Are you struggling to improve your school and tried a variety of plans?
New book alert! Recently I picked up a copy of, Stop Leading Start Building: Turn your School into a Success Story with the People and Resources You Already Have by Robyn R. Jackson. The author shares how leaders continue the never-ending process of school improvement and never seem to get their school to the desired level. There is so much I want to share from this book, and I have only just begun to read it. Real quick, Mrs. Jackson shares the “Buildership Model”, the four parts work together to improve your schools with what you already have. First thing is a compelling Purpose, followed by the committed people. Next the leaders should have a clear pathway followed by a concrete plan. (Figure 1.2) I do not want to give too much away, but I suggest you go get Robyn R. Jackson’s book if you are a school leader.
I want to focus on where I believe I went wrong, as discovered from reading this book. Every school district puts in the time to create a vision and mission statement, and I am no different. We created ours about two years ago. What I took away from this section is that I did not sell it or make it overly exciting. I rushed the process and did not fully invest enough time in the components of Vision, Core Values and Mission as outlined by Jackson. Mrs. Jackson sells it this way; does it impact all our students at 100 percent? I am not minimizing the work our team put into our purpose, I think it is great and it will serve our district well, assuming we invest in it.
Good leaders’ value everyone, and I can say I trust every single teacher in my buildings. They are amazing. Another area I have fallen short is not allowing a better process to unfold. This process is laid out my Jackson in four disciplines. First, the feedback I have given could be better. Once feedback is given, I must support individuals to grow. Next, we all need to be held accountable to the purpose. Finally, the school culture must be one that allows for everyone to feel safe enough to focus and share their thoughts as it relates to the purpose or mission and vision. Mrs. Jackson shares the four types of teachers we may encounter when implementing our vision of the school purpose (Figure 2.2). The relationship between skill and will is vital to meeting our school’s purpose. Jackson describes in depth the following descriptors of teachers’ level of mastery in relation to the school’s purpose: Low Will/ Low Skill, High Will/ Low Skill, Low Will/ High Skill, and finally High Will/ High Skill. Our teachers can be at any one of these levels at any given time or situation.
What is already happening in your schools that is going well?
Will the Vision, Mission, and Core Values benefit all your students?
Have you given enough time to develop your school’s purpose?
What I hope to improve on after reading this book is getting everyone excited about what we have in place to meet our Mission, Vision, and Core Values. Our purpose can be met if we value it and give our attention to it. I would also like to improve in giving feedback, offer support, holding everyone accountable, and paying close attention to the school culture. I will continue to review Robyn R. Jackson’s book in next week’s post. Again, I cannot express this enough, please go get this book. It is a very useful resource for school leaders. Have a great week and please leave your comments below. Watch for part two next week, I hope you enjoy it!
Steven C. Bucks-Leading Conversations
Resource: Jackson, Robyn R. Stop Leading Start Building: Turn Your School into a Success Story with the People and Resources You Already Have. Alexandria, VA, ASCD 2021
