tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404357415551098632.post1191392493602451446..comments2023-10-12T04:09:46.727+13:00Comments on Jenny Jackson's Active Reflections: Out with the desk: changing the principal's office into a collaborative meeting hubAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01587745942108825805noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404357415551098632.post-88897243665472083772015-01-19T06:46:51.976+13:002015-01-19T06:46:51.976+13:00Thanks for your insightful and valued response Mar...Thanks for your insightful and valued response Mark. I have been trying to get some feedback from others about this concept but haven't had anything concrete up until now. I appreciate the time you have taken to share this. I fully agree that creating a culture of connection and belonging and being willing to learn from others are vital for what our institutions represent. I look forward to experiencing and sharing the new learning and growth that this action brings once our school year commences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7404357415551098632.post-66743836611971163442015-01-19T00:29:38.623+13:002015-01-19T00:29:38.623+13:00Hi Jenny As ever, great thought-provoking post. ...Hi Jenny As ever, great thought-provoking post. Thanks.<br /><br />I was lucky enough to spend a bit of time with Professor Tony Bryk who was explaining how one improvement initiative he was involved with raised the success rate of learners in a Chicago scheme undertaking a pre-college Math qualification from 5% to 50% on one year. One important strand of this was quickly creating a welcoming culture of connection and belonging. For example, when a student was absent, instead of an email or text from an administrator asking "Where are you?", there was communication from a a member of the study group asking "How are you?" a positive relational culture isn't just a soggy notion then: it is massively efficient to create strong connections between people. Including visitors, who are vital partners bringing significant gifts with their fresh eyes and different experiences. The principle who sits behind a desk and downloads to visitors is missing out on learning which is vital for the health of the institution.<br /><br />Great to hear about you ditching the desk. Both the Humanities and English faculties at our school have jettisoned all the teachers' desks from classrooms. With this barrier gone the communications flow within these classrooms is very much enabled. There has been variation and the major driver remains the teacher in this though! However, without doubt, a very good step forward.<br /><br />A good friend and mentor of the school, Ann Behan, employed an interesting strategy when she was Principle of a large academy: her Senior Management Team did not have offices but a shared work-space. Furthermore, they were not allowed in there between the hours of 8.30am - 4.00pm, so that they had to work on portable devices around the building and hence be absolutely connected with the life of the community.<br /><br />Again, great post and many thanks for the provocations within it.Mark Moorhousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01990471272383724244noreply@blogger.com