LeaderTalk

Teacher Request Advice

I'd like to get some feedback on how some of you currently handle teacher requests.
School background
400 students, Rural
K-5 building
Average of 3 teachers per grade level

I love my job!

If I was making toilet paper, nobody would really give a s*%#....  

I often use this joke while teaching a graduate class and while a little off color I find it to be extremely true.  I love my job because people actually care about what I do.  They have too.  I  am dealing with the most important natural resource on the planet.  Human Beings.  And not just any human beings, but the most prized possession of humans, their children.  American educators are holding this country together despite overwhelming odds and expectations. 
My job enables me...
To inspire others to inspire
Give good parenting advice
Show progress where none was thought to exist
I can foster a relationship where no positive example of one has ever existed.
Oh ya I forgot... we educate as well.

These things change and impact lives for the good but as Spider man's wise uncle once said, "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility."
These wonderful gifts that make this job so important and necessary also can destroy lives with words that are hard to remove even with surgery and psychology. 

I encourage all administrators as we head into the season of new beginnings to sit down with your staff and remind them of the importance of this most delicate of relationships.  Take time with the kids to begin to nurture the relationship that will be the launching point for all things academic for the next 180 days.  Those initial meet and greet moments will decide how effective those 180 days will be.

The Public Principal

"Don't you dare"... My sister quickly whispered these words into my mom's ear since she knew what was about to happen.
It was the first month of my first year as a young principal and my protective loving mother was in the checkout line of the local Walmart when what was likely a mother of a student made a comment about the new principal and his age and experience.

It's funny to look back on those moments now four years later however the public life of the principal-ship is exactly that, PUBLIC.

Recently a new principal friend of mine was introduced to this in an all to real way when at dinner with his family he and his wife ordered a couple beers after a long week only to be stared at by students and family a few tables down.  Not thinking much of it at the time the phone calls on Monday from his PTO president about his "apparent binging" brought him into the sore reality of public life.

I always quickly find myself saying it's not fair but in all reality it really doesn't matter.  It is what it is.
I am asked to carry myself differently and that's okay, it's why I am dedicated to education, it's not about me.
With that said, I have truly recognized that importance of what I call, "getting the heck out"!
Separating myself, my wife, and my kids from the constant questioning of how my people will we run into and packing up and just spending time away from the constant hustle and bustle of the job.
Myself and the other administrative team members also make it a point to spend time with each other outside of the district setting and community.  Every month we do what we can to kick back and just laugh about our experiences.  Besides, that's what it's all about relationships and reflection.

Take time to relax.  You're no good to anybody, especially the ones you love, if you can't. 

The Power of Choice

"How is this decision going to affect me?"  Jim Fay (Love and Logic Institute) often refers to this as being the most important question a child can learn to ask themselves. 
Protecting our children/students is an absolute necessity in today's culture.  However, we are quickly seeing the effects of over protecting and self-prescribing everything for children from infancy up through college.  The term "boomerang generation"  has reached the levels of the Dr. Phil and Oprah Show.  If you haven't heard this term it refers to the college generation that returns home immediately or soon after college do to the inability to actually take care of themselves. 
I started making giving choices a priority for myself as a principal about 3 years ago.  I quickly noticed three things.
1.  Kids can make good choices.
2.  Kids can live with the consequences when they are the one making the bad choice.
3.  They actually learn not to make the same mistake as often as they would if the adult was the one telling them what to do. 
I began sharing with staff and parents the success that I was having with giving choices and letting kids live with the consequences.   Parents seem to struggle with the same issues that we deal with at school... go figure.. same kids.   Many parents that I've worked with have found that it takes a lot of stress off of them and puts more control into the hands of the child allowing them to become more responsible for their decisions. 
Don't get me wrong....I feel like we are scratching the surface at Lexington, however we have seen success and benefits both at home and in the classroom.   This change from directives to choices is often very difficult due to the emotion that goes along with raising kids.  I often suggest with parents using a simple 3 S method.   
1.  Smile- Smiling often makes kids wonder what the adult is thinking.  The frown is obvious.    
2.  Slowly- Moving quickly and aggressively towards a child often puts them into a state of fear instead of thinking.
3.  Simple- Keep your suggestions or choices simple.  Never reason with a kid.  It just makes it worse.

Throughout our schools we see the effects of bad choices.   We must be willing to let the learning process extend itself to behavior.  Working with parents through the process often makes for a better relationship with the parent as well and hopefully a more prepared, non-boomerang adult

The Compassionate RIF "Reduction in Force"

The Compassionate RIF "Reduction in Force"

Thanks again for the opportunity to "cyber hang" with so many insightful professionals.  Does the general public realize how much insight is here?

Anyway,  I'm one for discussing where I'm at...and... this is where I'm at.  Today was a difficult day.  Informing someone that has been nothing but professional, good for kids, and a TEAM player for the past 4 years that their name has been added to the list confuses me.  This goes against the very principle of "what's best for kids". 
Imagine with me if you will.... fade away... A young Peyton Manning being brought into the office of Tony Dungy.  "Son, you are great!  The fans love you and you get the job done.  In fact, you are the man, however you are the youngest quarter back on the roster and we need to reduce in order to stay under the salary cap. We're trying to pass some operating funds to keep you here but it's not looking good.  We'll do our best to bring you back.  You understand, we're hoping the other guy decides to hang it up.  I'm really sorry about this... Good luck.
Okay, a little far fetched but that's how I feel sometimes.
However, I believe in the positive. Tomorrow I will lace up my boots and work with my team to be the best we can be for our 407 fans.  We will work together to bring back up to speed our new starting quarterback not because we don't have a choice but because we believe we will still be successful.  We have to believe we will still be successful come what may. 
The thought I guess to ponder here is keeping the team motivated during this time of fear and confusion.  Any suggestions from those who have been through similar situations?