I will admit it right here right now, I don't have all the answers. Never did, never will. I think a good school administrator surrounds himself with good people that guide and shape his practice. About 6 or 7 years ago I had the opportunity to take a Critical Friends Group training. It changed my professional life. I will post more about this transformational practice another time. When I became a school leader I knew I wanted to empower the teachers, prompt reflective practices and develop deep levels of collaboration. These are all tall orders in any setting, but can be especially challenging in a school.
Through the CFG trainings, as I have now taken many, I met David Leo-Nyquist. David had done some work with previous administrators at IAA. When I took over, I knew I wanted to incorporate more of these practices into our building. But I didn't have the expertise or the confidence. David helped guide the process and taught me much about facilitation and leadership. He pushed me to push our community. He helped guide me, and the staff at IAA, to see our capabilities and inspired us to change.
Having a coach, mentor, confidant, advocate; whatever you'd like to call it, truly allows you to transform your practice. It brings a fresh set of eyes and and renewed perspective in what you want to accomplish, in this case, for students and teachers. Shop around and find someone you connect with and most importantly will push your practice forward. If you, as an administrator, are operating in a vacuum: get out now. Opening your practice and sharing your ideas will help develop an authentic relationship with your staff and school community and set a powerful example.
Through the CFG trainings, as I have now taken many, I met David Leo-Nyquist. David had done some work with previous administrators at IAA. When I took over, I knew I wanted to incorporate more of these practices into our building. But I didn't have the expertise or the confidence. David helped guide the process and taught me much about facilitation and leadership. He pushed me to push our community. He helped guide me, and the staff at IAA, to see our capabilities and inspired us to change.
Having a coach, mentor, confidant, advocate; whatever you'd like to call it, truly allows you to transform your practice. It brings a fresh set of eyes and and renewed perspective in what you want to accomplish, in this case, for students and teachers. Shop around and find someone you connect with and most importantly will push your practice forward. If you, as an administrator, are operating in a vacuum: get out now. Opening your practice and sharing your ideas will help develop an authentic relationship with your staff and school community and set a powerful example.
David Leo-Nyquist working with IAA at a recent staff retreat.
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