There is no land but the land (up there is just a sea of possibilities) (Patti Smith)

Photo by Acton Crawford on Unsplash

Teacher inquiry time again. What could I do this year?

Some random thoughts:

Last year's inquiry was focused on our Learning Centre. I came up with some next steps which I could focus on.

I could revisit my deeper learning inquiry from a few years ago.

I could look at a leadership topic. I have a six week course to complete this year. The course title is Frontline Leader Impact, so I'll need something in the leadership vein to focus on for that.

Always good to combine things if I can.

Some possibilities:

• The effectiveness of teacher interventions on lower performing students
• How I could be more effective as a District Principal
• Improving the avenues for promotion and career advancement within OSG
• Revisiting my thesis on programmes for aspiring Principals and making suggestions for OSG 
• Comparing leadership styles/approaches of those in the corporate world - Jeff Bezos etc and seeing how they could apply to OSG
• Culture impact on organisations - Looking at lessons from the best sports organisations

Sun's up, uuh huh, looks okay, the world survives into another day and I'm thinking about eternity, some kind of ecstasy got a hold on me (Bruce Cockburn)

Back to school this week!

Yay!! It's time. 

The summer holiday was a long one for me - a month travelling around the world and a packed programme for that month means I feel like I've had way more than 6 weeks off.

So, back to work this week - getting new staff settled in, new relationships to forge with new Year 3 students, time to set up the year for success in my campus and with my fellow Campus Principals, both in 'my' District and in Nu Zild. 

Loads of exciting things to come.

Feels good!

Let's get busy living!

Sssssssh

Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash

Apparently, a new buzzword is doing the rounds on the internet.

I'm very suspicious of buzzwords. It seems that a trend quickly becomes something grander, bigger and takes on an importance beyond the trend. 

Lately, we've had the Great Resignation (a spike in covid era resignations) and quiet quitting (covid era employees not going above and beyond). Now we have quiet hiring.

It appears quiet hiring is a response to the Great Resignation and (lazy) employees doing less, in that it is asking existing employees to take on new tasks as well as using others to manage the shortfall. 

In this way it's a management led thing, rather than a worker led thing.

According to an article I read, a new survey from hiring site Monster found that 80 percent of workers have been quiet hired, which it described as “when an employee takes on a new role with new responsibilities at their same company, either temporarily or permanently, due to need.”

Interesting.

In education, this happens all the time and has happened forever. In the various management/leadership roles I have occupied in my 40 years of employment I have had stints working way outside my comfort zone... and it all helped!

Shock, horror.

Leadership begins with your behaviour

Photo by Jehyun Sung on Unsplash

James Clear on leadership:

"Leadership begins with your behaviour.

What’s more powerful? A manager or coach or teacher who tells you the right thing to do? Or one who shows you how to live and work by example?

People gravitate toward the standard you set, not the standard you request."

I always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter (Walt Disney)

 

Many of the truths that we cling to, depend on our point of view (Obi Wan Kenobi)

 

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, January 1, 2023