By Jenn Hayhurst
Everyone Needs A Champion…
Sometimes a word can be a perfect fit. When I think of the word “inspire” and I think about the many talented administrators I have come to know, it’s really captures the essence of what makes them great . Dedicated administrators fulfill both definitions of the word. They do fill us with a feeling of elation to create great work in the name of students. They navigate the political tensions of running a school and do in fact, help us to breathe in and stay focused. They are brave and do whatever it takes so that we all keep students at the center of all the decision making.They are real life champions working for the greater good each day a school opens its doors.
On August 11, 2016 #G2Great welcomed Matt Renwick to guest host Part 2 of a five Part Series: Exploring Seven Big Ideas to Maximize School Wide Potential. Matt Renwick is a champion, who inspires us all.
Great Teachers, Growth, Learning…
Matt’s top three instructional building blocks to promote positive school environment are a belief in: great teachers, growth, and celebrating learning for all students. Clarity is essential so when we all understand what our building blocks for school culture are, we can all work together to make them a reality. We are part of something bigger than ourselves, because we are all champions for the same cause:
Empower, Success, Collaboration…
Creating a school environment that promotes empowered relationships is purposeful and disciplined work for a school leader. Knowing when it’s right to step into a leadership role and and when to step out of a leadership role honors collaborative work. It shifts personal responsibility for our professional learning and each other when we embrace the thinking that we are all leaders. We are a championship team who are all working to win students’ success:
Conversation, Consensus, Team…
We merge leadership and instructional decision-making when we merge our beliefs. Our work is to encourage meaningful conversations, to find consensus, and to create a responsive team. Every championship team has a great coach, great leaders are part of the team so they seek out experts who will coach them achieve victory. Leaders listen:
Time, Facilitate, Building-Wide…
Our best work for students comes to life when administrators think like champions. They inspire a collaborative spirit as if we were stepping into the area for a playoff game. They come to work to play hard and try new roles designed to coordinate our efforts. We are all leaders, we are all learners and this makes our schools great:
Welcoming, Being Present, Making Experiences …
We can’t stand on the sidelines. We must get out there and make connections of all kinds. By connecting our schools and communities we affect changes. Leaving a positive footprint begins when we all step into our leadership roles and leave tracks for others to follow:
Assess, Focus, Choice …
Be a champion for a school culture that values professional learning – one that deeply identifies itself with success. Assessing and planning for this are essential parts that drive intentional decision making that accommodates teacher choice for professional learning. This is how we grow teacher leaders. When everyone immerses themselves in this process we embed learning throughout:
Professionalism, Say Yes, Success …
Having a personal vision statement allows us to envision the school our educators and students deserve. Being a champion means saying “yes” to the work ahead and finding support that brings success:
We are all champions! We can choose to be a source of inspiration that keeps the lights on in schoolhouses across our nation. If you are an administrator, like Matt Renwick, you can lead like a learner. If you are a teacher, you can be a collaborative colleague keeping students first. We can all be brave and know when to ask for help, holding tight to the belief that we are smarter together. If you are a parent, be involved and support your local schools. This is the work of a lifetime and we need everyone to be part of the team.
Thank you for inspiring us Matt. You’ve brought out our inner champions:
Fabulous post, Jenn.
I really want to remember this part . . .” We are all champions! We can choose to be a source of inspiration that keeps the lights on in schoolhouses across our nation. If you are an administrator, like Matt Renwick, you can lead like a learner. If you are a teacher, you can be a collaborative colleague keeping students first.”
No excuses! Everyone has a choice! Thanks, Jenn!
Thank you Jenn for providing this thorourgh summary of our chat. It was well facilitated and promoted by Amy and Mary. Honored and humbled to have my thoughts highlighted on your site. The words we say matter, but only as much as we follow through on our statements with our actions. I look forward to the possibities that the upcoming school year will provide.
Thanks again,
Matt