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Ecli center of choice michigan
This document provides guidance for Lutheran early childhood program leaders to help their programs become centers of choice in their communities. It discusses the importance of exceeding standards, understanding what families are looking for, being proactive to avoid closure, and taking programs to the next level through exceptional quality. The document emphasizes developing a strong spiritual foundation, embracing change and continuous improvement, hiring and developing great teachers and leaders, effective marketing and community outreach, and ultimately making the program leader's responsibility to guide the program's success.
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Ecli center of choice michigan
- 1. Good To Great: BecomingA Lutheran Early Childhood Center of Choice Michigan District Early Childhood Leadership Institute June 2015
- 2.
- 3. Now…Make Your Choice! GrilledChicken Crispy Chicken
- 4.
- 5. Your Choice! Milk ChocolateDark Chocolate
- 6. Your Choice! Professional SportsCollege Sports
- 7. Your Choice! Crayola ProductsPrang Products
- 8. Your Choice! Meat PizzaVeggie Pizza
- 9. Your Choice! Mountain VacationBeach Vacation
- 10. One More Choice… EarlyChurch Service Late Church Service
- 11. Parents Have Choices,Too! What are some choices parents have today related to care for their children? It’s so important to know what makes our program special and unique. Why are parents choosing our program? Or the program down the street? Or…? Or…???
- 12. Think About It… Isbecoming a Center of Choice REALLY a CHOICE for our Lutheran Early Childhood Programs and Classrooms today?
- 13. A Lighthouse We needto be a lighthouse to our community. What do we offer? How do we show everyone we can lead the way?
- 14. Exceptional Quality What constitutesexceptional quality? Think about licensing requirements and state standards. Are these something we just try to meet, or do we exceed them? Do children and families deserve mediocrity?
- 15. What Are FamiliesLooking For? Easy Access Safety Special needs assistance Diversity Technology Quality – as defined by themselves Value Added benefits
- 16. Doom & Gloom Sadly,there are Lutheran EC programs and Elementary schools closing each year. Why is this happening? Can it happen to us? We must be proactive!
- 17. If & WhenIt’s Time to Say Goodbye Make a decision Make a written plan Allow time to grieve Make a timeline of tasks to be completed Provide some type of closure for parents, staff, and children to adjust to the change
- 18. Resources Is it reallyenough to be good? How often have you said “it’s good enough”? Let’s take it all to the next level together!
- 19. The Spiritual Dimensionof Applying “Good to Great” Concepts to Lutheran Schools “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15: 5 ESV
- 20. Good is theEnemy of Great Mediocrity and contentment may seem safe but usually just for the short term but often are deadly in the long term. “Good enough never is.” -Jim Greenman
- 22. Self Assessment Of AttitudeConcerning Learning & Change
- 23. Level 5 (Servant) Leadership “Aparadoxical blend of personal humility and professional will.”
- 25. Level 5 Leadership “Theydisplay the fierce resolve to do whatever needed to be done to make the organization great.’
- 26. The Importance ofHaving the Right Person on the Bus And Keeping Them There!
- 27. The Hedgehog Principle Youare passionate about it. What can you be the best at? “I love that I get to serve the Lord in this way.” You can make a living doing it. “I can see myself serving the Lord with this type of ministry. Don’t compromise for only two of these three circles You are genetically encoded for it. Become a resource engine to deliver superior performance relative to our mission. “I was just made to serve the Lord with this ministry.
- 28. What Can OurLutheran Early Childhood Center Hedgehogs Look Like?
- 29. Technology in Good toGreat Concepts Technology does not play the principle role in the decline of companies Technology is important…don’t be lax with it and strive to be great Technology is not a primary reason for either greatness or decline.
- 30.
- 31. Is It GoodTo Be Different?
- 32. What Makes _____Different? What makes your early childhood program different than the others in your community? What makes your program different from other Lutheran programs? Most importantly…what makes YOU different than others in the EC field?
- 33. It’s Good ToBe Different It sets us apart. We are known…for something good. Become a legend… Respect, awe, positive relationships.
- 34. What We Don’tWant… Good teachers WHAT? Do you think we’re crazy? We want GREAT TEACHERS! We want GREAT LEADERS! How does that happen?
- 35. Top-Notch Resources!!! For TeachersFor Leaders
- 36. You Are OnThe Right Track! You are here today! One of the challenges of any profession is the ability to self-reflect – accurately!!! Unfortunately, many good teachers feel they are doing a good job. When do you have a chance to reflect? How often? How can we be most effective? How can we lead teachers to raise the bar? CHANGE???!!!???!!!
- 37. Do You KnowThese People? What else can you share about them? Mrs. Crabby Negative, knows it all, “barks” at the children, says “this class is the worst”, always criticizes but never has a solution or idea…and the list could continue… Mrs. Happy A gem! Always smiles – even when cleaning up vomit, glad to help out in any area, new ideas, kids and parents love her, Christian example…
- 38. People, People, People Howcan we create a “culture of happiness”? It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. It’s about the people – kids and parents. Expectations…but whom?
- 39. A Few ofthe 14 Things That Matter Most… Behavior tool – prevention! Consistently strive to improve. Keep relationships in good repair. Ignore trivial disturbances. Plan and purpose for everything. Ask, what will the best people think? Know and understand their students. From “What Great Teachers Do Differently” by Todd Whitaker
- 40. Now…For YOU, theLEADER Is this you? Or is this you?
- 41. The Million DollarQuestions! What makes a leader great? Remember our earlier conversation? Let’s recap. How can I move from good to great? Remember…reflect! Learn! Pray! Think! Be positive!
- 42. It All BeginsWith YOU!!! Scary thought, but it’s true! The best teachers find value in examining and following the footsteps of great leaders. What have YOU done recently do grow professionally? How do we improve our program? 1. Get better teachers. 2. Improve the teachers we have.
- 43. Expectations Great leaders havehigh expectations… For others For themselves These leaders know the job is hard, but YOU would never know it. Don’t complain My church won’t give me the money… My pastor won’t… The kids won’t… The parents won’t…
- 44. Helping Teachers GetBetter It always happens… We hear about bad teachers…or the previous bad director… How can we help those we know need help? Congratulations! You are here today! You want to learn from others! Let those “poor” teachers learn from others, too! Let them see it with their own eyes!
- 45. Hiring Teachers Don’t hirea good teacher! Many leaders are willing to settle for a good teacher. Be a great leader and hire an exceptional teacher.
- 46. Staffing… We talked beforeabout staffing. We know that we must hire well. What are some concrete things YOU do to help teachers? New teachers? Non-degreed teachers? Teachers from another Christian church?
- 47. Leading The Congregation Youare likely THE person to educate the entire congregation about… Education of young children Children in worship Promoting healthy families Reaching families and the community
- 48. Do You FeelAlone? Many EC leaders feel alone when working within the congregation. Ministry left-overs Children are members, too. They are the future of the church. Relationships with pastors… Children in worship… Connecting your EC Center families to the congregation…
- 49. Yes, It’s True… Thereis sometimes a difference between the “culture” of the educational program/school/early childhood center and that of the congregation. How can we bridge this gap? Discuss with those around you!
- 50. The Future… Where doyou honestly see your Early Childhood Program in 10 years? Are you a risk-taker, a care-taker, or an under- taker? Sadly, some of our Lutheran programs, centers, and school are struggling. How can we support those in tough situations?
- 51. Gaining New Students Marketing,Development, Advertising, and Recruitment How do you currently advertise your program? What really works? What doesn’t?
- 52. Getting The WordOut Times are changing…Families are changing! Internet, Internet, Internet!!! How would a prospective family search for the best childcare/preschool for their child? Research…we all do it! Hotel reviews, airfares, weather, etc.!!!
- 53. Utilize Technology &People! Positive word-of-mouth advertising Internet/Website Community Sites Email Don’t just sent our information in the mail! Don’t just say, “let me know when you can visit.” Get them to schedule a visit NOW!
- 54. As The Leader… Ultimately,it’s OUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure our program runs smoothly and that our program is highly regarded both in the congregation and community. What are some specific things WE – THE LEADERS – can do to accomplish this?
- 55. As a Lighthouse,YOU are a beacon to the world! Ounce of Prevention video
- 56. Input & Commentsfrom You