SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/30/23 - Practice Recognizing Good Practice

This week’s tip: Practice recognizing good practice

Are we in such a hurry that we miss the opportunity to recognize the “wins” that occur in each classroom every day?

Recognizing good performance allows the leader to build on success. It allows the leader to model and build the kind of learning culture we all desire. Some leaders worry that saying something positive about a teacher’s work communicates that there are no areas of need or improvement. This won’t happen if the observations of, and the conversations with the teacher are frequent.

Try this in your SAM Daily Meeting today. Talk about a teacher who is struggling. Start with the graph from the dashboard showing the leader’s time with this teacher so far this year. Ask: “What are two things this teacher is doing well? Then, schedule a Feedback Celebration meeting with the teacher. If the leader can’t identify anything the teacher is doing well, schedule a 15 observation and ask the leader to intentionally look for good practice.

Making sure good performance is recognized, and used as a lever for further improvement, is a key feature of your TimeTrack. Recognizing good practice takes practice. You can use your TimeTrack to make sure this happens.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is conducting research on educator retention and invites you and your staff to complete an online survey. Please use this link or QR code:

https://louisiana.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hY1uwYacsmmZdc

Time Change Coach Steve Seid featured NSIP Board President Bert Hendee in his most recent podcast, SAM SeidNotes: https://bit.ly/3S4LrwJ Passcode: 20gHUh7&

Executive Summary: SAM team Success: https://bit.ly/3rIWkZT

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SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/23/23 - Express What You Believe as a Leader

This week’s tip: Express what you Believe as a Leader

In 1966 Robert F. Kennedy inspired South Africans in Capetown by stating “…like it or not, we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also the most creative of any time in the history of mankind.”

We certainly live in interesting times in 2023. Basic American principles of equality, diversity, inclusion, even fairness and democracy, are under siege. How you react as a leader impacts not only today, but tomorrow.

NSIP Director Mark Shellinger traces his belief in the power of education to improve society to American philosopher John Dewey, 1859-1952.

Dewey believed:

“The aim of education is to enable individuals to continue their education.”

“Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not a preparation for life but is life itself.”

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”

“Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination.”

“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”

“The only freedom that is of enduring importance is the freedom of intelligence, that is to say, freedom of observation and of judgment.”

“The good man is the man who, no matter how morally unworthy he has been, is moving to become better.”

How you react to the “interesting times in which we live” has impact beyond what you can see. Reacting with intentionality, to improve the lives of your students and people in your community, should align with your beliefs. How you react matters.

If you haven’t viewed the music video, I am a SAM, you are missing out. The video has gone viral with thousands of views in the last six days. It is a joyful, delightful and inspirational expression of the work of SAM teams. Please consider reposting the video on your social media accounts and following NSIP on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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

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Executive Summary:SAM team Success: https://bit.ly/3rIWkZT

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/16/23 - Be a good boss.

This week’s tip: Be a good boss.

Are you a good boss? In schools we don’t usually think of the principal or principal supervisor as the “boss”. As a noun, a boss is a person in charge of a worker or organization. As a verb, “boss” means to give (someone) orders in a domineering manner. As an adjective, a person who is “boss” is impressive.

Most SAM school leaders meet the definition of a boss when the word is used as noun and try hard not be “boss” as a verb. If they are successful, they get to put the word, boss, in front of their name as an adjective: “I have a boss SAM principal.”

Inc. magazine shared 21 specific things a great boss does every day. Can you find two that you’d like to emphasize in your daily work?

1. You listen without distractions. Employees will be motivated when you listen attentively and ask thoughtful questions.

2. You genuinely care about and believe in your people — which in turn, will create a loyal team that is willing to do their very best for you.

3. You make time to personally connect with your employees. One-on-one meetings can dramatically change relationships for the better.

4. You empower others by involving them in decisions whenever possible.

5. You trust people to make the right decision, boosting confidence and mutual respect.

6. You show appreciation. Even a simple “thank you.” Praise equals validation.

7. You create opportunities for employees to advance and develop new skills.

8. You regularly ask for feedback.

9. You replace blame with responsibility.

10. You are empathetic and strive to maintain the self-esteem of others.

11. You understand that by our human nature, people want to be part of something great and aspire to make work rewarding, and meaningful.

12. You communicate often and schedule opportunities for your team to connect.

13. You are emotionally resilient and know how to handle high-stakes conversations.

14. You are open-minded and not quick to judge. You come to understand a situation or behavior by asking questions.

15. You show genuine concern for your employees — the whole person, including their life outside of work.

16. You are authentic and honest. When you are not at liberty to reveal something, explain why.

17. You endorse health and wellness programs and self-care practices.

18. You welcome new ideas and value collaborative efforts and are willing to shake things up once in a while.

19. You are not afraid to ask for help and admit mistakes.

20. You are aware of your impact and strive to see things from the perspective of your employees.

21. You are able to detach from negativity and let go of control when necessary.

So, boss, what can you schedule today in TimeTrack that will make you better?

Executive Summary: SAM team Success: https://bit.ly/3rIWkZT