Caught In The Middle: What’s A Principal To Do? June 26, 2014

As a school leader, you have the profoundly rewarding responsibility of ensuring high-quality teaching and learning for all students. I believe school administration is one of the most honorable and rewarding professions on the planet. Justin Baeder: Education Week:TEACHER, Sept blog

It’s All About MULTITASKING!

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Using the blank sheet of paper you were given when you came in, place it in landscape position and draw two sets of parallel lines.

In just a moment, I will click the computer mouse and a sentence will appear on the screen. Your task is to write that sentence on the first line of your paper and, on the second line, write the numbers 1-27; one for each of the letters in the sentence. I will periodically call out the amount of time that has passed. When you are finished, write down the time that is closest to your finish time. Write the sentence here. Write the numbers 1-27 here. 35 sec.

Now let’s change things up! Write the sentence one letter at a time. After you write the first letter, drop to the second line and write the first number. Continue like this until you have written the entire sentence and the numbers 1-27 I will periodically call out the amount of time that has passed. When you are finished, write down the time that is closest to your finish time. M 1 ? sec.

* Things take longer. * The amount of mistakes increases. * For most people, their stress level increases.

Materials Needed: Two Two

Test Subjects (a.k.a. guinea pigs) will sit in chairs. Reader One will read a random sequence of numbers. Reader Two will read a recipe at the same time. Test Subjects will be asked to recall details.

Oh, we also need two volunteers to chart responses!

“We can readily divide tasking. We can cook, and at the same time talk on the phone, and switch back and forth between these two activities. However, we cannot multitask with more than two tasks.” Etienne Koechlin, INSERM-ENS, Paris, France, 2010

PPGES TPGES AND EVERYTHING ELSE A PRINCIPAL DOES

Check your attitude Assess your strengths and weaknesses Nail down an organizational method Divide and conquer your workload Overcome procrastination

From Negative ThoughtTo Positive Thought I’ll never have an empty inbox!I’m cleaning out my inbox everyday! I’ll never get caught up!Today I choose to make progress on my task list! It’s impossible to keep everybody happy! Every interaction I have with people will be sincere regardless of their behavior! Many of our students can’t meet the graduation requirements1 I’ll make a positive impact on one or two students today!

STRENGTHSCHALLENGES  Dose of ‘reality’  Create a vision of how you want to spend your time

* “Tickler File” * Use a Journal * Maintain a Single Calendar * Take Control of * Keep Your Focus * Establish Norms for Access * Organize Your Digital Life

Use teamwork to create a cooperative learning and work environment.

* Assistant Principal(s) * Counselor(s) * Department heads * Team/Teacher Leaders * Instructional Coaches * Central Office Support * Supervisor(s)

Happiness doesn’t always make me feel happy. The Happiness Project

* Do it first thing in the morning. * Do it everyday. * Make preparations, assemble the proper tools. * Commit * Remind yourself that finishing a dreaded task is tremendously energizing.

What is a juggler’s greatest asset?

Knowing his/her tools!

*PRINCIPAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS * Standard 1: Instructional Leadership * Standard 2: School Climate * Standard 3: Human Resources Management * Standard 4: Organizational Management * Standard 5: Communication & Community Relations * Standard 6: Professionalism

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity !