Systems of Learning

What are students doing in your classroom? We talk about innovative classrooms, personalized learning and literacy-laced learning. Is this what we should expect to see when we visit your school?

School reform and innovation in education can happen, if the right levers are prioritized and the critical questions for prioritizing are at the forefront of all decision-making:

(1) What is the student learning outcome we are trying to influence?

(2) What levers will have the most direct impact on influencing that outcome for students?

(3) What is the magnitude of change necessary to obtain the results we seek?

It is inevitable that some type of change must occur in order to see increased levels of student achievement and performance. 

Whether you are leading systems of learning in your classroom, department, school, district, or state....living in beta seems to be the new normal.

Just remember, there is no more rewarding profession in the world, than that of an educational leader. Know thy impact!

What does SUCCESS look like?

This week, I have been working with teams on sharpening our focus and asking ourselves, what does success look like? As each of us in our respective leadership roles moves from compliance and initiation to commitment and integration, what are the one or two things you expect to see at your school, and in your classroom that would be considered the vision for success?

Identifying what this vision for learning looks like, is often the first step in making sure you get there.

We are all working so hard within our classrooms, within our schools, within our system. Are you seeing student learning and growth happening?

A key difference between being a "bubble team" and making the March Madness bracket, is demonstrating consistent success and growth over time. So again, I ask you, what does success look like for you and for your students? Define this, focus your efforts on this, make your focus visible to all. This is how you transform student results and lives. 

Feedback is a GIFT

One of my mentors once told me, "people need and deserve feedback. It is like giving them a gift". How may gifts have you given out lately?
As I reflect on all the @WaukeshaSchools I have visited this week, I think one theme popped up during each conversation I had with teachers, students and administrators....people appreciate feedback.

Feedback by definition according to my friend Merriam Webster means, "helpful information or criticism that is given to someone to say what can be done to improve a performance, product, etc." Some of you may be thinking that you give out "gifts" probably hundreds of times each day, affirming what you want to see more of and encouraging reflective thinking around behaviors you would rather see less of.

Part of being a learning leader in our district is to give out gifts that reinforce what we value, what we hold true in terms of our learning and leadership values. Take time to give meaningful feedback and understand that we all can use gifts to make a difference in the lives of others.

It is up to YOU

I saw this on a classroom door while I was at Horning this week and I have not been able to stop thinking about its impact. Although, I imagine that it was intended as a positive reminder for each learner as they enter this learning space, it also should serve as an important reminder to all the adult leaders in our system as well.

Energy, positive vibe, mojo....whatever you want to call it; We are all responsible for bringing our A-game into our classrooms and our schools every day! You can either be an energy vampire or an energy multiplier. I hope you take some time to focus on your own energy so that you have enough left over to distribute among other leaders and learners in all of our wonderful Waukesha Schools.

Learning and leading together...