Keith Murphy Principal Van High School

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Keith MurphyPrincipal Van High School

• Welcome Back 2008-2009

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New Teachers

• Jason Johnson Biology
• Robin Moore Algebra 1
• Butch Powers Chemistry
• Kristin Reaves BCIS/VB
• Jeff Roberts Government/SB
• Mentor Teachers

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Topics For Discussion

• 3 Contrasting Pillars of education
• Two Frameworks of Leadership
• Model Schools Conference
• Define the Challenge

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Three pillars of education

• Quality

• Quantity

• Equity

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What is our Purpose as Educators?

• Above all

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This is a time of transition and we need a sense
of urgency. We have to strive for

• Each childs growth
• Updated methods of instruction
• Strive for Meaningful engagement
• Establish a sense Connectedness

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Core Values for learning

• Virtually all learning is an active choice on the
  part of the learner.
• Motivation is different for every child
• What do you do to motivate kids to learn?

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You tell me

• What is the most important data we should monitor
  to gauge student improvement?
• What data do we want to present to prove we are
  the best place to educate kids?
• What would you accept as evidence for school
  improvement?
• What evidence can you provide to prove your
  classroom is learner centered? (Have you heard I
  have taught my dog to whistle?)
• Are we doing all we can do to promote learning
  and a healthy learning environment?
• How do we promote learning and improvement in
  every individual child?

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My heroes say

• We have to get with kids and make a plan, create
  an sense of buy in and a responsibility to and
  for all. We have to set goals for our
  classrooms. Dr. Larry Lezzote and Mr. Clark 2004
  Disney teacher of the year

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I say

• Van High School is not afraid to define and
  address problems. Van High School looks for new
  ideas, researches learning, continuously
  evaluates processes and procedures of the campus,
  starts and sustains positive change, shapes
  values and culture for learners.

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Two Frameworks of Leadership

• Management and Collaboration

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Components of Management

• Top down approach
• Common practice
• Segmented - manager dispenses vision
• It is easy and quick to enforce
• Promotes followers
• Focus on procedures
• Puts a, Lid on the Jar

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Whats the Price?

• Tunnel vision
• Hurt feelings
• Negative school culture

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Components of Collaborative Model

• Shared vision
• Growth for all (awareness of potential)
• Group effort
• New angles and bright ideas
• Shared success
• Systems thinking
• Focus on possibilities
• Buy in
• No lid

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The Challenge

• It takes time!

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The Prize

• Living organism
• Growth
• Expanded potential
• Positive school culture

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What have we done to get momentum ?
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• Established Core Values
• Trust / Relations
• Connectedness (Accountability for all)
• Starting to unleash our passion
• Becoming better listeners
• Care about each other as people
• Starting to realize you are empowered to change
  the system
• Developed specific campus goals
• Established a common vocabulary

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Lets discuss

• Empowerment
• What is it ?
• How do you get it?
• How does it work?
• How do you define it on your campus?

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Terms and Concepts That work at Van High School

• Continuous improvement
• Leadership capacity
• Self efficacy
• Seeing through a childs eyes
• Professional Learning Community
• Focus on learning not teaching
• Student/Teacher lead initiatives

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• We desire for solutions not just problems
• We use Yes as a first response
• We praise Exceptional Effort
• We have established an academic atmosphere
• We have established strong mentorships
• We are systems thinkers
• We continually seek best practices

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The Big Three

1. Integrity
2. Character
3. Be Real

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Concepts that work

• Collaboration in scheduling
• Separate the sin from the sinner
• Celebrate the success of all programs (the Spider
  web approach)
• Replace most duty with Gap Fillers --- BRING YOUR
  GIFTS!!!

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1. Embrace criticism (Get comfortable being
   uncomfortable)
2. Involve students along the way Address sensitive
   issues
3. Rally School spirit Vandal Gear
4. Bible and book studies
5. Do what is right not popular.

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Model Schools

• Focus on people
• Become a systems thinker
• Cater to the learners

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Traits of Top Performers

• Break self- limiting mind set
• For every unit of accountability they implement
  support
• Love pressure-passion for improvement
• Focus on what they can control
• Fixate on long term goals while reaching
  intermediate goals
• Dont fear change

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Key strategies for change

• Innovation with no fear of being wrong
• Build leadership capacity (Leadership is action
  not position.)
• Use power tools and culture tools
• Continue personal skill development
• Create motivation and continually build
  commitment

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We must

• Create a culture of support
• Establish a common vision
• Clearly define goals
• Create a sense of empowerment with teachers and
  students
• Create student buy-in
• Understand where your organization has been and
  where it is going
• Develop sense of personal responsibility

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PDAS and other evaluation measures

• Unlimited walk throughs
• 1 formal unless exempt
• Look for student engagement
• Prior TAKS results
• Student surveys

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Mentor Teachers
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Team versus FamilyWe have to have a team
atmosphere not family. When you dont do your
job we will kick you off our team and send you
home to your family. Bill Daggett
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Thanks for Being You !!! Have a Great Year
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These two weeks

• Complete all Special Projects
• Arrange rooms and finalize moves
• Get acquainted with technology
• Establish email groups
• Turn in departmental goals
• Turn in Syllabus
• Turn in department calendars