School Leadership: Relationships & Shared Commitment

Leadership in schools is about connecting people to each other and to their work - sounds easy, but for anyone who has sat in the principal's chair, s/he understands the challenge of this duty.  It's not about reward and punishment; it's about making moral connections and leading from the heart, serving others, and listening to each other's stories.  In Sandra Dean's book, "Hearts & Minds" she speaks about making staff, students, and parents feel valued and this makes all the difference.  When we know that someone values us, we do our best to show that their belief and trust in us was not misplaced. 

Leadership based on bureaucratic authority relies on compliance, but as Thomas Sergiovanni states in his book, "Leadership for the Schoolhouse", leadership based on moral authority relies on ideas, values, and commitment - it seeks to develop shared followership in the school - a followership that compels parents and principals, teachers and students to respond from within.  If we concentrate on people first and build them up by trusting them and increasing their capacity, their commitment will increase and they will feel a sense of obligation and commitment to do the right thing. 

How do we get people to do this?  We get them to do this by encouraging connections with each other, by developing a culture where "your story is my story" and it is important to me.  Relationships, Relationships, Relationships: our Modus Operandi - sounds easy, but it is not.  Thank you to all Black Gold staff for your commitment and dedication to our students, their families, and each other. And thank you to our principals for your leadership and effort to help others find purpose and meaning in their work beyond tomorrow's test - it's challenging work but work of the noblest kind.

2014 Job Fairs

It is always invigorating to participate in our local universities' job fairs: the students are full of questions, they are confident, and their energy is contagious.  On January 27th, Division Principal Dargis and I spent the day at the University of Alberta, and later that evening he, Principal Dunlop, Mme. El-Khatib, and Mme. Hjertaas attended the fair at Campus St. Jean.  Each of us commented on the preparedness of these young people: outstanding!

On February 6th, Division Principal Dargis and I were invited to present at Concordia University College.  Students welcomed us at the door, helped us set up, and offered us freshly baked cookies.  The best treat, however, was when our former student, Kaitlyn, walked in the room, gave us each a hug, and told us she was graduating in the spring; it was wonderful to see one of our École Corinthia Park School students becoming a teacher.  Kaitlyn introduced us to her peers and the presentation began. 

Thank you U of A, Campus St. Jean, and Concordia University; we truly appreciate your hospitality.