Primary MD Newsletter
July 2020
Welcome Back: Things Will Not Be Perfect
Hi Primary Team!
Thank you for continuing to demonstrate flexibility, creativity, and remarkable good humor in keeping the network on course during these trying times, and those traits will serve us well as we return to campus and prepare to welcome our staff and scholars back. Nearly three months ago, we converted our instruction delivery to a remote model. Such an extreme pivot, without warning, is an accomplishment for which everyone should be proud. Thank you. As we continue to transition back, we want you to keep a few things in mind as you work.
1. It will not be perfect. We will continue to work hard to prepare for scholars and staff but there will be changes, challenges, and missteps. There is nothing that we cannot fix together. We will need to offer grace to one another.
2. You will feel stressed and overwhelmed at times. It happens to all directors (principals) at this time of the year. It is a part of the work that we have come to understand. It is even more magnified during a pandemic. Determine a list of ways to calm yourself and take a time out when you are stressed. Rely on your peers and MD's when you need someone to talk to. Understand that as decisions are continued to be made, we will be vulnerable and that is ok.
3. We are a resilient community. The challenges being placed before you have been and continue to be daunting. Time and time again, you have rallied and overcome. While the work on racial equity, economic, and pandemic conditions create uncertainty, please know this: Our collective, resilient effort and sacrifice is what separates us from others and is the foundation for emerging stronger.
Be Safe, Be Fierce, and Keep Smiling!
Yasmin, Priscilla, and Kecia
Leader Coaching Training
Ideas Worth Spreading
Courtesy of Michael Mason
In thinking of a way to better utilize my Teacher Assistants, I came up with some responsibilities for them to have that will allow the teacher to focus more on planning and instruction.
- Teacher assistants will monitor online activity for grade level
- Online Assignments (complete or not complete)
- Ed Tech Usage (number of minutes, frequency or no activity)
- Data Collection (report academic areas of weakness or strength)
- TAs will identify and report any scholars not meeting remote learning requirements to the grade level teacher
- TA will be the first to contact parent if scholar isn’t performing and then teacher will reach out with Admin being the final contact.
- TAs will stay on Zoom call for an additional hour to provide online assistance while teacher moves to next group
- While not monitoring online activity, TAs will continue to support teacher in class and support COVID-19 prevention efforts
From the Desk of Talent Management
Shared by Karen Roath
Please find attached the Talent Management Business Partner (TMBP) assignments for your campuses. Tiffany and Al are your first point of contact for assistance with employee relations matters and general leadership guidance, serving both you and your leadership teams on the campuses. In addition to assisting with “just-in-time” support for emergent issues I would like to ask you work with them to establish a regular meeting cadence in an effort to develop a pro-active and strategic approach to talent management with your employees. The more involved and in the loop they are the more effective they can be with supporting you and your leadership teams.