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Calm in the Change Chaos

March 27, 2023 by Amber Leave a Comment

Change is a constant in any organization, and this is especially true in the world of education. One significant change that can occur in schools is a shift in district leadership…in particular in my world, a new superintendent. I’ve long been a fan of the statement that all change is hard, even good change. Adapting to change can be challenging, but there are steps that professionals can take to ensure a smooth transition.

Clear and consistent communication is where the calmness begins. Surveys, conversations, transparency… all strategies that will show a willingness to be collaborative.

Another key action for adapting to change is to remain flexible. Change can be unpredictable, and leaves all previously final plans more… fluid. By staying open to new ideas and approaches, educators can better navigate the transition and maintain a sense of continuity for students and the community.

Here are three of my favorite quotes when it comes to the importance of leadership… ones to keep in mind to help your people adapt to changes in district leadership:

  1. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” – Ronald Reagan

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This quote reminds us that leadership is not just about one person, but about the collective efforts of a team. When a new leader takes over a school district, they need to work with teachers, staff, and community members to set goals and create a shared vision for the future. Leaders should unleash employees’ potential, rather than trying to control or contain their ideas and they should inspire employees to explore solutions, rather than motivating them toward fixed ideas.

  1. “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” – Sheryl Sandberg

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A change in district leadership can create uncertainty and anxiety for teachers and students. This quote reminds us that effective leaders leave a lasting impact that extends beyond their time in the role. By empowering teachers and providing a sense of stability, new leaders can create a positive legacy that endures long after they have moved on. Good leaders fight against a scarcity mindset, focusing instead on an abundance of things like respect, capacity, and trust.

  1. “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

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This quote highlights the importance of leadership as a catalyst for growth and change. When a new leader takes over a school district, they have the opportunity to inspire teachers and students to reach new heights. By setting high expectations and providing the support needed to achieve them, new leaders can create a culture of excellence that benefits everyone in the district.

If you’re in a season of change, whether at the campus or at the district level, remember that changes in leadership can be challenging, but they can also provide opportunities for growth and improvement. Relationships can’t be rushed but if you’re willing to embrace change, there can be calmness in the chaos.

 

 

Flexible and

Filed Under: Leadership in Chaos, Uncategorized Tagged With: #beintentional, AmberTeamann

#CISDreads…a book study bingo!

January 2, 2023 by Amber 8 Comments

I love a good book study. I like learning, I like learning with others…but I also know I am guilty of adding too much to my plate!

Rather than just…not…this spring we’re doing a book study…BINGO!

Why it’s going to be amazing?

  • It’s synchronous. Read a chapter a week or it all over the weekend.
  • A book that applies to brand-new and veteran educators.
  • Nothing heavy enough to stress anyone out.
  • Two options for participating: a padlet or via twitter/IG.
  • A prize for a blackout!

How is this going to grow me?

  • I had to choose a book that met all of the above. I also wanted something with enough BONUS content that I could share quotes, videos, or podcasts from the author. Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” checked all those boxes.
  • Finding share solutions for the techie and the non-techie required extra “hmmmm…” time.
  • Had to meet educators in different seasons of their world, our classrooms are filled with a continuum of experiences!
  • Book studies can be laborious and boring. I wanted this to be FUN.
  • My role will be responding, sharing, tagging, empowering, and encouraging…all my favorite verbs!

 

Want to play? I’ll mail YOU a technofabulous prize for playing as well! Want to make your own? Let me know your email address in the comments and I’ll share the template!

Check out this one that we did as well!

 

Get’ta reading,

Amber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Leadership is…

October 3, 2022 by Amber Leave a Comment

 

I am fascinated by strong leadership. Leadership that outlasts a position, a title, an opportunity. Leadership is a fluid term, one that can encourage despite a collegial relationship or a “title” driven subset. It’s one that allows someone to see past who you are, and instead, be who you can BE.

The leaders who said, “You’re a great teacher, would you even consider being a principal?”

I am thankful to have seen leadership in the form of a teacher who encourages me with a card that said, ” I see what you are trying to accomplish, and we’ll get here, don’t give up on us yet,”

The one who said, “I see your potential, come lead in my district”, and then gave me a chance.

The one that said, “You can do this, b/c leadership is more about…”

I am thankful for leaders who see past the immediateness and more about the possibilities of who you could be. The ones not limited by titles, experience, or past. The one who could see who you could be, because of a connection, a feeling, an opportunity.

What Are the Qualities of a Good Leader?

1. Honesty and Integrity: Leaders value virtuousness and honesty. They have people who believe in them and their vision.

2. Inspiration: Leaders are self-motivating, and this makes them great influencers. They are a good inspiration to their followers. They help others to understand their roles in a bigger context.

3. Communication skills: Leaders possess great communication skills. They are transparent with their team and share failures and successes with them.

4. Vision: Leaders are visionaries. They have a clear idea of what they want and how to achieve it. Being good communicators, leaders can share their vision with the team successfully.

5. Never give-up spirit: Leaders challenge the status quo. Hence, they never give up easily. They also have unique ways to solve a problem.

6. Intuitive: Leadership coach Hortense le Gentil believes that leaders should rely on intuition for making hard decisions. Especially because intuition heavily relies on a person’s existing knowledge and life learning, which proves to be more useful in complex situations.

7. Empathy: A leader should be an emotional and empathetic fellow because it will help them in developing a strong bond with their team. Furthermore, these qualities will help a leader in addressing the problems, complaints, and aspirations of his team members.

8. Objective: Although empathy is an important quality a leader must imbibe, getting clouded by emotions while making an important business decision is not advisable. Hence, a good leader should be objective.

9. Intelligence: A good leader must be intelligent enough to arrive at business solutions to difficult problems. Furthermore, a leader should be analytical and should weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. This quality can be polished with an all-inclusive leadership training program.

10. Open-mindedness and creativity: A good leader is someone who is open to new ideas, possibilities, and perspectives. Being a good leader means understanding that there is no right way to do things. Therefore, a good leader is always ready to listen, observe, and be willing to change. They are also out-of-the-box thinkers and encourage their teams to do so. If you enrol for a leadership course, all these things will be a part of the curriculum.

11. Patient: A good leader understands that a business strategy takes time to develop and bear results. Additionally, they also believe that ‘continuous improvement and patience’ leads to success.

12. Flexible: Since leaders understand the concept of continuous improvement, they also know that being adaptable will lead them to success. Nothing goes as per plan. Hence, being flexible and intuitive helps a manager to hold his ground during complex situations.

The one who two years after leaving you could meet you for lunch for leadership input, and bring you a cupcake, because that’s just how they lead.

That’s who I want to be.

 

Leadership thankful,

Amber

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Leadership in Chaos, Uncategorized

New staff? What’s your welcome look like?

July 9, 2022 by Amber Leave a Comment

It’s the most glorious time of the year! You’re getting ready to welcome back your staff in preparation for the 22-23 school year…here are several ideas that have been shared in the Principals Staff Appreciation & Motivation Group. Admin that hasn’t joined? Come join us!

 

Book study with motivational stickers and refillable cups!

LOVE this bitmoji board with advice for new staff! What a great way to get to know your teammates!

Cups with stickers! Hydration matters, 😉

These were available at Walmart a couple of years ago, but if you can’t find them…easy enough to Cricut your own slogan on a $.25 spiral!

 

An admin created this welcome gift for their new AP…

Obviously biased but this greatness was for our new teacher orientation. Candy, spiral, a set of notecards for them to use, and a tee shirt for just the new peeps. The “welcome to Whitt” packet included a letter from admin, some basic campus history, and general “wonders’ they might have been having…

 

How are you welcoming your new teachers? It’s more important than ever that our teachers feel supported, encouraged, and WANTED. It’s not all about the gifts, but taking the effort to create a welcoming atmosphere from the start can help engage new employees. New employees who feel welcomed into their new work environments straight away are often happier, more productive, more successful, and more likely to stay with you for a long time.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Leadership book tasting…any book, any role! Build capacity with a book study…

June 13, 2022 by Amber 1 Comment

Educators are tired. Our plates are full and our brains are fried. Providing a book study for professional development doesn’t have to be boring. What if you engage and built leadership capacity via a book study…one that doesn’t look like it usually does?

Knowing this, I still wanted to offer/facilitate an opportunity for leaders in our district to grow, even if it doesn’t look like it has in the past.  A book study is typically an effective form of professional learning because new learning can be immediately applied.  Educators are involved in multiple sessions where there is continuous discussion around a relevant topic that has arisen from school data. Remember, the goal of any professional learning is to have a positive impact on student learning. But finding a book that makes everyone happy? Paying for hardcover books that I may never see again? Ugh. The central office role I serve in now makes it even more important to recognize that one book choice isn’t going to meet all the needs of all our learners.

As a principal, we hosted several out-of-the-box growth opportunities. One year we partnered with Greenwood Elementary in Minnesota and scheduled virtual talks with Brad Gustafson and his team. Then there was the year we did a private Facebook group with George Couros on “Innovators Mindset”. Twitter also was a tool of choice when we read “Teach Like a Pirate”. All that to say…I’m a big believer in professional growth.

Staying still is no longer an option. But growing because “I told you so” is a terrible leadership strategy.

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Enter the CISD Leadership Book Tasting of 2022!

  • open to all leaders in CISD
  • five choices, a leadership variety
  • made available digitally, on a district-provided iPad
  • slow, asynchronous style
  • designed to meet the needs of any role, and can apply to any book

 

Here’s our initial flyer.

Here are our activities.

 

Here’s to a summer of self-paced, self-driven professional development!

 

Readingly yours,

Amber

Filed Under: Leadership, Leadership in Chaos Tagged With: #beintentional, AmberTeamann, freebie

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Calm in the Change Chaos

Change is a constant in any organization, and this is especially true in the world of education. One significant change … [Read More...]

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