#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/
Adam from Cincinnati checking in. I don’t know know how I’m celebrating Memorial Day, but I do know I’m teaching a tennis lesson that morning. #ohedchat
Tricia Ebner, NE Ohio, looking forward to time with family on Memorial Day. I always spend some time reflecting on those who've sacrificed for our freedoms, too. #ohedchat
York-Barr and Duke, 2004 - process by which teachers, individually or collectively, influence their colleagues, principals, and other members of school communities to improve teaching and learning practices with the aim of increased student learning and achievement #ohedchat
A1. Constantly learning and pushing to be elite in the clasroom, giving people around you an example, being a great teammate, being in line with the culture of your school. #ohedchat
A1: The voices of stakeholders is a key to leadership--teachers need to be willing to speak up, share what's working to improve students' learning and growth & what needs to change. #ohedchat
A1 T leadership is the demonstrated ability to positively affect, encourage, and spark purposeful peer growth. This leads to increased reflection of current practices and focused efforts of all team members to support the collective vision of increased S success #ohedchat
A1: There are people in leadership roles, and then there are people who lead. Those 2 are not necessarily identical. Leaders are people that others naturally follow, whether they have the title or not #ohedchat
A1: Teacher leadership is represented in shared responsibility & decision making, accountability, and engagement. with direct involvement in creating a vision along with a commitment to working to achieve that vision. #OhEdChat
This is such a good point. Leadership is much more about digging in and doing the work, and working with others to do the work better. It's not about the title. #ohedchat
A1: Teacher Leadership defined: Facilitator of adult collaborative learning and igniter of action that gets a group of Ts going ...and continuing ...in a common direction #Ohedchat
Like the note on shared responsibility and decision making. Imperative that our teacher leaders are intentional about increasing their own and team members' decision making capacity. Leads to exponential collective growth #ohedchat
A1: I think true leadership is someone who motivates those around them to be more than they thought possible, someone who can look at the big picture, and someone who can make decisions with people #ohedchat
Q2: Collective leadership is the evolution of teacher leadership. Collective leadership is the work teachers and administrators do toward shared goals. Why is this so important in schools today? #ohedchat
Key that strikes me here is making decisions WITH people. Coming to consensus can be tough--what have you seen that helps develop that consensus? #ohedchat
A2: there is so much to be done to insure achievement and growth for all ... admins can’t do it alone, Teacher’s can’t do it alone ... both need to work collectively #OHedchat
Similar to our scaffolding approaches for students, as leaders, we have a responsibility to scaffold increased decision making capacity for our teacher leaders. Asking them how they would approach planning, organizing, and resolving situations is key #ohedchat
A2 We have sometimes talked about teacher leadership as if it was separate from administrative leadership - difficult to have cohesive, shared goals if this is the case. #ohedchat
A2. Administrator's often don't remain at one school for decades as teachers do. Having initiatives stay the course of time requires teacher leadership & buy-in. Strong goals take yrs to implement effectively and constant input from those who spend each day w/ students. #OHedChat
RT Q2: Collective leadership is the evolution of teacher leadership. Collective leadership is the work teachers and administrators do toward shared goals. Why is this so important in schools today? #ohedchat
A2 Collective leadership is important because our work is important. Due to the changing nature of supports that our Ts and Ss need, we must meet these with innovative approaches. Building our team's leadership capacity is the first step toward purposeful innovation #ohedchat
Q2: Collective leadership is the evolution of teacher leadership. Collective leadership is the work teachers and administrators do toward shared goals. Why is this so important in schools today? #ohedchat
A2: when t’s and admin can work together toward a shared common goal and vision, it creates strong leadership from both sides, increased student achievement, and can help build a schools culture. #ohedchat
A2: Instead of expecting the school leader to have all the answers, solve all the problems & fix everything for everyone else, you promote shared learning, effective group decision making, reflection, goal setting & mutual accountability #ohedchat
I think focusing on students.... not who’s right/wrong or who’s idea it was.... My favorite thing is leading the conversation so that someone else thinks it’s their idea!! #ohedchat
A2. Collective leadership creates and is also a direct result of strong culture. Culture leads to improved student & staff morale, stronger parent/guardian relationships, thus leading to improved student growth not only academically but socially and personally as well. #ohedchat
A1: Robin - IL, Teacher Leadership is modeling whether it be the glitchey technology we all know & ♥️, or frustration at a lesson plan gone “south”. We show our Ss everyday how to handle “Plan B”! #ohedchat
Culture is the keyword here. Disjointed leadership is a smattering of goals that don't jive with each other. Keeping everyone on the same focus breeds a ubiquitous culture focused on the same goal(s) for everyone #ohedchat
I think it’s important to give everyone a voice and allow them to feel heard.... I’ve had many times when a decision wasn’t what I wanted.... but when I feel heard and respected it’s much easier to swallow! #ohedchat
I think it can be for some. However, I wanted staff who really spoke of this being our school instead of that school. Really the postive can come from the leader saying this is how we are going to do business - you are not just hired to teach content. #ohedchat
Some of my best days haven't been the "perfect" ones. They've been the ones where it seemed like the wheels were coming off the cart, and everyone worked together to get things moving in the right direction. #ohedchat
A2; creates shared vision and mission. It allows for 2 very important components to have a voice and come to an understanding of where the other side is coming from.
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A3 When was the last time you were experiencing professional learning with teachers and administrators learning side by side - not just a drop-in to see what is going on? #ohedchat
Twenty or 30 years ago, when a principal took the reins at a school, he was there long enough to see three or four kids in the same family pass through the hallowed halls. https://t.co/oL6gWHjWfT#OHedchat
A2: Allowing Ts autonomy, ownership of goals & self growth is very important. Ts who feel supported in their learning as a journey grow leaps & bounds more than those who feel it is a "requirement, condition, or mandate" Decision happens w/ the right conditions! #ohedchat
A3: I understood that leadership was more about influence than authority. Or, as Margaret Wheatley says it's a shift from thinking of a leader as a “hero” to thinking of a leader as a “host.” #ohedchat
RT Q2: Collective leadership is the evolution of teacher leadership. Collective leadership is the work teachers and administrators do toward shared goals. Why is this so important in schools today? #ohedchat
I have seen teachers and administrators learning side by side in schools and have not been able to tell who was an administrator and who was a teacher. When we work on tough problems together, collective leadership develops. #ohedchat
A3. Having served as a principal for 26 years I now understand the transformation the role has gone through. Many lessons learned along the way and the strongest team was designed w/ collective leadership. Moved mountains! #OHedchat
A3 The first step is assembling a team that shares similar values and commitments towards supporting all Ss. Once this is done, delving into crafting a collective vision that focuses all efforts on Ss success is a must - trusting the team is paramount #ohedchat
A3: Trust and communication. Staff needs to understand where each other are coming from. Helps avoid improper assumptions and second guessing decisions. #ohedchat
A3: nurturing relationships that create a strong foundation of trust. That trust can lead to strong lines of communication, a willingness to take risk, and an ability to seek others when you need support.
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A3: I think all parties need to feel trusted. Teachers need to trust admin that they have the best interest of all at the forefront of their decisions and admin need to trust staff in their decisions. Trust empowers people to take risks and ask for help when needed! #ohedchat
A3. The school that moved mountains and increased student achievement from being in the lowest 5% in the State to near the top in the District believed that we all were leaders!! #OHedchat
Something I've seen is that in the "vacuum" of silence, stories get made up to fill the void. This is why communication is critical. Even an "I'm not sure" is better than silence. #ohedchat
A3: All stakeholders need to be involved. Teachers see the vision and “jump on the bandwagon!” It takes faith to believe in the process...trust the process! #ohedchat
Agree, Tyler. Nurturing leadership potential in team members is integral to building capacity. We have a responsibility to strategically affirm our T leaders as they stretch their own leadership #ohedchat
A4 Risks - vulerability of leading with others and being open to different perspectives. You might encroach on others' "territory." Might have to admit to being wrong. #ohedchat
A4. Not sure that there are any risks in collective leadership as it only strengthens all concerned to be an active part of any goal or process. #OHedchat
A4: As collective leadership gets started, it can be scary--vulnerability, the fear of the "what if's," the fear of being wrong or failing at some aspect. #ohedchat
I think it can be risky or scary for some, especially if the mindset or culture to that point has been one of "just tell me what to do, and I'll do it." #ohedchat
A3: Are there risks? Anyone in a leadership position who’s heart and head are in the right place can work through 99% of teamwork issues. I’m drawing a blank. #ohedchat
A4: Risks - not my jobism as that's why principals are hired and paid what they are. Benefits - increased engagement & investment along w/ sustainability & positive school climate #ohedchat
A4: risks- the fear of taking on new ideas, taking risks and failing, “invading” someone’s territory. Benefits - student achievement, improvement in culture. #ohedchat
A4: one risk can be an over involvement of too many people in each decision.... That can be exhausting! At times, someone just needs to make a decision, which is where the trust and respect comes in.... trusting admin that they’re making the best decisions for all. #ohedchat
Spending years with those individuals and watching them bloom into leaders brings sheer joy to my heart! The shifting mindset can also be inspiring for them. #OHedchat
A4: Loved being able to say to my students, "Here's the situation we have, the problem we face. How could we solve this?" So many great ideas--they thought of things I hadn't considered. #ohedchat
A4: risk: you cant find common ground. You have to let yourself be vulnerable. Risk is part of the game.
Positive: more heads are better than 1. You're not in this alone. You can further forge relationships. Its what's best for kids and the school.
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Playing sports is scary too, if you are focused on potentially losing. But if you focus on progress, losing and failing are part of the process. #ohedchat
A4: Risks are that not everyone has “bought” into the new vision/idea. Benefits are that anytime Teachers & Administrators can collaborate...great things can happen when we work together toward a common goal! #ohedchat
A5: One high school I studied in Leading Together had students attend the SIP retreat each spring to build in their ideas for school improvement. Students should always be at the center. #ohedchat
So true! Plus sometimes they just had a perspective that I hadn't even realized was there. When they were involved in the decision-making, they owned it. Less (or no) complaining. #ohedchat
Its a part of me to ask, “Is there a better way to do this?or “what if we tried this?” “I had an idea...” Open hearts and minds can accomplish so much. Its hard to get there. #ohedchat
A4: there is very rarely 100% buy-in in CL at 1st, but the value is in moving forward. Hitting the tipping point takes a lot of time/work, but strengthens & defines the culture when it happens #ohedchat
A5: students are the customer. They should have a leadership role in the classroom. It’s their education, involvement/empowerment engages them in the process. #ohedchat
A5: In creating character counts site-based committees, I always encourage for MS and HS that students be included as members for their ideas in promoting a meaningful program can provide a greater level of ownership #ohedchat
A5: Our Schl Leadership Team wanted to create a Mission Statement. It was thought that we could create it...but what if we asked the Students what they thought the Mission Statement should be...Collective Leadership! #ohedchat
A5 Once the ground rules & non-negotiables are in place; Ss should play an active part in every role for collective leadership based on age, developmental level & individual issues relating to the particular classroom! #ohedchat
A6. Having made the mistake of skipping this step several times, I understand how important it is. Everyone understanding it takes a community to move mountains and the power of 'WE' #OHedchat
A6: My friend @edtechgirl talks about the importance of moving mountains by moving one stone or rock at a time. What is the one stone we can move to begin the process of growing into collective leadership? #ohedchat
A6: I start w/Positivity and work from there! I find what the goals of my admin are & communicate to My Team. I work with Ss everyday, if there is a problem, I ask, “How can we solve this?” I see if they have any ideas. W/guidance we get there! #ohedchat
Bonus A: Teachers and administrators co-teaching, teachers in each others' rooms doing reciprocal observation, and an explosion of student learning and exploration. #ohedchat
BQ - Again from #4OCF the following graphic shares excellent ideas to build a strong classroom culture. IF the school is already a "WE" then all will move toward these. #OHedchat
If you're looking for a good title for your summer professional reading, take a look at Leading Together by @eckertjon. So many good ideas and stories around the power of collective leadership. #ohedchat
Bonus A: Teachers and administrators co-teaching, teachers in each others' rooms doing reciprocal observation, and an explosion of student learning and exploration. #ohedchat
Right now, a culture of safety for all. Physical safety as well as a feeling of safety for all to be their authentic self and be accepted, loved, and respected for that. #ohedchat
