I presented my SPSA to the school board last night. I had never presented my plan to the board at my last district,
and I will admit I was quite nervous. I
as pleased to say it went well. I
knew my data and felt well prepared with the knowledge of where we are
currently and where we need to go. I
outlined specific steps on what we will be doing as a staff to ensure all
students will be supported from weekly teacher collaboration, use of formative
assessments, deep review of student performance data to inform instructional
decisions, shared lesson planning, and timely and specific feedback.
As a new principal to the site, it is always a balance of
how much to push and how much to hold back.
As I am building relationships, it has been challenging to both connect
with people and begin to make changes.
They say that the first year is to just build rapport and observe. While I am doing that, I am also impatient and
am gently guiding my staff towards reflection and improvement through my questions
and suggestions. It is a back and forth
of pressing forward, and then letting off the gas.
For me, I believe the key is to take the time myself
to reflect on my own practice as a leader, evaluate my own connections made or
not made, and be brutally honest with myself.
Do not be afraid to ask for help.
Solicit feedback and take it in – the good and the bad. And then act.
And know the process of change is slow and it is ongoing. It never really ends, and you are not ever
really done. You just need to know when
to come up for air so you can start again.
Just keep swimming...
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