Tom Waters

It's more than just to-do lists, meetings, memos, and walk-throughs. Great principals know this. You know this. The job of a great principal is larger than the job description. That's why networks are crucial. The networks you build, not just your own network, but also the networks you help others build, create influence. And influence is more powerful to effect change than policy, than union agreements, than legislation, and great ideas. Influence is more powerful to effect change than policy, legislation, and great ideas. Networks are not built overnight - they slowly grow like oak trees that last decades. They require careful attention and nurturing. Professional networks are really about relationships. They are about people . Networks begin with a deep-seated belief in the value of humans - a belief in goodness and diversity. Networks are not for political maneuvering. They are not for manipulation. In a case study from ASCD , principals who developed ne...

Teachers R Heroes Be sure your teachers are reminded of this more than they are reminded of... lesson plans due dates meeting times dress code policy bus duty parent complaints ...and all the other minutia. Celebrate your heroes and how they impact students, families, your school, and the local community. Teachers impact lives (here are 17 ways teachers change lives ) in so many more ways than a mere test score. Never miss a chance to affirm, appreciate, and add value to your teachers - the investment pays immeasurable dividends for them and for students! Why are Teachers Important?  Because they're heroes. Consider sharing this message with an educator hero you know.

Mission statements don't matter unless you want to be a great leader - that's the title of a recent article that reviews successful cases of organizational leadership. For school leadership, I'd take it a step further. Mission statements don't matter unless you want to simply be mediocre, at best. Schools rely on a core sense of purpose - a unique selling proposition - because the service we provide is about changing lives. A mission statement removes the fog of daily work and gives purpose to something larger. When you clarify your school's mission, you provide: Unique identity that defines what you do. Core purpose to ignite why you do what you do. A filter through which all goals and strategic decision are passed. Language that unifies teams. If you're lucky to have a community that's academically advantaged, you can get by without a mission statement.  You'll be average or slightly above average, but turnover will be a prob...

As a school leader, you are so busy with many things everything! Student data, parent conferences, IEP meetings, faculty meetings, dismissal procedures, student management, human resources, recruitment, policy, curriculum meetings, student programs, budgeting, campus planning, et cetera. Notice the one thing absent from that list? The list should read this way: You are solely responsible for communication, it's easy to get busy with... That difference is huge. Yes, school leaders are solely responsible for communication. Like a floodgate, the school leader can let the communication flow or stop it entirely. Because you are so busy, it's easy for communication to just become another priority - but remember it is the priority.