PBK’s Post

I recently shared some thinking around this idea: “If your values are clear, your decisions are easy.” I appreciate how Rick Maloney captures a similar idea in his thinking here on aligning #schoolboard actions and policies. Take a read, along with the attached article… Thoughts?

Dr. Scott Matter epitomises the TD School’s philosophy of attracting multifaceted talent, who blend academic rigour and real-world experience. His blend of experiences – navigating complex systems and hierarchies, coupled with work with communities and social movements – ties in with the TD School's ethos of effecting social change. Scott Matter champions a service-learning approach, which aligns with TD School's ethos of workplace-integrated learning. He values the connection with external partners – from industry, community, or government. “Finally, here is an institution that is truly prioritising this approach. It benefits the students, and it also benefits the wider society that we're working in.” Drawing from industry insights, he instils in students the value of progress over perfection, a vital lesson for navigating fast-paced environments. “Even though I had ‘Researcher’ in my title for a while in the private sector – one of the most important parts of that job was being able to use research to influence and be a part of decision-making.” “That's something our BCII (Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation) students have to deal with because we offer these intensive subjects, and they work really quickly. It is terrific preparation for the real world.” Matter sees its transdisciplinary nature as a superpower. “We can convene a team of people who look at the same issue or the same challenge from a lot of different perspectives, facilitating innovative problem-solving.” . Read more about Scott’s journey here. https://bit.ly/4bLDxja . #UniversityofTechnologySydney #UTS #UTS_TDSchool #TDSchool #transdisciplinary #transdisciplinarity #creativeintelligence #innovation #strategy #designthinking #collaboration #strategicpartnerships #ideate #futurethinking #solutions #wickedproblems #utsengage

School Entrance Exams: A closer look toward inclusivity and diversity. Many educational leaders believe that designing an easy entrance exam is the best way to ensure new students are accepted by the school, have a positive first impression of the learning environment, and help build a positive reputation in the local community. While this approach may lead to full classrooms and a ‘good’ image, it can also create challenges for teachers and leave them feeling frustrated and powerless. A wiser approach would be to design entrance exams that consider the diverse needs of all learners, serving as a valid tool to identify students' unique needs at an early stage. This can help ensure that classroom distributions are diverse and not random, promoting a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Ever wondered what truly sets exceptional school leaders apart from the rest? Being an outstanding school leader takes a special blend of skills, dedication, and vision. It’s not just about administrative capabilities; it's about creating a thriving environment for students, staff, and the broader community. Here are 5 key indicators that highlight your excellence as a school leader: 1. You Foster a Positive School Climate - Implement programs and policies that ensure all students feel welcome, regardless of their background. - Host events and create opportunities for students to share their cultures and experiences. - Establish clear anti-bullying policies and provide resources for both prevention and intervention. - Encourage respectful interactions among students and staff, setting the tone for a supportive environment. 2. You Prioritize Student Success - Believe in every student’s potential and communicate high expectations. - Offer tailored resources and interventions to meet each student’s unique needs. - Encourage students to embrace challenges and learn from their mistakes. - Recognize and celebrate both academic and personal accomplishments, no matter how small. 3. You Inspire and Support Your Staff - Provide opportunities for teachers and staff to continue their education and improve their skills. - Create a culture where teachers share resources and strategies, and support one another. - Give constructive feedback regularly, helping staff grow and succeed in their roles. - Ensure teachers have the materials and support they need to effectively teach and engage students. 4. You Engage with the Community - Communicate regularly and openly with parents, involving them in their child’s education. - Create partnerships that provide resources, opportunities, and support for students. - Collaborate with local nonprofits and community groups to enhance student learning and well-being. - Attend community events and be actively involved in the local area to show your commitment to the community. 5. You Lead with Empathy and Vision - Listen to the concerns of students, staff, and parents, showing that you understand and care. - Consider the well-being of everyone affected by your decisions, ensuring they are fair and thoughtful. - Develop a clear vision for the school’s future and set achievable goals to guide progress. - Lead new projects and programs that align with your vision, inspiring others to join you in making a positive impact. In the ever-evolving landscape of the US education system, these qualities make you an exceptional school leader, ensuring your school is a place where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Keep leading with heart, vision, and an unwavering commitment to student success. #SchoolLeadership #StudentSuccess #PositiveSchoolClimate #LeadWithEmpathy #TomoClub

As board exams for standard 10 approach, and students everywhere congregate for their final days in school, there’s one activity that all kids indulge in - signing on each other’s uniforms with ink. This tradition of saying goodbye to class mates knowing that they will rarely, if ever, meet as a group again, has continued in various forms over the years and is not necessarily limited to high school graduations alone. In the good old days, it manifested as scribbling comments and signatures on autograph books, or entries made in yearbooks at engineering and business schools.   While some students may keep their signed uniforms for a while, many eventually get washed or passed on. Yet, every school kid believes that this uniform can be preserved forever. Perhaps these signatures symbolise their friendships, camaraderie, and the years spent navigating the highs and lows of school life together – dealing with homework woes, extracurricular activities, encounters with teachers, and everything in between. Or perhaps it is unconsciously about being part of a tribe rooted in our innate human need for social connection.   As years go by, we reflect on the past more often than not in a very pleasant manner. Psychologists have termed this as ‘Pollyanna principle’ named after the novel ‘Pollyanna’ where a girl plays the ‘glad game’, trying to find something to be glad about in every situation. The times we spent with our classmates not only bring smiles but also make us wonder about their whereabouts. Today, thanks to social media, we can stay connected. Yet, those preserved signed school uniforms, autograph books, and yearbooks are the ones that serve as a tangible connection to our past. They are our past. Speaking of school days, I can’t help but think about the wonderful quote by Dr. Seuss – “Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”   In the corporate world, organisations not only emphasise on building great teams, but also creating extended families. However, very few can replicate the bonds formed during our school years. From teachers and their commitment to success – serving as role models, and the genuine affection our batchmates had for us, to the activities that bonded us, school taught us leadership, collaboration, and teamwork and being part of a family. Perhaps organisations can take a page from this playbook of schools, because teams nurtured well by good leaders and supportive peers, are teams that deliver the best. #TeamBuilding #CorporateCulture #Memories

“Supporting students more intentionally in their co-curricular endeavors has always been a needed area of growth in higher education, and the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly exacerbated that need and instilled in us a sense of urgency." @gettysburg's 5 new co-curricular pathways for students: Creativity, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Global Citizenship and Intercultural Fluency Justice and Community Change Leadership, Teamwork and Collaboration Career Development https://lnkd.in/gvd-_pxe

Culture & Policy: Creating the Conditions to Improve Student Outcomes AJ Crabill, National Director of Governance at the Council of the Great City Schools When the culture of the school board — the set of all behaviors taking place by school board members and by the board collectively — is in conflict with the policies of the school board — the set of all written documents approved by a majority vote of the school board — it leaves school system staff with the unenviable task of choosing which to follow. More often than not, staff will honor the school board’s behavior over the school board’s writings. Said differently, school boards that want to inspire improvements in student outcomes will best accomplish this when what they do (culture) matches what they say (policy). https://lnkd.in/gV9PDZPF?

Breaking down barriers to opportunity and creating an integrated educational system takes work and new ways of thinking, including this insightful take from Stanley S. Litow: https://lnkd.in/egiHXfUn