Transformative Principal

TJ Vari and Joe Jones are practicing Superintendents and coauthors of the book “Candid and Compassionate Feedback“.

• Result of fear of offending people is that it becomes offensive anyway.
• Ask questions to get them to see what they need to improve.
• The lack of candor can be what people are offended by.
• The candor is actually what is compassionate! TJ
• Turning the corner so your empathy is backed with concrete evidence backed with what to do better.
• Consistency is key.
• People are given that advice when they go into schools.
• Direct, sincere, accurate feedback.
• Identified the problem.
• Gave evidence.
• Provided a solution.
• Being clear does work.
• Learning walks are like formative assessments.
• Are the teachers using the “Goal” in their classroom?
• As teachers are teaching they’re often not aware of what they’re doing. Joe
• No way will a teacher ever grow through the formal observation process.
• We really should be getting into the mindset work among the staff.
• How to be a transformative principal? TJ: spend your time in the most important spaces in your school Joe: Disrupt your day. Speak to someone tomorrow that you haven’t spoken with this year.
• Bonus question: how to keep principals in the building?

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments