Calling All Leaders!

I've been thinking a lot about what the next steps should be in the RtI collaboration process. I have thought about creating a Professional Development program, but the district said there was no time. I have thought about sending out an informational PowerPoint, but many staff said they wouldn't read it (brutally honest). THEREFORE, I have to think smaller... I realized that I need to find the leaders in my schools and have them "drink the RtI Kool-Aid!" 

I did some research on what types of leaders are needed in order to help implement RtI and in what areas those leaders should focus on. I went to the RtI Network's website and read a fantastic article called "RtI Leadership That Works." I really liked how the article focuses on the four major roles of leadership and sites Steven Covey's model of being an effective leader. I think it's important information to share with everyone. 

Modeling

Covey and the author of the article discuss that as a leader it is important to model what you are wanting others on your team to implement. The most important part of modeling is trustworthiness.  

Trustworthiness: A combination of character and competence

What do you think character and competence means in terms of being trustworthy? 

Covey and the author describes character as having both integrity and maturity as well as being an "abundant leader." 

"The abundant leader provides leadership with optimism and a sense that limited resources will never determine outcomes for the students in his or her stewardship."

Pathfinding

"Pathfinding is the act of matching what the organization is passionate about with what its stakeholders want and need." 

When we look at Pathfinding from an RtI perspective, it is important to keep in mind that student success is the main focus and what leaders need to be dedicated to. Leaders need to take this dedication to student success and pair it with what the school wants and needs, which is high achievement in testing.  

Aligning

"The aligning leader focuses on a simple rule. If it works, keep doing it. If it doesn’t, stop doing it."

In order to get all of the "stakeholders" on board, it is important to have them all become dedicated to the idea that ALL students CAN learn and ALL students WILL learn. 

Empowering

"For RtI to work, the leader must facilitate the establishment of a dynamic, empowering culture that brings forward the strength of all stakeholders around achieving better results for all students."

One person cannot make others feel or be empowered, it is each individuals decision to feel or be empowered. The best way to get others on the empowerment train is to delegate and help them to see that as a leader, you too need assistance and support. 

So What is the Bottom Line?!?!

"The bottom line IS that we must do whatever it takes to ensure that all students succeed. What it takes is personal commitment — personal commitment to evidence-based principles that ensure better results for ALL students, NO exceptions!"

I am going to become a leader at the schools I visit in order to help ALL students be successful as well as help shape more leaders amongst the staff. 

What are you going to do to help shape leaders in your schools? 

So What!?!?!

You may be asking yourself, "So what?!?! Why do debunking any of these myths matter?!? What am I going to do with any of this new information?" Those are all valid questions and there are so many routes you can take. Here are three ideas I have for putting this new information to good use! 

Step 1: Spread the word! 

Whether it is in a formal collaborative team meeting in your schools or word of mouth, let administrators, teachers and staff know what the myths are and truths behind the myths. 

I have found that bringing it up in causal conversation with several school staff has been very effective. Through using this strategy, I have been able to get the conversation started and the topic on the agenda for the next staff meeting!

Step 2: Get More Information!

Do some research! Find out what your states "permissive or mandatory" guidelines are for RtI. Then determine what your local district(s) model of RtI is or if they even are using RtI. If your district(s) are not using RtI, find out why! Is it lack of knowledge, lack of funding, lack of someone taking the initiative? For a few of the districts that I visit, the answer to those questions are primarily lack of knowledge and lack of someone taking the initiative. Therefore, my solution is to help spread the knowledge and give ideas for schools to create teams that take the initiative of implementing RtI. 

Step 3: Create a Visual!

Pamphlets, PowerPoints, posters... whatever tickles your fancy really! Statistics show that 65% of people are visual learners, which makes creating a visual that much more important. Personally, I know when someone verbally tells me something without having some sort of visual to go along with the information, it's all over. I can guarantee that I will most likely not recall the important parts of whatever was said. Things that gain people's attention... relatable pictures, humor, and color (not the Skittles rainbow, but something more than just black... blah!). 

What are you going to do now? 

Can you think of other ideas that can be used now that you have the truths behind RtI? What action steps are you going to take in your districts in order to create more collaboration and implementation of RtI? 

Please share in the comments section! I would love to hear your ideas!