I recently read the book The Little Book of Coaching that I want to share some of the key points made throughout the book.
The Little Book of Coaching:
by Ken Blanchard and Don Shula:
Conviction-Driven: Never compromise your beliefs
Overlearning: Practice until it’s perfect
Audible-Ready: Know when to change
Consistency: Respond predictably to performance
Honesty-Based: Walk your talk
You can’t be a successful leader if you don’t have a clear idea of what you believe, where you’re headed, and what you’re willing to go to the mat for (p. 11).
If you don’t seek perfection, you can never reach excellence (p.15)
Success is not forever, and failure isn’t fatal (p 23).
Remember, there is no easy walk to excellence. All great results are built on the foundation of practice and preparation (p .23).
The things they complained the most about they later credited for the change (p. 36).
More important than the goals is the follow-up—attention to detail, demand for practice perfection, and all the things that separate the teams that win from those that don’t (p.43).
If you let errors go unnoticed, you’ll ensure that more of them will occur (p.47).
Today’s leading organizations share a common commitment to consistent improvement (p.51).
There is no point in sticking with a game plan that’s not working. The sun does not rise and fall based on one person’s judgment (p.59).
Good coaching means being present, on the spot, constantly giving appropriate feedback on your players’ performance. I just don’t think you can coach from the press box (p.71).
Are you willing to push your players beyond their comfort zone so that they can experience excellence? Being a great coach means sacrificing popularity and being liked for doing the right thing, so that you are respected. In the long run, you’ll be remembered as the best coach they ever had (p. 99).
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Visioning Institute
The Visioning Institute
What is the Visioning Institute Document?
The Public Education Visioning Institute was the work and ideas of thirty-five public school superintendents who came together as a community of learners to create a new vision for public education in Texas. As the representatives of over 1.2 million students, frustration set in on the current direction of public schools. The only meaningful way to address the issues and challenge underlying assumptions was to define and express a vision, based on relevant beliefs, principles, and premises.
Major Conceptual Themes:
Why a New Direction and Why Now?-
The core business of schools is to provide engaging, appropriate experiences for students so that they learn and are able to apply their knowledge in ways that will enrich their lives and ensure their well-being.
Engaging the Digital Generation-
To keep students fully engaged, schools must adapt to this new and rapidly changing environment by embracing the potential of new technologies making optimum use of the digital services and connections that are prevalent today to make learning vibrant and stimulating for all.
New Learning Standards for a New Era-
A transformed system that meets the diverse needs of students in a digital environment demands new learning standards. Standards should reflect the realities of an age and recognized are not just consumers of knowledge; they can be creators of knowledge as well.
From Misuse of Standardized Tests to Unleashing the Power of Assessment-
Appropriate and varied assessment using multiple tools for different purposes must move assessment from the present “autopsy” model to one that more resembles a “daily check-up,” which continuously identifies student’s strengths, interests, motivations, accomplishments, and other information necessary so that teachers can design the learning experiences that will best meet each student’s needs.
Accountability that Inspires-
The present accountability system has created schools in which the curriculum is narrowed and only academic abilities are valued. Students become expert test takers but cannot retain or apply what they “know” in a context other than the test environment; and creativity, problem solving, and teamwork are stifled.
Transforming our Schools to Learning Organizations-
Schools must be transformed from their current bureaucratic form, characterized by rules and sanctions, punitive accountability systems, routines, and standardizations where only the mundane is standardized and the standards are used to nurture aspirations and accommodate human variables. Learning organizations capture the learning of adults, share it, and support its application so that capacities to improve student learning are extraordinary.
Saying No to Remote Control-
The shift in power in setting education policy from the local community to the state and federal government has resulted in a system where schools feel more accountable to the Legislature than to their communities. A more balanced and reinvigorated state-local partnership is needed to create a type of schools that can best provide the learning experiences to help students succeed in today’s world.
Please comment on your first thoughts to these conceptual themes………..
What is the Visioning Institute Document?
The Public Education Visioning Institute was the work and ideas of thirty-five public school superintendents who came together as a community of learners to create a new vision for public education in Texas. As the representatives of over 1.2 million students, frustration set in on the current direction of public schools. The only meaningful way to address the issues and challenge underlying assumptions was to define and express a vision, based on relevant beliefs, principles, and premises.
Major Conceptual Themes:
Why a New Direction and Why Now?-
The core business of schools is to provide engaging, appropriate experiences for students so that they learn and are able to apply their knowledge in ways that will enrich their lives and ensure their well-being.
Engaging the Digital Generation-
To keep students fully engaged, schools must adapt to this new and rapidly changing environment by embracing the potential of new technologies making optimum use of the digital services and connections that are prevalent today to make learning vibrant and stimulating for all.
New Learning Standards for a New Era-
A transformed system that meets the diverse needs of students in a digital environment demands new learning standards. Standards should reflect the realities of an age and recognized are not just consumers of knowledge; they can be creators of knowledge as well.
From Misuse of Standardized Tests to Unleashing the Power of Assessment-
Appropriate and varied assessment using multiple tools for different purposes must move assessment from the present “autopsy” model to one that more resembles a “daily check-up,” which continuously identifies student’s strengths, interests, motivations, accomplishments, and other information necessary so that teachers can design the learning experiences that will best meet each student’s needs.
Accountability that Inspires-
The present accountability system has created schools in which the curriculum is narrowed and only academic abilities are valued. Students become expert test takers but cannot retain or apply what they “know” in a context other than the test environment; and creativity, problem solving, and teamwork are stifled.
Transforming our Schools to Learning Organizations-
Schools must be transformed from their current bureaucratic form, characterized by rules and sanctions, punitive accountability systems, routines, and standardizations where only the mundane is standardized and the standards are used to nurture aspirations and accommodate human variables. Learning organizations capture the learning of adults, share it, and support its application so that capacities to improve student learning are extraordinary.
Saying No to Remote Control-
The shift in power in setting education policy from the local community to the state and federal government has resulted in a system where schools feel more accountable to the Legislature than to their communities. A more balanced and reinvigorated state-local partnership is needed to create a type of schools that can best provide the learning experiences to help students succeed in today’s world.
Please comment on your first thoughts to these conceptual themes………..
Thursday, September 18, 2008
FINAO Principle # 5
I will be looking at each of the Failure is Not an Option principles, but feel I need to skip to principal five to talk about the role parents and the community play, since we are starting a new school year. Communication is critical to students and school success. Parents now have the ability through e-mail and online student data information systems to keep up with their student’s academic progress. However, is that enough? When and under what circumstance should parents get involved in their students learning? The answer is clear. Parents must remain active participants in our students learning from kindergarten through graduation.
Parents, you were given the greatest gift you will ever receive when you became a parent. It is the schools responsibility to facilitate a partnership with you to make you feel welcome in our schools and remain active in their instruction (p. 172).
Parents, you were given the greatest gift you will ever receive when you became a parent. It is the schools responsibility to facilitate a partnership with you to make you feel welcome in our schools and remain active in their instruction (p. 172).
How can parents help? Make learning the greatest priority in your family. Ask your students questions about their day and help them stay on top of any and all homework assignments. When I talk to my children about school, I ask this question….What question did you ask your teacher today? I want to know that more than I want to know what they have learned. If students are asking questions, then learning is taking place.
What is the school's role? Your student’s school must remain dedicated to providing your students with a comprehensive education. We must reach out and encourage parents to join us in this journey. Schools must be willing to accept criticism when it is warranted and make any necessary changes to make learnin
g more meaningful.
Parents…. Please get involved if you are not. If you are, then continue to be our partner and let’s create a learning environment together that is positive and challenging for all students.
Just Stuff:The Sooners are on a roll. However, they have yet to play a quality team. We will see what happens when they have to step up a
Parents…. Please get involved if you are not. If you are, then continue to be our partner and let’s create a learning environment together that is positive and challenging for all students.
Just Stuff:The Sooners are on a roll. However, they have yet to play a quality team. We will see what happens when they have to step up a
nd play their Big 12 opponents.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
FNO Principle #1.
In Failure is Not an Option, the book lays out six principals that are imperative for schools and school districts to focus attention on if they are to be successful in meeting each individual student’s academic needs. The first principle is centered on common mission, vision, values, and goals. Simply put, if school leaders have a common thread running through each of the schools, regardless of how big a school or a school district becomes, its primary focus of academic excellence can always be seen in all verbal and non-verbal communication. Cohesive communities and relational trusts among all adults will greatly impact the character of the school and school district.
The mission of the school district must remain straightforward. The mission should include “what” we want to do, “how” we will know id we are succeeding, “what will we do to ensure success (p.72). I realize this seems like “well duh”, however when you begin to deal with all the distractions that are placed in front of you in the course of the year, it is easy to loose sight of what should be the most important aspects of providing our students with a quality education.
A vision is the uniting force that ensures that all decisions in the district have mean and are purposeful. A school’s vision offers a realistic alternative for a better future (p.77). School values are those attitudes and behaviors an organization embraces (p.85). Goals are divided into short and long term and should reflect the mission, vision, and values.
In summary: Principal # 1 is the foundation to the building of a successful school and school district.
Just Stuff:
The mission of the school district must remain straightforward. The mission should include “what” we want to do, “how” we will know id we are succeeding, “what will we do to ensure success (p.72). I realize this seems like “well duh”, however when you begin to deal with all the distractions that are placed in front of you in the course of the year, it is easy to loose sight of what should be the most important aspects of providing our students with a quality education.
A vision is the uniting force that ensures that all decisions in the district have mean and are purposeful. A school’s vision offers a realistic alternative for a better future (p.77). School values are those attitudes and behaviors an organization embraces (p.85). Goals are divided into short and long term and should reflect the mission, vision, and values.
In summary: Principal # 1 is the foundation to the building of a successful school and school district.
Just Stuff:
• I am in search of North Texas best barbeque. If anyone would like to tell me their favorite place to eat barbeque, I would greatly appreciate it.
• Sooner Football: Come on OU play somebody your first week. It was a great time at the game, but 50-0 at half isn’t fun for anyone. Pick a team like Arkansas State the pride of the Sun Belt t Conference…..well maybe not Arkansas State……we still want to win the game….right A&M fans! My prediction for the OU season is 10-2. The defense will struggle against an explosive offensive team….
• Sooner Football: Come on OU play somebody your first week. It was a great time at the game, but 50-0 at half isn’t fun for anyone. Pick a team like Arkansas State the pride of the Sun Belt t Conference…..well maybe not Arkansas State……we still want to win the game….right A&M fans! My prediction for the OU season is 10-2. The defense will struggle against an explosive offensive team….
Photo credit: Louis DeLuca, Dallas Morning News.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Adventures in Blogging
As the new school year draws near, I am going to adventure out into the world of blogging. It is my desire for this blog to be a way information about Mansfield ISD can be described and discussed by parents, staff, and students. The topics will vary throughout the year. In addition, I will just throw in tidbits of information on a variety of topics.
The first topic to be discussed is what role the Failure is Not an Option (FINAO) book is taking in the professional development of our staff and the improvement of our students’ academics. I will begin this discussion with a pyramid that helps put into perspective perhaps a quick snapshot of what we our working towards:
MISD is taking a close look at our organizational effectiveness through the exploration and discussion of these ideas. I will be exploring each of the six principles in the FINAO book in future posts.
Just Stuff:
Growing up in Oklahoma pretty much sealed the deal for me to be either an OU or OSU fan. Since I liked watching a team who won games and National Championships when I was young, I grew up an OU fan. As the college football season approaches, I will be giving updates on the status of The University of Oklahoma Football Team. I appreciate all the Texans who play on the football team because without your help we would be just an average team.
For those that followed my blog posts from China, I mentioned that I am the pickiest eater in the world. From time to time I will be sharing some of my favorite places to eat. Now remember, if it’s on my list is has to be fried, smoked on a grill, burger, or pizza. Please feel free to let me know of your favorite place to eat that is a must stop! The must stop of the month is a place outside Norman Oklahoma. Kendall’s restaurant has the best chicken fried steak…. Well it’s the biggest chicken fry you will ever eat. If you have room for dessert you will have the choice between homemade strawberry cake or cinnamon roll. Just thinking about it makes me want to get to the first Sooner football game and have my pre-victory meal…..
Bob
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