Category: Vision
Clarity at the Outset
No one intends to obfuscate their communication. No one intends to confuse their school. Instead, we intentionally plan events and use tools that give clarity. We know clarity prevents a toxic school culture. Sometimes a map gives clarity. Sometimes a message gives clarity. A conversation, a plan, a meeting – these also provide clarity, sometimes. Rarely…
This Year, Create a Masterpiece
Art is about doing the work that brings immense value to you and those around you. Each day the canvas is new. Your work is your art. Each day you have the opportunity to create a masterpiece. So instead of New Year’s resolutions, take a moment and reflect on your 2018. Follow these small steps:…
Everybody Has Something
And so do schools. Some call it the gift they bring. Some schools will call it their strengths. That one thing is your school’s brand. Sometimes you have to define it. Other times it’s already there. It’s just waiting for you to stop doing the things that don’t match it. There are good reasons for the…
School Brands that Excel
What do these high schools have in common? Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (Virginia) Baccalaureate School for Global Education (New York) BASIS Peoria (Arizona) International Academy of Macomb (Michigan) Meridian School (Texas) BASIS Flagstaff (Arizona) BASIS Tuscon North (Arizona) BASIS Oro Valley (Arizona) BASIS Chandler (Arizona) BASIS Scottsdale (Arizona) Many of them…
Missed, Missing, Mission
Some mission statements miss out on a chance to be special. Instead, they opt-in for the opportunity to be vague and generic. Some mission statements are plainly missing in action. Or worse, are there, but aren’t put into action. Others are actual missions. Which is yours? Missed, Missing, or Mission?
And?
AND It’s a powerful word. It only has three letters. It’s used all the time. It’s rarely allowed to flex its muscles. It’s usually employed in lists, in a series such as this, and when combining two independent clauses. But its real strength happens in it’s rarest of usages: as an embrace. For example, “I…
Creativity is Not About the Box
Thinking outside the box… do you remember those desk ornaments from the 1990s? They were a few inches tall and were sold at stores like Successories. One of the ornaments was a box with a teetering metal bar. On one end of the bar was a counterbalance, and on the other end, a…
Creativity in Schools (Short Video)
Is creativity a focus in schools? What role should creativity play in our curricula? Are our systems, by no fault of our own, built on promises from the industrial age? Are state standards and mandated tests designed to create stability and safety? Is the system designed to create early 20th century “good” laborers who follow the rules…
Quotes to Steal
Sometimes the best thoughts are inspired by others. Sometimes they’re straight up stolen. I plan to give the stolen ones to you today. “8 easy ways to positively impact culture: 1). Greet people 2). Say please and thank you 3). Don’t micromanage 4). Share credit 5). Own failure 6). Be humble 7). Always be…
The Innovation Tension
Would you describe your school as a factory? How about a hospital? Factories prescribe detailed methods for creating highly standardized products, such as seatbelts and airbags. Hospitals have operation rooms that follow strict regimens and procedures with high degrees of fidelity. In the case of factories, please standardize our safety equipment. In the case of…
#FuturEd | Reading in 2035
Here’s the progression of reading through human history: Cave painting Stone & wood tablets Scrolls Scribed books Printing press Modern printing Digital books and e-readers Audiobooks ??? While the next major steps in reading technology are unknown, here a few known results of this progression: The progression, like all technology, changes at exponential rates moving forward.…
Employee Factory vs. Culture of Collaboration
In the recent episode of the Mafost Mashup, I was fortunate to have Hal Bowman as a guest. He offered some valuable insights on creating cultures of collaboration. Here’s a snippet: “Man, I shouldn’t say this for all schools some schools are way outside of the box, but for a lot of schools who are still…
What Do You See?
The trees vs. forest metaphor can’t fully capture the spectrum of what is seen on your campus. The school is a hub of so many spokes. Each spoke can be viewed from a different angle, from a different distance, and using a different lens. Often we refer to this as perception. Or expectations. Or vision.…
Meaningful Work
Are students completely absorbed by their work (in a good way)? Are teachers absorbed in creative and innovative projects? Does playful describe your work? Does extreme engagement describe your teams? These questions are at the heart of the Mafost Mashup Episode 5: Meaningful Work (click to listen on Apple Podcasts or Google Play). I’d like to expand…
Pizza Panels
Pizza panels are simple ways to engage parents and students in developing a shared vision. They really are a must-do for summer break. What is a pizza panel? Group of 5-10 students Discussing questions drafted by school leadership Eating pizza In front of an audience (at least parents) Any age group To get started with…