Feature Facts: May 2024

THE QUINTESSENTIAL QUESTION FOR SCHOOL LEADERS

In his work as a teacher, principal, and now educational consultant, Baruti K. Kafele has spent a lot of time asking, “Is my school a better school because I lead it?” To help delve more deeply in that question, Kafele has five additional questions for school leaders to ask themselves as they consider their work:

• What is instructional leadership and what does it mean to my practice?
• Do I understand that my main priority is student achievement and the continued improvement of instruction?
• What do I know about excellent pedagogy beyond who I was as a teacher?
• Do I have a philosophy, beliefs, opinions, and ideas about how children learn based upon my own research, reading, and experiences?
• Does instructional leadership define my primary role as an assistant principal or principal?

LEADING AND LEARNING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL

Kim Campbell has learned a lot about leading and learning in the middle grades during her longtime career as a middle school educator. As the school year comes to a close, Campbell, who teaches and serves as dean of students at Hopkins West Middle School in Hopkins, MN, outlines four things school leaders should reflect on as they think ahead to next year:

• Remember that every behavior is an opportunity to teach.
• Be consistent.
• Create a culture where failure is
our friend.
• Seek joy.

FOUR STEPS TO HELP ALL STUDENTS SUCCEED

Many school leaders talk about helping every child succeed, says Robyn R. Jackson, the founder of Buildership University. But, she adds, “the reality is that while we still believe that every child deserves to be successful, we no longer truly believe that we can achieve 100% success in our schools.” Jackson asks what it would look like if we did believe that every child could and would succeed, and she outlines four steps to reach that goal:

1. Set a 100% vision.
2. Build 100% systems.
3. Chart your pathway to 100%.
4.  Stick with your plan.

MOTIVATING TEACHERS IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD

It’s easy for a school leader to motivate a teacher when things are going well. But what about during more difficult times? Todd Whitaker, a former principal and current professor of educational leadership at the University of Missouri, has a few ideas to help leaders motivate their educators and staff at all times.

• Teach rather than tell.
• Have valued faculty meetings.
• Don’t wait for the difficult times.
• Brag on your teachers and students.