So, we’re midway through the school year. You’re tired, right? I know, me, too. A question, though, how is it going? “Pretty good, all things considered.” All things? What about your goals, your year-long goals? How are those going? What data have you collected so far to check in on those goals?
Sometimes I get mired in day-to-day work, which is a grind, for real. There’s a lot to do, a lot of needs to attend to on a school campus. School leaders are supposed to be like ducks - looking all cool and cute above water, but deep down, we’re frantically paddling our feet.
Mid-year is a great time to STOP. Yep, you heard me right: STOP.
Stop and revisit your goals and look at the progress you have made so far. Have you made some progress? You have?! HOORAY! That is amazing!
My team and I recently looked at some school-wide literacy data. What we learned from the data was two things: 1) the teachers who were collaborating on a consistent basis were getting some strong gains in an identified key ELA goal around “main idea” and 2) our 6th and 7th grade students have made substantial progress in ELA.. whereas our 8th grade students have not made nearly as much progress.
Crucial moment: What do you do with this information? Do you focus on the growth or the area of concern?
The answer, truthfully, is you focus on both. But, first, the progress!
Way to go teachers who are collaborating! Look at that collaboration work paying off! Look at the progress your students are making! That must feel amazing! What, in particular, did you do to help make that happen? Could you teach us some more about how you structure your time and work when you collaborate with other teachers? Are you going to share this data with your students? They are going to be so proud!
Teachers of those 6th and 7th grade students that are making the most progress at our school: Kudos on your increased scores! If you keep up this kind of progress, you are looking good to meet your year-long goals. That’s awesome! What are you doing that is working well? What can we learn from you?
Teachers of the 8th grade students who didn’t make much progress: What evidence did you look at to determine if students were making progress toward mastering the standards tested? If you believe students had a good grasp of the standards, do you think it could have been something about the test questions that threw the students off? Have you talked to the team of 6th and 7th grade teachers about what teaching strategies they used? You made some progress, so let’s figure out what worked and what new steps you will now take so you and your students can get the results you want.
You get the gist?
Progress and growth must be identified and celebrated. Identified, celebrated, and harnessed. In the depth of all of the work, the daily grind, and the demands, it’s how we can narrow down to what is actually working. It’s one of the most critical elements of fostering growth: acknowledging and celebrating what is working.. And then keep doing more of that!
It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. That is where the magic is.
Let’s get after it, team!
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