The Language We Use …

Posted on August 23, 2022 Written by

As administrators (and future administrators), we hear a lot about transformational leadership. But have you ever considered the language you use and the underlying connotations it may suggest?

Shepherd’s article (2022) on this topic caused me to take a step back and think more deeply about this issue. And the differentiation he makes between “complicated” and “complex” problems was especially thought-provoking.

Feel free to give it a read and see if you don’t find some interesting takeaways, too! The concepts outlined have the potential to greatly enhance your efforts at team building and school improvement.

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Myths About Engagement

Posted on August 9, 2022 Written by

As we’ve noted before, engagement is a vital component in most educational settings. In fact, it’s often the single most influential factor in promoting student achievement.

Motivational experts at the American Educational Research Association recently discussed three possible myths related to engaging students. Their findings were interesting to say the least.

In addition, the link above also includes a brief summary of a meta-analysis by Carlton Fong of Texas State University. Fong identified several ways that students can control their own motivation.

Look for more on this important topic in the future …

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Building Better Relationships

Posted on July 26, 2022 Written by

It’s logical that a strong relationship between school leaders and their staffs can greatly enhance the overall effectiveness of a school district. But what are the best ways to build and strengthen those relationships?

That was the topic of a recent Education Week “Seat at the Table.” Three experienced administrators discussed this important topic and shared their insights. This article summarizes the key points of that interaction, and offers suggestions on how you can help build healthy, effective relationships between principals, superintendents, and those they serve.

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Embracing Change

Posted on July 12, 2022 Written by

The last two school years have had a significant impact on almost every aspect of education. The challenges of the pandemic (not to mention the politicalization of numerous topics) has required a level of agility and flexibility unlike anything educators have ever faced before. More importantly, it has required strategic thinking and decision making with little to no guidance or previous experience to draw upon.

In this article, one superintendent shares the collective steps her district has taken to embrace change. It offers several key strategies for dealing with new challenges and provides “a framework for choosing joy.”

While educators have little control about what issues they may face in the future, they do have control over the way they meet those challenges. In the words of the author, “Education will never be the same. Leaders must be realistic and willing to adapt to our changing world” (Williams, 2022).

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