The One Book that School Leaders Should Read to Attack Persistent Problems in Education – Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

The One Book that School Leaders Should Read to Attack Persistent Problems in Education – Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by | Jan 23, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Joe and T.J. Recommend that School Leaders Read 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems

We want to share some of our favorite aspects of our newest book, 7 Mindshifts for School Leaders: Finding New Ways to Think About Old Problems. Written with our co-author, Connie Hamilton, this book calls into question some of the problems with our Educational Industrial Complex, problems that have persisted for too long, and the mind shifts that it will take to truly challenge the status quo. It’s for any school leader who wants better outcomes for all students. If you’re fine with the way things are, it’s not for you. 

Consider a problem, which is frankly too common: poor attendance. Lots of students miss days here and there rather than stringing them together with an obvious and long absence. The problem is that a student who misses a couple of days in September is likely to miss a whole month of school by the end of the year. Think of the type of impact that this kind of poor attendance has on student performance, socialization, reading proficiency, and a host of other things. We might otherwise not even catch the problem, and when we do, we often don’t have models for examining and fixing the problem. 

A nuance here is that attendance is not always on the radar screen. Picture a school that is uber-focused on elevating reading proficiency. This could be a costly mistake, spending money and time on reading resources when the problem isn’t the reading program but rather student attendance rates. Maybe if students were in school for a great percentage of the days that school is in session they would have better reading proficiency scores. That’s why this book is so powerful. We introduce 7 models that can be used with your teams to help examine problems in a new light.  

In this episode of Leading Better & Growing Faster with Joe and T.J., we feature two of our favorite models from the book. Joe describes the Octopus Approach and how it can be used to help make sure that the many variables associated with an issue are brought to the table before a decision is made. This model is designed for implementing systems thinking in your school.   

T.J. covers a second model called, Disciplined Tunnel Vision. Having tunnel vision can be seen as a negative response, but there is a need at times for an all-out, complete-and-utter, focus on an issue for it to be solved. T.J. discusses our six-part practical change model that schools can use from developing a vision for a change all the way to the creation of a specific model for what that change looks like in practice. The first three steps are common, but that’s only 50% of what will get you to the implementation of something new in your school.  

Enjoy this book to lead better and grow faster as school leaders. We always appreciate a like, a follow, a comment, or a share. And, if you like this new book, please rate it on Amazon. It helps. 

Let us know what you’re reading by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership newsletter every week by subscribing to the site. 

We can’t wait to hear from you. 

Joe & T.J.

Amplifying Student Voice with Paul Bloomberg – Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

Amplifying Student Voice with Paul Bloomberg – Leading Better and Growing Faster with Joe and T.J.

by | Jan 11, 2023 | #onethingseries, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Leading Better and Growing Faster, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Systems Thinking, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Our job is to make the learner’s thinking visible. ~ Paul Bloomberg 

 

About Paul Bloomberg

Dr. Paul Bloomberg is the Founder and CEO of The Core Collaborative Learning Network based in San Diego, CA, and New York City. The mission of the Core Collaborative Learning Network is to expand learner ownership and agency by building a culture of belonging and efficacy through collaborative inquiry. The Core Collaborative defines “learner” as ALL the people in a system who partner with students. The Core Collaborative strives to cultivate learners who embody empathy, open-mindedness, patience, and perseverance and who use their energy and expertise to make a positive impact in the world we share with others.

Dr. Bloomberg is the co-author of the best-selling book, Leading Impact Teams: Building a Culture of Efficacy, and a lead author of Peer Power! Unite, Learn and Prosper: Activate an Assessment Revolution through Mimi and Todd Press and a lead author on The EmpowerED Learner eToolkit. Paul has led multiple, successful school turn-around efforts and believes that public education must play a major role in deconstructing systems of oppression.

His new book, which we talk about in this episode, is called Amplify Learner Voice through Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Assessment. 

Paul served on the National Parents Union Board of Directors. The National Parents Union is a network of highly effective parent organizations and grassroots activists across the country that is united behind a set of common goals and principles to channel the power of parents.

Paul lives with his husband, Tony, in California. Alex and Taylor, Tony and Paul’s sons, are the inspiration for launching the Core Collaborative in 2014.

Paul starts with the concept of systems. He talks about how some schools are thriving more than others and what we need to do to re-think formative assessment through a cultural lens. 

 

What You’ll Find in this Podcast Episode with Paul Bloomberg 

Paul starts with a vital aspect of how all educators can effectively engage students, Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE). This is about changing what we do to meet students’ needs through culturally responsive formative assessments. 

We dive into the conversation about assessments and the cross-section between traditional grading and equity. None of us can answer the question about why more schools aren’t moving to more culturally responsive grading? 

There is power in interviewing students. Listen to what can shock teachers into creating a different type of learner-focused environment. 

Don’t miss what Paul says about the textbook industry: “I can’t do it anymore” applied to cover all the concepts that we’re giving in our content areas. 

Paul mentions Dr. Allen Daly as his mentor. The social justice focus of his doctoral program left a mark that he uses in all of his work today. 

Paul talks about “active listening” and reflecting back on what people are saying and feeling as a super-tool for leadership, teaching, and for learning. 

Paul talked about wanting to learn how to be a restorative practitioner. His answer is heartfelt

  1. Reframe negative thinking 
  2. Wake up and be optimistic 
  3. Treat people with dignity

 

T.J. mentions the wisdom from Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg that links to #1 above. 

He talks about The Science of Happiness Podcast as a learning and growth strategy for himself. 

Paul answered the last question with something he learned from Omar Mercado: a trigger is your own responsibility, not that of others, even the people who trigger you. 

 

 

Let us know if there’s a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at [email protected]. And don’t miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing to the site. 

We can’t wait to hear from you. 

Joe & T.J.

 

Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ theschoolhouse302.com where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.

 

Season 4, Episode 6 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Christine Ravesi-Weinstein

Season 4, Episode 6 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Christine Ravesi-Weinstein

by | Jan 3, 2023 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Christine Ravesi-Weinstein Joins FocusED to Discuss How School Leaders can Disrupt the Status Quo…and Much More 

This is Season 4, Episode 6 of FocusED, featuring our guest, Christine Ravesi-Weinstein. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Christine says about school leadership and how we must Disrupt the Status Quo in our schools…and so much more.

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Christine Ravesi-Weinstein Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Christine Ravesi-Weinstein serves as a high school Assistant Principal in Massachusetts and previously worked as a high school science department chair for four years as well as a classroom teacher for 15. Diagnosed with anxiety and depression at 23, Christine began her journey toward mental wellness. She began a non-profit organization in June of 2017 aimed at removing the stigma of mental illness and promoting physical activity as a means to cope with anxiety.

As an avid writer and educator, Christine became passionate about bridging the two with her advocacy for mental health. Since March 2019, she has had numerous nationally published articles, including the number one most-read article of 2019 on eSchool News (she also had the number six and eight most-read articles in that year). She has also published articles with District Administration, the Teach Better Team, Tech & Learning, and SmartBrief.  

Not only is she a highly sought-after speaker, but Christine is also a MASCD Board Member, and author of the books Anxious (by Times 10 Publications), Fighting Your Inner Voice, and Disrupt the Status Quo (both by Code Breaker, Inc.). 

Follow her work on Twitter @RavesiWeinstein and on YouTube at The Runner’s High. 

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FocusED Show Notes with Christine Ravesi-Weinstein  

Christine and her co-authors focused on the four areas of the book because everything fell into those four categories, including culture. 

Joe asked Christine to dive deeper into the conversation about positive toxicity. 

Don’t miss what she says about perspective building. 

Christine talks to us about listening strategies and hearing what others have to say. 

The seed of toxicity is the parking lot conversation that’s not productive for anyone. 

It’s the million decisions that we have to make in a day that prevent us from listening. ~ Christine Ravesi-Weinstein 

Sometimes the reason for our lack of failure is that we forget what the goal is. 

Don’t miss what Christine says about the power of face-to-face conversations. 

Christine wants to eliminate numerical grading to improve the student experience. She believes that this can change the SEL landscape for kids. 

You have to hear what she says about Jim Hensen. 

Christine shared that she reads a lot of books about running. 

She mentions Edutopia and Code Breaker as places to go for leading and learning. 

 

Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 @ theschoolhouse302.com where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.

 

Season 4, Episode 5 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Danny Steele

Season 4, Episode 5 of the FocusED School Leadership Podcast with Danny Steele

by | Dec 29, 2022 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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Danny Steele Joins FocusED to Discuss Essential Truths for Principals & School Leaders…and Much More 

This is Season 4, Episode 5 of FocusED, and it features our guest, Danny Steele. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what Danny says about Essential Truths for Principals…and so much more.

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Danny Steele Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Danny Steele is in his 30th year of education, and this school year marks his second as the principal at Homewood Middle School. Prior to this position, he has served as an Assistant Professor of Instructional Leadership, principal, assistant principal, teacher, and coach.

In 2005, Steele was recognized as the “Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year” for the state of Alabama.  And in 2016, he was recognized  as Alabama’s “Secondary Principal of the Year.”

He has presented at numerous state and national conferences and spoken in school districts around the country.  

Danny has written or co-written five books. He has an undergraduate degree in History from Covenant College; an M.A. in History from the University of Alabama, Birmingham; and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration as well as a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership–both from Samford University.  He resides with his wife and three children in Birmingham, Alabama.

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FocusED Show Notes with Danny Steele 

Danny talks about the inception of the book and how Todd Whitacker pitched the idea as something that would be very broad for educators but was then split into two books: Essential Truths for Teachers and Essential Truth for Principals. 

Danny talks about the fact that we can get lost in doing what we’re doing and forget the reasons why we’re doing what we’re doing. 

Don’t miss what he says about getting swallowed up by the administrivia. 

He talks about the difference in the focus between being a teacher and being an administrator. 

You have to hear what he says about the sign above his door and why it’s there. 

We love what Danny says about instructional leadership. It’s not about improving teachers as much as it is about creating the conditions for them to improve themselves. 

He talked about “cultural conditions” and why that’s so important for teachers and diminishing burnout. 

Fundamentally, teachers are looking for support. Danny talked about relationships and building them so that teachers can thrive in the school.

Danny talks about the fact that a collaborative approach to teaching and learning is the key to improving the student experience. 

He says that we ought to focus on what students are doing, not just what the teachers are teaching. 

Check out what he says about skills beating content every day. 

Danny talks about being a huge fan of Todd Whitaker and points to several of Todd’s resources. 

He calls out the book, Hacking Learning Centers by Starr Sackstein

Danny mentions Adam Grant and his book, Think Again.

He talks about the need for us to do more work on race and equity in schools. 

Danny Steele Quotes from FocusED

We can all use reminders about why it is we do what we do. ~ Danny Steele 

Sports teams shouldn’t have a monopoly on neat traditions. ~ Danny Steele 

Teachers should be empowered and inspired to try to be awesome. ~ Danny Steele 

Organizational leadership of any kind doesn’t happen in a vacuum. ~ Danny Steele 

There’s not one program that’s a problem in the school and there’s not one program that’s going to solve every problem in the school. ~ Danny Steele 

 

Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.

 

Season 4, Episode 4 of FocusED with David Geurin #FocusED

Season 4, Episode 4 of FocusED with David Geurin #FocusED

by | Dec 2, 2022 | #FocusED, Action, Communication, Core Values, Culture, Daily Habits, Decision-Making, Education, Energy, Engagement, Excellence, Focus, Fulfillment, Goal Setting, Leadership, Learning to Lead, Listening, Mental Mapping, Motivation, Motivation & Retention, Organizational Leadership, Passion, Planning and Preparation, Positivity, Principal Leadership, Principals, Professional Dialogue, Relationships, Resilience, Results, Service Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Teamwork

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David Geurin Joins FocusED to Discuss What It Means to Be Future Driven…and More 

This is Season 4, Episode 4 of FocusED, and it features our guest, David Geurin. It was originally recorded live for a studio audience in Delaware, and provided as a professional development experience in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware Academy for School Leadership, and The School House 302. Don’t miss what David says about being a Future Driven educator…and so much more.

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David Geurin Brings Tons of Experience to FocusED Listeners

Dr. David Geurin is serving in his first year as superintendent of schools for the Fair Play R-II school district. Previously, he was the principal at Bolivar High School for 14 wonderful years. Under his leadership, BHS developed many innovative programs and the school was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School and Missouri Gold Star School.

Dr. Geurin is the author of Future Driven: Will Your Students Thrive in An Unpredictable World? He’s passionate about developing leadership, school culture, and authentic learning experiences. Most of all, he’s devoted to creating better future stories for all students.

In 2017, Dr. Geurin was named Digital Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. He has shared his keynotes and workshops from China to the Bahamas and the U.S.

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FocusED Show Notes with David Geurin 

David talked about being future-driven and not just “polishing the past,” which he defined as doing what we’ve always done just a little better. The future should be altogether different. 

Joe asks an important question about balancing the standards while being innovative and meeting students where they are!

David talked about shifting students’ mindsets from getting through school to what they can get from school. 

It was awesome to hear David bring up work-based learning. That was a treat for both Joe and T.J. in terms of pathways and vocational/technical programming. 

Dr. Geurin talked about his 14 years as a principal and his transition to the superintendent. His excitement about leading a district is contagious. 

David talked about using Twitter to connect as well as his state and national associations. Get involved, get active! 

David reads more literature from outside of education than he does within the field. 

David talked about John Maxwell, Todd Whitaker, Carol Dweck, Simon Sinek, and Adam Grant. 

He talked about Culture Code by Dan Coyle as a very influential book. 

David talked about the need for more support and resources for rural educators.  

Don’t miss what he says that he learned from George Couros and AJ Bianco. 

David wants to see more science opportunities and more outdoor experiences for students. 

We end with a discussion of intentional practices for inclusion in schools. 

David Geurin Quotes From FocusED 

We’re not just preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet, but we have to consider that we’re preparing them to be neighbors and friends of the future as well. ~ David Geurin 

We have to encourage an entrepreneurial mindset in the students. ~ David Geurin 

I don’t want to be the same today in my thinking as I was in the past. ~ David Geurin 

 

Thanks for listening to FocusED, an educational leadership podcast brought to you by TheSchoolHouse302 where we publish free leadership content. Go to the site, subscribe, and you’ll get all of our content sent directly to your email. 

 

FocusED is your educational leadership podcast where our mission is to dissect a particular focus for teachers and school leaders so that you can learn to lead better and grow faster in your school or district with more knowledge, better understanding, and clear direction on what to do next.