Timeout for Leadership-your one-minute leadership idea

Halftime

Now that we are turning the corner on the pandemic, what’s next?

Now that the end to the pandemic is in sight, what is next for you and your school?  I want to state emphatically that if you return to the status quo pre-pandemic, shame on you.  I challenge each of you to use this opportunity to make lasting change in your school or district.  It cannot be a return to business as usual.

There have been scores of articles already written as to the vision of teaching post pandemic.  Each article has something special for each one of us to learn.  However, my focus is on school leadership, either from the principal’s desk or that of the school superintendent.  Unfortunately, I have not seen the same volume of work dedicated to that subject.  I want to take a few short moments to share with you what I think is essential as we move forward.

• Eliminate the cumbersome teacher evaluation system and replace it with a system of more frequent administrator visits that would include short expository written follow-ups focusing on providing meaningful feedback to the teacher.  Let’s finally agree that the latest evaluation revolution is over.  We put lipstick on the pig (teacher evaluations, not teaches) and declared that we accomplished our task.  Unfortunately, we are still creating “widgets” and I remain skeptical of any true improvement in instruction. I certainly do not think student learning has improved.  Several people and companies got rich on this initiative but I do not think actual evaluations have improved.  In fact, I think the opposite has occurred.  Evaluators are so concerned with rubrics and frameworks and checking off boxes, that well written and well-focused evaluations are gone.  Once again, the administration has sacrificed quality for expediency.  Shame on us!
• Make every school a “NO WHINING ZONE.”  That is right.  It is up to the principal to set the tone that no whining will be tolerated in this building.  As part of this, the principal must work to rid the school of the “evil side.”  You know the places that people congregate to bitch and moan.  The places that are used to trap new teachers.   The “evil side” lays in wait to pick off the new and overwhelmed teacher.  Their strength is in numbers, not the message.  I will argue that the “evil side” is in the heart of each person, yet there are physical spaces that encourage the evil side existence.  For me, it was the faculty dining room, my secretary’s desk and the security reception area.  I urge each school leader to seek and destroy these spots.  Remember that you are on the good side of the energy field in your school.  Be that “Warrior Principal.”
• Remove all artificial barriers for student success.  Namely, analyze and revamp your entry system into Advanced Placement courses and Honors classes.  I believe in Advanced Placement for all.  Please do not laugh at that statement.  It can be done if we support our students correctly.  This is essential for equity in your building.  Artificial criteria have been used for decades to keep our black and brown students out of these programs.  Shame on all of for allowing this exist.  Do something about it now.  I warn you though, it will not be a popular decision.  However, it is a necessary one.  Equity now!
• Culture, culture and more culture.  Years ago, we spoke of DEAR time.  You, know, Drop Everything and Read.  I will ask you once again to implement a DEAR time but this time I speak about Drop Everything and Re-build your culture.  “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”  This quote attributed to businessman Peter Drucker says it all.  I implore you to put all of your ideas on the back burner, they will wait, and focus on culture.  I believe that nothing will survive, no matter how great your plan may be, if your culture is off.  Part of building your culture is understanding that everything that you do as a school leader is about building and sustaining relationships.  You must be the master relationship builder even with people that you may not like.  Being able to build these relationships is the mark of a “Warrior Principal,” which you must be.
• Break the “contract of mediocrity.”  It seems as though most people in a school sign on to this unwritten contract where there is an agreement reached with all parties in the school that it is all right to be just “OK.”  You will never win if you allow this attitude to exist.  And it exists on all levels such as the teacher-principal, the teacher-student and the principal-superintendent.  Believe me it transcends the building level as well and goes all of the way to the board-superintendent level.  It basically states, “Don’t push me and I won’t push you.”  And put another way, “don’t bother me and I won’t bother you.  Everyone will coexist happily in this land of mediocrity.  Mediocrity is a sad place.  It is a place where people just settle.    It all starts with high expectations.  You must hold high expectations for your team and most especially for yourself.
• Listen, listen and listen some more.  That’s right.  Truly listen to you teachers.  Incorporate them into the decision-making process.  But make it real.  Many principals exist on some phony level where they pretend to listen.  Teachers must be given the responsibility to drive their own professional development.  Believe me, when given this opportunity, they know what they need and what they want.  Listen to them.  But by the same token, with increased responsibility comes increased accountability.  It now becomes a level of shared accountability and responsibility. This is where your “Warrior Principal” skills will be tested most.  Make it real.

I have outlined for you six easy steps to help you make the leap to greatness for you and your school.  I am convinced that if you follow these steps, you will create a new school.  Yes, a new school that looks much different than the one you have become used to and a new school where engagement and accountability will soar.  Good luck!  You are that Warrior Principal.  Never forget that it all starts with you!