Your work matters.

I’ve touched on this topic before when discussing how to ditch our educational clutter. And yes, I’m bringing it up again, because it bears repeating. To move change forward, we must narrow our focus.

This is a challenge, especially for educational leaders. I see two glaring reasons why:

1. Educational urgency is REAL. We know what we do impacts children’s lives and we want everything to be IMMEDIATELY RIGHT.
2. Leaders understand the big picture and know that there are many pieces to the puzzle required for success. We often can see how they all fit together.

I offer to you an opportunity to narrow your focus in the face of these challenges. In fact, it is possible that narrowing our focus is exactly what will move us towards the big picture with the urgency we crave. Because multitasking is a myth - our brains are unable to concentrate on two things at once.

When we ask our educators to focus on all the things at once, we become masters of none - our brains can’t handle it. By toggling between multiple initiatives, we ask our educators to spread their thinking too thin and implement with distraction.

Consider this scenario:

School X identified areas of change in their literacy block. They are implementing a new curriculum that includes both foundational skills and language comprehension skills while embedding writing instruction (3 major components of literacy). They are trying out a new system of small group instruction that involves collaborative planning across the grade level (See Walk to Read model). And they are using new assessments that better measure the skills aligned to evidence-based literacy.

This is admirable - the school has taken on multiple elements needed to improve literacy instruction - revamping the entire system by addressing tier one instruction (new curriculum), small group instruction, and assessment. Each of these elements together will bring out the change School X seeks. What is the impact of taking all of this on at the same time? OVERWHELM and DISTRACTION.

Teaching already requires long hours. But when we are learning new information, a new approach, and new types of data analysis? Even with the best of intentions it requires more than we have to give. In this instance, we must start with asking, “What is the one thing we need to ‘get right’, right now?”

Stop and make a plan that helps you determine how to build towards your long-term goals - apply a backwards planning approach to your goals. Which one comes first? After that? What will be the next priority? Let go of getting the others right while you focus on one priority at a time. In reality, each of these requires multiple actions to gain traction, so we need to give them the time and attention they deserve.

This is why I love 90 day planning - we can identify/map our priorities over the course of the year and backwards map exactly how we will get there. Below is a rudimentary sample - I typically break it down into the 30-60-90 day action plans for each priority/goal.

Leadership Moves:

1. Keep the big picture in mind while breaking down the details.
2. Narrow your focus and name the current priority. Align resources and support to the named priority.
3. Leave room for letting go of perfection in areas that are not the current priority.
4. Consider using a 90-day (30-60-90 day) plan to map out priorities.

What does this mean for me?

You have the opportunity to keep educators from hitting burnout by narrowing your focus amidst change. Help them build knowledge and skills in one area before moving on to another. Avoiding educational multitasking is exactly how we develop expertise and experience. YOU may have to lead this change - educators care too much about getting everything right, right now. Be ready.

Revolution Resources

I've been working on a self-assessment for coaching systems. It's coming soon. In the meantime, since you're a newsletter subscriber, I'm giving you a preview. Below are the introduction and some sample indicators. Each indicator is measured on a scale of 1-5 with rubric explanations for each.

Introduction: Our work in education does not happen in silos - rather, there are many pieces to the puzzle that moves our work forward. Below is a system from a perspective of four broad categories - people, process, product and culture. It is through these four lenses that we will assess your coaching system. By engaging with this assessment you are establishing a baseline of your coaching system’s current status. This assessment serves as that “pinned location” on the map. Understanding where we are is the only way to decide where we are going.

1. PEOPLE - The coaching role is clearly defined. 1 = no definition, 2 = unclear definition, 3 - somewhat defined, 4 = clearly defined, 5 = very clearly defined
2. PROCESS - There is a clear professional development plan for coaches. 1 = no PD plan, 2 = self-directed PD plan, 3 = minimal PD plan, 4 = PD plan in place, 5 = very clear PD plan
3. PRODUCT - The goals for the coaching program are clearly defined. 1 = no goals defined, 2 = unclear goals, 3 = somewhat defined goals, 4 = clearly defined goals, 5 = very clearly defined goals.
4. CULTURE - There is a positive culture of coaching. 1 = negative, 2 = somewhat positive, 3 = mostly positive, 4 = positive, 5 = highly positive.
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Where have we been?

The Reading League Conference I went to Syracuse, NY for The Reading League National Conference. It was SUCH A JOY! I presented to fellow chapter leaders about Membership and learned from those leading the work in their respective states. Then, I spent the rest of the time learning from the amazing experts who led sessions at the two-day conference. I'm THRILLED that the national conference is coming to Charlotte, NC (MY HOMETOWN) next year! Registration is open. Will I see you there? Click here to read my conference takeaways: 2023 TRL Conference Takeaways.pdf​

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Coaching the Coaches Our state is implementing a state-wide coaching system. It's incredible work. When I heard this was happening, I reached out to offer my support. As they've hired an expansive network of coaches, some of the roles have shifted, and folks find themselves now coaching the coaches rather than doing the coaching work themselves. This requires a shift in thinking. That is what our session focused on - how do we use the coaching framework we know but shift our perspective within it? It was an honor to be part of this systematic work. I cannot wait to witness the incredible gains in literacy across North Carolina!

Where can we connect? Bold font shows events at which I'm presenting. ​ I don't have any upcoming events taking place but I'll keep you posted on what's next! ​ Check out my calendar Would you like me to join an upcoming event? Please reply to this email and let's plan something!