Volume XLIII                            January 2022

No. 314

A Commitment to Excellence

As I am mid-way through 31 years in education, I think back to my first administrative experience. I was a fresh faced, 27 year old ready to tackle the world of education. This administrative job was everything I dreamed about. I left work each day excited about my students, staff and families and the impact I was making in their lives. I never once thought about quitting. I never once cried about my job (unless you count saying goodbye on the last day of the school year). I never once thought to myself, “I didn’t sign up for this.”

Being a leader has never been easy; however, with the past 20+ months of the COVID 19 pandemic, leading has become increasingly difficult. Teachers are quitting the profession at alarming rates. Like many, we desperately struggle to recruit highly-qualified teachers. Student behaviors are on the rise in frequency and severity with little additional resources to assist.  In a “normal” year, teachers are overwhelmed, but with the increased responsibilities associated with this pandemic, teachers are mentally and physically exhausted.

Each morning I reinforce the fact that education is my CALLING. I will continue to fight the good fight and never give up. Now more than ever, staff and students deserve our very best. Sheryl Sandberg states, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”

As we continue to face these uncharted waters, how do we make that lasting impact?

In short, we listen; we care; we assist in problem solving; we are the shoulder to cry on; we continue moving forward even if it means baby steps. We are the ones who fight to maintain a balance between the expectations placed on our teachers from individuals outside the classroom and the students’ needs in the classroom. We put the routines and procedures in place that lead to success and hold high expectations of our staff, our students and ourselves to achieve greatness.

By considering the following, we have the ability to perpetuate a culture of excellence that will build capacity in the quality of our profession and provide teachers with the support and encouragement they desperately need:

• Implement a formal mentoring program for new staff.
• Focus on new teacher training and orientation.
• Build teacher collective efficacy-(Hattie’s #1 factor impacting student achievement).
• Celebrate success (There are so many great things to celebrate. Look for the good!)
• Be an “Obstacle Remover” (Support teachers in taking risks.)
• Give grace (Be flexible, be understanding, be real).
• Create a platform for teachers to share concerns, vent frustrations and problem solve without fear of reprisal. 

As leaders we have to stay the course. We must keep the end goal in our sights, elevate the bar and not accept less than our best- even in the midst of a pandemic! 

Approaching 2022, please find time to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. Spend time with those who matter most to you. By taking this time, my hope is you will find the strength and energy to end the 2021-2022 school year with the same enthusiasm you started.  When we are our best selves, we can endure the challenges presented to us each day and ensure that others are “Better for our presence.”

Please make it a priority to attend the Montana Principal’s Conference in Bozeman, January 23-25. It will be an opportunity to reconnect with your colleagues and grow as a leader. Commit to your excellence.

 SAM Optimistic and Ready for 2022!

by Kirk Miller, SAM Executive Director

Happy New Year!  As 2022 begins, we begin anew with enthusiasm and energy in our work together to make a positive difference in the education of our students, all Montana children!  Our school leaders (administrators) are the shining light for rising above the significant challenges imposed in our pandemic ridden world, to focus the attention of each and every community on the value our schools bring to the community. Telling the stories of what your school does for the community and all of our members of society are the simplest ways of getting the attention of your community showing the great opportunities for our students to learn, grow, and achieve!  SAM has developed resources to help you tell the story of the great value your school brings to the community on the SAM Strategy webpage.

Leadership Involved in Decisions that Impact Education:  SAM affiliate members modeling and promoting the highest levels of professionalism, integrity and leadership actively engage in impactful discussions on education.
Advocacy:  SAM members will be equipped with accurate information and prepared to use it to advocate for public education.
Professional Learning and Services:  SAM will extend and expand the professional learning delivery system using the expertise of the SAM affiliates, as well as other service providers through professional development, mentorship, and other member services.

The strategic objectives and actions being accomplished under the three goals of the strategic plan are being updated for reporting to the SAM Board of Directors at their January 23, 2022 meeting.  All information is, and will continue to be, uploaded to SAM Strategic Plan webpage.  2022 will be a year of transition for SAM as we are seeking to hire a new SAM Executive Director (Position and Application Information) with the SAM Governing Board working on the succession planning and transition to ensure that your professional association will continue to serve and meet your professional needs into the future. 

Thank you SAM members for your participation and contributions to your professional association, SAM.  As I begin my last year of service to SAM, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the thousands of quality educators I have had the opportunity to serve with during my 40 years in education.  It is these educational leaders, whose intelligence, passion and heart, have made a positive difference for Montana’s children, and it is also the optimism I project to you for what will be an outstanding 2022!

Happy New Year 2022 to you from your team at SAM!

 K–12 online curriculum and blended learning solutions
Chet Riddle
[email protected]
480-347-6008