Leading change begins with understanding your school's culture and climate.

I have learned this the hard way over the years.  It can be real easy to jump to the next big thing in this profession.  As educators we are often in the search of the silver bullet to cure our ills.  Be wary of implementing change without first understanding your schools culture and climate.  Research shows that a healthy school climate leads to increased student achievement and fewer drop outs.

Scott Norton (2008) says, "In a healthy organization, challenges are addressed, solutions to problems are found, and new methods and innovations are initiated."  (p. 244) Healthy school climates allow for collaboration and the sharing of ideas.  In these schools, leaders do not discourage disagreement they encourage it.  Dealing with conflict and encouraging it leads to innovation.

"Conflict and controversy can be helpful in leading to preferred solutions." - Scott Norton (2008)

According to Norton (2008) three major factors influence climate in schools.

1. Leadership 
2. Collegiality of the faculty 
3. Student discipline 

So before you begin implementing change, take the first steps and get to know your schools culture and climate.

"Power over" leaders vs. "Power with" leaders

I have been catching up on some readings for my graduate work, and came across this interesting comparison.  

Are you a "power over" leader or a "power with" leader? 

'Power over' leaders, enjoy being in charge and having power over the people within their organization.  They cannot relinquish control, and care very little about what their subordinates have to say.  These authoritarian organizations can be productive, but their work climate is very toxic.  Very little innovation takes place, and more than likely there is a large amount of turnover.  

'Power with' leaders, view people as an asset and use them to further their vision.  This type of leader is collaborative by nature, seeks out his followers for help in decision making.  'Power with' leaders see the importance of empowering others and view relationships as key to the success of the organization.  

Bill Burkhead had a great tweet the other day that relates well to this post.  He tweeted, "The best principals are not heroes; they are hero makers." Roland Barth 

As leaders we should be in the shadows, allowing others to take credit for the success of the organization.  

What type of a leader are you?  

Source: Human Resources Administration for Educational Leaders

Teacher led PD

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Our staff at VHS spent the day learning from each other on Monday for a full day in-service.  How often do we listen to our teachers and ask them what they want to do for professional development?  I am definitely guilty of this in the past.  It is so easy to send the staff to a massive PD opportunity than to put something together that is actually worthwhile for EVERYONE.  We all have experts on staff, empower them and have them present on something that they would like to try or other staff would like to know about.

In the past we have spent the day at a full day in-service where we cram 300-400 teachers into a gym and learn about the same concept.  Most of the time the concept doesn't apply to half of them.  Don't get me wrong I believe these full day in-services can be good, but often they are not.

So spend some time talking to your teachers the next time you and your administrative staff plan a PD day.  Let loose of the control.  It might be the best professional development they have ever received!

Kiva Loans and incorporating them into your lessons.

@Stephaniesevign my FACS Teacher had a great idea today to incorporate Kiva Loans into a lesson. Her next unit is on Latin America.  She plans to have a bake sale and will create Latin American baked goods and use the profit for KIVA loans. Students would decide who to give the loans to in Latin America.

Some background on KIVA loans:

KIVA disperses loans throughout the world, typically in third world countries.  People that are seeking money for loans may only ask to borrow a few hundred dollars.  Most of them are business people that are trying to make it in these underdeveloped countries.  Not only do students learn about loans, but they also learn about giving back to less fortunate in other countries.  KIVA allows you to track payments and hear the personal story of these people.  This loan agency is non-profit and their clients repay 98% of the money borrowed.  You can start by giving $25 at a time.

I am excited to see how this will turn out.  I think it will create more of a global awareness for these students.