“WHERE TO START WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW”

START RIGHTJuly 4, 2019

Olds, Alberta

LEARNING INTENTIONS FOR TODAY

Take Away Three Things

1. Articulation of Your ‘Why?’2. Ideas and Tools for Implementation and

Organization (HOW & WHAT)3. Strategies for Sustainability

(Hattie .75 Effect Size)

HATTIE - BAROMETER OF INFLUENCE

Collective efficacy is what matters most in raising achievement.

The degree to which teachers collaborate is strongly predicted by principals’ instructional leadership.

The primary factor in building teacher efficacy is evidence of impact.

DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE, COMPLEX, DYNAMIC

CLASSROOMS = 2019 ‘NORMAL’

TECHNOLOGY =POWERFUL TOOL

&/OR DISTRACTION

LEADERSHIP QUALITY STANDARD1. Fostering Effective Relationships2. Modelling Commitment to Professional

Learning3. Embodying Visionary Leadership4. Leading a Learning Community5. Supporting the Application of Foundational

Knowledge about First Nation, Metis and Inuit6. Providing Instructional Leadership7. Developing Leadership Capacity8. Managing School Operations and Resources9. Understanding and Responding to the Larger

Societal Context

“65% OF CHILDREN ENTERING PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRENTLY WILL HAVE JOBS THAT DO NOT

CURRENTLY EXIST”

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM THE FUTURE OF JOBS REPORT (MAY, 2017)

LEAD BY DESIGN, NOT BY DEFAULT

INTENTIONALITY

On establishing oneself as a leader:“I have learned that engaging in “fearless conversations”

must start, first and foremost, with a comprehension of where an individual teacher or EA is on their own learning path and

profession. Without seeking first to understand, it is easy to “miss the mark” on an opportunity to move forward

together. When I engage in fearless conversations, I do not hesitate to share my own vulnerabilities; this has resulted in an

increased openness to collaborate and forge a new path with the team.”

1st Year Elementary Assistant Principal

FIRST STEPS

•Environmental Scan

ARTICLES – JIG SAW

• First Time in a Position of Authority by Barry Jentz(Jigsaw - Effect Size 1.2)

__________________________________________________________Additional Readings...Everybody Experiences Imposter Syndrome: Strong Leaders Use it to Their Advantage by Mike McDerment

DAN PINK - WHEN

“The recipe is straightforward. In most endeavors, we should be

awake to the power of beginnings and aim to make a strong

start…These are three principles of successful beginnings: Start right.

Start again. Start together.” (p. 89)

EMPATHY INTERVIEW

POST IDEAS TO KNOWLEDGE COMMONSGALLERY WALK

ThemesIdeasQuestions

"Take note of everything you see and notice in the building for the first month. Then take time to think about the

changes you want to make before verbalizing them. Your staff wants to act on everything you say, so make sure your

ideas are well thought out. You don't have to do everything in the first few months. Make a three-year plan."

1st Year Middle School Principal

START WITH ‘WHY?’ –MISSION/VISION• “Start with Why: How

Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” by Simon Sinek

• Student Centric understanding of the work•Guiding Documents• School Education Plan• Jurisdictional Education Plan

MISSION AND VISION ACTIVITY

• “Working with learners of all ages, and helping them to realize their personal and professional leadership potential and dreams has been a passion of mine for my entire career. I believe that empowering individuals to 'be their best' and become 'difference makers' is key to a sustainable, safe and caring community, at the school, local and global levels. As DeWitt Jones stated, "Be your best FOR the world." My mission is to help each person with whom I learn and work to become his or her best for our collective future.”

• Identify three key qualities (pillars) you possess which define you• How are those traits realized, lived, demonstrated?• Can you put this key personal/professional information into a one

line mission statement?

CLARITY OF VISION AND EXPECTATIONS•Begin with the end

in mind – What is your vision?•Elevator Pitch•Alignment and consistency are important

If I had to sum up my first year as an admin trying to create positive momentum it would

be..."Trust your instinct. If you keep kids as the middle of all decision-making there's no room

for paralysis by analysis".1st Year Elementary Principal

“Don’t ask, ‘’What’s wrong?’

Ask, “What’s possible.”Margaret J. Wheatley

CREATE CONDITIONS TO MOVE FROM COMMITTED VERSUS COMPLIANT

• Laser like Instructional focus• Real world connections•Why is this important?

• Personalized to learners’ needs and passions (includes staff)•Accountability

structures

COLLABORATIVE COOPERATIVE CULTURE

EFFECTIVE VERSUS EFFICIENT

• Real change takes time• Need to garner stakeholder

input for ownership and investment• Cumbersome – multi-step

process• Greater uptake and

understanding of ‘why’• Front end investment for

long term result

EfficientDoing the right things

vs

EffectiveDoing things right

DATA AND RESEARCH• Jurisdictional Plan• School Education Plan•Current digital resources• Social Media sources•Accountability Pillar Survey• School Satisfaction Survey•Alberta Education resources

GRADUATED AND GRADUAL• Look for natural entry points–

growth mindset• Quality instruction • Process over time• Establish short and long term

goals• Manageable pieces• Utilization of momentum from

small steps to propel forward • Acknowledgment of small and

large achievements “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Vincent Van Gogh

ELEVATION I INSIGHT I PRIDE I CONNECTION

BRENE BROWN

“I define a leader as anyone who takes

responsibility for finding the potential in people

and processes, and who has the courage

to develop that potential.”

CREATING CAPACITY ~GENERATIVE~• Creativity• Past experience married with

fresh ideas• Invitation to key people to

broaden opportunity• Affirmation of ‘extension’ of

comfort zone• Getting comfortable being

uncomfortable• ‘Good is the enemy of great’• Leadership opportunities for staff,

students and parents

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur

when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or

unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our

discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start

searching for different ways or truer answers.”

M. Scott Peck

REMOVE BARRIERS• Honest identification of issues

• Strategic removal and minimization of barriers• Solution-focused

• Nothing is ‘impossible’• Fierce Conversations

PROVIDE SUPPORT(S) u Individualized to staff

u Tap into local expertise - parentsu Divisional expertsu Student experts

u In-house instructional coachesu Professional learning and leadership

opportunitiesu Weekly professional resource provision

u Monthly professional learning u Just-in-time assists

MURRAY BANKS

BRAINWRITE ACTIVITYRegroup to Levels

On implementing change in a new leadership role:“I have learned that just my presence in our school hascreated a “butterfly effect” of changes. It is important todeeply know and honour the starting point of our schoolcommunity, then build from there. It is equally important toabandon our preconceived ideas of what best practicesare in order to collaborate together and find a "third way”that integrates the community’s voice, choice, andperspective.”

1st Year Elementary Assistant Principal

A GUIDE TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION: ESSENTIAL CONDITIONS

COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE, COMMUNICATE

•Clarity – face to face•Email is convenient but...•Get out from behind your desk – a ‘trap’• Invest in your relationships

FUN FACTS

LEADERSHIP LIBRARY

INSPIRING CONNECTIONS

•Todd Whitaker•My ‘American Idol’

STEPHEN COVEY’S 7 HABITS

• Be Proactive• Put First Things First• Begin with the End in Mind• Think Win-Win• Seek First to Understand,

Then be Understood• Synergize• Sharpen the Saw

TIME MANAGEMENT MATRIX• Potential Distractions

Email

Phone Calls

Emergent Situations

Central operational requirements

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES CHECKLIST

• Principal’s Checklist• Admin Team Checklist• Monthly• Annual

• Transition Document

“Invest in your staff relationships because you will need ‘anear’ and honest input as a leader. When you take onleadership, you need your network.”

1st Year Middle School Principal

SUSTAINABILITY• PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK• Mentor• Graduate Study Cohort• Start Right Connections• Jurisdictional Leaders• Peer Support• Internal/External Peers• Online resources

THE POWER OF FULL ENGAGEMENT BY LOEHR AND SCHWARTZ

REFLECTIVE/RESPONSIVE/REVISION• Embedded reflection on practice• Professional Growth Plan conversations

• Semi-annually• Professional Growth Plan written

reflections• Semi-annually

• Student reflections and feedback (scheduled)• Learn from what works – change what

doesn’t

‘SHARPEN THE SAW’

• Look after yourself• Leaders care for others• Self care is equally if

not more important• What fills your cup?

• Student Leadership -TEDx

THE HAPPY SECRET TO BETTER WORK

“I am personally convinced that one person can be a change catalyst, a "transformer" in any

situation, any organization. Such an individual is yeast that can

leaven an entire loaf. It requires vision, initiative, patience,

respect, persistence, courage, and faith to be a transforming

leader.” Stephen R. Covey

SUMMARY SLIDE

• Lead by Design, not Default –Lead with Intentionality• Start with ‘Why?’ and Know Thyself• Organize Systems & Supports for Sustainability & Success• Create Conditions for Collaborative Cooperative Culture

for Creating Capacity• Be Reflective & Responsive• Celebrate!!!• Sharpen the Saw – Stay Connected - PLN

LEARNING INTENTIONS FOR TODAY

Take Away Three Things

1. Articulation of Your ‘Why?’2. Ideas and Tools for Implementation and

Organization (HOW & WHAT)3. Strategies for Sustainability

(Hattie .75 Effect Size)

EXIT PASS• I like…

• I wish…

• Post as you exit please

• THANK YOU

REFERENCES• Dare to Lead - Brown• Good to Great – Collins• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People -

Covey• Change the Way You See Everything –

Cramer & Wasiak• Mindset – Dweck• Stratosphere - Fullan• Leadership for Learning – Glickman• Visible Learning for Literacy - Hattie• Bold Moves for Schools – Hayes-Jacobs• The Power of Moments – Heath & Heath• Creative Confidence – Kelley & Kelley• Leading Change – John P. Kotter• The Power of Full Engagement – Loehr &

Schwartz • A Beautiful Constraint – Morgan & Barden• A Whole New Mind - Pink• Drive – Pink

• When - Pink• The New Principal’s Fieldbook – Robbins

and Alvy• Student-Centred Leadership - Robinson• Start with Why – Sinek• Realizing the Power of Professional Learning

- Timperley• Turning to One Another - Wheatley• Dealing with Difficult Teachers – Whitaker• Leading School Change – Whitaker• 18 Things Great Principals Do Differently -

Whitaker• Motivating and Inspiring Teachers –

Whitaker• Shifting the Monkey – Whitaker• The Future Jobs Report – World Economic

Organization • Transforming Schools – Zmuda, Kuklis and

Kline• A Guide to Support Implementation:

Essential Conditions

CONTACT INFORMATION• Pam Davidson• Director of Learning

Services• Rocky View Schools• pdavidson@rockyview.ab.

ca• Twitter - @PamDavEd