Readers Write... A Stressed Out Staff - Part 1

In response to the 1/27/15 post, “A Stressed Out Staff,” readers write:

A LYS Principal

 “Right on, Brother. Keep preaching it!“

A LYS Principal

“Good stuff... good stuff... So glad you shared this out!

A LYS Teacher

            “And I thought I was the only one who noticed which teachers do the most whining.

SC Response

I get it.  Teaching students in this era of increased accountability and diminishing resources is difficult, stressful work.  Much more so than when I was in the classroom. I also recognize that for many, “gritching” is the lubricant that allows one to deal with the friction of doing difficult work.  So I have a high tolerance for “in house / behind closed doors” gritching. 

So for those doing the work, in the way that we agreed to do it, I am on your side and if I can help, I will.  

But for those making their lives more stressful due to cutting corners and hoping to not get caught, the only help I can give you is to help you get on board or to help you move on.  That is difficult job of leadership.

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

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of May 15, 2016

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of May 15, 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. Remember we don't have a few more days until summer break. We have a few more days to make a difference for our children. (By @PrincipalOgg)

2. “The secret to making sure students don't act like the school year is over is to make sure teachers don't act like the school year is over." (By @DrRichAllen)

3. Repetition: A person must hear something several times to believe it. A person must do something several times to achieve it. – John Wooden (By @CoachMotto)

4. I would rather try to control innovation than boredom -- take a risk. (By @MichaelFullan)

5. Arguing with idiots is like playing chess with a pigeon.  They crap all over the board and strut around like they won. (By @RatliffT)

6. Be clear about this Texas Legislators: Cutting state taxes means hurting children. Just ask our Oklahoma friends. Or any Texas teacher. (By @pastors4txkids)

7. Demonstrate habits of excellence. Elevate your performance toward a noble purpose. Lift others to their highest potential. (By DrMetz_MHS)

8. Leaders are wise to identify top influencers on campus early. Those people are your power brokers. Their words carry weight. (By @heffrey)

9. Some days I walk in my class with my arms full of papers thinking: "What moron assigned all this work to be graded?" (By @BluntEducator)

10. "We want guys who drink out of the water hose, not the guy who's mommy brings him a Powerade after the third inning" - Tony Robichaux. (By @CoachLisle)

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

Schools are Built for Adults - Case 2

“Schools are built for adults.” 

As an extension to the 5/18/2016 post, “Schools are Built for Adults – Case 1,” the above truth does not predispose that educators are bad people.  They (we) are not. In fact, compared to the population at large, educators are more decent, empathetic and self-sacrificing than the typical adult.  But we are still people. Which means that effective school leaders must be students of human nature.

My second proof point that “schools are built for adults” is this... In the Long Run, Adult Comfort Trumps Student Performance.

The overwhelming majority of schools do not operate to maximize student performance. Instead they operate at the intersection of an acceptable level of student performance and acceptable level of adult discomfort.

As long as that intersection resides above state accountability standards, the campus is considered successful and there is no pressure to maximize student performance.

If the intersection resides below state accountability standards, there is significant internal and external pressure to raise the level of student performance.  And the staff on the targeted campus will bear down and endure significant hardship toensure that more of their students meet the external accountability standards.

Not only is this admirable but it also demonstrates that we are capable of doing more than what we typically do.

But then the campus gets performance over the minimum standard bar and the crisis is ended.  Sooner rather than later, the all-important measure of adult comfort again takes over and there is significant pressure on campus leadership to “slow down,” and focus on morale.  The fact that there is objective proof that increased student performance is not only possible, but probable, is immaterial.

And for those of you skeptical, this pattern has been observed 100’s of times.  It is the primary reason why the State of Texas monitors campuses for up to 3 years after the campus finally meets minimum standards.   

No one really pays attention this truth. Now that you know it, what will you do with this information?

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

Schools are Built for Adults - Case 1

“Schools are built for adults.”

Every time I speak this truth, it upsets people.  They accuse me of being pessimistic and defeatist.  I am neither. Because I was, based on that truth, I wouldn’t be able to get up every day and attack my work with full vigor. I am a realist.  And I think it is important that those of us who work in schools to embrace this truth, to either work around it or rise above it. 

My first proof point that, “schools are built for adults” is this... The Master Schedule.

A. There is not a competent sitting principal who believes that they have the perfect master schedule.

B. There is not a competent sitting principal who is not aware that there are adjustments that can be made to his/her current master schedule that would significantly benefit students.

C. There is not a competent sitting principal who is not aware that if they implemented the master schedule that was absolutely best for students, that there would be significant pushback from adults in the system, from teachers to the Board and every level in between.

D. Due to A, B, and C, competent sitting principals live with master schedules that are not optimized for student need. 

A+B+C+D = Schools are built for adults.  What will you do with this information?

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 Superintendent Writes... Elections have Repercussions

An old school LYS Superintendent shares:

LYS Nation,

As a superintendent, obviously, the Texas Supreme Court's ruling on school finance disappoints me.  I admire the deference to the legislature at some level, but not at this level.

To say that a judicial branch should not override the elected representative branch makes perfect sense at the federal level.  After all, at the federal level US Supreme Court justices are appointed, not elected by the people.  

The situation is quite different at the state level in Texas.  All nine of them are ELECTED to office by the people, just like the legislature is.  

I appreciate the Texas Supreme Court's nod to federalism and the US Constitution, but this is not a federal issue, it is a State of Texas issue.  Those nine justices were elected by the citizens of Texas and should now be held accountable, by the citizens of Texas.  If only educators would turn out and vote.

SC Response

At some point, educators will have to face the fact that their hypocrisy in the voting booth is the main source of their collective pain.  I have given up trying to predict when this will happen.

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 May 8, 2016

If you are not following @LYSNation on Twitter, then you missed the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of May 8, 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. Congratulations to LYSer, Dr. Mike Metz! He is the new Principal of Magnolia High School!! Who will be next? (By @LYSNation)

2. The key trait that distinguishes leaders from everyone else is self-development—leaders actively seek to improve themselves and their skills. (By @DrKing_BBJH)

3. The absence of adversity is an indicator that my goals aren't significant enough. – Clint Bruce (By @CoachMotto)

4. You can be comfortable or courageous, but you cannot be both. (By @DavidRoads)

5. The signature of mediocrity is not an unwillingness to change, innovate, or grow; it's chronic inconsistency. Jim Collins (By @LeadershipCures)

6. We should focus just as much on HOW results are achieved as we do on WHAT results are actually achieved. (By @DrKing_BBJH)

7. "Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day." - Jim Rohn (By @MariSmith)

8. The best measure of a leader’s success is what is accomplished by those they trained. (By @DrKing_BBJH)

9. When you move unsuccessful people up and expect success you truly are foolish.  You can't hope a dud into a diamond. (By @TobyTucker)

10. Excited to share that I will present multiple times at the TASSP Summer Conference this June in Austin, Texas! Hope to see you there!!! (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