GIPS Leadership and Development: Celebrating School Leaders

"Great leaders don't set out to be the leader. They set out to make a difference. It's never about the role-always about the goal". ~Lisa Haisha

It's National Principals Month and a time to recognize and thank our GIPS school leaders for all they do to ensure our schools are welcoming and accepting instructional learning environments for our students. The responsibilities and expectations for building leaders encompasses the expectations to be effective instructional leaders that empower teachers to improve academic achievement, be data users, building managers, disciplinarians, and public relations experts. The day in the life of a principal is unpredictable, yet the expectations to balance, prioritize, solve problems in the moment, and communicate effectively with all stakeholders are held high. The principal's job is comprehensive and rarely perfected. Just like all other positions, it's important to continue to learn and grow in the position and build capacity with teams because we truly are "better together"!

As I reflect on my past experience as a principal, I will have to admit that it was one of the most rewarding, yet most challenging positions I have held in my education career. The quote written at the beginning of this blog resonated with me because I did I set out to make a difference as a principal, I had vision and goals, however, I realized that just having the goal was not enough. I had to be a developer of people and community as well and build the capacity with others to achieve the goals. This does require intentional focus on effective leadership, to never stop learning, to be vulnerable with others, and seek innovation when problem solving.

Although I am no longer a principal, I am so proud and excited to have the opportunity to support our GIPS principals in my position as Chief of Leadership and Development. Our principals are difference makers, and I would like to ask you to join me in recognizing and celebrating ours this month (and throughout the year). If you are looking for ideas on ways to celebrate with students and staff at your campus, please check out this link: Ways to say thank you and celebrate.

Below are some pictures of our campus leaders engaging in professional learning around our the GIPS Strategic Plan and three priority goals for this year: Implementing effective Professional Learning Communities that regularly analyze student results, address individual barriers to learning, plan effective lessons and unit and evaluation the implementation of programs; Provide embedded professional learning on Marzano's Instructional Model-specifically Standards Based Planning; and use data to continuously improve teaching and learning. Our principals are being stretched to think and lead differently by letting go of ineffective practices, maintaining welcoming and safe environments, establishing strongly aligned school improvement plans/actions with specific measurement indicators that are monitored on a regular basis, a focus on implementation of effective instructional practices and providing effective feedback. I would hope that because of their work this year that they are also stretching all of you to do the same and join in on the journey to provide a currently good educational experience for our students to a"great" educational experience where students will gain the knowledge and skills that will allow them to THRIVE in an ever changing world!

Engaging in Side by Side Coaching to learn about how the instructional model impacts student achievement
and how to support and provide effective feedback to teachers on instructional practices