No Excuses Leadership

Write the Stories

In the fall of 2002, I was sitting in a large meeting room alongside dozens of principal colleagues who were trying to devise a plan to bring college readiness to life at every level.  My middle and high school colleagues found this an easy task, but my elementary friends and I were stumped.  At the end of the day, those at the highest levels decided to “Take this school year to do some research and see what it looks like in elementary school.”  If I’m being honest, that indecision really pissed me off.  The frustration stewed in me for weeks until one night, I woke up at 2am and wrote down the words “Let’s be the research” on a pad next to my bed.  It was the beginning of what would become the No Excuses University Network of Schools.  

If you’re like me, you love reading encouraging stories about uncommon successes in some of our most challenging classrooms and schools.  The Jaime Escalantes of the world who defy the odds and teach the most difficult content to the most challenging students. (Stand and Deliver) The  Joe Clarks of the world who take schools on the brink of collapse and turn them into a shining light for others to follow. (Lean on Me) But inspiration isn’t enough.  At some point it’s time to write our own stories.  Sustaining momentum is not a passive exercise.  It requires action.

TAKE ACTION

If you’re tired of the narrative that exists in your place of work, write your own story.  Go to the people in your community and counteract the negative perceptions they might have with reasons they should be encouraged by what’s happening at your school. Utilize every means of disposal to get your story out there in the news, social media, and on television.  Create a culture of speaking words of hope among your staff by having every staff meeting begin with teachers looking at each other and saying something great about a student in their class.  Stop wishing your school was like others and start making your school the kind of place worthy of a great story.

BE BOLD

I love this article.  It includes great advice, wisdom related to positive thinking, and the power of contolling your own narrative.  

Want to Change Your Life, Change Your Narrative

by Robyn Castellani of Forbes Magazine