School library, 3:15 pm; 9 teachers present; Will leading discussion.
Summary of the chapter:
Even when AB Combs elementary hd their vision and their mission and their theme of Leadership chosen, there were four areas that required attention as they worked toward full implementaion of the Habits.
1. Getting people on board: begin with a few people, add more, then encourage the rest to get everyone on board; They began with pilot classrooms, one at each grade. It became clear to others that their was a difference in the kids in those classrooms and interest began to spread. With the focus on leadership, academics were improved also because academics and leadership were linked everyday in any way they could imagine. It took effort to bring about the changes and some teachers were holdouts for a couple years. The others that needed to be on board were parents and community leaders. Word spread to parents and community as students in pilot classrooms began to show and use their leadership skills.
2. Aligning the School Structure
All staff had leader attached to their name: leader of nutrition, leader of cleanliness, leader of math, leader of technology, etc. Principal expected all to assume leadership roles, supported them in those roles and held them accountable. Additionally, all students were leaders of something. This included community service projects with adult mentors. Classroom leadership rolls included classroom greeter, timekeeper, team leader, cleanliness leader, librarian, peer leader, tech helper. A Code of Cooperation was developed, the principal met regularly with individual students, and discipline decreased dramatically. Students and staff were empowered to Do The Right Thing.
3. Training for all staff
The first year they had a 3 day training for all staff on the Habits as they related to people personally. An important result of the training days was a stronger bond developing among the staff.
Second yuear they were all trained in the Baldrige toos and principles.
Third year: Habits were revisited, added to, ideas shared, etc.
As they taught the habits, they were learning them. Teachers were modeling the habits and students were given more leadership opportunities.
4. Celebrations and Rewards System
Sometime during every week students were rewarded for physical, social/emotional/mental and spiritual goals met. Some examples included Habmburger Rubrics, Fancy Dinner rewards, celebrations, parties. Students were also regularly given compliments, show love and appreciation and told "I appreciate you." Rewards emphasized teamwork and leadership as well as academic goals.
Group Discussion:
Connections for training: who do we know that might be able to help finance that?
We need to begin with an all-staff, 5 day training. we need financing-$50,000 for the full meal deal.
Diffusion of innovations: 2.5% will run with it, some will jump on board early, then the early majority and finally the laggers to finally tip the scale to success.
The kids will push us to move because they will be trained from K. on.
Everything you do must fit the vision and the system must support the vision.
We looked at the "house" model that Combs Elementary has adopted.
Staff Meetings: hallway huddles at AB Combs where groups go over mission, vision, quote, touch-base time for teachers; Fridays are a whole group time.
This is all about relationships: working, personal, happiness, successful.
Everyone shows they truly care about everyone else. What is important is what is happening in the minds and hearts of the people.
School Board: how to get them on board with their goals supporting what the staff is trying to do. We will encourage and thank the new board members for giving their time by having them spend time in our classrooms.
We have put many students in the leadership role.
Success comes from building relationships. 150 is the most people that you can successfully build relationships with.
Be a leader: choose to be in charge of your attitude. You can be a positive or a negative influence in your group.
We are seeing examples of students leading other groups of students. Our community outreach coordinator is running her meetings just like we have modeled in our town meetings.
Looking forward to the SIP team sharing their mission with us on January 13.
