Thank you for joining me as I re-engage on the journey of this blog, "Leading to Learn: the Education of a Principal". My goal for this blog is to regularly post short reflections about what I am learning about leadership, school, students, etc. as I continue this wonderful journey of learning to be a leader. Over the past six years as a principal, I am continuously reminded that the journey of learning about leadership will never end. I hope these reflections can help others on their own journey and lead me to new areas of insight.
"Leadership and learning are indispensable of each other"--John F. Kennedy
The past few days I was at the Massachusetts School Administrators Association Summer Institute in Hyannis. It is always wonderful to learn from Massachusetts leaders who are innovating in their practice and throughout their schools. While at conferences my goal is to a few small ideas to incorporate in my work. Here are two takeaways from this conference that I hope to incorporate this year:
- Community card to students---Beth Houf presented a wonderful idea of a holiday card that she sends on behalf of her faculty to all of the students and families in her school. The holiday card has photos of all of the teachers in the building and is a wonderful way to build and celebrate her community.
Community Card from Beth Houf's Fulton Middle School
- Pineapple Charts--My buddies Marty Geoghean and Brian McCann sold me on the concept of creating a pineapple chart. Based on Jennifer Gonazalez and Mark Barnes Hacking Education: 10 Quick Fixes for Every School, Pineapple Charts is a simple and welcoming strategy to encourage teachers to observe each other.
 |
|
Always entertaining presentation by @casehighprinc and @MGeoghegan22 on Pineapple Charts
|
 |
| Brian McCann showing a teacher in his school observing another teachers classroom...Great stuff! |
I was also inspired by participating in the "Women in Leadership" discussion. As the only male in the room, it was an incredible experience to learn from female leaders about the challenges that women administrators face and ways that we can support current and aspiring women leaders. I look forward to our book group where we will discuss The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance--What Women Should Know by Katy Kay and Claire Shipman.
Finally, I was pleasantly surprised and energized by the new Massachusetts DESE Commissioner, Jeff Riley, address at the conference. It is refreshing to see the perspective of an educator represented in the Commissioner's office and to hear a Commissioner who recognizes the need to "get back to celebrating our teachers again". Commissioner Riley ended his address with this video of Derek Redmond during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Redmond, who was one of the top 400M runners in the World, tore his hamstring in the middle of the race. After collapsing, Redmond picked himself up to try to finish the race. His father ran down on the track and helped Redmond finish. Commissioner Riley said that the actions of Redmond's father reminded him of the actions of teachers--we pick up our students when they need us and then we let them go so they can reach their goals on their own. With this perspective appearing at the state level, I look forward to a positive future for Massachusetts education.
Joshua Redmond's incredible story
