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Trying to be Better

Some of my best conversations are with colleagues in similar positions in other districts. At this time of year, many of us are reflecting on how the year went. We share successes and not so successes. Some of us share plans about moving on to a different district while others of us find resolve to do better right where we are!

I recently read this post by Jay Posick and was struck by how many of his goals could easily be mine. I used to be part of a #middleleaders voxer group with Jay and I can tell you one thing. He sets the bar HIGH for himself. I'd listen in time and time again and realize he was crushing it as a principal, as a human being. There was so much more I could be doing and did because I learned with Jay.

Jay's goals are organized around 3 ideas:


  • Be Better for Kids
  • Be Better for Staff
  • Be Better for Families


I really like the way he organizes the action steps around each. His post then reminded me of a chalkboard I once saw at an exhibit in Dollywood (see how my mind just makes the oddest connections?). And this image provides the prompt for me to set my own goals for this year.






Dream More
  1. Brainstorm positive interventions that will work for our most disengaged youth. 
  2. Examine what we provide for all students. 
  3. Pursue funding streams to allow us to expand mental health supports in our district.

Learn More
  1. Become a more active, contributing part of the Instructional Coaching Model in our district. 
  2. Get into more classrooms each week. Talk with more students about learning.
  3. Find a way to change the perception of the "Assistant Superintendent" role. 

Care More
  1. Be more intentional with feedback, praise, and having crucial conversations.
  2. Say thank you so much more.
  3. Make more 1:1 connections with staff in this district.

Be More
  1. Attend more after school events.
  2. Continue to see part of my role as that of providing support to Principals so that Principals can provide supports to teachers. Find ways to support each Principal in a specialized way.
  3. Balance the workload of being a leader with that of being a Mom, the most important title I hold. 

My thanks to Jay and all of the other incredible colleagues and members of my PLN (including colleagues I work with every day) who push me to reflect, do and be more. Jay's post is an example of the power of a PLN and one of the reasons I push myself to maintain this blog and connections with educators across the globe. It's one of the reasons, as Craig Vroom puts it, "Why We Tribe". I learn from them and once in awhile someone says they learned from me. It's usually from a mistake I've made but learning nonetheless.

The inspiration for this post is from Jay and his push has me thinking bigger about goals. Being braver about putting them in print. We can't meet a goal we haven't defined. Sharing them with others in our tribe holds us accountable.

Outlining these goals for myself for next year is a step in the right direction.

"Great leaders dare to be different. They don't just talk about risk-taking, they actually do it. (Torres)"




What it takes to be a great leader, Roselinde Torres

"So what makes a great leader in the 21st century? I've met many, and they stand out. They are women and men who are preparing themselves not for the comfortable predictability of yesterday but also for the realities of today and all of those unknown possibilities of tomorrow."

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