Reflections on "Starting Off Right #SAVMP"

Wordle image - Made with leadership tips from the comments below.

After reading through the comments of many administrators and educational leaders on the post, "Week 3 - Starting Off Right #SAVMP," created by George Couros, I wanted to highlight some that spoke to me.  If you are in any type of leadership position it is definitely worth it to read through the post by George and the comments that follow.

• Andrew Maxey – Asking staff and parents – What are the “things we do very well, what do we need to do differently, and what do we need to stop doing immediately.”
• ddrinkwalter – “Remember paperwork can wait until after hours when students are gone.Compliment-spotlight and highlight great things that staff, students and your school as a whole does.”
• Tiffany Wright – Frequent Flyer student/parent positive communication
• Adam Welcome – “I was in EVERY classroom, EVERY day for the first 90 days.” Wow!
• John Weidrick – “effective educational leaders engage in treasure hunts, not witch hunts. As you visit classrooms or complete observational walkthroughs communicate only the positives for the first months of the school year.”
• Darren – “Visibility! My first 6 months was teaching along side each staff member…”
• Mick Kerin – “Listen to respond not for my turn to speak.” Very powerful for teachers to do as well.
• mcquirp – “Maybe you can’t wait to get started, but teachers may not be there yet so keep the e-mails etc to a minimum!”
  
• Joe Sanfelippo - "Take the time to listen-change will come in time, but listening first is so important."
• Sandra Trach - "Wish staff good morning and have a brief exchange over morning coffee, greet students as they disembark the bus and arrive to school, circulate throughout the school and be visible, attend to needs as they arise and follow through, interact with students at lunch, and support and engage parents. The hardest part of all of this will be taking time for you. Go slow…remember to eat, keep a good sense of humor, lean on others (ask for help!), show vulnerability and be rested. All of this is necessary to be present and centered."

These are such great tips and I am so excited to be learning from so many others through #SAVMP.