Mary Jo McKinley, Ed.D.

Introductions  I started 30 years ago as a high school science teacher  I have been a charter school principal/ superintendent for 18 years  I have been a SAM principal for three years – and never been more effective  Who are we sharing time with this afternoon? SAMs? Principals?

Goals for Today  Reflect on our experiences as Principals and SAMS  Share our experiences  Identify new avenues for growth within our roles  Celebrate

Group Share  For the next 10 minutes talk amongst your table and each person share a positive from the SAM – Principal partnership  On the provided Post-Its jot down at least 3 of the positives you would like to share.  Together we will organize and group like Post-Its

10 The SAM has better tabs on the principal.

 The SAM has the principals’ calendar at her/his fingertips  The SAM can redirect the principal keeping her/him on schedule  The SAM can support the focus on instruction by protecting the principal’s time  The Sam can redirect questions to first responders

9 Having someone who truly understands what you do

School leadership can be a lonely place. A SAM is a confidential partner who “gets” it – the people, the challenges, the successes.

8 Having someone who pushes your thinking

 The SAM is an “outsider-insider”. A person in a unique position who can see the work of the principal from the outside but knows the goals as well.  The SAM-Principal relationship permits a safe space where the principal can be challenged and pushed in their work.

7 Living in the green is great…but yellow is a fact of life too

Living in the green is great …but yellow is a fact of life too.  Living in the green lets us know that we are addressing our instructional goals.  Feeds into the Type A personalities – competiveness of school leaders  Fact of Life – electric bills need to be paid too

6 Everyone knows that you are focused on them

 Staff learn that their time on your tracker is exclusively for them  Everyone feels valued and important when there are the sole focus.

5 Work stays at work

 Time management allows you to complete your tasks while at work  When you are home you can be truly “present”  No guilt of what still looms over your head (Still may have 3 am thoughts!)

4 Knowing nothing will fall through the cracks

 Starting the year after surgery. What was on the tracker got done.  No fear of missing deadlines. If a task isn’t completed it is moved during reconcilliation.

3 Appreciation of time

 Overcome “overwhlemingness” – first of tasks then of scheduling each minute  Accurately plan based on required time  Maintains the pace of work, sense of purpose and focus  Time analysis per individual

2 Having the time to think

Guiltless time to read, think and plan Reflect on data, consult with others create vision Plan how that vision becomes a reality

1 Improved interpersonal communication skills that are transferrable

 Daily meetings provide practice  Communicating effectively  Challenged but not threatened  Listening with open mind

CELEBRATE ! ​ Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead