My first session at NAIS 2015 was a 3-hour workshop entitled: “Playgrounds, Parents and Programs- Oh My! The Work of the Division Head.” It was engaging, relevant, and very informative.
Following an amazing presentation from three division heads at three different schools, the session included a “critical friends group” exercise used to unpack a challenging dilemma at our school. We were paired up and went through the process of pre-reflection, framing the dilemma, clarifying the dilemma, probing and discussing, making recommendations, and then reflecting on it. It was useful to have a peer listen, process, and then give feedback on something that was challenging for me. It was a great start to the conference!
Here are my public notes (tweets) and reflections on the session:
First session! #naisac #naisac15 pic.twitter.com/OKTlvWtPO1
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
"What parts of my job am I good at?" "What parts challege/stretch me?" What do I love about being a division head?" #naisac #NAIS #isedchat
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Interesting to hear the paths that people have taken to end up as a division head! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Sharing thoughts on being a division head: boulders, rocks and pebbles… how will you fill your jar! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
As a division head, need to be good at all three… boulders rocks and pebbles– at the same time! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Boulders: Big picture things– strategic plans, enrollment, class size, schedule. Never alone thinking about boulders! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Rocks: Medium sized things– solely in division head's domain. implement programs, managing staffing, managing personnel, allergies #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Pebbles: discipline, playground, new progress report form, sweets or not? skunk! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Pebbles can be like being pelted by paper clips! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Every "pebble" is really important to someone! You have to deal with the pebbles… will grow into something much bigger. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Six strategies 1) Understand your role as division head– can include, referee, detective, disciplinarian, learner, voice of reason #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Learning to understand yourself– how we grow! pic.twitter.com/002qDFP4FT
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
As for formal feedback – what can I continue doing for you, what can I start doing, what can I stop doing to make your job easier? #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Informal feedback is important– body language, comments, emails, etc. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Division Heads are always in the MIDDLE! Has the highest degree of unpredicability of all admin jobs in school! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Division heads are the glue between the operational side and the educational side #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
There is no play book for the Division Head role. The role is different when you rise from within (so TRUE!) #naisac #isedchat
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Get to know the things that may never, ever be changed your school! #naisac #isedchat
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Be prepared to be flexible when you hit a land mine–#naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Know your consistituent groups- faculty, students, admin, parents, board, alum. Teachers may not see it this way. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Understand the permutations inside each constituent group- tchrs, students, parents- age, children/birth order, parenting styles #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Sometimes as a division head you have to sit and wait- accept the discomfort #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
The Head of School is the Head of School is the Head of School. #isedchat #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Use your resources– Admin team/ Head, connect w/ other people, don't be afraid to get a mentor, trust your instincts #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Only women in this session "Playgrounds Parents and Programs- OH MY!"… very interesting. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Find your mantras and use them often. #naisac pic.twitter.com/xQnTHIHz7r
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Alice's mantras: Less is more…. Don't borrow trouble, trust in the process! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Colleens Mantra's-don't let activity bury mission, help yourself 1st, lead from strength, watch your words, be the author not editor #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Look for the "low hanging fruit"– resolve the pebbles! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
We are going to unpack a Division Head dilemma. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
Arrived in Boston and excited to connect and learn at #naisac pic.twitter.com/ezCn4dPvGn
— Marek Beck, PhD (@marek_beck) February 25, 2015
Using critical friends protocol to unpack a dilemma of a peer division head! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
@_JRamsden very true! The low hanging fruit helps with the day to day as a division head. #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
awesome session! "Playgrounds, Parents and Programs!" Thank you! #naisac
— Lorri Carroll (@lcarroll94) February 25, 2015
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