Several months ago, I stumbled on a powerpoint presentation from AASA. It was entitled Big Ideas. Basically the presentation said that the level above enables the level below. If students are not learning then the teacher is not creating capacity for a learning classroom. If teachers are not creating learning classrooms then the principal is not creating a learning school. If the principals are not creating a learning school, then the central office is not creating a learning district. Bottom line is that we need to create capacity rather than be judgmental.
Today, I heard Michael Fullan articulate this concept. He revealed his latest book, "Six Steps to Change." Step #3 is "capacity building trumps judgmentalism." Dr. Fullan was not certain judgmentalism was a word, however, it fit the situation. Dr. Fullan points out that blame, shame, and naming schools, teachers, and students as failures does not improve student learning. NCLB will not improve student achievement by naming, blaming, and shaming schools. The only way we can improve student learning is to develop the capacity of leaders at all levels.
So, as superintendents let us look closely at ourselves and our school districts before we name, blame and shame schools and principals. Let us look to see if we have created the capacity within our school leaders to help them help teachers who in turn will help children.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The principalship is sinking from overload!
Michael Fullan had an interesting quote today. Fullan is the change guru who has written numerous books about change including a new release in March, 2008 called "Six Secrets of Change." (Click on the Conference Daily link below for an article and audio clips that will be uploaded later tonight).
He said, "The principalship is sinking from the overload." While principals used to be primarily concerned with management, they are now laden with the burden of leadership as well. In an age of school reform, most research has pointed specifically at the building administrator as the most important instrument in the school reform movement.
Under the sheer weight of expectations the principalship is slowly sinking. That is, unless we can come up with creative ways of supporting them.
He said, "The principalship is sinking from the overload." While principals used to be primarily concerned with management, they are now laden with the burden of leadership as well. In an age of school reform, most research has pointed specifically at the building administrator as the most important instrument in the school reform movement.
Under the sheer weight of expectations the principalship is slowly sinking. That is, unless we can come up with creative ways of supporting them.
Stuck in Chicago
Fellow blogger Donna McCaw is stuck in Chicago! While it's 70 degrees and not a cloud in the sky here in Tampa, flights in Chicago have been shut down for most of yesterday.
Poor Donna. She paid for numerous pre-conference sessions and a hotel reservation in Tampa she never got to use.
Ahhh the perils of life in the north!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Getting Started
A quick pre-conference post as we've arrived in Tampa to "cool" weather, according to a local I overheard talking on our way in. It is indeed a bit cool this evening, but reminds me of when I took a spring break trip in college. Record cold in Florida that year had the beaches emptied, but my roommate and I were running around in shorts and t-shirts enjoying the "warm" weather.
I would echo what Terry had to say about the lineup, weather, and networking. I look forward to all three after having a great experience at my first AASA national conference last year. The Wyoming Association of School Administrators provides a scholarship to attend each year, and I was fortunate to receive one last year in my first year as superintendent. The networking and information gathered from presenters was extremely valuable to me and I find myself looking forward to more this year. A simple question can spark a conversation that provides a multitude of ideas and possible solutions to problems.
I hope everyone in Tampa has a wonderful experience and those that couldn't attend find great information on the website.
Arrival in Tampa
It was balmy and overcast in Tampa when I arrived last night on the flight from Denver, Colorado. At least it was warm. I had to plow one more little snow drift out of the driveway before I left Laramie, Wyoming, so it's nice to feel the balmy air instead of the 50 MPH winds!
The flight was one hour late due to computer problems and "paper work" issues. That must be the new excuse airlines use. It's the second time this year I have sat on the runway for an hour or more waiting for "paper work" to get through some bureaucracy.
We are here in Tampa for the 2008 National Conference on Education. Safe and sound - well the "sound" part is debatable, but I am excited to be here.
I am typing this in the "Conference Daily and Media Relations Room" of the Tampa Convention Center. It's still pretty quiet in the convention center. The only people bustling around are the employees putting up the displays and making last minute sound checks etc.
I am always impressed at the organization and detail with which AASA hosts their annual conference. The advance materials and lineup of speakers that Terry mentioned in his post are always impressive but the thing that also stands out to me it is the level of organizational detail that goes into making this conference an easy transition for the newcomer.
When I checked into the hotel, all the employees were wearing their AASA badges. The conference bus schedule was posted and advertised. The bus routes were clearly marked and the bus stops were identified with professional signage and a posted schedule. And they were running on time even a full day before the conference begins so that people can arrive early and get oriented.
As I entered the convention center, supervisors were gathering their employees around the registration tables and going over last minute duties.
After a quick walk over to Hattrick's for a spicy grilled grouper sandwich and tossed salad it was back to the convention center to get to work.
Jay Goldman, editor of The School Administrator magazine will hold his 4:00 pm meeting with reporters and media folks soon.
Things are beginning to roll!
The flight was one hour late due to computer problems and "paper work" issues. That must be the new excuse airlines use. It's the second time this year I have sat on the runway for an hour or more waiting for "paper work" to get through some bureaucracy.
We are here in Tampa for the 2008 National Conference on Education. Safe and sound - well the "sound" part is debatable, but I am excited to be here.
I am typing this in the "Conference Daily and Media Relations Room" of the Tampa Convention Center. It's still pretty quiet in the convention center. The only people bustling around are the employees putting up the displays and making last minute sound checks etc.
I am always impressed at the organization and detail with which AASA hosts their annual conference. The advance materials and lineup of speakers that Terry mentioned in his post are always impressive but the thing that also stands out to me it is the level of organizational detail that goes into making this conference an easy transition for the newcomer.
When I checked into the hotel, all the employees were wearing their AASA badges. The conference bus schedule was posted and advertised. The bus routes were clearly marked and the bus stops were identified with professional signage and a posted schedule. And they were running on time even a full day before the conference begins so that people can arrive early and get oriented.
As I entered the convention center, supervisors were gathering their employees around the registration tables and going over last minute duties.
After a quick walk over to Hattrick's for a spicy grilled grouper sandwich and tossed salad it was back to the convention center to get to work.
Jay Goldman, editor of The School Administrator magazine will hold his 4:00 pm meeting with reporters and media folks soon.
Things are beginning to roll!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Getting Ready for Tampa
It has been a few years since I attended an AASA national conference. What has been amazing to me is the 21st century methods that vendors, superintendent search firms, and fellow supeintendents are now using. I have received e-mails, phone calls, CDs, etc. that have provided me with information, invitations, and opportunities to learn.
AASA is really demonstrating 21st century skills with the on-line itinerary, almost daily updates, easy registration process, and Kiosks at the conference. The lineup looks great, the weather looks to be terrific, and the networking will be outstanding. Now if we could only add a few more hours to every day so I can get in everything that I want to do, see, and hear.
I hope all of you take the opportunity to learn and network. National conferences are exciting and tiring at the same time. Hope to see you in Tampa.
AASA is really demonstrating 21st century skills with the on-line itinerary, almost daily updates, easy registration process, and Kiosks at the conference. The lineup looks great, the weather looks to be terrific, and the networking will be outstanding. Now if we could only add a few more hours to every day so I can get in everything that I want to do, see, and hear.
I hope all of you take the opportunity to learn and network. National conferences are exciting and tiring at the same time. Hope to see you in Tampa.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Jim Collins
Daniel Pink wasn't the only popular author from last year's AASA conference. Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, provided several memorable sound bites. You may click on the hyperlinks below to hear a few of them. We are pulling these files from the archives as a trial run for this year's conference.
Clip One
Clip Two
Clip Three
A new feature in this year's online news coverage from the conference will be the addition of selected audio clips for more of a multi-media feel.
So don't forget to check the online news coverage from the Conference Daily!
Clip One
Clip Two
Clip Three
A new feature in this year's online news coverage from the conference will be the addition of selected audio clips for more of a multi-media feel.
So don't forget to check the online news coverage from the Conference Daily!
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