, superintendents, principals and teachers know they are not? (By @pastor4txkids)

3. Don't use data to sort students but to sort instructional practices that work or don't work! (By @yankee_todd)

4. Use common assessment data to sort instructional strategies, not to sort kids. (By @englishtchr1977)

5. One of the great ironies of organization leadership is that we take our best people and ask them to work significantly harder than the others. (By  @JasonJj7)

6. Two things that add chaos to the classroom: clutter and attitude. (By @vbstuart)

7. Educators, your purpose is to develop talent not select talent. (By @SteveRamirez)

8. “Education is truly the only silver bullet to improve our nation's standing worldwide.” (By @DrRichAllen)

9. If you want to be an instructional leader, make sure you're spending time where the instruction is happening. (By @eduleadership)

10. Telling people to dial back their strengths is filling their pockets with rocks. (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
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of November 9, 2014

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 November 9, 2014.

1. Take an environmental walk through your school. What is on walls reflects what you value. (By @norskireader)

2. It's always a good idea to speak up for your school because I can promise someone is speaking against it. (By @BluntEducator)

3. A person who feels appreciated will always do more than what is expected. (By @NAPmath)

4. Don't think problem, think opportunity. (By @LeadershipTipss)

5. As @LYSNation (S. Cain) says, it's Frequent Small Group PURPOSEFUL Talk. Purposeful in BOLD, ALL CAPS, AND FLASHING FONT! (By @vhsaldana)

6. Bad news served in between a positive sandwich makes for a poor meal.  Be kind but be direct when having tough conversations. (By @TroyMooney)

7. Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success. (By @CoachKWisdom)

8. "Great leaders stay positive in the most difficult of challenges. Wrathful leaders stay negative even in the best of situations." (By @MangersDiary)

9. The United States once led the world in future development.  Now we are allowing ideology to stop needed development! (By @herbertoneiljr)

10. HISD trustee, Lunceford, says state's end-of-course algebra exam isn't high stakes when kids only have to get 37% correct to pass the test. (By @e_mellon)

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Be the Best Me in the Classroom

So it is that time of year, late Fall.  The time when the newness of school has worn off and the holiday break is still a month a way.  A time when the leaves start to turn color and the complaints about the lack of student behavior, motivation, and performance begin to heat up.

I’m not going to say that the complaints are not warranted.  But I will say that in many cases the complaints are self-inflicted.

First, we have to remind ourselves that, “STUDENT PERFORMANCE IS DRIVEN BY ADULT PRACTICE.”

So when student behavior, motivation and performance take a noticeable dip, we have to take an uncomfortable look in the mirror.  And based on that look, if we find that we have let some of our practice get sloppy, tighten up just a bit.  Trust me, your students will respond when you do so.  Here is your mid-semester checklist to make sure that we are setting ourselves up to be the best teachers that we can be.

Practice

1. I Frame every lesson. Correctly.

2. I use a timer (recommended: The Fundamental Five Classroom Timer).  To make sure my warm-ups start and end on time and that I close every lesson... correctly.

3. I get into the Power Zone. A lot.

4. I Grade on the Fly. Every chance I get.

Environment

1. I get rid of all the clutter in my classroom.

2. I make sure everything in the room is neat and organized. Always.

3. I make sure the room is clean. At the beginning and end of every class.

4. I open up my blinds/curtains (if I have windows).  I keep the lights on. 

Take care of the items on this list, everyday, and things will go a lot smoother for you and your students.

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
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: TMSA Winter Conference; ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of October 12, 2014

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 October 5, 2014.

1. What takes years to build can be torn down in mere days and weeks. Leadership matters. (By @blitzkrieg607)

2. Your surroundings should make the things you need to do easy and the things you shouldn’t do hard. (By @tra_hall)

3. Did you know if teachers start class 5 minutes late and end 5 minutes early every hour they would lose around 29 days of learning each year? (By @justintarte)

4. I've heard many times, "Teachers don't vote." Let's hope this isn't true. (By @PaulaKelm)

5. Congrats to William Moerner, an alumni of Jefferson HS in San Antonio, for receiving the Nobel Prize in chemistry! (By @RYHTexas)

6. Instructional feedback is giving students information in a timely manner that allows them to make changes that affect their learning. (By @vhsaldana)

7. Finishing a high school course beyond Algebra 2 more than doubles the odds that a student will complete a bachelors degree. (By @DrJerryRBurkett)

8. The good people of Texas can breathe easy, as their state is fiercely prepared for the non-existent crisis of voter fraud. (By @JohnFugelsang)

9. We have a constitutional obligation to provide a suitable education to every child in Texas. Vouchers vacate that duty. (By @johnkuhntx)

10. Model!  Model!  Model! (By @OCTHenderson)

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 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook