Key Relationships: Dean, Commandant, Athletic Director, and Parent Partnership

1. Key Relationships:Dean, Commandant, Athletic Director, and Parent Partnership BG Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret) President, Missouri Military Academy AMCSUS New Leader Workshop September 16, 2019

2. What Matters Most Strong working relationship between commandant, dean, and athletic director Partnership with parents and families “Buy in” to the military educational model by all employees Proactive communications on a daily basis Clear delineation of roles, responsibilities, and authorities Predictability of schedule and balance across mission areas Consistency of operations across campus, no seams Emphasize, follow, and use the established chain of command (employees and cadets) Use and empower cadet leaders and team captains Immediate and clear consequences for breaking the rules Name of Presentation, Date

3. The Commandant’s Role The commandant is an educator! Sets the conditions outside the classroom for success in the classroom Oversees cadet leadership discipline, physical fitness and the health and welfare of the corps Approaches day to day activities in the corps as a “leadership and life skills laboratory” Establishes learning outcomes for the corps and assesses cadet progress regularly Supports and enforces athletic team participation, and minimizes interference with practices and games Supports academics as the priority, does not interfere with the academic day Name of Presentation, Date

4. The Academic Dean’s Role Executes the Program of Instruction that supports the approved curriculum Ensures teaching and learning in the classroom Promotes scholarship Ensures the faculty embrace and understand “military aspects” of the school, how to leverage the military structure and use of cadet leaders Supports leadership, character, and life skills development across the curriculum Supports athletic team and extracurricular activity participation Name of Presentation, Date

5. The Athletic Director’s Role Ensures coaches embrace and understand the military aspects of the school, how to leverage the military structure, and use of cadet leaders Supports the JROTC, Raiders, Rifle, and Drill teams and participation in competitions Reinforces character development, life skills, sportsmanship, and fair play Supports the commandant’s leadership laboratory with the selection and use of team captains Supports academics as the priority, does not interfere with the academic day Name of Presentation, Date

6. Staff/Faculty/Coach Shared Responsibilities Embrace the military educational model Know the Cadet Handbook/Regulations and enforce standards Are proactive, reliable, consistent and fair with cadets and colleagues Avoid displaying favoritism towards any cadet Maintain cadet accountability from activity to activity Complete written reports and suspenses in a timely manner Follow up on important issues with cadets and parents Are direct and factual with cadets and parents Do not make promises to anyone that cannot be met Do not confide in or complain to cadets Do not blame others or accuse staff, faculty, or coaches for anything when talking to cadets or parents Meet uniform and employee dress/grooming standards Name of Presentation, Date

7. Parent Partnership Facilitates smooth transition from matriculation through graduation Facilitates two-way communication to reduce “rumors” Establishes credibility and facilitates transparency Cultivates better understanding of boarding schools and our military educational model Generates understanding and support for faculty, staff, and coaches Builds support for curricular and extracurricular activities Can make a difference in a cadet’s academic performance and achievement in the corps of cadets Name of Presentation, Date

8. Parent Partnership is Important Enhances assimilation and retention Avoids playing off commandant, dean, and athletic director against each other Generates useful feedback on policies and school programs Familiarize parents of the complexities in education Promotes community support and goodwill Reinforce the school mission and core values Parents and cadets are best recruiters and promoters of the school Name of Presentation, Date

9. Action Plan for Staff and Faculty Always treat parents as the experts on their cadet Acknowledge and welcome parent involvement and concerns Understand the “life cycle” of parent involvement from matriculation to graduation Talk to each other before the parents – get the facts straight Reach out to all parents, not just to active participants Promptly return phone calls, answer emails, and respond to social media comments and concerns Always give parents advanced warning to shape expectations and avoid surprises Follow school guidance on “approved information” to be released to parents Plan for and schedule parent engagement opportunities at school events – Get schedules out early! Leverage social media and technology to engage and inform parents Establish parent volunteer recognition program Name of Presentation, Date

10. What does not work! Fractured approach to disciplinary actions by the dean, commandant, and athletic director Making threats with no action or not taking corrective action Inconsistent enforcement of the rules Favoritism or “cutting” deals – (There are no secrets!) Mass punishment Mass lecturing and preaching (small targeted groups is much better) Public humiliation in front of peers Third and fourth chances Prolonged “disciplinary probation” Name of Presentation, Date

11. “The Corps Running the Corps” Cadet Leaders: Maintain standards on campus and off post Ensure proper cadet accountability and class attendance Properly hold and supervise formations and inspections Enforce standards (rooms, uniforms, grooming, proper etiquette, academic building standards, and conduct) Take pride in marching, reviews and parades Properly conduct special duties, tour squad, and physical training Properly conduct details, special formations, waiters, flag detail, etc. Properly conduct business in the dining facility and staff meetings Properly conduct study hall and support scholarship Assist faculty, staff, coaches, parents, and visitors Address high risk behavior: Prevent, report and set the example Demonstrate respect for others and help fellow cadets succeed! Name of Presentation, Date

12. Corps Learning Outcomes Embrace scholarship, participation in extracurricular activity/athletics, and lifelong learning Know and live by MMA standards of conduct and personal appearance Demonstrate self-control, self-direction, and personal accountability Adhere to the Honor Code, displaying ethical and moral behavior Become a productive and supportive team member, classmate and a patriotic citizen Become culturally aware, display respect and consideration for others, and embrace diversity Develop excellent time management skills, a positive work ethic, and an eye for attention to detail Demonstrate respect for authority, military bearing, and social etiquette Demonstrate positive character development and personal integrity Successfully live in a shared community environment Develop a healthy lifestyle, habits, and avoid high risk behavior Demonstrate knowledge of MMA customs and traditions Become a positive leader and role model with an understanding of authority, responsibility, and accountability Name of Presentation, Date

13. Know What Cadets Do When They Want to Quit or Leave Disrespect to staff, faculty, and coaches Break the rules to break demerit threshold Fail academically, disrupt classrooms and athletic practices Do not participate in athletics or extracurricular activities Ignore parents or contact them frequently complaining, lying, and crying Divert attention away from themselves toward the school claiming: -Bad place, dangerous, not safe -Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco present -Property gets stolen -Bullying by cadets -Fights, hazing, and gangs -Retaliation by staff, faculty, coaches, and cadet leaders Hurt themselves, cutting, and suicide gestures Runaway from campus - AWOL Name of Presentation, Date

14. Ten Deadly Mistakes Not familiar with rules, regulations, policies and standards Don’t know the cadets, cadet leaders, and what cadet leaders do Fail to take immediate corrective action, display favoritism or inconsistent enforcement of standards Don’t plan accordingly and regularly, don’t read the master calendar, training schedule, plan of the day, or letters of instruction Complain to or confide in cadets; blame other staff, faculty, coaches, or cadet leaders Don’t return phone calls or emails, or follow up as promised Share opinions rather than facts with parents and make promises that cannot be kept Share information about cadets with persons other than parents Fail to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues Poor example in appearance, words, and deeds Name of Presentation, Date

15. President’s Guidance My guidance for every cadet is straight forward: Know the standards. Live by the standards. Correct those who ignore the standards. Help your fellow cadets who are having trouble meeting the standards. Expect to be held accountable. My guidance for staff, faculty, and coaches is the same! Name of Presentation, Date