#OHEdChat was started by an ad hoc group of Ohio educators and other interested people. For information and updates about the chat, visit https://ohedchat.wordpress.com/
Welcome, Neil!!! Hope you're having a great week. We'll have to catch up one of these days when I'm in your neck of the woods--maybe at Giordanno's! #ohedchat
A1: Even before a title change, I was always looking to lead....something! It provided me personal energy and inspiration - my own passion project! #ohedchat
A1: Not sure it was a conscious decision for me; I was always looking for a new challenge, the next stretch and growth opportunity, and I wanted to help my colleagues. #ohedchat
A1. Opportunity to extend impact in education. Always looking to push and grow in every area possible. I love what I do and tell myself daily that I GET to solve problems, I GET to lead people, and I GET to be a part of change and growth in Ss. #OhEdChat
A1: As a 3rd yr teacher I was selected by my admin to take a lead role on developing a STEM program for our HS. 4 years, 10 new courses, and 200+ STEM students later, we're one of the best in the state. It's been a crazy ride! I've had amazing support from my admin #ohedchat
A1: in my last district in Cincy, prior to moving to NE Ohio, I served as a coordinator for special education. I was looking for a challenge and opportunity to promote change on a bigger scale. It was a great challenge, but so rewarding! #ohedchat
A1: I realized that a school’s climate and culture is shaped and developed over time by the values & actions of the principal. Wanted to experience the joy of helping Ts grow in their ability to connect w/ Ss. #ohedchat
The desire to make that positive impact is one of the common factors in the leaders I've always respected and admired. It's keeping the main thing as the main thing. #ohedchat
As I was a principal at 25 & Supt at age 30, I began to focus on being the encourager & supporter of dedicated Ts who only wanted to make a difference. My positive attitude, more than talent, or prior experience, determined the impact I had on a Ts growth #ohedchat
A1: I wanted to have a bigger impact than just my own classroom. I felt compelled to bring a rebel spirit to the traditional way we do education.
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A2. I have truly tried to become a better listener over the years and I now feel this is a strength. I have also been influenced my so many who have built and sustain great culture and I keep what they have shown me at the forefront of what I do. #OhEdChat
A2: I'm a natural listener, and I use that skill to forge relationships and to better understand (and to be better understood by) the people I work with. #ohedchat
A2
Greatest strength.....I love to take something....whatever that something is.....and make it better. I have a passion for growing people, organizations, programs....so rewarding #ohedchat
A2: I forge relationships with students, teachers, families, and stakeholders. Its important to me because this is the foundation of what we do. It comes easy because I dont talk much ( good listener) and I hold myself accountable.
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A2: I like to think that I'm good at building rapport with students and families. I've learned that the first contact should be positive... it helps so much if you have to have difficult conversations later. #ohedchat
So very true! And that communication doesn't have to be "earth-shattering" kinds of news, either. As a mom, I love hearing about the kind, thoughtful things my son has done--doesn't have to be academic. #ohedchat
Listening and building relationships are two extremely important skills in leadership. Without those two skills, leadership can be difficult. #ohedchat
A2: One strength that's been really valuable to me in the past two years especially has been organization--I have to be organized as I work with so many aspects of services and curriculum across districts. #ohedchat
A3: students: 1:1 convos about themselves and support at their events. Take an interest. From there, meet with parents in person and keep frequent contact. Community members: make connections whenever, wherever. Show school pride! #ohedchat
A4: I prefer email, but I know a phone call is much more personal. However, last spring I wrote a personal email to the parent of every student in my STEM 9 class. They weren't long messages, just my positive observations of their son/daughter over the year. #ohedchat
A2: Even though I often fail, my strengths are evident in my attempt to be an ethical leader, one who is honest, trustworthy, care about people, open to input, respectful, and able to make principled decisions #ohedchat
Patience is so valuable in our work, not just for staying level-headed but also for continuing the work, even when it seems to take far longer than we expected. #ohedchat
A3
Communicating with stakeholders takes a variety of forms, depending on the group. Each group has different avenues for sending and receiving information so we, as leaders, need to adapt to the groups' styles.
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Those 1:1 conversations are so very powerful. There are times when that conversation is the best, most powerful, impactful way to share what needs to be shared. #ohedchat
Welcome, Simon! No worries--we don't mark tardies, and I understand the balance it takes to be an educator and student at the same time. :) Glad to have you joining us! #ohedchat
A1: I was in leadership roles in previous careers: head TA in MS program, Field TA, and a field supervisor for teams of 2-16 for almost 5 years. The opportunity arose to take on the dept chair role 1.5yrs into teaching. I jumped at the chance to lead again #ohedchat
A3: I think the key is that there is no one way or one place to communicate with stakeholders. It may be Twitter, email, a conference or a conversation in line at the grocery. #ohedchat
So much of it depends on the preference of the parties involved. I work with some who tend to prefer text messaging, and others who like email, or a phone call, or face-to-face. #ohedchat
A2: being empathetic, working on listening, public speaking. I try to create meaningful, positive relationships that are on display in the building every day. By promoting others via whole school assemblies, i can create a positive culture #ohedchat
A3: My preferred communication with stakeholders is really more about what they prefer. I try to be flexible so that we're genuinely communicating, and the mode of communication doesn't hinder what needs to be shared. #ohedchat
A3: email as often as possible; use complete sentences as often as possible, communicate clearly and effectively, offer chances to respond, use someone to proofread my writing. I do check in with all dept Ts every day in person #ohedchat
A4: my age. Many were skeptical of my leadership role at 31. I learned that perception is what you make it: roll up your sleeves and get to work. Prove your value to all stakeholders. #ohedchat
Robin - IL TAA1: I spent 15 years in a leadership role with our union. I wanted to network with other support professionals and learn as much as I could about ESPs. #ohedchat
A4: I feel as though there is a lot that I need to improve upon. I'm far from perfect and I make many mistakes daily. But as long as I do a little better today than yesterday, I know I'm making progress. #ohedchat
A4: as dept chair I was tasked with overhauling the curriculum too accommodate our switch to being an IB World School. The change was significant and had to get the whole dept on board. One of my unofficial mentor teachers helped me stay steadfast in the change #ohedchat
A4: I think my greatest challenge has been learning that it's okay to hit the "pause" button from time to time. It's not healthy for me to work 24/7. #ohedchat
A4: Becoming part of a new culture and establishing my role in the culture. Over time cultures can become impenetrable and becoming “part” of can be a process. #ohedchat
A4
Knowing that I was not alone in reaching the vision for the school. I had a team of dedicated faculty and staff ready to do what needed to be done for kids. #ohedchat
This is a great point! Several years ago, the district I was in had a new superintendent and curriculum director, both in the same year. They spent the first year really getting to know the district--change happened in year 2. #ohedchat
Lately, the challenge is how to create an effective feedback culture where people can provide honest reflection to higher ups and overcome the natural hesitation (and sometimes fear) to doing so. #ohedchat
A5: Schedule your life... literally. I scheduled time for family, friends, and self. We ask our students and staff to unplug and recharge, we must do the same. I found a great balance in doing this. #ohedchat
A5: Understanding you don’t have to do it all. That is why the team exists. They have the expertise and they want to help. Don’t be a hero! #ohedchat#DontBeAHero
A5: Time. Oh don’t we all wish there was more of it⁉️ Take TIME fo yourself. A successful leader needs to have a balanced mind, body and spirit. A leader will not perform optimally if he/she is not up to par with him/herself #ohedchat
A5: my office staff is so critical for my work life. They are smart, compasssionate, and provide comic relief on hard days. In a people business they are what keeps me going! @MrsFletchCat@CrystalQueen40#ohedchat
I manage my time with a schedule but maintain an attitude that lets me still be flexible and make changes to it as needed. I manage my stress my taking a step back and doing something different that lets me have a change of pace. #ohedchat
A5: still working on the life-work balance. Create goals, plan evenings, exercise, and create &access strong support networks. Hobbies are good and know when to "close the book" for some R&R time #ohedchat
Q5: I manage my time with a schedule but maintain an attitude that lets me still be flexible and make changes to it as needed. I manage my stress my taking a step back and doing something different that lets me have a change of pace. #ohedchat
#ohedchat My greatest challenge is to sometimes step away, and as leaders important that we find ways to re charge our batteries so that we can help students and staff reach their potential
A5: I'm learning that there's an "ebb and flow," and some seasons might require more of my time in some areas, and others don't need as much. When I feel like I can't possibly step away for an evening--that's when I MUST step away. #ohedchat
A5) I think about it as a continuum instead of the crisis of the day...this forces deep thought and systemic planning, instead of fire fighter mode #ohedchat
Ray, you're always welcome! This is a great point. I heard a great keynote earlier this year that talked about not letting someone else "hand you their monkeys." #ohedchat
A5: I think the idea of work life balance is almost unattainable. I’ve decided to seek integration. I want families to know I’m a principal and mom. I want my kids to see me as a mom and a principal (leader). #ohedchat
A5) I think about it as a continuum instead of the crisis of the day...this forces deep thought and systemic planning, instead of fire fighter mode #ohedchat
A6: Well, since I'm not an actually leader *yet*, I can't really say. I know I would tell my first-year-teacher self to take everything in stride and enjoy the small moments throughout the day, because that's what builds a lasting culture. #ohedchat
Take the top 5-8 major stressors...notice how they seem to cycle in spurts? Unpack the issue as a long range systemic solution-based initiative #ohedchat
A6: As with life, your leadership journey is a marathon, not a sprint. In those early years, I naively thought I could sprint through that marathon. #ohedchat
A6: Like anything else in life, doing something new comes with successes and stumbling blocks. Learn from the stumbling blocks, enjoy the successes, and keep on growing! And find a good thought partner or two. #ohedchat
You do not have to prove who is in charge, everybody knows who is in charge. The more you try to prove it, the more people try to prove you wrong. #ohedchat
A6: Listen, Be Approachable, You Won’t always be Everyone’s Favorite...Why? Its important to hear your staff, make them feel comfortable enough to approach you, and have the thick skin it takes to rise above all challenges. #ohedchat
I want to thank Dr. Sean McCauley @seanm647 for co-moderating with me tonight, especially here at the end of the semester! We appreciate it so much! #ohedchat
