Episode 80: From Small Steps to Sweeping Changes with Courtney Monterecy

FocusED show notes with guest Courtney Monterecy.Courtney tells us about how the book came to be, which included her story about meeting her co-author, Todd Whitaker.She says that the school she took over and needed to turn around had three principals during the previous school year.We discuss the dilemma of what to attack and fix first when everything seems to be falling down all around you.Don’t miss what she says about operations and managing, including improvements to the way the school looked and felt.Courtney explains how her background as an instructional leader was natural, and, yet, in the beginning of her tenure as a turn-around principal she spent a lot of time with operations and had to revert back to her roots.Courtney says that “taking teachers into other teachers’ classrooms is the most powerful professional learning experience available.”By tightening up classroom management, the teachers ended up with more teaching time and the students ended up with more time on task.She tells leaders about a mistake she made at the beginning of the use of walkthroughs, which is to be sure to set a purpose for the visits. Without a clear focus, the team will be all over the place during the debrief.It’s important to take note of the protocols she used for learning walks.Her use of the teacher leadership team is what makes this show special. School leaders cannot run a school--or turn one around--with support.We hope school leaders will relate to how she dealt with the resisters…there are always resisters.Courtney reminds us to keep the joy and happiness first and foremost, otherwise the work can be too daunting and even debilitating.Don’t miss what she says about “What’s up Wednesday.”Her leadership growth strategies include social media, connections with other leaders, and going to conferences. Having a core group of people who you can rely on is critical.