SamTastic Weekly Tip: 4/28/25 - Group or one-on-one?

This week’s tip: Group or one on one?

Is working with a group or one-on-one most effective?

Many leaders will quickly say that it’s both, not one, that move teacher practice forward.  Smooth, right?

The smooth answer may be correct, but it doesn’t answer the question.  At the end of April, you have TimeTrack data showing how you used your time.  Your date likely shows you were smooth.  You worked with groups and on-on-one.  The question remains: Is working with a group or on-on-one most effective?

So, what does your data say you believe?

The average SAM principal spends far more time working with groups than individuals.  Is this you?

Over 60% of you have completed the end of the year SAM team performance rubric.  One of the reasons we have you do this with your Time Change Coach is to provide a time for you to be reflective with your Time Change Coach.  In other words, does your data show you are you doing work that you think will move teacher practice forward?  If not, what will you change?

Returning to the question, group work, or one-on-one, what would you have preferred when you were a teacher?  Maybe this is a good reflection point.  At the same time, keep in mind that not all your teachers would answer the question the way you would.  Perhaps asking teacher how they would like to spend time with you is worth considering.

This would be quite brave.  It would suggest you are willing to individualize your work with teachers…just like you ask teacher to individualize their work with students.

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PS:  Are you in a school or district where annual, formal evaluation has been eliminated?  If so, please let me know by return email.  We are planning on commissioning a series of school case studies of schools that have made the change:  summative evaluations to formative coaching rounds.  This is happening in a handful of schools nationally.  Sharing the experience of schools that have moved from evaluative/summative to coaching/formative leadership work may help district and state leader to consider change.

It is budget time in most schools and districts.  Be sure to budget for your SAM services for the 2025-26 school year.  You can request an invoice now by using this link:  https://bit.ly/40GtA33

2024 SAM Team Performance Report:   Executive Summary - https://bit.ly/4fh2V2k

Music Video: I Am a SAM  https://bit.ly/48OCjCm

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 4/22/25 - Slow Down, You Move too Fast

This week’s tip: Slow Down, You Move too Fast

Most school leaders feel the need for speed.  The enormous weight of tasks, coupled with frequent interruptions, can prompt the leader to act too fast, often without listening and understanding.

When approached, some leaders say they can’t stop, they don’t have time.  The don’t even hear what the teacher wants.  “I have to get to Mrs. Stevens room for the science PLC.”  Or “I have a meeting at the district office and have to run.”  

The first rule of school leadership is to make the other person feel important.  A leader achieves the exact opposite by moving too fast.

The second rule is to focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.

How do effective school leaders follow both rules?  They use three SAM steps:

1. When someone wants your time, slow down.  Make eye contact.  Smile.  Say: “You are more important than a moment of my time.  What’s it about?” 

2. Triage. Determine what you do next based on what you hear.  For example:

“I’m sorry the copy machine isn’t working.  No worries. We’ve got you covered.  Mrs. Stevens in the front office is the First Responder. She will copy the worksheet for you on the office machine.  She’ll also arrange for repair of the staff room copier.”  Using a First Responder allows you to get help faster for the teacher.

“I am really pleased you want to talk with me about John’s lack of attention in class.  I think we need to give this the time it deserves.  Please see Victoria in the front office.  She will show you the times I have available today and tomorrow.  Pick a 30-minute appointment and we will work on this together. Scheduling a time respects the teacher and the complexity of the situation.

“Your husband was in a car accident and is on the way to the hospital?  Of course I will take your class right now.  I’ll also arrange for coverage for the rest of the day.  Do you need help getting to the hospital?”  Showing your compassion and care for others goes a long way in building trust.

3. During the SAM Daily Meeting, talk about your triage decisions and what follow up might be in order.  Perhaps thank Mrs. Stevens for being a First Responders for copy issues.  Check that a time has been set for you to have a conversation with the teacher about John’s attention in class.  Definitely schedule time to check-in with the teacher whose husband was in a car accident. 

It all starts with slowing down and listening.  It allows you to make the other person feel important.  It allows you to do what you can, rather than what you can’t.  This build the culture you want in your school to benefit students.

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It is budget time in most schools and districts.  Be sure to budget for your SAM services for the 2025-26 school year.  You can request an invoice now by using this link:  https://bit.ly/40GtA33

2024 SAM Team Performance Report:   Executive Summary - https://bit.ly/4fh2V2k

Music Video: I Am a SAM  https://bit.ly/48OCjCm

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 4/14/25 - Examine your Conversations with Teachers

This week’s tip: Examine your Conversations with Teachers

Is your feedback an evaluation or is it a tool to improve teacher practice?  Is your feedback a lecture or a discussion?

Many formal evaluation structures gravitate toward simplistic checklists and scoring systems that take the conversation of practice out of the picture. 

The research is clear. Formal evaluation does not improve teacher practice unless coupled with a significant investment of leader time throughout the school year.  Conversations with teachers about their work needs to be frequent, consistent, collaborative and consistent.   Trust doesn’t happen with a single interaction. 

Use your TimeTrack data to examine your investments.  Look at the frequency of time spent with a teacher.  Did you have more than one interaction with the teacher weekly?  Did you have one “listening” conversation with the teacher every two week? 

What does your data suggest you should do?

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The NSIP Board held its Spring meeting online last week.  You will find a summary from Board President Bert Hendee, below.

From Bert Hendee, President NSIP Board of Directors:

Your NSIP Board of Directors’ most recent meeting was held via Zoom on April 7, 2025

As we have shared with you before, the board of directors meets two times a year in person.  One meeting is held in conjunction with the National Conference and one in the summer either June or July.  Two other virtual meetings may be held each year as well.  At each meeting we have updates from each member of the board and the executive director.  Our vision,  mission, bylaws, policies and procedures are reviewed at each meeting as well.  An annual board self-evaluation is completed as well as a performance review for the executive director.  We are all educators and are passionate about this work and always working towards improvements in our performance and support of NSIP.

During this most recent board meeting we discussed the rather uncertain times that districts are facing right now  We pledge to work with you during these times and for you to know that we believe in you and what great work you do and CAN do.  As you complete your rubric assessments with your Time Change Coaches we know the reflection time will be invaluable and look forward to discussing this further at our summer board meeting.

If you have questions please feel free to reach out to any board member at any time.  Our contact information is on the NSIP website.

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2024 SAM Team Performance Report:   Executive Summary - https://bit.ly/4fh2V2k

Music Video: I Am a SAM  https://bit.ly/48OCjCm