#memspachat Archive
A chat for Principals, Administrators & Lead Educators. Come join the Collaboration and Learning THURSDAY'S at 8pm ET.
Thursday October 27, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to - starting now! Let's start with introductions.
Who's out there ready for a great chat?
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Jennifer Goethals from Lake Orion
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Arina Bokas, editor, author, parent leader, Clarkston
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Evening Everyone! Tom here, K-5 principal in Lexington, MA.
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Good evening , I am finishing up P/T conferences and driving home. If and when I get home, if we are stall chatting, I will join
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Good evening! I'm Cyndi, Elementary Principal from Walled Lake
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Robert here from Los Angeles. Middle school English.
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Peg, Instructional Coach/Reading Specialist from MKE!
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Glad to be back Mike! Looks like a great topic...I'm interested to see what other educators have to share.
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Mike Schulte, TK-5 principal from Warren Consolidated
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Hello! Denise Kott, Principal in Holly Area Schools
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Mike Domagalski - Tonight's Moderator. Elem Curriculum Coordinator and Elem Principal - Mich
Excited for another
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Dave Murphy, Principal in Rochester
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Hello all. Thanks for joining tonight. MEMSPA.
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Happy Principals Month to my fellow administrators joining with me tonight! I appreciate you all!
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Questions starting in less than a minute on . We've got a nice crew tonight.
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Discussing "Being an Effective Leader in Education" on - NOW!
Here we go...
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Q1: In what ways are you inspirational to the students, staff and/or community?
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Hello to my friends! Wish I could join the chat tonight!
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A1: I think people know how passionate I am about supporting teaching & learning. I love my work...make sure it shows every day!
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A1: I'm never apologetic about making decisions which put students first. Over time, people have come to appreciate that.
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Thurs chat twinning is winning!
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For sure it is! Love and love .
Great working together when we can!
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A1: Kids @ the heart of all decisions, being consistent, fair & loving. Balancing work/family, being human & admitting mistakes.
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A1: I try to lead by example & go the extra mile for kids-Celebrating successes, building teams & sharing our stories.
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Hard to think of myself this way. I think I break status quo. I do what has never been done.
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A1 A person who inspires others evokes in them the best they can be. They rise to the occasion because of your positiveinfluence
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A1: Thank you notes. I bring them to all staff mtgs and PD's. Got the idea from Leadership Matters.
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Wish I could chat tonight, but we have P/T conferences. Enjoy!
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A1: I bring positive energy and a love of learning and growing to everything I do. I care about people, it's real. They notice!
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A1: TedTalks are frequent viewings at PD as well.
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Checking in late Rachael from Jenison
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Brad Robbins, AP at Capac Jr/Sr High.
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A1 Eye contact & a real compliment go a long way. A personal greeting, a handshake make the relationship real
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Question 2 coming up on ...
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A1- Just try to be genuine, supportive, helpful. Find chances to brag about the staff and students to whoever will listen.
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A1: notes of affirmation/appreciation, planned celebrations, finding the positives and sharing, keeping JOY a priority
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Q2: An effective leader should be comfortable with oneself. How do you, or can you, prove this?
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A1 People are inspired when they see that something thought undoable, can be done. When they feel desire & confidence to act
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A2: It's in challenging times when you begin to learn your own self's comfort level.
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A2: I try to be humble. I will always defer to giving credit to staff. I talk about the work that "we" do. I admit mistakes.
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A2: There is always room to improve- I make it a priority to model goal setting & stretching my own learning.
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A2: I'm open to feed back and specifically ask for it, share my mistakes, transparent with my vision and motives
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A2: and when your actions are congruent with your beliefs, you know you are making it!
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A2 People follow leaders who exude a quiet confidence. Not cocky, but calm, capable, & compassionate. Works for principals & Ts.
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be comfortable being uncomfortable. +Do things for the right reasons; that should provide an umbrella.
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A2: I make tough decisions for Ss when I need to, even though I know they may not be popular.
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A2. Being confident, but always continuing to learn, and being able to admit when I am wrong.
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A2 being consistent in how you treat others, and being able to admit when your are wrong and own your choices
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Now this is someone I would be honored to work for/with. https://t.co/x7xKfvPDlU
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A2: I try to be humble. I will always defer to giving credit to staff. I talk about the work that "we" do. I admit mistakes.
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Q2. Self-Deprication...(Lots of chances!) Laughter/ Having fun at work...
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Great work everyone on - going on now! Q3 coming up..
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People can relate to people. Comfort comes from confidence to be who we are: admit mistakes, appologize; ask for help. Q2
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A2: Let the staff and students see the real me. Be genuine. Build relationships.
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A2 - Be intentional about showing humility and don't take yourself to serious. Model vulnerability at the right time.
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yes I'm more concerned about what's best for kids than being right or being liked
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A2: The minute you tell your staff, "I was wrong or I made a mistake"...those are defining moments in knowing yourself.
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Thx u! Sometimes that's all we want is someone to say I made a mistake & let's fix it together. Ppl want 2 help!
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Q3: How do you show that building relationships are important to you?
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That's why I added QUIET to confidence :)
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A2: Not taking yourself too seriously and being a team player-no matter what the task is. Using we vs I--and living it.
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A2: I'm honest about what I think & believe. I walk the walk. I have phrases I use- my staff decorated my door with them!
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A3. Spending time talking with staff, caring about their lives, and listening!
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You have to be. The minute you lose that compass, that's when you should be done. I'm glad you hold true to that!
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A3: It's part of every staff meeting. Whether we are focusing on building our team...
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A3: I take time to build relationships, make them a priority, ask Ts to make them a priority in class, listen, notice, affirm
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A3:. Listen. Reach out to others. Listen more. Take an interest in others interests. Listen more.
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A3 cont: or sharing ideas to build the relationship with our kids, it's what we are about.
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A3: Talk to people and get to know what is important to them. Empower people and trust them to follow through.
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Q3- Can't fake this over time. Relationships are either important to you or not and it will be obvious to all which is true.
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A3: Listening. Practicing gratitude. Being open to other ideas and opinions. Showing I care and being supportive.
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A3: Get to know students, staff, families. Be visible, talk to people. Genuine interest in building relationships is obvious
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Listening for the sake of hearing others' concerns, not so you can respond. Asking others for their opinions on impt matters
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A3 take the time to build them, talk to people in the hall, say hi in the morning, actually listen when people talk to you
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We show what's important to us by intentionally dedicating time to it. Cultural force of TIME Q3
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QUESTION 4 coming up on .
What a great group!!!
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A3. Listening, taking time to get to know ppl, making connections, sincerely investing w your heart.
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Refuse to be defined by rules, policies, and procedures. Be about the KIDS!
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A3 Responding. We get bogged down in "stuff," but show you care by responding in 24 hrs; & not always by email. Face2face!
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Q4: How do you build trust amongst your staff, students, and community?
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A3 Listen Listen Listen because Listening is an act of love this relationship building
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Q3 - Embed relationships into the District Strategic Plan!
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A3 Place common sense & compassion over compliance. People over programs or protocols. Education is a HUMAN business.
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A4. Following through with what you say you are going to do. Always putting kids first!
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A3: We worked on norms as a staff. I added "You Matter" to document & have displayed at staff meetings. I really care abt staff.
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By continuously making decisions in the best interest of students, and supporting staff to help them do the same
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A4 listening then acting, explaining your decisions when you can, treating everyone with empathy and respect all the time
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I agree Mike. You can never listen enough.
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A4: See answers 1-3. I'm building trust by being me!
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What Jennifer said! https://t.co/hHYeJHj8bT
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A4. Following through with what you say you are going to do. Always putting kids first!
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A4: You build trust by giving trust.
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Always have their back; always give them the benefit of the doubt; and model vulnerability. https://t.co/WfC3AwvyXC
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Q4: How do you build trust amongst your staff, students, and community?
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A4: build time in meetings to share good things, make staff lounge welcoming, create staff celebrations/outings, visibility
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A4: Be transparent- be consistent-be visible- be yourself- all while keeping Ss at the heart of your work.
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A4: Ask for input & let others lead. We r all here for kids but serve in diff capacities; show them they r part of the Ss team!
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A3: Such great responses to this ?. All learning is rooted in relationships. So many dedicated educators here tonight!
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A4. Have a transparent decision making model. Always get input from Staff and parents when possible.
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I could not agree more, Danny! Kids first means kids first, not policies that pretend to put kids first. https://t.co/wEjLw6IKpQ
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Refuse to be defined by rules, policies, and procedures. Be about the KIDS!
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I start with transparency; everything is open. Open door policies. Joint decision making; joint responsibility. A4
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A4: You make your actions congruent with your beliefs. Visibility, and vulnerability. Show you are a teacher and learner.
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Leaders must understand this: Before teachers will buy into your vision; they must first buy into YOU!
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its from Capturing Kids Hearts we do it for all meetings and everyday in class with kids too
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A4 Trust is built thru belonging. Be warm, welcoming, inclusive, encouraging, empathetic, supportive, & attentive.
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Great collaborative work everyone. QUESTION 5 is on deck on
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All learning is based on the foundation of relationships. You could not be more right about this!
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I am intentonal with my use of "we" instead of "I" & "you." Trust is born in collaboration - interdependence is key. A4
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A4 A Leader must accept that every move they make matters, will be watched, and interpreted. Leadership is a choice, own it:)
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Q5: In what ways have you adapted your leadership style or your beliefs as a leader?
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A4: Stand behind them when they are getting compliments and in front of them as parents are on the attack.
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A5: I have learned that I do not have to do everything myself. Empowerment & collaboration go a long way as a leader.
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Trust is about following through. If I gave my word, no matter to a student or principal, I have to do what I said. A4
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A5 As a T, I equally balance leadership with love, laughter, & learning as I attend to the whole child. Made ALL the difference.
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A5: Over the years, I've made sure relationships have been my focus.That has gotten stronger and stronger.
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A5: blog post on how I started loving my staff the same way I had loved my students as a teacher https://t.co/cvuk3mpBPC….
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A5: I've learned sometimes you need to step back, take a breath, reevaluate, & let things play out. Cant always have solutions
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A5: Leaders must "Protect thier Passion" & teach others to do the same How to "Protect Your Passion!" https://t.co/D2cuXeVYqo
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A5 I think our adaptions as leaders correspond with our adaptions as people - life has a way of improving us if we listen:)
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I happened on this chat by accident but WOW-it scratches me where I itch! The 3 Rs: relationships, relationships, relationships
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I learned to let go of control and trust people do their job. A5
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A5: Balance looks different for everyone. What I consider balance, you may not, and vice versa. Dont impose your views on others
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A5: I try to live this. Every voice matters.
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QUESTION 6 is coming up on ....
It's like in the box
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A5: I've learned to focus on growth- mine, students and staff- and LET GO
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Q6: When have you stuck your neck out, or been courageous, for students?
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Sometimes we have to let solutions emerge on their own. https://t.co/5KxhN6bYTQ
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A5: I've learned sometimes you need to step back, take a breath, reevaluate, & let things play out. Cant always have solutions
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Thanks! Hope it is encouraging to you
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A6 this is something principals have to do daily. Look out for them first. Everything else is secondary.
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No Problem! I hope it is encouraging!
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WE cannot bet better as leaders if we don't get better as people first. Everything starts within. https://t.co/l1jd8y4Got
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A5 I think our adaptions as leaders correspond with our adaptions as people - life has a way of improving us if we listen:)
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A6: Kids should always come first or you have no business being in education. No regrets w/any decision made w/kids in mind.
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No problem! Hope you enjoy it and feel free to let me know your thoughts!
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A6: Trying a new homework pilot to make homework look different/more meaningful and less of a focus. Not everyone loved it.
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A6 We all have our brave, heroic moments, but is is so much more important to just be consistently kind, responsive, & gracious.
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Yes, you are exactly right! https://t.co/K1QHy4AfcB
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Sometimes we have to let solutions emerge on their own. https://t.co/5KxhN6bYTQ
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A5: I've learned sometimes you need to step back, take a breath, reevaluate, & let things play out. Cant always have solutions
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Right on, Jennifer! Couldn't have said it any better. https://t.co/JLvEP4kTU1
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A6: Kids should always come first or you have no business being in education. No regrets w/any decision made w/kids in mind.
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A6 - Getting involved with the court system to ensure students have the right home during problematic custody battles.
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QUESTION 7 - very reflective on ... Up next
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Thanks, Jen! It took me two years to process why I left my former school of 21 years.
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Q7: Reflect on any leadership weakness (doesn't have to be yours). How can one plan to overcome this weakness?
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I passed Clarkston Council PTA resolution to stop the first M-STEP and got Michigan PTA to adopt it. A6
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A7: Lean on others. Look outside the walls for answers or help.
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Yes. To be effective we need to delegate and look outside our comfort zone. Ask for help! WE ARE NOT ALONE!
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A7: A prob I have seen is control issues. Always having to be "the one". Put ego aside and let go! Treat others as professionals
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A7: I think the answer is in the ? Mike. You have to be reflective & honest w/yourself & your work. Thats the key to improvement
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A7. Find someone who knows more than you in that area, learn from then and let them lead you if possible.
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A7:my leadership weakness taking on too many things, sharing with my staff and putting too many initiatives in front of them
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Insecurity is a brutal weaknesses ... because it precludes so many opportunities for growth. https://t.co/mYmUziNTL4
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Q7: Reflect on any leadership weakness (doesn't have to be yours). How can one plan to overcome this weakness?
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Q7 A lack of genuine curiosity - get out of your rut and wander/seek
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I always appreciate your support, Mike!
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A7 being afraid of the success of those around you. When one succeeds we all succeed, and that needs to be apparent.
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A7: Weakness is taking on too many tasks and saying yes when asked to do a duty. Need to reflect on this for the future...
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Seeing people first as functions(parents, ss, ts) This separates. We need to remember: in front of us is another human being A7
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A7: Competitiveness within the same team. It totally kills any desire to collaborate. That plus ego. Ugh.
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And this such an ironic flaw for educators! https://t.co/ZfFIS6ekZe
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Q7 A lack of genuine curiosity - get out of your rut and wander/seek
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LAST QUESTION COMING UP on
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A7: With a trusted colleague or coach. A growth mindset too!
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Q8: Name a leadership strength that you feel confident that you could model for a new school leader.
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A7: A leadership weakness is lack of clear communication. This could be overcome by having a solid vision and planning ahead.
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Hope tonight was fantastic. PT conferences tonight for us. Halloween parties tomorrow and a well-deserved 1/2 day for staff.
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The quality (being giving) can work against you if you stretch yourself too thin. Can only do what you can do!
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Q7 Looking for the silver bullet and quick fix and not staying the course with what you have begun.
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A8: Collaboration and empowering others.
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Passion / Enthusiasm (I love what I do!) https://t.co/WcvyOyA3WS
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Q8: Name a leadership strength that you feel confident that you could model for a new school leader.
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Satisfaction. The moment there is comfort, growth stops. We need to seek different, uncomfortable perspectives A 7
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A8: Relationship building. Positivity. I'm 18yrs in as a principal and still LOVE my job!
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A8: Finding ways (public and private) to acknowledge and praise team members. Takes the culture of the team to a new level
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Awesome chat, as always! Thanks
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A7 Being a champion for children is rewarding but can be daunting as well. Leaders have to relax & recharge to continue giving.
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A8: Motivating others. Sharing team building protocols.
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Winning the battle and losing the war. Seems it happens too often. https://t.co/pKS7pHvCO4
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Q7 Looking for the silver bullet and quick fix and not staying the course with what you have begun.
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A7 -Rely on colleagues to assist, connect with MEMSPA & seek frequent feedback loops after developing a plan to grow.
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Thank You for an uplifting chat - so happy you are all impacting our kids:)
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A7 - Utilizing external coaches and professional learning experts to work with your leadership team, avoid "1 & Done" shows
