#ALedchat is a weekly chat on Twitter about education topics. It is held each Monday from 9-10pmCST. While the discussion on #ALedchat continues on Twitter well beyond our weekly one-hour chat session, this platform affords us the opportunity to extend, expand and share the conversation with an even greater audience. Educators from across the state of Alabama, and the world, can come here to find encouragement, support, resources, professional growth opportunities and advice, while providing the same to their colleagues.
Stephanie Boyd. I'm a teacher right now, but will graduate in May with my Master's in Administration. Looking forward to the day I lead a school. #AledChat
Stephanie Boyd. I'm a teacher right now, but will graduate in May with my Master's in Administration. Looking forward to the day I lead a school. #AledChat
A1: When faced with a new leader- my first thoughts center around anxiety. Will there be change? What all will change? Will we he/she be fair and consistent? New leadership can cause anxiety among stakeholders. #ALedchat
A1: Relationship. Every leader is different and has different ideas and expectations. Must get to know them to try to gain consistency for the school and what their priority is. #ALedchat
When you see a school leader who really has integrity, you recognize it. It is evident in one's actions, words, decisions, methods & outcomes. If you don’t have integrity, you have nothing. #ALedchat
A1: anxiety and challenge. The Challenge is to learn the new leader’s style and way of thinking... how do they like things to be done. It’s always a little scary. #ALedchat
A1 I instantly wonder if the new person will be uptight or laid back and if the person will be a micromanager TBH 🤓🤨Jan Holcomb Hoover High B’ham AL #ALedchat
A1 I instantly wonder if the new person will be uptight or laid back and if the person will be a micromanager TBH 🤓🤨Jan Holcomb Hoover High B’ham AL #ALedchat
A2: Any change is scary. I think fear is common with change. What will the new expectations be? Will he/she like me? Will I fit into the organizational structure well? Is he/she student focused? #ALedchat
A2: How is my life going to change? Usually that’s just fear of the unknown and lack of confidence. Being good at what you do shouldn’t change due to leadership change. #aledchat
A2 Most people fear what is unknown to them I take it as an adventure What road will we travel together? Will we feel together? What role will I play in the adventure? #Aledchat
A2: How is my life going to change? Usually that’s just fear of the unknown and lack of confidence. Being good at what you do shouldn’t change due to leadership change. #aledchat
A2 Generally, the fear of the unknown. Specifically, the fear that the new leader may not share the same organizational goals as the rest of the team which may lead to abrupt changes without collaboration, reflection, and purposeful planning #ALedchat
A2: are they going to like me? What about my way of teaching? Are they going to recognize previous success or focus only on past failures? Also little things matter like do they email info or make us sit in weekly faculty meetings? 😂 the unknown is scary. #ALedchat
A2: Does the new leader’s vision match the current vision of the school? Will they make rash changes without getting to know the school and the people inside the building? Will they make dramatic, unnecessary changes? Will they do what’s best for kids? #ALedchat
I don't like change honestly. It scares me. Too many changes, and I think the new leadership will loose support quickly. I think slow changes with faculty buy in is the key. #ALedchat
A2. How will this change impact me? How will this change impact teaching and learning at this school? How will this new leader affect the culture at the school? How long will it take to establish a new "normal"? #ALedchat
A2: Expectations & Communication. Uncertainty of how new leadership will support positive relationships within the school & work to mend/prevent the dysfunctions of a team. Will he/she promote growth mindsets? #aledchat
A2 Generally, the fear of the unknown. Specifically, the fear that the new leader may not share the same organizational goals as the rest of the team which may lead to abrupt changes without collaboration, reflection, and purposeful planning #ALedchat
A2: What is his or her vision for the organization? Does the new leader want to maintain or change the culture? Is the new leader more authoritative or permissive? Change is not always bad, but it's certainly not comfortable! #ALedchat
Q3. Changes in leadership can sometimes bring out the worst in an organization initially. How can jockeying for power, politics, rumors, etc… impact the organization when a new leader takes over? #ALedchat
A2: What is his or her vision for the organization? Does the new leader want to maintain or change the culture? Is the new leader more authoritative or permissive? Change is not always bad, but it's certainly not comfortable! #ALedchat
A2: What is his or her vision for the organization? Does the new leader want to maintain or change the culture? Is the new leader more authoritative or permissive? Change is not always bad, but it's certainly not comfortable! #ALedchat
A3: People tend to forget that STUDENTS COME FIRST, and this is not about their personal agendas, but making sure our students get the best education possible. #ALedchat
A3: I think always staying positive and staying out of the gossip helps you not be associated with the negative that can happen when leadership changes. Always working hard and doing your job speaks louder than the power struggle strategies. #ALedchat
Q3. Changes in leadership can sometimes bring out the worst in an organization initially. How can jockeying for power, politics, rumors, etc… impact the organization when a new leader takes over? #ALedchat
A3 - it can provide the new leader with a false perspiration you the team and of you before he/she ever takes over and can’t hurt the growth in the short term! #ALedchat
Q3. Changes in leadership can sometimes bring out the worst in an organization initially. How can jockeying for power, politics, rumors, etc… impact the organization when a new leader takes over? #ALedchat
A3: The new Leadership is too busy trying to put out fires created from the drama surrounding the leadership change, that they don’t get the time to be a leader. Sometimes people forget that students come first. #ALedchat
A3: Change brings about rumors; there really is no way around it. Openness about the new leadership, their vision, & what they intend to change about the school help ease nervousness, fears, and rumors. If you appear like you're trying to hide something, it looks bad. #AledChat
A3 Normally, when these antics occur, those persons who engage in them are concerned about the individual instead of the collective. If continued without being addressed by the new leader, it can lead to irreparable organizational damage #ALedchat
A3: This is what happens when complacency meets fear...all kinds of rumors & struggles. This is when true colors show...some pretty, some not so much and that’s unfortunate to the new leader. #aledchat
Q3. Changes in leadership can sometimes bring out the worst in an organization initially. How can jockeying for power, politics, rumors, etc… impact the organization when a new leader takes over? #ALedchat
A3 Normally, when these antics occur, those persons who engage in them are concerned about the individual instead of the collective. If continued without being addressed by the new leader, it can lead to irreparable organizational damage #ALedchat
A3: These actions may lead to severance of ties that the organization may take a while to recover from especially as it concerns relationships. #aledchat
A3. The micropolitics which occur takes energy & focus away from the primary purpose- student achievement. Whatever change occurs, we can't lose sight of our goal.We should talk about visions & ideas-not people. #ALedchat
A3. Those things negatively impact a new leader. In fact, those things negatively impact old leaders, too. Good leaders recognize the jockeying, politics, rumors, etc. and file those things in the proper place, realizing that they have no place in effective leadership. #ALedchat
A3 - it puts the organization/school in a bad light before the new leader is able to get in an learn the ins and outs of the system. It just puts a setback on growth and needs to be avoided! #ALedchat
A3: Mental models: ideas or concepts that we can’t get out of our head. Teachers will believe things that aren’t true because they fit into those preconceived notions they have. Also, some will have an agenda and use that for their own benefit to attack leadership. #ALedchat
A3: This happens when ppl do not keep the mission of the org. at the forefront. In schools, for example, our mission is to increase Ss learning. A change in leadership should not change that. When folks seek to increase themselves rather than Ss, things get hairy. #ALedchat
Q4. New leadership within an organization can also bring about positive change and new energy. Give examples of when you have seen new leadership immediately impact an organization positively. #ALedchat
A3: the organization can sink quickly if all anyone is focusing on is impressing new leader. sometimes this is the case and it becomes evident quickly. Let the leader figure out things on his/her own. Good leaders see who is real and who is not on their own. #ALedchat
A3: If the leader comes in with students’ best interest in mind and establishes a clear vision with goals to attain that vision, then all the drama will soon fade (or find a new home). #ALedchat
Q3. Changes in leadership can sometimes bring out the worst in an organization initially. How can jockeying for power, politics, rumors, etc… impact the organization when a new leader takes over? #ALedchat
A4: I have seen very negative and disgruntled faculties come alive under new leadership. Moral improved, work ethic improved and students benefited from the positive energy. It was awesome! #ALedchat
A new leader faces issues from the perspective of different lens: political, structural, relationships. You can't sacrifice your principles. #ALedchat
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A4: I’ve seen new leadership thaw the ice that had been created previously. Sometimes a fresh start can be the best thing for an organization. #ALedchat
New leadership can bring about a positive change and energy when the leader is professional and values everyone as a significant part of the school. #ALedchat
My word is : COLLABORATIVE. Everyone is CALLED to be a leader in some capacity today. We are looking for teachers to be leaders and to foster leaders. So leadership should be collaborative in my organization. #ALedchat
A4 - anytime that a new leader comes in and gives a voice to the people that have been shut out previously brings fresh air and allows for positive growth! Also when the new leader comes in and builds relationships with everyone and doesn’t show favoritism #ALedchat
Q4. New leadership within an organization can also bring about positive change and new energy. Give examples of when you have seen new leadership immediately impact an organization positively. #ALedchat
A4: The culture and vibe of the school immediately changed. Parents felt like they were welcome to be at the school from the get-go, and were excited to be able to come back. #ALedchat
A4: We got an additional instructional coach this year (@CarlaLeePalmer) whose positivity is contagious! She brought a new perspective and a focus on growth that quickly trickled down to teachers and now students. #ALedchat
A4 one of our elem schls has gone off the charts in terms of incredible culture building which included staff and students certainly a direct impact of their leader @MsB_MCES#Aledchat
Q4. New leadership within an organization can also bring about positive change and new energy. Give examples of when you have seen new leadership immediately impact an organization positively. #ALedchat
Q4. New leadership within an organization can also bring about positive change and new energy. Give examples of when you have seen new leadership immediately impact an organization positively. #ALedchat
A4: When my school took on new AP, a new leadership team emerged. This time, it was cohesive and across all grade levels, we work really well together. #AledChat
A4. Sometimes new leadership can help teachers who have been on a leader's "bad side" an opportunity to start over and possibly thrive. Everyone is given a blank slate, which can help some teachers and staff to come alive! #ALedchat
A4. When new leadership creates a truly collaborative team environment,clearly communicates norms/expectations & ensures all voices on the team are heard.Conflict is a given-can be positive & productive instead of https://t.co/fstafCHqcP leaders- plan to set tone. #ALedchat
A2: Change can a fearful. It doesn't have to be. People are hesitant when change comes because everyone first thinks: How is this Change going to affect me? #ALedchat
A4: Our current leadership team came in about 4 years ago. They brought in a new sense of energy and enthusiasm. They raised the bar with expectations in the classroom. Also, came in with a student-first mindset. #ALedchat
A4: Effective leaders begin with listening to understand all current realities and perspectives. Then, strategically leverage these understandings to meet people exactly where they are and bring them together with a compelling, shared vision for collective growth. #ALEdchat
Q4. New leadership within an organization can also bring about positive change and new energy. Give examples of when you have seen new leadership immediately impact an organization positively. #ALedchat
A4: Our current leadership team came in about 4 years ago. They brought in a new sense of energy and enthusiasm. They raised the bar with expectations in the classroom. Also, came in with a student-first mindset. #ALedchat
Q5. If you are/have been/have witnessed the transition of a new leader that has been effective and positive, share what he/she did in the first few days on the job that had a positive impact on the organization. #ALedchat
A5: Sent out a video message to all employees explaining who they were, what their vision was, and thanked teachers for what they did. My district is too big to visit everybody the first day, so the video message was appreciated. #aledchat
A4: I have concluded that relationships btw leaders & passionate teachers will always be the foundation of any positive change in leadership, #ALedchat
That can lessen the frustration of many faculty members. It also shows that the leadership values your time. I know everyone hates sitting through a faculty meeting that could have been an email. #aledchat
A5: I think new leaders have to be visible, making connections and starting to build relationships with everyone on day 1. This is not easy, but is essential. Find a way to connect with everyone. Handwritten notes are my go to when starting a new job. #YouMatter#ALedchat
Q5. If you are/have been/have witnessed the transition of a new leader that has been effective and positive, share what he/she did in the first few days on the job that had a positive impact on the organization. #ALedchat
A5: @DrHSutherland you mailed everyone a handwritten letter a few weeks before school started telling each person how excited you were to be at HHS and what a great year it would be. #mindblown#ALedchat
A5: When @frf1313 became the principal at my school, she made it clear from our first meeting that she wanted to listen first. She had each of us introduce ourselves individually and met with each grade level team to hear our hopes and goals for the school. #ALedchat
A5: The first few days, the new AP took time to get to know everyone. Although she had work to do, she portrayed herself as available to Ts and Ss when they needed. She left her office often and made herself visible in classes & the halls. #AledChat
A5 we opened a new school we all were new admin tchrs and stdnts I remember @dcjchsSc telling a story about a sign a special person gave him it says something like "it's somebody's job and then I realized that somebody is me" This set the tone for the new building #Aledchat
Q5. If you are/have been/have witnessed the transition of a new leader that has been effective and positive, share what he/she did in the first few days on the job that had a positive impact on the organization. #ALedchat
A5. Make a connection with every person in the organization with validation and honest interest in their experience and contributions. Relationships first.
Q5. If you are/have been/have witnessed the transition of a new leader that has been effective and positive, share what he/she did in the first few days on the job that had a positive impact on the organization. #ALedchat
A5 - Hit the ground running talking with teachers, students and parents to get a feel of their perception of the school’s culture and to see what they see as things that are good and bad at the school #ALedchat
A5: Getting to know the staff. When @ahsprincipal first took over, she saw me walking down the hallway, and she called me by name during the first week of school. That’s such a small thing, but it made me feel important when we have 130 teachers. #ALedchat
A5. Ongoing Team building. Initially a whole day of team activities to build trust, strengthen relationships and clearly define roles & expectations. Effective communication is essential. Fears are relieved when everyone knows they are on the same page. #ALedchat
A5 Met with school leaders in small groups. This approach demonstrated his genuine desire to listen, discuss our prospectives on glows & grows, allowed us to hear his initial impressions on the organization, and discuss creating a new vision for success #ALedchat
Q6. Have you used or been asked to participate in any data collection process that you felt helped a new leader transition into his/her position more smoothly or provided good data about the organization to the new leader? What were they? #ALedchat
A5: took time to understand the culture, values, and customs; sought to build relationships with faculty/staff/students/parents/community; brought something to add to the organization; listened to folks #ALedchat
Q5. If you are/have been/have witnessed the transition of a new leader that has been effective and positive, share what he/she did in the first few days on the job that had a positive impact on the organization. #ALedchat
In all of my personal changes in leadership, I held community and educator conversations that yielded temporary agreements that balanced improvement and innovation. #ALedchat
A6: When I started my new job, I created a Google Form for everyone to fill out about what they wanted in a new leader, what their goals were and how they needed support. This gave me a great baseline to start to work! #ALedchat
A4: Positive leaders give a school and/or system a moral boost. Making waves might disturb the water, but it creates movement. And that's the name of the game...movement (in the right direction). #Aledchat
A6 - Surveys that show where the faculty and staff feel the school climate/culture are at and things we need to do to help improve the moral! #AledChat
A6. I have not used, nor have I been asked to participate in anything like this, but it's definitely something to put in my professional toolbox! Thanks for sharing this idea. #ALedchat
A6. I have not used, nor have I been asked to participate in anything like this, but it's definitely something to put in my professional toolbox! Thanks for sharing this idea. #ALedchat
A6. Faculty surveys given to identify grows/glows in relation to overall school culture along with opportunity for faculty to input action plans for positive change. #ALedchat
A7: New leaders need support and honest evaluations of the organization- not a personal perspective of what the last person did wrong or a gossip page. They need people to get to work along side them making the organization better. They need doers! #ALedchat
A6. Faculty surveys given to identify grows/glows in relation to overall school culture along with opportunity for faculty to input action plans for positive change. #ALedchat
A6: Start to give people hope, When leaders state what they plan to accomplish and then deliver, it gives the community and staff a spurt of faith. #ALedchat
A7 Do your job. Do what you know needs to be done. And your job is not a list of duties. Your job is taking care of students and families. If it needs to be done, do it. #DoYourJob#ALedchat
A7: Buy in. Do what you can to pitch in and help support the new leader’s vision. Don’t buy in to the negativity and rumors being spread. Don’t judge them before getting to know them, since we expect the same courtesy. #ALedchat
A7: Assume the best! Confirmation bias can be positive too. Also, when you hear others assuming the worst of or even sabotaging the new leader, bring a positive spin to the conversation. #ALedchat
A7: avoid gossip and speculation about the new leader. Just be yourself, work hard, be open to change, and give him/her the benefit of the doubt. Stay positive! #ALedchat
A7: Be supportive & offer suggestions for improvement. You can either be part of the solution or part of the problem. Transitions work like machines. All parts of a machine must be working for it to work. We don't live in a perfect world. So be a team builder. #Aledchat
A7: Be supportive and welcoming. Give the new leaership a chance and encourage others to do the same. This change is new for all parties involved. Remember, first impressions cannot be changed. Don't make yourself appear an enemy from the start. #AledChat
Sometimes leadership decisions are a matter of fact and sometimes they are a matter of opinion and the leader’s opinion is the one that matters. #ALedchat
Yes! The things I miss about teaching in Orleans Parish Recovery School District- constant feedback to teachers & admin, ongoing training, support, coaching, goal-oriented teams who used ALL available data to drive success. #ALedchat
FA - I will take away from this chat whether I am the new leader or if I am working for the new leader to always be supportive, encouraging, helpful, a good listener and positive!! #AledChat
FA: As a future administrator, I really can't underestimate the importance of relationship building with my faculty. Give them time to learn who I am & give myself time to learn who they are. Build partnerships; keep the vision & student achievement at the forefront. #AledChat
FA people generally don't like change fears can be allayed with good communication which results in opportunities to build relationships #Aledchat also as a new leader I intend to seek wise people glad to have met many tonight
FA. I will definitely be more cognitive of my attitude towards new leadership and will also be more aware and intentional with my actions as a new leader. In both situations, I will keep relationships, communication, and respect at the forefront. #ALedchat
FA: Leaders must be growth-minded. We are sometimes a minority in a fixed mindset world who fears change. Growth is change. Change needs to be Growth. #Aledchat
FA: As a new leader, invest in relationships and buy in will come and the change you want to see will happen. Relationships are the fuel that keeps the fire going ! #ALEdchat
