This document discusses leadership in the 21st century and the need for innovation in schools. It argues that schools need to move beyond standardization and focus more on design, story, empathy and meaning. It provides examples of concepts from authors like Collins that could help define and measure success. The document suggests creating frameworks and opportunities for rigorous debate about challenging questions to stimulate cultural change. It proposes using Web 2.0 tools and social media to build curiosity and engage in real debates about technology and differentiation. The goal is to walk the talk of 21st century learning.

1. 21 Century
st
Leadership
Chris Lindholm
clindhol@shakopee.k12.mn.us

2. Leaders are Readers

3. The “Covert Curriculum”
or “Hidden Code”
19th Century 21st Century
Wave II Wave IV?
• Standardization • Design
• Specialization • Story
• Synchronization • Symphony
• Concentration • Empathy
• Maximization • Play
• Centralization • Meaning

4. Provide a Framework
Beyond Test Scores:
Defining Great
how to measure and calibrate success
Level 5 Leadership
getting it done within a “diffuse power structure”
First Who
get right people on the bus in a social sector organization
The Hedgehog Concept
the economic engine without profit
Turning the Flywheel
building momentum and brand

5. Collins calls for…
• Disciplined People, Disciplined
Thought, and Disciplined Action
• Positive tension between what
should never change and what is
always changing (innovation,
new ideas, etc…)
• Doing what is right – not what is
consensus
• Innovation instead of
standardization
• Decisions based upon research,
rigorous debate, and sound
judgment
Collins video – core values & stimulating change
http://www.jimcollins.com/media_topi
cs/building-greatness.html#audio=75

6. Constant Attention to the
Culture
of the Organization
• How do you measure this?
• How do you empower others to own this?
• How do you create common language for this?

7. Culture of Rigorous Debate and
Defining “Greatness”

9. How do we create rigorous debate
and a culture of innovation???
• Create the framework – including
leadership training
• PLCs, Departments, Teams, VTs, etc…
• Myers-Briggs, Collins, PLC facilitators, Lit circle
protocols!
• Create Opportunities/Vehicles
• Regular Group meetings, faculty meetings, hallway
conversations, lunch prompts, classroom walk
throughs, etc…
• Blog, Twitter, Google Reader, Ning, podcasting lessons
or interviews, and other web 2.0 tools!!!
• Don’t forget coffee chats and Friday “curriculum
writing”
• Make it safe to take risks and encourage,
encourage, encourage!!!

10. Real, Authentic, Scary
Questions
• What is SpEd?
• How can a teacher write one modified test that meets the
individual needs of 7 students on IEPs?
• Why does it seem that the students with disabilities that
make school more difficult have less homework and work
less than those without a disability?
• How can more than 50% of our students receive academic
performance awards each year yet our average test scores
be below the state average?
• What is a grade?
• If student doesn’t turn in homework but passes
assessments, how can s/he be failing?
• Are are we systematically creating a positive relationship
with every student?
• If PE is all about participation, why do we call them
“teachers?”

11. And some more…
• Shouldn’t Honors English class be very difficult for a
student who reads at the 40th percentile?
• If a teacher gives different assignments to students in the
same class to differentiate, what do they put in the little
box in the grade book?
• Why do we give “extra credit?” Isn’t that more about
currency for work than a communication of mastery?
• If we modify the rigor of a course to meet the needs of a
student, how can we put the same grade on the transcript
as we would for everyone else using different criteria?
• Where did the notion that grades are based upon points
for doing stuff come from?
• Is having grades online so we can argue about points
instead of learning really better?
• Why is SpEd services so focused on helping kids do their
homework? Shouldn’t they be addressing the real issue?
• What does research and expert opinion say about grading,
rigor, standards, and SpEd?

13. To be a good teacher principal
• Clear objectives referred to
throughout the lesson meeting
• Measure/assess every step
• Establish a culture for learning and
high expectations
• Student engagement is crucial
• Differentiate
• Empower students
• Use 21st Century technologies
It’s simply walking our talk…

14. Web 2.0 in a box…
Building curiosity by building meaning…
LeaderCamp = June 24th 2010

15. Real Debates on Tech…
Standardization vs. Innovation
19th century… 21st century…
• Training leadership, support staff, teachers, etc…
• Exposure to liability vs. addressing individuals
• Supporting multiple platforms and the constant
change of Web 2.0 (vendors and products are out
by the time we get them up and running!!)
• Cost, cost, cost
• False assumption that we need to give every child
the same education
• Does it really help us teach better and improve
student performance?

16. Faculty Social Network on
Ning with Podcasts of student
interviews on hot topics
“Principal Thoughts” blog
targeting teacher
development. What “the
boss” thinks is right out
there for discussion…
Transparency!!

17. Playing the game…
• Email article links to the old timers
• Web 2.0 on a box
• Share success stories
• Ask for forgiveness instead of permission
• Make sure the Tech Director understands
Web 2.0 world and is on your side!!!
• Find grant $$
• Plant seeds and more seeds and more seeds
• Support teachers who want to take risks

18. http://chrislindholm.typepad.com/principal-thoughts/