Club Two-Oh
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. — John Quincy Adams, 6th president (1767-1848)
Funny how a blog post I didn’t even mean to share has inspired me (and others, too!) to make a commitment to spend more time in the classroom.
Sure, 20 walk-throughs per week can seem like a lot, but here is where the math geek in me takes over. Even at ten minutes each, that’s 200 minutes per week. In a 5-day week, that’s 40 minutes per day. Less time than I usually spend answering emails that, arguably, are not as important as what’s going on in classrooms. Oh yeah, and this year I’m teaching a class, too. But I know that I can do it.
Besides, if I am not doing this job to spend time with teachers and students working on instruction, then why am I there at all?
If you’re a school-based administrator and would like to take up this challenge, let’s see your commitment in the comments and/or on your own blog (if you have one). No one will be pounding on your door if you fall off the wagon, but if you put your name in writing down below you’ll feel committed and supported. Like so many challenges, sometimes things are easier if you have others to keep you on track.
Since the math teachers around here appear to need some specific parameters, in my case a classroom visit shall be considered one of the 20 if and only if:
- I actually enter the classroom (window shopping does not count), and
- the time spent actually inside the classroom is at least 5 minutes (no “just passing through” visits).
I will also make an effort to connect informally with at least half of the teachers whom I see.
Funny thing, though – cheating on these is really only cheating yourself. It’s like lying about your diet by not counting the calories in that Snickers bar you inhaled. Sure you can look puzzled to your friends, family, and doctor about why you’re not losing weight, but you know why.
August 5, 2008 at 06:10
My admin team has committed to getting to every classroom every week – which is 21 apiece.
There – its in writing – we have to do it!
August 5, 2008 at 19:08
Scott,
You read my mind. I just posted about this topic on LeaderTalk.org a few minutes ago. In the post, I ask three questions, two of which are about providing feedback to teachers after the walk-through. I have always struggled with this.
Now I need to write something on my own blog about this topic. I need to make the commitment in writing just like you suggest.
Nice post!
August 5, 2008 at 19:52
Now you’re both committed!
I find it sad what some people are saying about never seeing their admins. It’s easy, however, to become so overwhelmed by the administrivia that we completely forget.
August 6, 2008 at 02:52
I’m in! My goal: 2 hours a day, longer stays (up to 30 minutes) and take time to converse with teachers on the spot, if possible, or that day at the very least.
I’m going to remove some big projects that have usually been scheduled in September so that I can start on the right foot.
Good luck to one and all.
August 6, 2008 at 22:44
Great to hear, Daniel! Most of my responsibilities tend to be second semester stuff (master schedule, FTE, etc) so the true test will be sustainability after the holidays and after state testing…
August 10, 2008 at 15:25
Great resolution. What inhibits you from taking notes while you’re in the classroom (time-based notes helped me the most) and dropping it on the teacher desk before you leave? Would that satisfy the teacher connection?
August 10, 2008 at 19:23
Dan – The only thing that really stops me is logistics. Sometimes the desk is at the front and I’m in the back and it’s not a good time to traverse the room. Otherwise, that’s a great idea and I’ll definitely start doing that!!
August 24, 2008 at 22:58
[...] This is a huge change. I think something more along the lines of Scott’s resolution might have been in order, but I’ll take this if it gets followed through on. (back) Posted by Mr. [...]