The changes in the ripple effect from being a teacher to being a leader?

One of the most impactful changes I’ve made as a leader is connected to intervention supports. I created a system of intervention for K-8 mathematics with resources to fill a need that existed in my district (and beyond). Then I was (and still am) able to provide professional learning and coaching supports for educators.

My relationships with my educators serve as the foundation of their trust in me. I spend time in their classrooms, listen to them, check on them, respond to them, and make that human connection with them.

I recommend that you seek opportunities to fill a need. Be patient, because the benefit of your solution will depend on the authenticity of the need.

One of the most impactful practices we have used are observation / feedback cycles. Site administrators or academic coaches observe teachers and then meet with them one on one to coach the teacher on a mutually agreed upon strategy / skill. It is important for the change in instruction to be "bite-sized", or something that can be executed in the very next lesson, high-leverage, and measurable. It is also important for the coach or administrator to follow with another observation within the next week or two to observe the agreed upon change.

First, congratulations on your new role! I hope that you are able to use the opportunity to create meaningful systemic changes. I think the first step I have always taken as a leader in a new role is seeking to understand the perspective of those whom I hope to lead. Regardless of the experience you walk into your role with, you must be able to hear and understand your team if you want to lead them.

I think one of the biggest challenges is seeing the why behind decisions that have been made in the past. Schools are siloed and when you are in a classroom you don't always see what other roles do to make the system work. Some questions to consider...How can you use your new found freedom outside of the walls of a classroom to create better communication amongst your staff? How do you help your team to gain perspectives they may not have about their colleagues work? How do you create a culture inside of your district that seeks first to understand and then to be understood. As a leader, how you tend to culture will impact every decision you make. The often repeated quote from Drucker "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." could not be more accurate. Invest in your people and understand their pain points before you start trying to make improvements. Good Luck!