How's That Working For You?

You may recognize that phrase from Dr. Phil. For the past several months, I've heard that phrase from one of my mentors Debbie McFalone in the Leadership Matters cohort. Throughout our time together, Debbie will often ask the question "How's that working for you?" when someone describes an activity or practice that isn't producing the desired results. This often results in someone rethinking a strategy and looking for alternatives.

Recently, I've been using that phrase at home with my teenage daughters when they describe a situation and they aren't happy with the results. Sometimes they look at their behaviors and sometimes they don't. I tried it once with my wife...Let's just leave it at that:) Taking Debbie's cue, I've been asking myself that question as I look at practices in school: Discipline methods, intervention methods, and collaboration methods. When I ask myself "How's that working for you?" some areas are fine and others could use some improvement.

As educators, we should always be willing to ask ourselves "How's that working for you?". We need to objectively look at our practices, our routines, and our habits and see if they are producing the results we want. If they are not, then it may be time to try something new. It's not really about having all the right answers, but more about asking the right questions. In education, it needs to be about the outcomes and not about the way we have always done things. So don't be afraid to ask the question and have the courage to answer with honesty.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

"If something blocks one route, find another. Never give up." - Laurie Notaro

"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." - Lou Holtz

The Walk Home Principal (2 minutes) 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, October 17: Principal Advisory Meeting 8:20 am

                                   Fun Walk Awards Assembly 9:05-9:30 am

                                   IEP (Robertson) 3:15 pm

Tuesday, October 18: All Administrators to CTC for 5D Training (all day)

Wednesday, October 19: PBS Committee 8:05 am

Thursday, October 20: Staff Meeting 8:05 am in Computer Lab (iReady with Debbie)

                                     Elementary Principals Meeting 1:00-4:30 pm
Friday, October 21: Lock Down Drill 10:00 am

Monday, October 24: Celebrate Monday Assembly 9:05-9:20 am
Wednesday, October 26: Achievement Team 8:15 am
                                        Conferences 1:00-4:00 and 5:00-8:00 pm
Thursday, October 27: No Staff Meeting
                                     Conferences 1:00-4:00 and 5:00-8:00 pm 
Friday, October 28: Trunk or Treat Event 6:00-8:00 pm

Monday, October 31: Student of the Month Assembly (Responsibility) 9:05-9:20 am
                                   I think there's something else going on this day as well ;) 

GREAT EDUCATORS TO FOLLOW ON TWITTER

Dr. Tony Sinanis

Joe Sanfelippo