Don't Disappoint Coach Miller

LYSers are known for spending a lot of time in classrooms observing instruction.  It is a critical part of becoming an exceptional instructional leader. In this pursuit there is a minimum standard.  That standard being 30-minutes a day devoted to observing the most important thing that occurs on a campus... Teaching and Learning.

Those new to LYS often struggle to accomplish this, and LYS does provide processes, training and support to those new to the practice.  Occasionally, a defensive school leader will claim that this is unreasonable / impossible.  Which brings us to LYS Legend, Coach Harry Miller.  After hearing a group of campus leaders run through a litany of reasons why they were not visiting classroom rooms, Coach Miller shared the following:

“As school leaders we work long hours. In fact, I don’t know a school leader worth her salt that doesn’t spend at least ten hours a day on campus.  In those ten hours, how is it not possible to carve out just 30-minutes throughout the day to visit classrooms? Do the math, 30-minutes represents just 1/20^th of the day to ensure that teachers and students are successful. 1/20^th of to day to solve little problems in the halls before they become big problems in the office.  Honestly, if a school leader can’t devote 1/20^th of the day to actually becoming a more effective leader, that is just disappointing.”

Today, get out from behind the desk and go visit 5 classrooms. Don’t disappoint Coach Miller.

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

Field Notes From The Fundamental 5 Summit - Part 2

Last week, the 3^rd Annual Fundamental 5 Summit was held in Austin, Texas. Over 300 educators from across the country attended and participated.  Here are some more of the highlights of from the Summit, as reported on Twitter.

Planning practices need to focus on the "How," not the "What." (By @ptpeabody)

The closing gives teachers the most bang for the buck when checking for student understanding. (By @celiadrews)

If there is more teacher talking than student talking in class - purposeful talk needs to be addressed. (By @ptpeabody)

The ABCs of education..."Always Be Closing." (By @cheadhorn)

Kids will give us sloppy work if we accept sloppy planning work from teachers. (By @CabidaCain)

Brad Weston: Don't look for reasons to discount the data. Look for ways to use the data to get better. (By @LYSNation)

Brad Weston: You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable. (By @LYSNation)

Brad Weston: Teachers need to care and try. CARE about what they do and TRY to get better. (By @TraciTousant)

Harry Miller: If no one's following you, you're just on a walk! (By @TraciTousant)

WE are in charge of creating the future. (By @leslmeek)

"The Lesson Frame is magic" - Jayne Ellspermann, National Principal of the Year. (By @PrincipalFHS)

National Principal of the year, Jayne Ellspermann, limits sending school wide email to only 1 per week! (By @tra_hall)

Jayne Ellspermann = A-MAZ-ING! We live in a world that we have shaped. Let's change that shape! (By @leslmeek)

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

E. Don Brown Writes... 53 and Counting

LYS Principal Emeritus, E. Don Brown, sends out the following field report.

I Loved SC’s 8/21/15 on the road clip, “The Long Summer Road Trip” and I was inspired to share my week on the road. Great fun, even for the “old and feeble”!  

I spent Monday and Wednesday with LYS Coach, great communicator and friend, Harry Miller, in Quinlan ISD and Cuero ISD. In those districts we had the privilege of helping 500 teachers and instructional leaders prepare for the new school year.

On Tuesday, I was at Canyon Middle School helping teacher prepare for their most successful year ever. Finally, on Thursday I had the opportunity to work all day with the faculty at Tompkins HS. THS is a great school, one of just thirteen 6-A high schools to earn all seven TEA distinctions,

My highlight of the week was a visit from, and a lunch with, one of my former students from the Bell HS class of 1987.

I am “pumped-up” to again have a meaningful role in now the 53^rd Start of the Year of my career.  And I love the excitiement of being a LYS Coach working with the LYS schools and educators.

It is now rare to meet an educator that is not aware of Lead Your School and The Fundamental 5. And I am proud and honored to part of both the LYS Team and the ever growing LYS Nation!!

E. Don

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); National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Early Success: A Coaching Exchange

The following is an excerpt between LYS Coach Harry Miller and the principal of a new LYS school.

(Coach Miller) It is exciting watching your people grow and increase the size of their bag of tools.  There is power in having all of the campus totally immersed in this endeavor; it’s hard to beat synergy. Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats!

(LYS Principal) Thank you for helping us.  You and the LYS Team have definitely sharpened some of our dull tools that needed to be revamped, and added a new set of tools to our toolkit.   As of now, here are my stats:

86 PowerWalks for the year

52 PowerWalks for the month

24 PowerWalks for the week (I'll have more tomorrow)

I'm proud of what I've accomplished thus far but am pushing for more PowerWalks.  I keep an eye on the Top Observers of the Month and I've noticed that one of our elementary principals has been in 3^rd place for most of the month.  She also knows this because I told her on Monday, “I'm coming for ya!!!”

I have been sharing what I have observed with my staff!  After which, teachers will write me meaningful replies back, or come into my office and thank me.  I thank them right back because they are the ones making such huge changes. 

Thank you, for everything you do and what Lead Your School (Fundamental 5, PowerWalks) has brought to our district. 

See you soon. 

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

The New PowerWalks is Here! The New PowerWalks is Here!

Dear PowerWalks User,

We are excited to unveil the updated version of the PowerWalks Instructional Observation System.  As you are well aware, PowerWalks was designed to provide Teachers with “Game Film” to inform their honing of daily practice and to provide Instructional Leaders with a tool to better coach and support their staff, from the large group to the individual. With this updated version, PowerWalks continues to do this, but now easier, faster and with more flexibility.

The PowerWalks site looks different (better), but the basic operations remain the same, with the following enhancements:

• The primary classroom observation survey has been streamlined and now focuses on only the positive elements of instructional best practice.
• For managing users, there is the ability to create custom observation elements for campuses.
• The PowerWalks Instructional Observation System will alert the observer when the most powerful elements of best practice have been observed and will send a positive note to the teacher.
• Report building has been streamlined to just a one screen operation.
• Additional standing (pre-built) reports have been included on your personal report page.
• Report generation speed has been significantly upgraded. 

To be added in the next few weeks, both an Android and Apple App for use on campuses with inconsistent connectivity and a narrative coaching report to facilitate staff coaching meetings and conversations.

We know you will find the new version of PowerWalks to be even better than the last and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Thank you,

Your LYS Coaching Staff and Fellow PowerWalkers

Bob Brezina, E. Don Brown, Lesa Cain, Sean Cain, Sherilynn Cotten, Dr. Jim Davis, Barbara Fine, Jo Hoeppner, Harry Miller, Jeanette Nelson, Gwen Poteet

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 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote Presentation) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

The Fundamental 5 National Summit - Your 1-week and 2-week Reminder!

A message from a LYS Assistant Superintendent:

I just met with E. Don Brown and Harry Miller at LYS Booth at the TASA/TASB conference. We were discussing my team of principals and teachers preparing for the big Fundamental 5 Summit in Dallas (also in Austin). 

We are stoked!!

http://www.tassp.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=409

A Reader Writes... (Poisonous Staff - Part 3)

In response to the 10/12/2010 post, “Poisonous Staff,” the original writer sends in an update:

Cain,

BTW, my project poisonous staff member is somewhat softer now and more compliant. A testament to the effectiveness of influence and time, over authority and power.

SC Response

Congratulations! To you, your school and the employee. It sounds like you are channeling your inner Harry Miller and E. Don Brown. It’s a tough lesson, but like Brezina used to remind us, “You can’t fire them all so you better figure out some ways to save some of your bullets.”

Getting the reluctant on board (in a timely fashion) is a great litmus test of your leadership ability.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

A Reader Writes... (Advice for the First Year Principal - Part 7)

In response to the post, “Advice for the First Year Principal – Part 3,” a reader writes:

“OK writer, you are off to a good start, but here is where you need to polish up. True: you are not in a popularity contest. However, there is a popularity contest going on, even if you choose not to participate. You need to understand (Sean does) that being a principal is about 30% mechanics (LYS stuff) and 70% personality. Even from the business world, Steven Covey reminds us that we can demand expectations, but people only give their best voluntarily.

My first principalship I spent my time learning the mechanics; I mastered that quickly. My second principalship was a situation of task overload. The school was in desperate shape, enter the need for the knowledge of mechanics (which I had not mastered, but knew adequately). However, the community was a hornet's nest, enter the need for personality. Harry Miller and Roger Hailey attempted to give me a crash course in personality, but the school was the perfect storm. The school was too broke, I was too inexperienced, and the community was too entrenched in mediocrity. I simply was unable to learn fast enough to overcome the storm.

Fast forward to my fourth leadership position. I assure you I have mastered the mechanics and have learned the lessons from Miller and Hailey. Maybe not to perfection yet, but certainly to adequacy. You must not only manage the easy stuff (the mechanics), but you must master the dynamics of leading people.

Just saying, you may want to rethink the popularity issue."

SC Response
Early in my first principalship, one of my mentors (Dr. Richard Griffin), pulled my aside and said, “Son, being a good principal is 70% personality, 30% technical. You have the ratios reversed.”

It’s an important lesson, yet one that is rarely taught directly and explicitly because personality is so personal. It’s easier to hear (and say), “you’re wrong,” than “you’re a pompous, arrogant jerk.”

I glad you mentioned Harry Miller. Sometimes the coach you need isn’t the coach you want. As you mentioned, your "go to" skill set is centered on the rapid turn around. This unique skill and experience set is why you are always in demand. But as you pointed out, District 2 had the need, but not the desire. Enter Coach Miller. I remember you telling me, “Harry is different than my other LYS coach. He wants me to go slower”

To which I replied, “Harry wants you to go fast, just is a different way.”

All this to say, as you well know, the purpose of leadership is to move the organization from where it is, to where it is should be, to where it could be, in an effective, efficient and expedited manner. To do this requires a package of skills, executed with purpose and reflection. Popularity for popularity’s sake is an exercise in vanity. Popularity as a leadership skill is a legitimate and effective tool.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...