This week we are getting into two concepts, data and team building. When it comes to data and data collection I have not participated in a data retreat up to this point in my career. I hope that it is all it sounds like is should be. Lucky for me there are sites that host loads of data to be looked at and reviewed. The Winns site is one. It allows me to see my schools data and test scores and compare it with similar schools in the area. We have looked into the Winns site before, but being assigned to look at our own schools is really getting some real life practice out of these exercises.
We have also taken a look at what it takes to build a functioning team. It is interesting to me to see the mechanics and learning the process that goes into adding team members as I was hired only 4 years ago. This process that I went through is still fresh in my memory. I have also volunteered to be on a hiring committee for a vacant special educator position that was to be working with our second grade team. I found that I was sympathizing with the candidates having just recently gone through the process. I also took what I thought was a good process or question with me to this hiring committee and ultimately we hired a great new team member. In our reading this week I enjoyed reading how other districts or schools go through the process and the things that can work or even go wrong. A simple slip of information can surely send the staff into a downward spiral. It is because of this that often a hiring committee does not include the school leader. It is often put into the hands of the curriculum leader--Assistant Principal. Our district does not have one of these and there for our Principal took the lead on all interviews. The idea of opening the committee to staff members keeps the hire unbiased and ensures the new hire will mesh with the staff at the school.
That's interesting that you said some schools try to avoid using their principals in interviews to avoid negative influence. I definitely like the idea of keeping teachers involved in the process, but I would think that you'd want the school leader there to make it feel like a team effort that everyone is involved in, as opposed to the principal feeling distant and not involved.
ReplyDeleteI am also thankful that teachers are often used on interview committees in our district. I think teachers know, sometimes even more than principals, what skills a new hire will need to be successful at their job. Do the teachers that sit in on the interviews get to help choose who they hire or does the principal still get to decide?
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