New Leaders Conference

1. New Leaders Conference • Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.Colin Powell

2. I wish they had told me…. • How sacred time would be. • Great plan of attack for the day and the week – phone calls, stop bys (teachers, friends, students, secretaries, discipline, parents, salespeople, sick students, subs, may have to sub or cover) Not all of this is bad or controversial either, but it does take time.

3. I wish they had told me…. • To remain calm and not make rash decisions – although a well-timed temper is useful at times! • I don’t have to make a decision right away • I can call others in my profession to talk to them about their similar experiences • I will not make everyone happy, but truthfulness will be respected.

4. I wish they had told me…. • To talk to my best people – for me guidance counselor, math teacher, English teacher • 3 heads are better than 1 – talk to your administrative team • Be very familiar with the student handbook and board policy manual

5. I wish they had told me…. • Get involved with the regional meetings • Networking opportunities - invaluable • School Administrators of Montana • http://www.sammt.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1 • MCEL • NASSP - NASSP

6. I wish they had told me…. • To be a student advocate for all activities. Personalization is key to school improvement • About the paperwork – document any dealings you have with students/parents/staff • To go to work early in the morning! • Not to forget about the most important aspect of the job. Instructional Leadership • Not a big deal to the staff so does not get put on the front burner very often.

7. I wish they had told me…. • Maintain a sense of humor. • Find a balance with your family and work. • Get out of the building or office once in a while. (ball games, workshops, go work in a teacher’s room, be in the hallways, greet students at the door in the morning, say good bye to them at the end of the day)

8. I wish they had told me…. • To always meet with your IEP team 10 min. prior to your IEP meeting to review. Eliminate surprises. • Every classroom, Every day. Best time is right after the morning announcements. Take your notepad with you during walk-throughs. • Call MTSBA or the SRO and ask questions. Don’t worry if your questions appear simple or obvious. Confidence during a meeting is invaluable. • Universal procedures + universal expectations=universal consistency. Arrival Procedures, Lunch Procedures, Hallway Procedures, and Dismissal Procedures. You can’t be tardy in one class and not tardy in another. A “tardy” to class is defined as a student not being within the threshold of the doorway when the tardy bell starts ringing.

9. I wish they had told me…. • No decision, beyond the emergencies, needs to be made right away. Call or consult someone you trust and get their thoughts. • To attend every school board meeting. They aren’t accountable to you unless they know you. • That management is first and leadership second. You won’t be able to institute reform if the school isn’t running smoothly. Monday morning 7 min. faculty meetings. Review weekly schedule, events, and procedures/routines. Bring the universal calendar that only you and your secretary can write on. • To never discuss possible changes in duty responsibilities or supervision requirements during a faculty meeting. • You will never win the attendance battle or solve the master schedule.

10. I wish they had told me…. • To always set time limits for meetings and phone calls. Let the participants know at the outset when you will have to leave. Use your secretary to keep you on schedule. • Tell people to put their complaints in writing or in an e-mail. It will formalize the process and it will stifle some of the trivial issues. • Don’t let other people’s problems become your problems. “Let me know what you are willing to work with me on to make the school better.” You will have to listen to most things, but you don’t have to address everything. • Get video cameras in your building! The film doesn’t lie. • Ask your secretary to screen all of your calls and don’t answer the phone after the secretary leaves. Last 10 min. before the school day ends, follow up on phone calls. Anyone you don’t have time to contact, ask your secretary to call. • When handling discipline, always try to obtain a written statement and never throw out the possible consequences.

11. I wish they hold told me….. • You will receive more phone calls regarding athletics than you will regarding any educational program. • Regardless if you are an athletic minded person or if you have a strong athletic director, you will be involved, from Class AA-Class C. • Be equally present at all extra-curricular events, and don’t show partiality. • Consult the MHSA when regarding rules and by-laws. Maintain gender neutral policies. • Attend MHSA meetings & events, and review newsletters and tidbits. Stay informed on issues. • Find a solid cheerleading advisor. • Back your coaches and let them know you want their programs to be successful. • Winning is a by-product of character education and development. When the students are having success in athletics it will have a noticeable positive impact on the climate and culture of the school. • Be liberal with your staff on allowing them to attend extra-curricular events.