Data

In education data is becoming the new wave.  What really surprises me is how bad we are at using the data.  As an AP teacher for many years I can not remember the last time I had a conversation about my results.  Yes, I get the "good job" when I perform but we never look into the numbers.

Recently I had some of these conversations with my colleagues.  Did any of your students exceed expectations?  Who improved the most throughout the course of the year?  Did any of the students surprise you by failing the exam?  If you had the same students who failed the exam, what would you do differently to make sure that they passed?  How will you change your instruction based off the instructional report that your received from college board?  Did your grades match up with the results of your students?

All of these questions lead to good honest discussion which actually might make teachers better.  Instead their is either silence or good job.  My question is why?

What do I want from an Administrator

At our school we have a week without students to get our class rooms organized, our lessons planned and to get some professional development.  During this time I reflected upon what I would want from our leadership team.

The first thing I want is an administrator who spends 80% of their time thinking about ways to motivate and inspire teachers and students.  I want them checking the school to make sure everything is done so that teachers can do their job properly.  At my school we were out of staples for the copying machine the first day back.  How could that possibly happen.

I want an administrator who supports teachers so that the teacher can spend their time making kids better each and everyday.  An administrator who is constantly thinking how can I make the teacher's job easier even if it makes my job harder

I want a person who will fight for teachers especially during adverse times.  It is easy to stick behind people when things are going well but I want a leader who will stand bye me when I am going through tough times.  Who cares enough about me to make sure that things are going well in my world.  Who would fight for teachers even if it meant losing some points with their boss in the process.

I want an administrator who values the teachers perspective, who sets a vision but allows the teachers to get to the vision.  Who might suggest a method of doing something but realizes it is just one method not the only method.  A person who apologizes for their mistakes and is forgiving of yours.

I want an administrator who calls teachers into their office to ask them for solutions to problems.  Who realizes that the people in the trenches have better answers than the people in the air conditioned offices.I want an administrator who rather be talking with teachers than talking with bosses.

I want an administrator who does not allow people to stroll in late consistently, or leave early.  A person who will work their hardest to make me a better teacher.  Who sets high standards, models them and motivates us to exceed them

Am I asking a lot?  Probably so, but our kids deserve it