Jimmy Casas LIVE YOUR EXCELLENCE—Bring Your Best Self to School Every Day
and
Peter M. DeWitt INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP—Creating Practice Out of Theory
When two books from experienced and insightful educators arrived on the same day, I was ecstatic. In the initial chaos of determining the critical logistics, systems, and routines of facilitating online learning due to the COVID19 pandemic, I needed ideas to best support our teachers and students during this surreal experience.
I picked up Jimmy Casas’s book Live Your Excellence first because at the point of exhaustion, I know I needed to “bring my best self to school every day,” which honestly was not happening consistently. Throughout his book, Casas continued to remind the reader “Our Why” as educators. “When we lose our why, we lose our way” (p. xxv). I needed to refocus on our 553 students and 73 staff members, which had always brought me immense joy and fulfillment.
I realized we could utilize so many just-in-time pieces of wisdom in Casas’ book, especially while our students learn remotely. They guided and reminded me to be the leader I needed to be in this inconceivable time of turmoil and unknowns. My notes and tabs found in my now well-tattered copy inspired my current actions to reset and adapt to our new reality. Here are a few of my take-aways.
“Every decision we make or fail to make as leaders has the potential to impact both school culture and morals in positive or negative ways” (p. 27-28).
“When we are confronted with a dilemma, the way we approach the situation can change more than the outcome. The way we manage ourselves and the level of sincere investment in our every interaction with each student will eventually determine how they view the adults in their lives. How we are defined is often based on how we respond in the moment” (p. 21).
“Leadership to me is not only knowing how to use the tools in your toolbox, but knowing how to find the right skill for the job--especially when you don’t know exactly what to do” (p. 104).
‘We can strive for excellence without leaving anyone behind by not thinking of greatness as an end result--that old compliance trap where something is either great or not--but rather as the beginning of more greatness” (p. 73-74).
“In those moments when doubt begins to creep in remember, there is a Justin out there who just might remind you that on any given day, you can change the course of a student’s life through your belief in them and redefine success for both of you” (p. 128).
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Peter DeWitt’s book Instructional Leadership, Creating practice Out of Theory provides the reader with a holistic approach to instructional leadership. Strategically through the lens of Evidence, Implementation, A Focus on Learning, Student Engagement, Instructional Strategies, and Collective Efficacy. He uses the current evidence in research to inform the reader on those instructional practices that have consistently demonstrated effectiveness.
Even though this almost unbelievable health crisis has disrupted school there are still opportunities for us to begin to think of teaching and learning with a new perspective. Reviewing his findings encouraged me to remember the following:
“In order to be instructional leaders, we have to put learning at the heart of what we do, and we have to make ourselves vulnerable enough that it is okay for us to make mistakes in front of our staff” (p. 119).
“It’s not enough that leaders demand teachers work together because it builds collective-efficacy. Leaders must set up the dynamic in which teachers feel supported in the work that they do” (p. 92).
‘Teacher clarity is what is needed in order to provide a deep understanding in our classrooms” (p. 79).
“However, in order to make sure that social-emotional learning does not become the next buzz phrase, like “growth mindset” or “differentiated instruction,” we must all agree that SEL is about empowering all students--those who struggle with mental health issues and those who do not--with the strategies they need to be successful in life” (p.67).
“Instructional leadership is when those in a leadership position focus their efforts on the implementation of practice that will positively impact student learning” (p. xix).
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Creating a school culture during a world-wide health crisis has its own set of unique challenges. Focusing first on the health and well being of each child is the first important step. Then collectively with your teachers and staff, you can move forward as educators to provide relevant instruction to continue to inspire our students to learn, grow, and thrive.
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