Leader 2 Leader

How To Become An "Educational Surgeon"  by Addison Davis, Superintendent of Schools, Clay County Consistent and focused leadership matters.  While there has always been a fine line between leading and disrupting, district and school-based leaders must continuously understand the need for and implementation of both strategies, especially as they seek to improve the educational experiences of all children. The ability to understand the mechanics and strategic placement of each variable is an art and a skill that is honed by experiences and learning opportunities.   As an instructional leader and teacher in the form of a superintendent, my job is to ensure that every student in Clay County District Schools is prepared to compete successfully within the four walls we call our classrooms, and in the larger global society that defines the 21 st century.  The prevailing reason for an educational system is to ultimately create a full option graduate; a yo...

Jennifer Brockwell – Principal South Lake Elementary School Brevard County, Florida Brockwell.jennifer@brevardschools.org As an administrator, you know that you have many roles, but the number one priority is student and staff safety! You must have a plan in place and practice, practice, practice. The key is to ensure that your staff and your students know what to do in many situations. All employees have the authority to keep our school safe, but they need to know what to do so having plans are critical and revisiting those plans are a must! There are many no cost or low-cost strategies that you can implement now to keep your campus safe.  ·          Keep doors and entrance gates locked – teachers always need to understand the importance of keeping their doors locked. If you have someone that opens all the gates at arrival and dismissal, change that policy. The employee that supervises that gate should be the only on...

By Dr. Matthew Ohlson This blog is an excerpt from some of the best practices shared at our recent FASA Conference presentation whereas our “Dream Team” of leaders from Clay and Flagler Counties shared best practices for creating a school filled with joy, happiness and successful teachers and students. Furthermore, these school leaders deliberately engage community partners, including local universities, to work collaboratively with administrators, teachers, students and families in a way that honors the strengths and assets present in the school and surrounding neighborhoods. This blog highlights the work of two of these amazing Principals, Ms. Stephanie Jackson of Grove Park Elementary in Clay County and Mr. Bobby Bossardet, Principal of Buddy Taylor Middle School in Flagler County. I strongly suggest making a point to come visit their schools and see how their positive leadership is serving as a catalyst for success. The Challenge and Opportunity The impact of school l...

By Julie Schmidt Hasson, Ed.D. Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair in Education at Florida Southern College A few weeks ago, I was seated next to a teacher on a plane. We were both headed to a conference where I would be speaking. I asked her what she taught, and she responded, “students.” I knew I was in good company. She went on to tell me about her students in detail, and her eyes lit up as she described each one. She intuitively knew deep relationships with students are formed intentionally over time as the teacher focuses on each student’s curiosity, interests, strengths and needs. She understood that impactful relationships go way beyond high fives and handshakes. I asked her if she had any problems with classroom behavior or resistance to learning. I could have predicted her response. She admitted there are challenges but explained how she works through them in the classroom. Her goal was to ensure each student’s sense of worth and belonging, no matter what. This smart...

Deputy Andrew Davis Alachua County Sheriff’s Office You have just been issued a brand new School Resource Officer, Resource Deputy, or Security Specialist. What do you do now? The concept of school policing and resource officers has been around since the 1960s. However, in Florida, not every school has been afforded the luxury of having an armed security presence on campus. After the Parkland School shooting tragedy, the implementation of the Stoneman Douglas Act and Senate Bill 7026 in Florida has driven a magnitude of changes and a variety of school safety efforts are in place or underway. The Office of Safe Schools, formed and based in Tallahassee,   holds the responsibility for maintaining oversight of safety training events, school safety assessments, and active threat drills for all public schools in Florida. Assuming your school’s security solution includes a School Resource Officer, let’s discuss the different ways you can maximize the skills and knowle...

African American Read-In at Belle Terre Elementary Dr. Terence TC Culver,  Principal Belle Terre Elementary School The African American Read-In is the nation’s first literacy event that is dedicated to diversity in literature. The African American Read-In was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. The creation was to ensure literacy was a part of Black History Month. Since its inception, the program has reached more than 6 million participants worldwide. Participating allows for teachers and students to read pieces of literature while also highlighting the importance. Annually in the month of February, during Black History activities, the program encourages schools, churches, libraries, bookstores, citizens, and community and professional organizations, to participate by integrating literacy as a part of Black History Month through hosting an African American Read-In. Belle Terre Elementary School is proud...

The Persistence Movement: Are We Teaching Perfection as The Ultimate Goal? Eric Basilo,  EdD, assistant principal at Sanford Middle School in Sanford, FL, 2018 Florida Assistant Principal of the Year Think of the perfect student. Early to school, always respectful, never an issue, and top scores in every class. If you are fortunate to know students like this, they are diamonds in the rough. Despite appearances, these students are far from perfect. Perhaps they are neurotic before each test, they have little to no social life, or they cry if they lose a point. If perfection is truly unattainable, why do we teach it as the goal? You may argue this goal is not for all students; however, in my experience, we tell  students they get one chance at a perfect score on tests. If these students retake the test and demonstrate true mastery, they typically can only earn half the points back. When students struggle in a standardized test or a course the year prior, we give them ad...