Adaptive Thinking We continue to adapt our thinking around COVID.  Just when we have it all figured out, something changes.  In times of certainty we look for technical solutions.  Now, in times of UNcertainty, we seek adaptive solutions. Here is a big picture look at Adaptive Thinking: Bay of Pigs: It was clear to his…

Adaptive Leadership Our primary task as leaders is to keep hope alive … and keep moving toward our shared vision.  Now, thanks to COVID, we once again (sigh) need to remain agile and adaptive to uncertain times. AND we need our leadership team right there beside us … renewing hope … remaining flexible and help…

Adaptive Messaging Communicate Hope: Leaders communicate hope and energy even in the midst of uncertainty.  Some on our staff are hurting from loss. Others are fearful for their safety. And some are opposed to vaccines and masks. How do we as leaders fill everyone’s bucket … so they in turn … can fill student buckets? …

Adaptive Tools for Reopening Starting Strong: Every year we hope for a smooth start.  Every year brings surprises … wrinkles that always take more time to resolve than we expected. Here are some tips and tools for starting strong from a group of great superintendent colleagues: Getting ready for reopening … Before … During ……

Adapting for Equity: Chicago’s Story Districts that Succeed: Karen Chenoweth’s new book, Districts that Succeed: breaking the correlation between race, poverty and achievement, is a great book.  Chenoweth tells how five districts, large and small, have created student achievement success. She used the research by Sean Reardon (Stanford) showing district outliers that outperformed districts with…

Review:  Improvement in Action: by Anthony S. Bryk What a gift! This book captures 30 years of school DISTRICT improvement and provides six case studies. Anthony S. Bryk shares insights from the forefront of the improvement field: Chicago: For many years, Anthony Bryk, headed the University of Chicago Consortium for School Research.  They identified 100…