Episode 88 – The Soul of Leadership
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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:
Dr. April Grace, the Superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools @shawneesup
Overview of chat topic
The Soul of Leadership
Questions from the chat:
1
Q1: #oklaed
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
For tonight's chat –
Leader = Ts, Admin, Legis,etc.
Circle/Sphere = Classroom, Bldg., CO, or State pic.twitter.com/7mX7I3xPyw
A1 I surround myself with talented people and trust them to do their jobs. I work as closely as I can with them to find out how they want to grow professionally and how I can help with that. #oklaed #MDPurpose https://t.co/0tnB32aadH
— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) October 29, 2018
A1) Hire good people, get them what they need and then get the hell out of their way while they do. #oklaed
— Craig McVay (@mcvay51) October 29, 2018
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Q2: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/jnHOuP7KVo
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A2: I try to SEE people. It feels so good when we are acknowledged for all that we do, and I try to be intentional about that. #oklaed https://t.co/xd75FZPWLO
— Jessica Robinson (@JessRob) October 29, 2018
A2: By regularly asking the four-word question: "What do you think?" #oklaed
— Dale Chu (@Dale_Chu) October 29, 2018
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Q3: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/iEXIkWTzhu
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A3) Very hard for me to stay focused on the mission with all the noise and distractions so I focus on kids. “If it’s best for them why aren’t we already doing it, Steven Crawford circa 2006 #oklaed
— Craig McVay (@mcvay51) October 29, 2018
A3: Built in reality checks are useful. Put on a calendar that you will stop and make sure the vision still fits – and that progress is being made toward it. If not, either the vision or the path needs to be altered! #OklaEd https://t.co/oZa5sripUu
— Debra Thoreson (@djthoreson) October 29, 2018
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Q4: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/Ua4R21oSV5
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A4: I meet every week with my admin team and grade level. Communication has to be consistent to keep things on track. Listening is the most important part of my job. I always ask for good things at the beginning and give time for concerns at the end. #oklaed
— Kara Walk (@karawalk) October 29, 2018
A4 #OklaEd This year our teachers have all set "stretch goals" using the @foliocollab framework. We have coaches/mentors & the opportunity to serve as a coach for others. I love ❤️ this model for encouraging professional growth, as well as strengthening professional relationships
— Wesley Fryer, Ph.D. 🌎🎙🚀 (@wfryer) October 29, 2018
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Q5: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/X0jGxSTKTv
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A5 #OklaEd I think 1 way to build a culture of empathy & forgiveness is to admit mistakes when they are made, & apologize / seek forgiveness personally. "Giving grace" is much easier said than done.
— Wesley Fryer, Ph.D. 🌎🎙🚀 (@wfryer) October 29, 2018
Getting to know each person's story & checking in often is key.
A5 – Really listen to them when they talk. Pay attention to behaviors T’s like S’s need to know you are there for them and that they can trust you. Fill in the gap, where and when you can #oklaed https://t.co/WPzj63yZ86
— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) October 29, 2018
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Q6: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/UWyee9oRuh
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A6) by staying out of the drama and focused on the cause. No internal battling and encouraging people to take things offline as opposed to arguing with an audience. #oklaed https://t.co/u2T1M0QrEb
— Angela Clark Little (@angmlittle) October 29, 2018
A6: I don’t show all my cards, but let Ts know when a priority is a priority. If everything is a priority, then NOTHING becomes a real priority. I keep things off of their plate if I can do the research myself. I don’t think my Ts would ever know that is was a “bad day”. #oklaed https://t.co/k8pNd7hbG6
— Plain ol’ Erin Barnes (@ebarnes73) October 29, 2018
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Q7: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/rW00kcIyUU
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A7: You can’t lead if you don’t serve. IMHO, that is what is wrong with politics and some leaders today. Our current leaders think we owe them something instead of the other way around. #THEYwork4US #oklaed
— Anne Beck (@MrsBeck25) October 29, 2018
A7: I try to be a team player. I try to help out when I can, but sometime gosh darn it…it is hard! #OklaEd
— Renee Bell (@Biobellrocks) October 29, 2018
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Q8: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/hKEVw7zCwj
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A8 – Been there, done that! You have to be intentional. I saw a POST on an admin FB page asking about answering emails from P's on the weekend. Some Admin responded they will contact in an emergency there are no emergencies I can solve on the weekend #911 #oklaed https://t.co/XBGjUCEYXL
— Dena Rogers (@dena_rogers) October 29, 2018
A8. I disagree. I don’t think it is daunting. And if you are sacrificing your soul, you are not leading. Being leader is about empowering others. And when you empower. You delegate. This is the balance. And it is easy. You just have to trust the process. #oklaed https://t.co/qlXeX95Ttn
— Kristy Cooper (@kriscoop80) October 29, 2018
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Q9: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/cCXlFJm7Zr
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
A9: Make sure I’m letting the ones that I sometimes take for granted how much they mean to our team!! #oklaed
— Nathan Elliott (@elliottn76) October 29, 2018
A9. Seek out new teachers and see how their first 9 weeks went. Offer encouragement to make it to Thanksgiving. #oklaED https://t.co/JgRz1V5PmR
— Taylor Upchurch (@Taylor_Upchurch) October 29, 2018
Bonus
Bonus: #oklaed pic.twitter.com/Fp3ZAbRTWs
— Dr. April Grace (@ShawneeSup) October 29, 2018
Bonus: The best leaders I know check in on their people regularly and encourage growth while praising accomplishments. I've had some amazing (and some null) examples of this. I'd rather learn from the best than learn what not to do. #oklaed
— Twylla Hester (@TwyllaHester) October 29, 2018
Bonus…yes! Those who have influenced me most have been encourages who are not afraid to see others grow and achieve success! They reach out and include others in the journey, mentoring along the way! #oklaed
— Jennifer Seitsinger (@room20awesome) October 29, 2018
Boomsauce Tweet(s) of the Night:
Erin:
A4:Don’t just say the door is open…keep it open as much as possible and really listen….be honest w/feedback…be in the rooms as much as possible, not just for evals….model the behavior I want so they see I am willing to go the extra mile too….#oklaed https://t.co/sxehkOfWKP
— Pamela Huston (@PrincipalHuston) October 29, 2018
Scott:
Whether I'm talking to adults or to students, I like to remind them to find what feeds their soul and pursue it fiercely. #MDPurpose #oklaed
— Rick Cobb (@grendelrick) October 29, 2018
Next Week on the #OklaEd Chat:
#OklaEd votes with Dr. Rick Cobb @grendelrick
Join #OklaEd at 8PM CST every Sunday on Twitter
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