Face-to-Face Meeting

This past weekend, I spent most of my Friday and Saturday with the Sanger, Clovis, Visalia, and Tulare cohorts.  We are all striving to earn our masters in educational leadership and administration.  Our professors secured a team of knowledgeable guest speakers to discuss several important topics, such as legal obligations/restrictions in education, mandatory reporting measures, personnel management, labor relations, effective meeting management, and expulsion and suspension guidelines.  We also discussed the FRISK model and change initiatives.  Needless to say, my brain was a little full by the time I left.  However, there were many "ah-ha moments" and I was able to leave with new knowledge and several great resources.

Roberta Rowe is the managing shareholder of Lozano Smith in Fresno.  She shared her expertise in student and labor matters in relation to school districts and educational law.  We talked about search and seizure regulations and investigation protocol.  As Ms. Rowe presented, she described several examples of cases that she had previously worked on.  I found it amazing that there very few clear answers to any given law scenario. "It depends" is generally the answer given to a legal question or situation.  The importance of monitoring, follow-up, and documentation (using the BRICK model... " If it is not written down, it did not happen") was a reoccurring theme throughout the weekend, especially with issues regarding bullying.  Cyberbulling is a hot (and scary) topic that has been getting a lot of attention recently.  The Ed. Code has had to be updated to include guidelines for student misconduct in cyberspace.  Our world is constantly changing, and we (as future leaders) need to be prepared to help protect our schools and the emerging generations.

Dr. Linda Hauser presented on Effective Meeting Management and shared several ideas and strategies to improve team meetings.  I plan to implement several techniques in future meetings, such as grounding, PDSA (plan-do-study-act), and exit slips.  I also enjoyed the discussions and format of the way the class was conducted.  The facilitator does not have to be the one who does the majority of the talking for learning to take place.  Reflection also plays an important part of the learning process.  Taking time to gather individual thoughts at the beginning (grounding) and end (exit slips) of the meeting helps each participant focus on the topic and decide what he/she will be able to "take away" and implement.  "Next steps" or future agendas can also be discussed to develop team ownership and establish the various roles that each member will play or be responsible for prior to the next meeting.

Dr. Kevin Torosian provided a valuable pamphlet on student discipline and the Ed. Code.  After completing the interview and assignment on student suspension and expulsion, I felt that I had a general overview of the suspension/expulsion process.  This presentation helped clarify several questions that I still had, especially the difference between hearsay and direct evidence.  I will be sure to keep this brochure handy in the future!

Dr. Wise presented the FRISK documentation model and clarified the upcoming assignment that we have to complete regarding unsatisfactory employee performance.  Documentation is again a critical component and a legal obligation of administration.
All letters of discipline should include:
F = Facts (specific conduct and examples w/ evidence attached)
R = Rule (policy, authority, or expectation unmet)
I = Impact (negative or adverse effects on others)
S = Suggestions or directions for improvement (timelines, directives, and resources)
K = Knowledge (employee has a right to respond)
Samples were also provided for future reference.  I think this will take some practice, just like the reflective questioning format or coaching discussions that we have discussed in our other leadership classes.

Finally, Dr. Buster talked about change initiatives and Michael Fullan's book, Motion Leadership.  This is a very relevant topic in today's rapidly changing society.  "Leading Change in Complex Valley School Districts" was the alternate title of this presentation and the challenge that we all face as future educators.  The famous Margaret Mead summarizes the motivational work that we must accomplish, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."