Finding Common Ground in Education

This episode is part two in the series about interviews.  Dave and Dean cover the politics of interviews, crafting the proper questions, and talk about choosing the best candidate.
 
We focus on creating the proper questions to select the best candidate as well as preparing candidates for an interview.
 
 

Description: This episode covers preparation for the interview process including determining need, screening applicants, and selecting the ideal interview panel.

In this episode Dave and Dean reflect on season #1 and talk about what they've learned over the last year.  It finishes with a  sneak peek for season 2 which includes special guests and a pacing of topics during the traditional school year.

This podcast provides a comprehensive guide for teacher leaders to build effective teams. It emphasizes that strong teacher-leaders, who are reputable and exemplary, are essential for a robust union. The importance of cultivating a diverse leadership team across gender, grade level, and assignment is highlighted to bring varied perspectives and strengths. The podcast advises against protecting underperforming teachers to maintain high standards. It stresses the need for continuous visibility and engagement of leaders throughout the year, not just during negotiation periods. Planning for future leadership by identifying and preparing successors is deemed crucial for continuity. Additionally, the podcast underscores the importance of supporting and mentoring new and young teachers to ensure their integration and growth within the school community.

Developing a top notch administrative team within a school district hinges on several key principles. Dr. Farkas the challenge of inheriting a team and then discusses the concept of leading from the middle, emphasizing collaboration and support while actively engaging in the day-to-day operations. 
 
He believes that in order to foster a culture of mutual respect, leaders must roll up their sleeves and demonstrate a commitment to student success and build trust among staff members. Moreover, seizing control in challenging situations showcases leadership capabilities and instills respect within the team, ultimately contributing to a cohesive and effective administrative unit.

In this chapter, Dave and Dean underscore the critical aspects of effective communication and leadership within educational settings. Dave highlights the frustration that ensues when teachers fail to promptly address parent inquiries, stressing the importance of timely responses to prevent issues from escalating. He suggests a flexible timeframe for response, emphasizing the need to consider factors like communication platform and urgency. Additionally, Dave advocates for direct conversations over email for complex matters to avoid misinterpretation, promoting efficient communication and trust-building. Dean emphasizes the significance of using quick surveys to gauge the climate of a school or district, asserting that administrators who neglect this practice risk undermining trust and collaboration among staff. He emphasizes the role of surveys in fostering transparency and success, portraying them as essential tools for effective leadership and building a collaborative environment. Together, Dave and Dean highlight the interconnectedness of communication, trust, and leadership in nurturing a supportive educational community.

This podcast delves into key insights and advice for new teachers, drawn from experiences and reflections from both Dave and Dean. It begins with the importance of understanding and respecting the community one serves, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all members within the educational environment. Mutual respect is highlighted as essential for a meaningful teaching experience, emphasizing the partnership between teachers and support staff in fostering student success. Additionally, we discuss the distinction between being respected on an individual level and having a good reputation within the broader community.
Strategies for gaining respect from students are discussed, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating care beyond academics and investing time in extracurricular activities. The chapter encourages authenticity and advises against trying to emulate others, emphasizing the value of one's unique approach. Furthermore, it offers guidance on earning the respect of colleagues, particularly veterans, stressing the significance of discretion and integration within the staff community.
In part two, insights from administrators, Dave shares his experiences and underscores the importance of leading by example, with a balance of confidence and humility. Effective communication, celebration of achievements, and building trust through consistent actions are highlighted as key leadership principles. The chapter concludes with the reminder that visibility and demonstration of values are essential aspects of effective leadership. Overall, the chapter serves as a valuable resource for new educators, providing practical advice and insights for navigating the complexities of the educational landscape.

In this podcast, Dean Conley, a union president for over a decade, discusses the challenges and sacrifices involved in leadership positions within the education field. He sheds light on the "ugly side" of being a teacher leader, emphasizing the following key points:
The Silent Struggle: Dean mentions that many of the achievements and challenges faced by teacher leaders are not publicly shared, which can make the organization look bad. He highlights the need to keep confidential information, making it challenging to address various situations that arise.
Hidden Sacrifices: Dean discusses the sacrifices made by teacher leaders, including being called upon for help at any time, even during personal holidays or vacations. He compares their role to that of a firefighter, with unpredictable demands and constant availability.
Balancing Leadership and Classroom Responsibilities: Dave and Dean discuss the balancing act of managing union leadership responsibilities alongside classroom teaching. Dean emphasizes the importance of understanding and support from family members for teacher leaders.
Feeling Helpless While Watching Building Morale Erode: Dean shares an example of the frustration teacher leaders can face when dealing with ineffective teachers. He recounts an incident where an administrator didn't take appropriate action against a problematic teacher, leading to a decline in staff morale.
Overall, this conversation highlights the hidden challenges and responsibilities that teacher leaders face, including maintaining confidentiality, addressing urgent issues, and the delicate balance between leadership and teaching duties. It also underscores the impact of leadership decisions on the overall school environment and morale.

Dr. David Farkas discusses the challenges and frustrations of being an administrator. He highlights the difficulties administrator’s face when dealing with adults, particularly colleagues, and mentions the issues of disrespect and the inability to work together. Additionally, he provides insights into the "ugly side" of being an administrator, including an "Us vs. Them" mentality among staff, conflicts during negotiations, and the sacrifice of personal time for the job. Dave also answers questions about how administrators can inspire teachers to follow through on tasks without nagging and identifies common tasks that are often procrastinated or neglected.
Overall, Dave's perspective sheds light on the interpersonal challenges and high expectations that come with being an administrator in an educational institution.

EPISODE 9: DECODING EDUCATIONAL JARGON
 
As we start to ‘hit our stride’, we decided to dip our toe into the water of this controversial topic.  Whether it’s fear of the unknown, resistance to change, or just a lack of understanding, change can be uncomfortable.
However if you’re in the “kid” business, we have to be able to have mature conversations about new ideas and the motivation behind why we make changes.
Any “experienced” teacher or administrator will be familiar with this list and the enormous amount of effort and energy that was invested in these programs only for them to ultimately go away.  
 
Multiple intelligences
Whole Language
Revised Bloom's Taxonomy
Block Scheduling
Baldrige
Inquiry-based teaching
Race To The Top
Who moved my cheese?
RTI (response to intervention)
The Courage to Teach
Common Core
Social Emotional Learning
PBIS
Direct Instruction
No Child Left Behind
 
The truth is that ALL of these concepts have incredible value and were rooted in trying to help students reach their full and well-rounded potential.  What is also true is that some of these initiatives failed in schools all across the country (and world) because administrators failed to understand that the implementation process must be driven by the teaching staff.  If you want buy-in, spend time at the beginning to frontload (sorry, I couldn’t resist) how and why you feel these “new” strategies need to be implemented based on a solid strategic plan. It is likely that there will already be a few teachers in your building who have read the books, already piloted certain strategies, and most-importantly, have identified how to use them with their students. They will be the ones who assist the launch as they advocate with concrete examples to their colleagues who trust them. That's how momentum and buy-in is built. 
And if along the way you hear “It’s about the kids” or “This is how we always done it”...tread lightly.