Leadership Focuses for NCCS Administrator’s Retreat July 31, 2013

1. Leadership Focuses for NCCSAdministrator’s RetreatJuly 31, 2013

2. Themes from School feedback, one on one interviews and stakeholder input Strengths- Digital trainings, Strong dedicated leaders, PLCs, Instructional coaches, Supporting the whole child, Dedicated staff, High academic standards, Genuine care for students, Embrace diversity, Facilities, Mentoring, Reading focuses Weaknesses- Parental involvement, Bullying, Putting coaching before teaching when hiring, Lack of TAs, Lack of student discipline in some schools/grades, Lack of respect from students

3. Themes Continued Opportunities for Improvement- Clear communication, Consistent celebrations of the great things happening, Positive attitudes, Consistent discipline and follow through, Treatment of people as a number instead of a person, Need less meetings and more time for collaboration, More technology, Need leaders who trust, Security Threats- Lack of parental involvement, Support from the Central Office, Out of District students who are causing issues, Competition from other school options, Reduced resources and budget, Micromanaging,

4. What are our District Goals this year?

5. Serve Utilize Technology to improve instruction 4Cs-Communication, Collaboration, Creativity & Critical Thinking Celebrate accomplishments and each other Engagestudents Enrichthe lives of students Differentiate based upon individual needs SUCCEED

6. School and Department Goals Make sure your school and department goals are focused on the key areas from our SWOT analysis. Utilize your direct supervisor to assist with planning. School improvement teams and department teams must be utilized and empowered to own the decisions. You have a right to disagree (and should if you aren’t on board), but don’t be disagreeable. Attitudes are contagious. Data sources- Assessment data, sports participation %, attendance, work order response time, TWC surveys, district surveys, Line item expenditures, staffing issues, technology infrastructure, etc. If you don’t have it and need it, ask for it.

7. We must function as a team Titles, degrees, and years of experience matter very little. What can you do for me now? What VALUE do you add? Job titles only communicate who is the go to person. We all are responsible for whatever is needed. Titles are not power. Old Cars- “They don’t make them like that any more!” GREAT! I am glad we have AC, airbags, good gas mileage, GPS, CD players, etc. “My teachers never taught me that way and I turned out fine.”-Our students aren’t being prepared for YOUR future or even our current reality. We must prepare them for change.

8. Empowerment/Delegation- • Lead by Example, Give all of yourself, Have passion • Leaders exist to give followers what they need to succeed • People want to know that you are serving a greater purpose than just your own • The most important part of leadership is building trust in those you lead • Empower and trust people unless they give you a reason not to • Inspire and motivate • Grow leaders- Share your knowledge and build capacity of others • Be humble. • Take care of others’ needs- People are important • Keep moving forward and growing • Don’t micromanage • Embrace change • Be dependable • Focus groups contentious issues (gives people a voice) • Learn from others- especially those who report to you • Holding a glass of water story

9. Communication/Focus- • Leadership begins with goals-When followers know what the goals are, everyone understands their role for the big picture • People are evaluating you as you speak and as you act • How are you including all of your stakeholders in meaningful ways? • Be truthful and honest • What you do means more than what you say • Don’t assume anyone knows- Tell it twice just to make sure • What is your vision? How is it aligned to the district’s? • What’s story are your trying to communicate? Sentences and phrases that all of your internal audiences should know and that are repeatable. Do people know it? KNOW your story. How are you making it happen? Is your story clear and easy to understand? Can you and others tell your/our story? • Customer service is a priority. We serve the community and students, not the other way around. People have choices. We must be the best choice. • Newsletters, email, phone, goal teams, school events, etc. Make your message clear, memorable, and worth listening to. • Promote your school partners • Information is giving out; Communication is Getting Through • Anniversary Pearl Necklace Story

10. Celebrations/Accomplishments- • Express appreciation • Personal visits, notes, cards, phone calls matter • “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”- Colin Powell • Express appreciation • Be genuine and specific with praise • Winning teams always let their people know where they stand • Members of winning teams know the game plan and know how the contribute • Winning teams celebrate. Many people don’t understand the tight link between celebrating small successes along the way and achieving the big goal at the end. Celebrating small successes teach people what it feels like to win and makes them want to win more. • Leadership is lonely, Celebrate one another • Use Betsy to help celebrate and promote your accomplishments • “Lucky” poem

11. Organization- • Schedule walkthrough of schools and classrooms just like you schedule other meetings. Make time. • Utilize technology to streamline your efficiency (Wunderlist, Dropbox, Diigo, Wikispaces, etc) • Are there things we do that aren’t required or necessary that we could eliminate? • Filing system (electronic and print). Do you use a ticker system? • Month by month • How can your support staff help? Don’t be a martyr. People are there to help. • Schedule time to problem solve with your leadership team (School level or district level) • Stay balanced. Faith, Family, Work. Don’t make strangers your children and your children strangers. • You are a leader and need to be visible. People want to see you. • Hollywood Studios tunnel story

12. Team Time From the 4 big areas: Empowerment/Delegation, Communication, Celebration/Accomplishments, Organization, select 2 to work in small groups on. The small group team time is intended to provide you an opportunity to share best practices in that area or learn best practices in that area from a colleague.