Hi mmann,
The problem you are referring to will only become worse if we attempt as a primary objective to have Union Leadership and staff to be happy and comfortable. Relationships are extremely important but should never be a higher priority than a qualty instructional program.
In my mind this is not a dilemma.
Niagara
Hi Mark,
One of many regrets I have as a former school leader was that I failed to take a major risk. As I reflect on the past there were times that I was too cautious—-attempting to survey the underlying feelings of staff and community. It was a huge mistake.
Niagara
Hi Helen,
BRAVA! Thanks for sharing.
Niagara
Hi Denise,
I am pleased that you have recognized the part that “TRANSACTIONAL LEADERSHIP” may play in implementing change. So often Professors fail to emphasize what you have stated.
Niagara
Hi Lee,
I cannot site the research on your question but can only respond from experience. My observations are that female school leaders often must perform at a higher level that male school leaders in receiving appointments to leadership positions particularily in Secondary Schools ( as pointed out by Anthony) and in Central Office positions. However, in the last 10 years I have observed a huge shift in that more and more female school leaders are being appointed to the top position as Superintendent in New York State. This trend appears to be continuing because they have done so well. Gender has become a non issue.
Niagara
HI John,
There is no question in my mind that one of the major roles of the school leader is to insure that quality instruction is supported and promoted. That is why I strongly believe in the FULLAN DIMENSION of “KNOWLEDGE SHARING”. My issue is that we do not provide a process to allow this to happen. I was quilty as a school leader—-hopefully you and the others will not be as you assume more and more responsibility as a school leader.
Niagara
Hi Denise,
Several years ago I looked at the process of “change” and concluded as your question suggests that there are many faces of change. My conclusion was the development of the Four Disciplines that includes a must discussion on the topics of VALUES, LEADERSHIP STYLE, ATTRIBUTES/SKILLS and CONFLICT/RELATIONSHIPS. All must be considered when viewing the “CHANGE PROCESS”. It is that complicated.
Niagara
Mark and Helen,
Your response to Daniel’s question is extremely helpful because not only have you responded at a level that provides a foundation for eventual leader behavior but you have provided practical approaches to the issues that Daniel presents.
Niagara
Hi Daniela,
When you think of the most inspirational school leader you have ever known and want to reflect on why they are so effective—I found it helpful to look at the ATTRIBUTES AND SKILLS they possessed. Now Marzano has published a book on responsibilities of an effective leader. Reviewing ATTRIBUTES, SKILLS and RESPONSIBILITIES helps me to put the role of an effective school leader into perspective. It helps me to view the role in action.
Niagara
Hi Suzanne,
It is certainly the responsibility of the school leader to engage staff in their continued professional growth. One way is to provide staff with meaningful responsibilty—another is to recognize staff achievement. Your question once again focuses on the importance of developing a process for staff to share knowledge. I cannot even begin to emphasize how important this is as we respond to your question.
Niagara
Hi Janet, Your question focuses on one of the most important questions in this course—the promotion of a process to have staff share their professional knowledge. Please remind me to sit in on this discussion when we are in groups.
Niagara
Hi Imac,
Your question reads loud and strong for me. You may want to ask staff who work at Durham Public what is posted on the front door of their Board Office. In the past I have used their approach as a model--it begins with an invitation and welcome to start their visit first with the receptionist. Schools in New York start out with a quote of the law—failure not to report to the front desk is a msideminnor subject to arrest.
Great question when considering the importance of involving the community in the education of students.
Niagara
Helen-You raise a very interesting question. A question that if resolved through a KNOWLEDGE BASED PROCESS will support sustainability. It is a process that I could have developed and never did—it was one of biggest mistakes I ever made during my leadership experience.
Niagara
For me it is one of the major dilemmas facing today’s school leaders—particularily with the emphasis on the importance of SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT through the use of paper and pencil testing.
Niagara
A great question! If we believe that signifcant change requires 3-5 years of intensive effort—-is it possible to sustain the effort when so many leadership changes take place in our schools on such a frequent basis. If so, how can we insure that the process of change continues when the leadership personality moves to another position? I would like to participate in this discussion. Do any of you have any suggestions?
It is obvious that from the response this question has received—we may need to discuss further in our next session.
Hi Mary Ellen,
I am not so sure that the question is to have or not to have such programs. Obviously, if properly conducted they are of immense value to students. The question in my mind is when they begin to dominate the total school experience and become the reason for some schools to exsist. During my Masters Program at Purdue University—-as part of my internship experience I witnessed all the positive and negative aspects of the Indiana State Basketball Championships. Schools refused to merge for quality education in fear of losing their identity to participate in the State basketball tournament.
You raise an interesting question.
Niagara—Former Coach
Hi Sony D,
I strongly feel that as school leaders to understand the change process we need to address a number of interrelated concepts—-What Motivates Others to Follow The Importance of Conflict Understanding Self Before We Understand Others Great question for discussion.
Niagara
Hi Roys,
I have just finished reading ” A Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin where the focus of the book is the—-political genius of Lincoln to deal with issues that are suggested in your questions. I dealt with these same issues when I was Superintendent in the city of Binghamton. At that time, I felt that I had to reach out to promote discussion among the leaders of the various groups. I must admit I made many mistakes but I always attempted to learn from them. Not sure how much progress I made in the community at large but personnally was able to establish many lasting friendships.
I know this response does not even begin to provide any direction but I would like to share with you and the others ( the last paragragh) of a quest editorial to the Bufflao News by a Charles Burgin a political activist.
He states: I founded “Brotherman’s Progress” to advocate for “real” change in the fight against urbanfraticide ( He had lost his brother two weeks prior to submitting the editorial). Poverty must be exponentially reduced. We need a ” real ” war on the wholesalers of illegal drugs and guns into the inner cities. Not much changes if we don’t deal with racial aspects of an education system that codones the miseducation of youth, seen as commodities for the prison industrial complex. These are the true lessons of homicide.
Hopefully, your question will promote further discussion,
Niagara
Hi Anthony,
I am not sure that you are behaving in a way that difies MORAL PURPOSE as I review your examples. You raise an interesting question that hopefuuly others will respond.
Best wishes,
Niagara
