Episode 69 – Courageous Leadership In #Oklaed

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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:

Jason James @James409Jason

Overview of chat topic

Courageous Leadership in #Oklaed

Questions from the chat:

• 1 – 

Q1: Courageous Leadership has been defined as having the courage to make tough decisions AND take difficult actions. How would you define courageous leadership? #OklaEd

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A1: A leader willing to take the lead on tough topics to provide cover for his team to make innovative decisions and do what is best for kids, no matter how others may perceive it. #oklaed https://t.co/H5fRNME4qU

— Tyler Bridges (@bridgestyler) June 18, 2018

A1) My definition of Courageous Leadership is having faith in the vision you have for your school, students, staff, and community, then to do what it takes to help make that vision happen despite opposition, but with the flexibility to change when proven in error. #oklaed https://t.co/Pgs2hqyw8n

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) June 18, 2018

• 2 – 

Q2: #oklaed Ts are leaders too! How do Ts lead courageously? How do you?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A2 1. Doing what you know is right in your classroom for your kids even if you are hearing “that isn’t how we have done it here” Be brave. 2. Always learning from your PLN and being a positive role model. 3. Sharing with other Ts in a positive collaborative climate. #OklaEd

— Mrs. M Seifried (@MrsSeifried) June 18, 2018

#oklaed A2: Ts lead by opening their classroom for others to come in, observe, participate, and then by accepting feedback (positive and negative) and using that to build a stronger practice. Leading by example, but also willing to adapt and accept new ideas. https://t.co/Nce3P7UqCv

— Michelle Shelton (@MsShelton5th) June 18, 2018

• 3 – 

Q3: As a courageous leader, how do you handle an influential #oklaed stakeholder who creates a negative atmosphere by challenging your leadership?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A3 As we engage influential leaders, it's important to be grounded in our leadership. In addition to verbal communication, is important to show the quality of our work – how Ss have grown, how Ts have benefited & grown professionally, and how resource use supports success #oklaed

— Chrys Walker (@walkchrysj) June 18, 2018

A3: I totally know this question is real… some people are just toxic. Listen, smile, but in the end not everyone has integrity. Find ways to keep balance. Right @MrsBeck25 😉 #OklaEd

— Kristin Atchley (@KristinAtchley) June 18, 2018

• 4 – 

Q4: Initiative Fatigue is the result of having too many changes taking place simultaneously – Research shows initiative fatigue starts at 3 and exponentially grows with each new intitiative. ~ are you & your Ts struggling with #oklaed initiative fatigue?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A4- I'm not familiar with Intiative Fatigue, but it makes total sense. This year, my sophomores had Chromebooks so I had to be really chill with other big changes. Just being aware & taking to the kids. Scaling back when needed. Reflecting on what I want to change & WHY. #oklaed

— Val Roberson (@rambling_reader) June 18, 2018

A4 Having a lot of initiatives without purpose means that we are doing a lot of things without doing them well. Courageous leaders create a collaborative focus on a few intentional, strategic initiatives, link these to the vision and support team work to reach goals #oklaed https://t.co/aWiORgCDPU

— Chrys Walker (@walkchrysj) June 18, 2018

• 4b – 

Q4b: How do you as a leader combat this negative phenomena?#OklaEd

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A4b: Communicate, get out from behind that desk!! #oklaed

— Steve Gilliland (@Stv_Gilliland) June 18, 2018

A4b) I try to understand the two sides and look for what is going to serve our students best. Then I try to provide information to staff so that we can all do what is best for our students. #oklaed https://t.co/A1Chrtga93

— Jack Reed (@jlreed2011) June 18, 2018

• 5 –

Q5: Doug Reeves says “behavior must precede belief” which could resemble a top down leadership style. How do you get “buy in” without “opt out” attitudes from your staff? #oklaed

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A5 – build relationships, be willing to explain how and why you have made a decision (when you can), if you have good rapport, when you do give a “directive”, they trust you. #oklaed https://t.co/GhngoiLNsc

— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) June 18, 2018

A5: you have to be a trusted leader. You have to have proven yourself. You have to model what it means to be a true leader. Your passion has to come through by example. To get me to buy in I need to see passion, I need background. I need to feel valued. #oklaed

— Kimberly Blodgett (@KimberBlodgett) June 18, 2018

• 6 –

Q6: How do you, as a courageous #oklaed leader, implement a policy or procedure that you believe is best for students even though your staff hasn’t bought in?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A6: Give the why before the what. Show the data/research driving the change in practice. Demonstrate the burning need for the change. Be relentless in pursuing what’s best for kids, but be willing to listen to other excellent solutions. #oklaed

— M. Knabe🖤 (@OB1_Knabe) June 18, 2018

A6. BEST for Ss is the Key here. Can you truly show that it is best for students! How impactful is it to current practice and policy. Most Ts really do want what is best for Ss, this is where you must be compelling, show evidence. Where possible, allow time to adjust. #oklaEd

— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) June 18, 2018

• 7 – 

Q7: Courageous Leaders know how important it is to build strong relationships with their staff. How do you connect with your faculty? #oklaed

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

A7 I speak to every person I see. I know something about each one that I can ask about. I work well with each grade level and don't carry tales between the groups. I make myself available as a resource. #oklaed

— Nancy Williams (@nancy_nwilliams) June 18, 2018

A7: Be approachable. Be present. Take part in the simple things like gift exchanges, milestone celebrations, and staff lunches. Be “all business” when necessary, but generally be a fellow human person the rest of the time. #oklaed

— M. Knabe🖤 (@OB1_Knabe) June 18, 2018

• 8 –

Q8: As a courageous #oklaed leader, what tough decision and/or difficult action would you implement at your school?

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

Answering this question may hurt some toes #oklaed https://t.co/s2zZFdVFTP

— Kevin Hime (@coach57) June 18, 2018

#oklaed A8: The one that really bugs me is the focus on testing & teaching to a test. Testing has a place, but it's not the only answer. We need to focus on the career choices, the interests, and the talents of Ss and prepare them for the paths that they can take after HS.

— 🌹Shanna Mellott (@lsmellott) June 18, 2018

• 9 –

Q9: As a Courageous Leader, how do you continually monitor initiative progress and hold everyone accountable so that ultimately, ALL Ss benefit? #oklaed

— Dr. Jason James (@James409Jason) June 18, 2018

#oklaed A9: The answer is communication with teachers. Find out what is working; find out what is not working. Initiatives have to be established, reflected upon, and implemented the next year with improvements.

— 🌹Shanna Mellott (@lsmellott) June 18, 2018

A9 – this goes back to the number of initiatives. To monitor progress you really should be focused on one or two main things. Make it part of your evaluation process. Set clear expectations. #oklaed https://t.co/gnpfdbFZtM

— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) June 18, 2018

Boomsauce tweet(s) of the night:

Erin:

A4: #oklaed I guess it’s all about attitude. Sometimes you just have to accept that change is inevitable, and it’s not always bad- we’re often surprised at the positive effects later on, I just need VERY clear directives to keep me sane. https://t.co/mXCQdQaBwz

— Michelle Shelton (@MsShelton5th) June 18, 2018

Scott:

A8 – moving T’s to a more appropriate grade level, even if it’s no what he/she wants. Making changes to the schedule to best accommodate the needs of S’s versus what T’s like the best. Basically, nobody wants their cheese moved. #oklaed https://t.co/YbAwFgJBd5

— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) June 18, 2018

A6: My question would be: if this is really undeniably good for kids, why am I meeting so much resistance? If it’s only a matter of one or two attempting to “opt out”, I can deal with that. How can I make it clear to those “resisters” that this is best for kids? #oklaed

— Lauren Peña (@lauren_pena16) June 18, 2018

Next week on the #oklaed chat

#OklaEd and the 2018 Primaries Tyler Bridges @bridgestyler

Join us at 8 PM CST Sunday on Twitter for the #OklaEd chat!