Please discuss the following:* What is the "Essential Knowledge" from your article that the group should understand/ be able to apply to leadership practice?
* How can the school vision become a tool for leaders to assess school effectiveness?
Remember: Each group member must post at least three times: Once for the essential knowledge from their article, once as an answer to the discussion question, and at least once to someone else in the group.
I feel the "Essential Knowledge" from this that should be applied to leadership practice is that principals should not be hyper-focused on their one particular way of doing something, or on a particular innovation. By doing this, principals are basically shutting out the ideas of other teachers on their staff, and perhaps a new or different way of doing something. The article suggests that "principals would do well to develop collaborative work cultures," which would in turn help his or her staff deal with all of the innovations that come with education.
ReplyDeleteAngie
Angie,
DeleteWhat I took from the article, however, was that the principal should first develop his/her personal leadership vision and bring it to the school, after which time a shared vision is built/created with the staff (or all stakeholders). How does a principal new to a school accomplish this if his/her vision is diametrically opposed to the current school climate and culture, I wonder?
Ahhh, and thus my belief in succession planning comes to education :) Wouldn't it be nice to have a time for shadowing? I know, it's really not overly likely in transient areas or in emergency types of situations, but it would really be ideal to have a "principal elect" during the last year of the outgoing principal (I know, I know - what if the principal that is leaving totally stinks? Well, it's likely the incoming principal will notice that; regardless, the new principal would benefit from some legitimate time in the building to observe interactions at various levels.)
DeleteAhhh, and thus my belief in succession planning comes to education :) Wouldn't it be nice to have a time for shadowing? I know, it's really not overly likely in transient areas or in emergency types of situations, but it would really be ideal to have a "principal elect" during the last year of the outgoing principal (I know, I know - what if the principal that is leaving totally stinks? Well, it's likely the incoming principal will notice that; regardless, the new principal would benefit from some legitimate time in the building to observe interactions at various levels.)
DeleteThe school vision can be a tool for leaders to assess school effectiveness by comparing what is happening in the school with what you wanted to happen at the time the vision was created. Are the teachers following the vision that was (hopefully) created as a staff? Does something or someone on staff need changed? Or does the vision need changed? By going back and making sure that everyone is on the same page and following the vision, the school can be its most effective.
ReplyDeleteAngie
Angie,
DeleteDo you agree with the concept that the principal should bring a personal leadership vision to the school or do you think it is possible for the principal to bring certain concepts yet allow the school team to build a common vision? I struggle with this idea. What if a new principal's vision is at significant odds with the school's current vision?
* What is the "Essential Knowledge" from your article that the group
ReplyDeleteshould understand/be able to apply to leadership practice?
The “Essential Knowledge” from the article “Vision as the Compass” centers around the concept that a school’s vision encompasses a commitment by the school team toward a shared collective school culture that moves in a common direction. The vision is an outgrowth of the principal’s personal leadership vision, and focuses attention on what is important in the school community.
Arlene
I started replying to your post before realizing we were all in different groups, but either way, I agree there's potential for some conflict to exist as you mentioned above, Arlene. So many "what ifs" can be troubling! What if new leadership vision conflicts with current school climate? COMPLETELY agree this could be a major issue. Though I don't have a direct solution, my only recommendation per the articles we've read (plus the innumerable others that exist, just waiting for us to find ;)) is for the leader to:
Delete1) do his/her homework (about the school, community, etc) to be informed on what has been happening, what trends exist, what reactions across the community are, etc.
2) consult research/literature/other trusted sources
3) based on doing his/her homework and consulting literature, there will come a point where the leader just has to take a leap of faith that there will be even just one person with him/her. The final piece that I think launches the leader to/through this step is the code of ethics he/she possesses. While there is likely to be pushback whether the leader initiates his own vision and builds support for it or develops the vision collaboratively (some people just like conflict!), if a leader can back vision with substance and show how the vision supports the achievement for the school's students (isn't that at the heart of every school vision?), then people should come around. Being a calculated risk-taker myself, a part from "Vision, Leadership, and Change" that resonated with me comes from Papalewis (1988): "School leaders are creative visionaries willing to take risks in pursuit of cherished values and able to cling to a vision with tenacity that is contagious to nearly everyone." LOVE.IT.
And to REALLY be a cheeseball...
DeleteWhat came to me first as I reviewed the "Vision as the Compass" article was a Lady A song. So, tonight, let this song be a metaphor for your vision as a school leader :) (particularly if you consider including your code of ethics as a barometer in formulating a vision)
Alright
Yeah it's been a bumpy road
Roller coasters
High and low
Fill the tank and drive the car
Pedal fast, pedal hard
You won't have to go that far
Chorus:
You wanna give up 'cause it's dark
We're really not that far apart
So let your heart, sweet heart
Be your compass when you're lost
And you should follow it wherever it may go
When it's all said and done
You can walk instead of run
'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone (never be alone) oh oh oh
Never be alone oh oh oh
Forgot directions on your way
Don't close your eyes don't be afraid
We might be crazy late at night I can't wait til you arrive
Follow stars you'll be alright
(Chorus)
* How can the school vision become a tool for leaders to assess school effectiveness?
ReplyDeleteThe school vision is closely related to the mission for the school, and goals are derived from the vision and mission statement that can be specific to how the school will achieve the mission.
Arlene
Essential knowledge to understand/apply to leadership practice:
ReplyDeleteThere is a tremendous need to link the visions of administrators, which tend to be more global or at the organizational level, and of teachers, which are of a more local or even individual scale. Creating a shared vision through knowing your organization (owning your purpose and/or goals), involving critical individuals (don’t forget kids, guardians, etc.), exploring possibilities (think beyond current situation – a vision can be lofty/dreamy provided that literature suggests the possibilities for your school context), and putting [the shared vision] in writing (commit to it – shout it loudly and proudly – there’s little worse than is imperative to counteract the differences in perspectives among administrators and teachers.
DOH! I'm a bit slow... my article for reviewing essential knowledge and how vision can be a tool for leaders was "Vision, Leadership, and Change"! Sorry - I just realized we were jigsaw-ed-ish :)
DeleteHow the school vision can become a tool for leaders to assess school effectiveness (sorry - I was bullet-ing my list, so I am posting that... forgive me!):
ReplyDelete- The vision is what leaders want the school to be and kids to achieve; without a vision to challenge followers, you can’t be a leader (there’d be no guidance/direction) – Niece (1989) goes as far as to include providing a vision as a component of instructional leadership
- shared vision indicates true leaders from mere managers
- for wide adoption, vision must be developed collaboratively or by leader and agreed upon by followers
Meghan,
DeleteI like how you stated that the vision challenges the followers, so that, in turn, you can be a leader. You need to set the vision (a collaborative effort with your staff) , then be the example for your staff to follow.