William D. Parker interviews author and former administrator Kurtis Hewson about his strategies for effective leadership in this week's episode of PMP.
Key Takeaways from Kurtis Hewson:
Leverage Team Expertise:
Kurtis emphasized the importance of utilizing the collective expertise of team members. He advises leaders to recognize their role in capacity building and to understand that “the room is the smartest person.”
Building Structures for Success:
The conversation highlighted the necessity of creating supportive structures within educational institutions. Kurtis believes in the power of collaborative capacity building, gathering data and evidence, and developing continuous support systems.
Responsive Professional Learning Communities (PLCs):
Kurtis pointed out that PLCs are not always responsive to student needs, citing examples where the focus on one area (like writing) might overlook more critical needs (like executive functioning skills). He stressed the importance of reevaluating collaborative processes to better meet student needs.
Strategic Collaboration:
He shared his learning that effective results come from restructuring processes through collaborative planning, team meetings, school support teams, and case consults. Kurtis advocates for “tiering supports, not kids” to facilitate meaningful discussions and identify best teaching practices.
Practical Strategies for Leaders:
For new leaders, Kurtis suggests adopting a mindset of setting broad directions (the banks of the river) and allowing flexibility within those bounds. He encourages embracing a ‘ready, fire, aim’ approach to action and adjustment, starting with pilot projects among willing champions to test and expand ideas.
Embrace the Journey:
In his parting words, Kurtis reminds leaders to give themselves grace, expect challenges, gather feedback, and continuously adjust to improve.
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