Comments for PRN Leadership : Together We Learn

Comment on Thinking Outside the Box… by Jarrod Bell

Jarrod Bell — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 22:58:40 +0000

I’ve been saying for a while we should fold up the box and recycle it. I do appreciate Bansky’s take on that too.

Comment on When the truck is stuck… by Larry Espe

Larry Espe — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:59:35 +0000

I wish I had the full answer to your question. I think I could sell it.
In the meantime, I know that right now the educators at the ministry have gone on record and said that they are no longer “giving permission” for us to innovate, they are now “expecting” us to innovate. That being said, I know that we are still hung up with some of the old structures and paradigms, and basically riding two horses.
My suggestion though would be to find at least one like minded colleague and start planning something interdisciplinary together. I’m not talking about just departmental collaboration… I’m talking about planning together around pedagogy, creativity, projects and getting rid of things like bells and text books… at least in your own “learning areas” (previously referred to as classrooms). Focus on process and not content, be ready for ambiguity, and meet for at least a little while every day.
I hope you get a chance to visit our Energetic Learning Campus. The teachers there are doing just that.

Comment on When the truck is stuck… by G. Thielmann

G. Thielmann — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:49:38 +0000

Let’s assume that various folks are working together to improve a dysfunctional school or district culture, trying to work together. What should teachers (or principals, parents, students) do in the mean time with the organizational and learning projects that are held up by the dysfunction? What if their best ideas can’t wait for the culture to improve or for system change to provide them with the contexts for success. They’ve been involved, they work for change, tried to model effective practice, an yet years go by without seeming to make a difference. Aside from shutting down, closing off, these people and their ideas tend to go underground and often go unnoticed or even get blocked. How can we open some side-doors to let the creativity (and productivity) flourish even if the cultural milieu is still “stuck” for years to come?

Comment on When the truck is stuck… by lespe

lespe — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 21:20:43 +0000

The “relational networks” you mention are such a sweet thing. We have some fine examples in the district. By the way… I think that it’s time we had you back to help us push.
I hope the weather improves for you!

Comment on When the truck is stuck… by Bruce Wellman

Bruce Wellman — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 16:34:30 +0000

One other solution (leadership trap?) is that some people call for a tow truck expecting that someone else can be hired to pull them out of the snow. The may be especially true if you have not developed the relational networks to call upon to help with the pushing or, the community is fractured and doesn’t have the habits of helping.

It’s snowing in New England so maybe I can test the theory.

Bruce Wellman

Comment on What we learn from our heroes… by Craig John

Craig John — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:09:08 +0000

My heroes too! I’m related to one…Dad! Hey remember the dungon tunnels under the stands. We lost our equipment in the fire!

Comment on A Story About “Picture Day”… by Dave Sloan

Dave Sloan — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:58:42 +0000

From what I’ve seen there appears to have always been an awful lot of forehead on display in your pictures young or old. For me its been more about watching the colors change like autumn leaves. Maybe more telling is what our resting face expressions reveal. If we’re not still smiling then maybe we need to be doing something different! Smile On!

Comment on Words that start with “C”*… by Niesha

Niesha — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 22:34:27 +0000

Commit and cooperate!

Comment on Letting go of the rope… by Tom Hierck

Tom Hierck — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:28:57 +0000

Nice post Larry. It does remind us of the need to be bold and continue to pursue the right things. Holding on to the rope because it’s the best rope is a lot different than holding on to the rope because we’ve always held that rope.

Comment on The Dynamics of Capacity Building by lespe

lespe — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:16:04 +0000

hi Bruce…

I agree with your comment… Knowing how much work it is to challenge the big “T” truth that is the public education system, it would be arrogant to think we could ever attain “flawess” (the “next big T truth). I think we’re better off leaving it as a small “t” so that questioning and inquiry never stops.