9 13 09 A 42 Year Approach for Being a Successful

A 42 YearApproach to Being a Successful Special Education Administrator : 

A 42 YearApproach to Being a Successful Special Education Administrator Puget Sound Education Service District January 24, 2009, Presentation by Frederic H. Row Row Enterprises 15505 3rd Drive SE Mill Creek, Washington 98012 425-787-0858 425-787-0888 fax

What is leadership? : 

What is leadership? Leading people Influencing people Commanding people Guiding people

Leadership : 

Leadership Think of any highly effective leader, and you will find someone who has surrounded himself with a strong team. The leadership we place around us determines our potential. ....with the right team our potential skyrockets. Those who empower and raise up other leaders - proven leadership.

Leadership Beliefs : 

Leadership Beliefs Obligation to provide the best possible environment for students to learn in. Committed to doing what is felt to be right as opposed as to what is easy or traditional. Often involves risk taking and controversy. True test of my decisions and actions are how aligned they are with my principles.

Leadership Beliefs : 

Leadership Beliefs Decisions: Always try to determine if what you think is right. And, is truly in the best interest of students. Speak positively of upcoming change. Remember a leader’s success is determined by the leadership around them.

Leadership : 

Leadership Management is doing things right, Leadership is doing the right thing. (Peter Drucker)

Leadership Qualities : 

Leadership Qualities The ability to: Listen effectively -- understanding both content and feeling. Validate the accuracy of information received. Speak frankly -- clearly and directly to the issue. Be positive about life, about self, about others and about work. Keep current to synthesize knowledge and to utilize research. Self-motivate and inspire colleagues. Try new ideas -- take risks and encourage others to do so. Articulate purpose, establish a vision and always endeavor to inspire confidence in schools.

Abraham Lincoln : 

Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was unquestionably one of the great public policy leaders of his time. Writings by and about Lincoln enumerate executive strategies used during tough times for our country, which certainly describes the nature of education today. In his book, Lincoln on Leadership, Donald Phillips details ideas that Lincoln would embrace if he were alive today.

Leadership qualities Lincoln would embrace in the 21st century: : 

Leadership qualities Lincoln would embrace in the 21st century: Get out of the office and circulate with your staff. Build strong alliances. Persuade rather than coerce. Subscribe to honesty and integrity. Never act out of vengeance or spite. Have the courage to handle unjust criticism. Be decisive. Lead by example. Establish goals. Be results oriented. Choose as your chief subordinates people who crave responsibility and take risks. Encourage innovation; Master the art of public speaking. Preach a vision and continually reaffirm it.

Leadership : 

Leadership Be honest to a fault.....”tell it like it is.” This way people don't have to guess where you stand on issues. It's always tougher to take a position than to roll over. Know and understand curriculum. Student achievement should be discussed regularly with staff, parents, school board members and central office administrators.

Leadership : 

Leadership Instructional methods should be frequently reviewed and discussed with teachers. Academic achievement should be stressed at every opportunity. Student data should be central to good instruction. Recognize students and staff for their accomplishments.

Leadership : 

Leadership True leaders model what they are and not what they know. Great leaders take setting a good example seriously, especially in: Dress, Language, Manners, Attitudes, and Self-discipline and organization.

Manager versus Leader : 

Manager versus Leader Manager Solves problems Negotiates Brings to consensus Leader ALSO: Empowers people Acts as “cheerleader” Is viewed as competent Is trustworthy

An Effective Leader: : 

An Effective Leader: Motivates Inspires and Empowers staff Builds sense of accomplishment Encourages sharing of ideas and experiences Promotes good team work Steps back and lets others take credit

Technical Keys to Success : 

Technical Keys to Success Know WAC 392-172A and IDEA 2004 However, NEVER rely on memory – look it up to re-enforce memory and understanding of requirements Understand the budget process Get to know and navigate OSPI ‘swebsite

Get to know the OSPI Website : 

Get to know the OSPI Website Report 1159FG Grant Awards Report 1120 Special Education Funding Report 1251 and 1251H Student Enrollment Report 1735T Special Education Special education Average Annual Enrollment F-195 budget F-196 budget – actual expenditures Monthly bulletins and publications

Five Year Historical Reports : 

Five Year Historical Reports % of Program 21 Expenditures to Total District Expenditures (all programs)   Total Special Education Revenue 3121 - Special Education - General Apportionment   Total 3121 Revenue  3121 % to Program 21 Expenditures    Total 4121 Revenue  4121 % to Program 21 Expenditures

Professional Development : 

Professional Development Legal requirements and issues Curriculum – both general and special Instructional strategies Leadership Data analysis/assessment Organizational strategies Technology Other areas of interest

Credible behaviors by leaders : 

Credible behaviors by leaders Seek ongoing communication and feedback; Encourage open discussions; Department newsletter and website; “Meet your Director” - meetings in small groups; Coffee hours with parents; Building and classroom visits; Staff surveys; and, Staff recognitions.

Parents : 

Parents Belief: parents are a vital partner of the educational team Actively involve them - avoid superficial token participation Build strong parent advisory council Advisory Professional development Staff recognition Advocacy for department Internal “ombudsman”

Success requires being : 

Success requires being Creative and visionary; Compassionate in actions; Able to build teams and to work with others; Committed to establishing and articulating goals; Able to speak positively about upcoming change; Committed to encouraging decision making from different perspectives; and, Able to step back and empower staff.

Successful Leadership : 

Successful Leadership Belief that an administrator must model the level of energy, attitude and commitment expected from others. Spending many hours on the job. Always maintain a positive attitude and a lot of pride in staff accomplishments. Gaining enjoyment and satisfaction in empowering and watching staff grow.

Special Education Success : 

Special Education Success Never be satisfied with just maintaining the status quo. Always endeavor to remain a visionary and progressive leader. My Intrinsic reward over 42 years: Being in a profession that enabled me to make a significant difference in many lives (both students and adults).

Leaders Motivate : 

Leaders Motivate Encourage staff to “Color outside the box.”

Leadership : 

Leadership If you are alone, you’re not leading anybody. If there is no-one following you, you are only taking a walk.

Colin Powell : 

Colin Powell “Good leadership involves responsibility to the welfare of the group, which means that some people will get angry at your actions and decisions. It's inevitable, if you're honorable. Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity: you'll avoid the tough decisions; you'll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted; and, you'll avoid offering differential rewards based on differential performance because some people might get upset.

Colin Powell : 

Colin Powell Ironically, by procrastinating on the difficult choices, by trying not to get anyone mad, and by treating everyone equally "nicely" regardless of their contributions, you'll simply ensure that the only people you'll wind up angering are the most creative and productive people in the organization.

Colin Powell : 

Colin Powell The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."

Mark Twain : 

Mark Twain "It's amazing what can happen in an organization when a leader doesn't care who gets the credit."

In the words of Colin Powell : 

In the words of Colin Powell “Have fun in your command. Don't always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you've earned it, spend time with your families.”

Lead with Integrity : 

Lead with Integrity And YOU WILL FIND SUCCESS!