September Vol 13 No 2

At the time of this writing, we have just finished our first week of school, so I would like to wish each of you a Happy New Year! With the start of a new school year comes the time to make New School Year's resolutions. Yes, those can be made in August, just like in January!

This year, my New Year's resolution is to get out of my office and walk around more. There is so much to do all the time. Getting stuck inside responding to emails, in a meeting, or dealing with discipline is easy. However, if we're not careful, we can come to the end of the day and think, what did I really accomplish?

As school leaders, we understand that a school exists to educate students. When students enroll in our schools, they expect to learn all sorts of things, like how to read, how to solve an algebraic equation, and, most importantly, how to have a relationship with Jesus. As the school's leader, it is our job to ensure that all of our students learn all that they can at our schools.

Just like school leaders, teachers have an enormous amount to do on a daily basis. It is a staggering task to meet the needs of each student who walks into a classroom. As a school leader, part of our responsibility is to help our teachers have the time they need to focus on their instruction. Richard F. Elmore writes about this idea of "buffering." He argues that principals who serve as instructional leaders shield their teachers from things that take away time from instruction. He suggests that by focusing on instruction, everything else that happens on campus becomes "instrumental" to instruction. Thus, it becomes the role of school leaders to focus on the right work by creating an environment on campus where every action is taken deliberately to improve student learning.

Here are some ways that by getting out and about, school leaders can help teachers focus on student learning:

Within Maslow's hierarchy of needs, safety is placed at the foundation, just after physiological needs. When students come on campus, they need to feel safe before learning can take place. Walkarounds allow school leaders to observe opportunities to increase safety around the campus and facilities. When students feel safe, they can walk into their classrooms ready to learn.

Many disciplinary issues can be prevented simply by the presence of an administrator. Being outside during transition or break times allows a school leader to greet their students and form positive relationships while preventing potential issues. When we can prevent problems from happening, students can stay in their classrooms, and leaders have more time to walk around because they are not dealing with discipline.

Walking through classrooms allows a school leader to make touch points with their teachers. During these walkthroughs, school leaders can answer any questions a teacher may have or address any needs they have at that time. Additionally, this allows school leaders to observe the instruction that is taking place each day.

Being visible at drop-off and pick-up allows a school leader to see parents and form relationships with them. By doing so, school leaders may be able to answer questions at the time and prevent the need for office appointments or teacher phone calls later.

Do I always achieve my New Year's Resolutions? No. But do I do better than I did in previous years? Yes! As school leaders, our days will never go as planned. There will always be something that wasn't expected. However, when we intentionally focus on the "right work," we can positively impact student learning each year.

Elmore, R. F. (2000). Building a new structure for school leadership. Washington, DC: The Albert Shanker Institute.

acornwall@lla.org

By Steve Laing

Vice President for Education—Potomac Conference

There is a lot to be said by being a presence on your campus as a school administrator. Being seen should not be a cameo experience just to prove you were around. It goes much deeper than that. It shows you are involved in the lives of your school family. You are recognized as one who is vested and interested in what is happening on the school campus, and, most importantly, you care about the people—your school family. There are a number of ways to do this. And as you embrace the concept, you will come to look forward to these interactions.

At the start of each day, purposely place yourself in a spot where you consistently greet students as they come to school. This location can be at the front entrance, as the students enter the chapel, or both. Saying "Hello!" and encouraging words make each person's day a pleasant beginning. It also fosters a healthy relationship with the kids. They often see administrators as removed from their daily schedule and that the principal has meetings and is too busy to mingle with them. Although you have a tight schedule, ensuring the school family is part of that responsibility is first on the list.

Making time to regularly visit classrooms is a tremendous way to let your students and your teachers know you are interested in the exciting events that are going on in their classrooms. This visit has nothing to do with formal evaluations. It has everything to do with catching the class doing exciting projects that are happening, and you want to be a witness to it or a participant. Ask your teachers to let you know when there is a lesson plan they would like you to come and see. It could be a biology lab doing dissection, the physics class testing the endurance of bridges constructed out of popsicle sticks, or students debating current event issues. One important note: stay for most, if not all, of the class. A quick "Hi" and "Bye" does not cut it. You want them to know that they matter and that your time with them is precious and it matters. They matter!

Lastly, take advantage of the extracurricular activities. Attend their sports games. Be a chaperone on a field trip. When the school's music department performs, be in the front row cheering them on with praise. Go to vespers and be willing to share your testimony of how God has worked in your life. They all need to see you as human and your daily need of Christ in your life.

Remember, by "walking around," you are present because of your school family. You say that they are the reason you're there. Let them know it!

Your

Presence

Matters

Making time to regularly visit classrooms is a tremendous way to let your students and your teachers know you are interested in the exciting events that are going on in their classrooms.

stevel@pcsda.org