Archive for the ‘School Culture’ Category
#18) The Common Denominator
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#16) If Your Heart Isn’t In It
When I was much younger, there was a popular song whose refrain began with the following statement:
If your heart isn’t it, why can’t you tell me so …
If only the students of ineffective teachers could make such an inquiry. If only the families with children in unproductive schools could take such a position. If only those educators whose heart isn’t it, if only they would tell us so.
I’m not much of a gambler, but I’m willing to wager that the vast majority of challenges facing schools can be traced in ineffective instruction. Ineffective instruction is a multi-faceted concept. For the sake of brevity, we can simply portray it in three dimensions:
a) lack of understanding of who is being taught,
b) lack of preparedness, and the
c) absence of care.
I have supervised a number of well –intentioned teachers. They care about the children. They have prepared the contents of their lesson. However, they failed to understand who they are teaching. Knowing your audience is a substantial component of effectiveness. No one could be effective in selling igloo timeshares to a nomadic desert tribe. The igloos could be the most well-crafted, wind insulated igloos ever made, but the desert tribesmen could care less about timeshares made of ice. The same can be said for your students. Instructional content is intended to be at a place beyond the student’s current knowledge, the key is building the bridge from where they are to where they need to be. But you can’t build the bridge if you do not know “where” or “who” they are.
Some teachers are rendered ineffective due to their lack of preparation. They have a general idea of what to teach, but once the students begin questioning – that teacher’s lack of preparation becomes evident. Some people refer to this phenomenon as “winging it”. If the class is one hour, even the most knowledgeable teachers can only wing-it for twenty minutes. Everything after that comes of as bullstuff or inconsequential rambling which the students tune out. Some students will reflect their teacher’s lack of preparation with a lack of effort. It all adds up to students not learning.
Teachers who do not care demonstrate the worse aspect of ineffective instruction. They often masquerade behind the façade that students need to come to where they are. A more caring teacher knows that, but brings the students to where they should be. The uncaring teacher would have you believe that if the principal would just remove this one kid (often the student who has been woefully under-challenged), the class and instruction would flow wonderfully. Once that happens, half the class eventually needs to be removed so that that teacher can “teach”. These teachers often refer to the students as “those kids”. Detaching the students from themselves, their values and ultimately their responsibility.
The chorus of previously mentioned song ends with:
If your heart isn’t it,
why keep me hanging on,
just tell me and I’ll be gone
from your life
Heartbreak is evident and harmoniously imparted by the rejected lover. Yet, who could be more rejected and heartbroken than a student victimized by ineffective instruction?
#7) Don’t Let Them Walk Away
As the school year nears an end, some of your staff are planning their futures elsewhere … don’t just let them walk away.
Staff turnover is one of the leading killers of potential school success. Indeed there are always a few, who … let’s just say their talents are better suited somewhere else. But more often than that, some of your core, bedrock staff may be eyeing greener pastures.
Why?
There are a myriad of reasons why staff choose to leave a school, but this blog will focus on one: the disconnection between administration and staff. In no way am I advocating that one group is more valuable than the other, but what I am prompting for ponder is that the relationship between staff and the building administration if quantified could make up 40% of the school culture pie.
I’ve known administrators who have regarded their staff as disposable pieces. Those administrators were assured with the abundance of teachers seeking employment, replacing one of theirs would not be complicated. Technically, it isn’t. However in regards to the investment placed in existing staff, swapping them out too often not only impacts the budget – it impacts instructional continuity and staff cohesion.
It is easy to view the students on a continuum of growth; but what is easily overlooked is that our personnel are also on a continuum of growth. Those who sincerely teach with a love for children and the profession – they will improve, because they understand and embody the often-used cliche’, “lifelong learners.” So you see, a good percentage of this year’s staff will be improved next year, because they will be driven by their own improvement goals. The middle percentage of staff who aren’t personally driven and but still contribute to student achievement can be pushed toward growth if the culture of the school facilitates such progress.
Before long, with the establishment of a collaboratively productive school culture – the staff cohesion will lead to continuous improvements in student achievement. Who wouldn’t want to be part of such a winning team? Moreover, a school culture of camaraderie, trust and professional growth can develop…. because you didn’t just let them walk away.
Do you have any staff retention strategies you’d like to share?
SCHOOL OF THE YEAR!!!!!
Of all the schools I’ve attended, served as a teacher or an administrator, visited, enrolled my children, and consulted – of all of those schools, none has resonated so deeply within my heart like Friends School in Detroit. My family and I visited during a Sunday afternoon open house in March. Fearing that we would arrive too late, we were curious as how we would be received, that fear proved unfounded because we were welcomed with love and respect. A parent led us on a tour while a fourth grader accompanied my then 5 & 2-year-old daughters. My normally reserved 2 year old and her occasionally shy big sister talked glowingly about their tour guide for the next week. Moreover, every staff member we met was warm, knowledgeable and spoke personably about their students and the expectations of Friends School. Finally, I wondered – who would dare host an open house on a Sunday? The answer to that is only the best schools and Friends School is definitely on of the best!
#6) More than an Instructional Leader
This blog entry will be featured in the upcoming book:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE FRONTLINE
Please check back for more details on how you can purchase a copy!
#4) Coasting Along
This blog entry will be featured in the upcoming book:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE FRONTLINE
Please check back for more details on how you can purchase a copy!
School of the Week
I recently had the pleasure of listening to a kindergartener address a gymnasium filled with parents, grandparents, family friends, students and staff. This 5 year old displayed an inordinate amount of charm and an extraordinary level of confidence as he informed all through poetry: I AM SOMEBODY! It takes a special kind of school to have a gymnasium filled with students and their families in the middle of the day. It takes a special kind of school to extend student learning beyond standard curriculum, and push students in to other areas where their talent can shine – as evidenced by that 5 year old somebody. That special kind of school is Plymouth Educational Center, where Success is the Only Option!
#2) The Cesspool in your School
This blog entry will be featured in the upcoming book:
REFLECTIONS FROM THE FRONTLINE
Please check back for more details on how you can purchase a copy!
School of the Week
With the downward plunge of the Detroit Three automakers, there is a necessity for a concerted effort around Michigan in developing students in growing careers. One profession whose needs continue to multiply is health care. Michigan Health Academy prepares students for a career in health care. Visit the school and a warm family atmosphere will pull you in. Most of all, you will interact with students and staff who want to be there, who want to be a part of something special. Small class sizes and hands-on learning help them equip future nurses and doctors. In a few years, a Health Academy alumnus may just be meet your health care needs!