Leading, Teaching and Learning
The season has changed to Fall, and it is time to fall into our focus of education. I have been working hard to connect with others to learn more, explore more, and find more resources. Growing in all areas of schooling helps all when we can share with others. So exciting to hear from others about what they are doing and their impact on those they serve.
Executive Functioning Skills
Many skills are taught in school, and prioritizing what is needed for our children to learn has been in the spotlight for the past two years. I have stated for several decades education is a political nightmare at times. Education is the most prominent chess piece in a game no one wants to play or lose, and one everyone wants to win. However, the ones in this game are the children who are missing out because of the moves of those in power.
It is time to focus on the skills needed so children can continue to grow no matter what path they decide to pursue. We have various needs to support the future of our world.
Tune in and sharpen up
There are a wide variety of podcasts to select from to tune in and to help you sharpen up the areas you want to grow. Listening to podcasts is a great way to spend time driving to and from work, doing your chores at home, and taking a walk. Finding the one you want to follow or checking out the wide variety of the ones out there takes a great deal of time, or you can begin with those someone recommends beginning your journey.
Framework
To map out a successful plan to implement an improvement plan, growth plan, or any change, you need a framework to build. In the design stages, you can see the vision of what is required to reach the destination. When we start on a drive to a vacation spot, we always type in the address to see the different routes that can be taken. How long will it take? What unique places are along the way we may want to stop to notice? Are there any areas we would like to spend more time? Do we see great places to eat and rest? There are many choices to make when mapping out your framework to plan anything you want to implement involving action steps.
Who me? Yes, you!
News media platforms report staff shortages in many different areas across the country. Education is one of those areas where we see issues with deficiencies in many different positions and levels. Looking at the college enrollments also tells us students are not interested in entering into the field of education either. Soon we will see an increased level of shortages in principals as well.
How can we work to eliminate these shortages and begin to attract more people to the area of education? Education is a vital part of every country and the future of who we are as well. We need to build it up and not tear it down. If not you, then who can begin to help address this vital issue? We need you and every individual with children or not to be a voice in helping to build education back up. Who me? Yes, you!
Celebrate, Motivate, Inspire and Encourage
I started my writing campaign with my grandchildren. I included their parents for the first week as well. This month we celebrate Principals, and I am looking forward to helping the Illinois Principal Association again this year with their annual conference. They sent me several emails, and they are so organized. I have always been impressed with this organization, am proud to be part of it, and look forward to seeing all the leaders!
I bought all of these little cards you could pass out to others like the one I am holding above. I think these would be fun to have as a Principal to give out when you are doing walkthroughs in the hallway and see amazing things happening at the moment. Encouragement, validation, and those teachable moments happen, and it is great to be prepared when they do!