Ask teachers about how they feel about the parents in their school community and responses will probably be wide-ranging. We have heard of the ‘helicopter’ parents, the ‘tiger moms’ and those parents who make life for teachers, well, inconvenient. On the other hand, some teachers feel that a number of parents are not interested, have... Continue Reading →
When new leaders are appointed to their various roles in schools, they are often eager to make change, to help the school improve and move forward. There is nothing wrong with wanting to make change but how one goes about it is crucial to its success and the impact change will have on the school... Continue Reading →
How many times have you seen problems schools where teachers say something like, "the 'Admin' need to do something about that," or, "that's the fault of the 'Admin'"? Too often and conveniently so, teachers are quick to use the term 'Admin', which is not particularly helpful in solving problems and can have a detrimental impact... Continue Reading →
School leadership is a tough business. Our colleagues can be harsh critics at times and greatly supportive at others. Over the years, I have worked with some wonderful people who have held various leadership positions in schools and each one was / is treated differently. Interestingly, I have seen some ineffective school leaders adored by... Continue Reading →
School leaders receive many suggestions from other leaders, teachers and support staff for what can be improved in their school. In some instances, people are taking action themselves, often on their own, as they try to 'fix' things and make our schools 'better'. Invariably, despite so many good ideas, intentions and initiatives, schools are oftentimes... Continue Reading →
Understanding our role and responsibilities as leaders in schools is better understood by examining the way relationships change in the building as one moves up the leadership ladder. When we begin teaching, our main interactions, on a day-to-day basis, are with students. As we take on leadership roles within the school, direct contact time with... Continue Reading →
Media attention in Australia recently focused on the actions of the school leadership in an exclusive private boys' school in Melbourne. Reading the reports with some interest, there is a key takeaway from this event and that is, a school's leadership team need to be in touch with the community when decisions are made. Regardless... Continue Reading →
The degree to which school leaders are involved in actual teaching practice varies considerably between schools, which brings us to the question: Should school leaders teach more? To clarify for the purpose of this post, school leader refers to senior leaders in schools, assistant principals, principals and directors / superintendents. The demands of these senior... Continue Reading →
Bringing new teachers and support staff into a school can give the energy boost it needs, or maintain the momentum of positive change that may have been built up over time. This is why induction programs matter so much. Anthony Muhammad in his book, Transforming School Culture, identifies four groups of people within a school,... Continue Reading →
