Episode 64 – Confessions of First Year Principals

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Podcast Hosts and where to find us on Twitter:

OklaSaid: twitter.com/oklasaid
Erin Barnes:twitter.com/ebarnes73
Scott Haselwood: twitter.com/teachfromhere

Who hosted the #oklaed chat and where to find them on Twitter:

Seth Meier @SethMeier and Kyle Hilerbran @KyleHilterbran

Overview of chat topic

Confessions of First-Year Principals

Questions from the chat:

• 1 – 

Q1) In a tweet, GIF, or Meme, what is the first thought that comes to mind when you thing of a first year principal? #oklaed pic.twitter.com/M0QjvbbcP9

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A1 #OklaEd pic.twitter.com/isw4SGJTyi

— Wendi Barry (@WendiBarry9) May 14, 2018

A1 #oklaed pic.twitter.com/gdFe1Q8C5M

— Nathan Elliott (@elliottn76) May 14, 2018

• 2 – 

Q2 #oklaed pic.twitter.com/5PuS9MqHOs

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

A2: I think it would be super weird to become an admin in a building where you used to teach. I bet relationships with co-workers change more than people expect. #oklaed

— Lauren Peña (@lauren_pena16) May 14, 2018

A2) The hardest part is thinking whole school rather than individual student or classroom. #oklaed https://t.co/OB3VsJR3pq

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) May 14, 2018

• 3 – 

Q3a) How do you gain credibility when entering a new district or site as the principal? #oklaed pic.twitter.com/aPZrt5HQr0

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A3a) Keep your word. If not possible, absolutely explain what changed. Even if you can't give details, it should make sense. Hate feeling like a leader's mind changes depending on who was the last person to talk to them BUT I respect a leader who is true to their values. #oklaed

— Vanessa Perez (@vperezy) May 14, 2018

A3a) Spend time listening and observing without making big changes (unless delegates by your higher ups) so that you have time & better knowledge upon which to base needed change. #oklaed

— Mr. David Burton (@MrBurtonMPS) May 14, 2018

Q3b #oklaed pic.twitter.com/wbfvgtGZKR

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

A3b) I expect my principal to follow through, keep me as a teacher in the loop of what’s going on in the school, and trusting me to do small tasks for him/her. #oklaed https://t.co/tBUxPqFUii

— Vicki Donley (@DonleyVicki) May 14, 2018

Principals are the boss and the leader of adults. Making decisions can be tough because you are not running a popularity contest. #oklaed https://t.co/1Ik8RG88eC

— Kevin Hime (@coach57) May 14, 2018

• 4 – 

Q4) As a new principal, when is it the correct time to make changes? Is this timeline influenced by the number of veteran and new teachers in your building? #oklaed pic.twitter.com/TTZzZBRwhV

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A4) I will CAUTION: sometimes you play the long game, not the short game. You must have relational collateral to make certain changes. Not all, but certain changes. #oklaed. https://t.co/8r9yPpvhJk

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A4: There’s never a correct time, but it’s always the right time. Success is never final and the work of making your school better is never finished. #oklaed

— Dale Chu (@Dale_Chu) May 14, 2018

• 5 – 

Q5 #oklaed pic.twitter.com/EevQUxvjb3

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

A5: I’ve had several years of practice having those hard parent conversations. Having those conversations with teachers, some of whom were my teachers, and with others who have mentored me, has been more difficult. #oklaed

— M. Knabe🖤 (@OB1_Knabe) May 14, 2018

A5 my guess would be Ps. I expect that the “honest conversations” that I have as a T with Ps is way different than the ones As have with Ps! (Though i can imagine some awkward talks with Ts, too!) #oklaed

— Melinda Parks (@mcappsparks) May 14, 2018

• 6 –

Q6) As a 1st year principal, how do you help your Ts that are on an improvement plan? Does anyone have a positive story to share about how they have helped some of their struggling faculty? #oklaed pic.twitter.com/tJLmJCMIcp

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A6: Same strategy we did in classroom. All about growth. Individualize the plan when whole group instruction not effective. Provide specific feedback and support. Champion their efforts that lead to desired outcomes. Set the bar. Provide support, encouragement, & honesty. #oklaed

— Adam Beauchamp (@beauchamp_adam) May 14, 2018

Q6 I bloomed under Eddie Williams & his Ps (Tara Grandy & Steve Schraner) at TMS. Their trust in my crazy ideas allowed me to be B vulnerable & ask questions, be sad or frustrated. Their willingness to call me out made me better. Had other Ps but that group changed me. #oklaed

— Vanessa Perez (@vperezy) May 14, 2018

• 7 –

Q7 #oklaed pic.twitter.com/c7FZPdfHpw

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

A7) I don't think either has to be exclusive of the other. Changes in culture can occur beginning day one and curriculum can be handled through professional development and PLCs every week. Small changes with large impact. #oklaed https://t.co/BCduGOfwoW

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) May 14, 2018

A7 Again, IMHO, culture. Use year one to learn and adapt to the culture. Bring Ts in and make them excited to be in your building!! #oklaed

— Anne Beck (@MrsBeck25) May 14, 2018

• 8 – 

Q8) What was the most important lesson you learned after your 1st year as a principal or working for a 1st year principal? #oklaed pic.twitter.com/j12X6N1qkh

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A8) Believe in your people. Don't believe everything that you are told about the building you are inheriting. People are empowered by someone that cares. #oklaed https://t.co/OxjQjIajOc

— Seth Meier (@SethMeier) May 14, 2018

A8 Make sure you put the fires out, even if you know your right. Sometimes you have to live to fight another day. #oklaed

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

• 9

Q9 #oklaed pic.twitter.com/OMSKK372om

— Kyle Hilterbran (@KyleHilterbran) May 14, 2018

A9: Give yourself and others grace. Establish boundaries. #OklaEd

— 𝕂𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟 𝔸𝕥𝕔𝕙𝕝𝕖𝕪 (@KristinAtchley) May 14, 2018

A9. Be firm but flexible. Your way isn’t always the best or only way. Give everyone a voice. Say only what you need to say then stop talking. Pray often. #Oklaed pic.twitter.com/uv5b2zitVJ

— Steven Pyle (@sulphurmiddle) May 14, 2018

Boomsauce tweet(s) of the night:

Scott:

A9 – If you aren’t going to be a visionary, don’t become a principal. Schools do not need more managers. #OklaEd

— Shari Gateley (@ShariGateley) May 14, 2018

Next week on the #oklaed chat

I’ve Identified my ELL S’s…Now What? Stephanie Hime @MrsHime

Join us at 8 PM CST Sunday for