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In the opening to The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Lencioni (2002) opens with: “Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is TEAMWORK that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare.” He goes on to list the “dysfunctions”: 1) absence of trust, 2) fear of conflict, 3) lack of commitment, 4) avoidance of accountability, and 5) inattention to results, suggesting that these organizational dynamics are the impediments keeping groups from mobilizing into highly-functional teams. Conversely, strong leaders who lead highly-successful organizations support cultures whereby the individuals blend into highly-functioning teams by building trust, embracing healthy and ideological conflict, fostering a unified commitment to the vision, holding team members accountable for counterproductive behavior, and focusing on achieving results through a clear mission. Only then can a team, in the same boat rowing in the same direction, move toward the shared vision and desired outcomes.
Likewise, in our classrooms, schools and divisions, the vision cannot be manifested without the trust and collaboration, commitment, accountability, the desire to address conflicts, and the results-driven mentality required of all stakeholders. It begins with courageous, driven, and visionary leadership that recognizes the importance of building leadership capacity in every member of the team. Building leadership capacity in others regardless of title, empowers everyone within the organization to feel like a valued contributor who can impact all within their own spheres of influence.
As you absorb the comments of this month’s Quick Takes, take a moment to reflect on your personal leadership. Is your division, department, school, grade or classroom achieving the intended goals? Are you navigating your teams away from the outlined “dysfunctions” and toward more cohesive units aiming toward the common vision? Do your words align with your actions? How are you empowering stakeholders within your organization to actualize the vision? Also, as you reflect on these questions, allow the following thoughts to resonate:
- Leadership and cohesive teamwork matters!!!
- Highly-effective teams are cohesive groups whose members demonstrate trust, commitment, accountability, the ability to tackle conflicts, and are results-driven.
- John Maxwell, renowned author in the area of leadership states, “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others!”
Citation: Lencioni, P. M. (2002). The five dysfunctions of a team: A leadership fable. Jossey-Bass.
Aurelia Ortiz
Director, Office of School Quality
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Promotion of Quality Leadership
Leaders across the Commonwealth work diligently to promote quality in their schools. Please take some time to recognize those leaders.
The Office of School Quality is happy to announce the names of school leaders who were recognized for their leadership in Climate and Culture. You can view the list of individuals on this document.
Based upon this month's theme of Instructional Leadership, nominate a principal who has embodied exceptional leadership in any of the following criteria. Complete the nomination form by April 30, 2021, for consideration.
The principal implements, monitors, and evaluates Instructional Leadership by using the following criteria:
- Provides clear expectations to teachers on implementing the Virginia Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework in developing lesson plans.
- Monitors and provides feedback to teachers to ensure implementation and alignment of the written and taught curriculum to the Virginia Standards of Learning using the Curriculum Framework.
- Monitors the results of assessments to ensure alignment, attainment and success of the Virginia Standards of Learning using the Curriculum Framework.
- Provides opportunities for teachers to engage in self- or peer-observation to promote collaboration and professional growth.
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Support for High-Quality Educational Environments
Instructional Leadership Tool
A critical component of the principal’s role as a school leader is as its instructional leader, where they hold responsibility for the school’s curriculum and instruction and monitoring and developing teacher practice, in addition to their non-instructional responsibilities. Instructional leadership encompasses leading a culture of data-driven instructional decisions; ensuring alignment of the curriculum, instruction, and assessments with state standards; conducting teacher evaluations and observations, and providing feedback and professional learning opportunities. Also, instructional leaders are models for their schools establishing a culture of respect, high expectations, and collaboration to promote equity.
This research brief from Hanover Research reviews research and best practices for instructional leadership and the responsibilities of curriculum and instruction alignment, assessment monitoring, providing feedback to teachers, and enabling opportunities for collaborative professional learning. School leaders can use this resource to further their practice as instructional leaders.
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Q-Tip
Again, this month Quick Takes is sharing the Instructional Leadership Tool in advance of our April 15 and 16, 2021, Principal Leaders Conference.
The school-level academic review is designed to help schools identify and analyze instructional and organizational factors affecting student achievement. The focus of the review process is on the systems, processes, and practices that are being implemented at the school level.
This month’s feature is the Instructional Leadership Tool. Take a Quick-look to reflect on your school’s current practices based on the criteria to help improve the school’s continuous improvement efforts.
A technical assistance session will be held on May 6, 2021, to discuss the implementation of this tool. If you are interested in learning more, complete this Registration Form by April 30, 2021. These trainings are interactive with the intention to engage in thought-provoking conversations.
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Collaboration Corner
SPOTLIGHT: Ready, Set, Summer Planning!
The Office of Special Education and Student Services are offering a variety of professional development experiences during Summer 2021. Please review the list and save the date for anything you may want to attend.
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June 15, 23, and 29, 2021, Co-teaching Summer Institute: Due to an overwhelming response to the 2020 webinar series with Dr. Marilyn Friend where over 1,000 teachers attended, the VDOE has invited Dr. Friend to return for a three part 90-minute co-teaching webinar series in June. The series will focus on specially-designed instruction in the general education classroom, including strategies and techniques to use across grade levels in reading, writing, mathematics, and behavior. Additional information and the registration link is forthcoming.
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June 23, 2021, JMU SLP Summer Institute: This virtual conference will feature two tracks for speech language pathologists focusing on social emotional learning using the Kimochis program. A beginner track is available for those not experienced with Kimochis and an advanced track is available for those who have already had training in Kimochis. Registration information will be available soon, and will be announced in SLP News and Updates through JMU TTAC.
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June 23-25, 2021, Opening Doors - Unlocking Potential-2021 (ODUP-2021): This virtual professional development event is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of educators who work directly with students who are deaf and hard-of- hearing. The theme, Engagement, Emotion, and Equity in the E-learning Era, will emphasize focus on effective strategies to positively impact literacy development and academic outcomes for students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. Registration information will be coming soon! For additional information, visit the ODUP website or contact Tracey Yurechko at yurechkot@vcu.edu.
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July 12-13, 2021, Opportunity for Team Training in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The VDOE is seeking applications from school divisions for an eleventh cohort of teams to receive intensive professional development in TBI during Summer 2021, with ongoing support from state specialists. Eight (8) selected teams will receive training that will improve the division/region’s ability to provide high quality, research-based programming. and support services for students with TBI. If you are interested in sending a team, complete the TBI Application. Completed application
Relevant Research and Best Practice Highlights
Did you know...
Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks – Kindergarten through Algebra II are now available! Geometry and Algebra II Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks have been added to the Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks Webpage. Just in Time Mathematics Quick Checks are formative assessments that align to the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL). These resources, developed by Virginia teachers and mathematics leaders, are designed to help teachers identify students with unfinished learning and assist in planning instruction to fill potential gaps “just in time”.
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Reminders
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OMEGA Reimbursements: School Improvement Grant (SIG) Awards-Divisions are reminded that SIG reimbursements must be submitted to OMEGA at least once a month, as this allows the OSQ and the division to monitor the spend-down of the SIG funds.
- Stay tuned for important topics in the upcoming Quick Takes: May--Continuous Improvement Process; June--Comprehensive Needs Assessment; July--Continuous School Improvement Plan.
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Learning Reset On-Line Conference: The past year has changed the way we teach. Teachers and schools have adopted innovative strategies for connecting with students and delivering instruction, and some of those strategies are worth keeping even when in-person learning is the norm. Focus for the sessions include Curriculum Design Choices and Structural Design Choices. Discounts are available for teams of three or more. Dates are April 14 and June 9. Register or see VASCD for more information.
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Any feedback about this communication is greatly appreciated. If you have a topic you would like to see in a future monthly edition of Quality Quick Takes, contact OSQ at OSQ@doe.virginia.gov.
This monthly communication is intended for school and division leadership throughout the Commonwealth.
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