From Fires to Focus: How to Start Strong with Intention
As a principal for 13 years and an assistant principal for 4 years, I know the value of every minute as a school leader. I also know how many minutes can be consumed “putting out fires.” However, there are ways to intentionally keep safety, instruction, and campus culture at the forefront of your work. Here are a few strategies to ensure a strong start.
Safety
We know safety is paramount. That is our greatest responsibility to the students and staff on our campus. The best way to handle safety is to ensure your stakeholders know all campus protocols. Explain safety procedures in writing. Schedule your required drills at the beginning of the school year and execute them with fidelity. Then, debrief with every staff member who makes an error. Holding everyone accountable makes your school safer. Finally, praise those who report unsafe situations in your school. Balancing praise and accountability make a huge impact.
Instruction
School leaders often say they do not have time to get into the classrooms. The solution is simple: put time in your calendar and share it with your secretary and fellow administrators. As you coordinate classroom walks with your team, they become easier to execute. When you walk, turn your radio off so your classroom time is protected and productive. Instruction will improve when you give actionable bite-sized feedback, schedule time to follow up with the teacher, and then return on schedule to see the feedback implemented. When instruction improves, student achievement improves. In addition, make sure to enthusiastically acknowledge the teachers when you see the improvement.
The other strategic move to make instructionally this year is to proactively plan to support your new teachers all year through regular professional development sessions geared just for them. It is no surprise new teachers often struggle with classroom management, lesson planning, or data analysis.
Create specific sessions on those topics and then delegate them to a trusted campus leader. When I was intentional about developing my new teachers, instruction improved, and teacher retention increased.
Campus Culture
When it comes to campus culture, the best way to raise it is to praise it! Whatever you value about your campus culture, praise it publicly. For example, if one of your core values is persistence, when you see a teacher, student, or volunteer diligently working through obstacles, praise it immediately.
Tell them in person and then put in the announcements, newsletters, and on social media (with the appropriate permissions). When you find someone acting counter to the core values, address them privately. In other words, publicly shout praise and privately correct errors.
Without a doubt, if you become intentional about these strategies, your campus will improve. You will put out fewer fires if you are proactive and focus on these strategies daily throughout the school year. May this be your best school year yet!
TEPSA member Mike Walker is a Senior Specialist in Leadership Development at the Region 4 Education Service Center.
