Executive Director’s Exchange

Executive Director’s Exchange: Happy Spring from OAESA

Spring brings the promise of a fresh start, renewal, change, and energy. The Principal Navigator promises to bring you stories of purpose with inspiration, strategies, and resources you can implement today in your work as a leader. This issue continues our yearlong theme of The Magic of Why: Stories of Purpose. For this issue, we asked for article submissions illustrating how you work your magic in your role and to tell us what gives you purpose in your work. We also asked for reflections on who has worked magic in your own career path. Read on for what you and your colleagues had to say.

OAESA board member, Carrie Sanchez, proudly leads the dream team of nationally recognized Port Clinton Middle School. Sanchez shares that without a doubt her main contribution to her school is removing barriers and solving problems. And, when it works, it’s magic!

Our colleague, Julie Gulley, writes that her students are her purpose and shares her two-year journey of intentionally connecting with her students through a student leadership team. Dr. Mary Crabtree also affirms the priority of students stating, “magic happens when lessons are in tune with the learner.” She challenges us to “bring it” each and every day for our kids. Paul Hohlbein inquires about the magic that causes one to be an educator. He builds a good case that it is the collective belief that education builds the future one student at a time. I note a theme of student-centered purpose emerging from our authors.

Do you agree with Simon Sinek who said, “If a movement is to have an impact it must belong to those who join it, not just those who lead it?” Jack Hunter does! Hunter is the principal at Chase STEMM Academy in Toledo, Ohio, an ODE-designated School of Momentum. Read his school’s journey as they shifted the learning process in mathematics from teacher-directed instruction to the gradual release of teacher control. I was also excited to read Hunter’s reference to Dr. Lisa Hinkelman’s book, Girl Without Limits, as Hinkelman is one of the keynote speakers for our upcoming March 4-5, 2020 conference, Elevate: Women on the Rise!

Paul Young also has been influenced by the work of Simon Sinek, citing Sinek’s much-watched TED talk describing the search for the “why” as what drives us to do what we do—better. I loved Young’s analogy of magicians to principals. Read his bulleted list, and I’ll bet you see yourself and your colleagues.

I was thrilled to see that many of our authors wrote about the power of collaboration and teacher leadership. As a former teacher leader myself, I believe in the impact and power of teacher leadership— formal or informal. I believe teacher leadership is underutilized and unrecognized throughout our country. Maria Goodman and Mike Janatovich’s engaging article illustrates their point that true leadership is simply bringing out the magic in others. They build a strong case that one administrator can make small changes, but a staff can make collective changes, resulting in greater impact. I also believe that collective change creates more sustained change.

Dr. Rebecca Hornberger’s article, “The Story of Us,” examines how teacher leaders enrich schools and enhance educator professional practice. She affirms many of the same points that Goodman and Janatovich share in their article. As part of her dissertation journey, Hornberger had the opportunity to interview many teachers, bringing their stories of professional growth to light. She also charges leaders with encouraging those within whom we see leadership potential to take that next step!

I know that many of you now have early childhood programs within your schools for which you are responsible. If so, I encourage you to read Ann Connelly’s article, “Early Childhood Education Resources,” which provides links and information for your use.

A special thank you to the OAESA members who did our book reviews for this issue. You will find both children’s books and professional books reviewed for your reference. OAESA attorney, Dennis Pergram, provides timely information on non-renewals, reductions in forces, and termination in the Legal Report.

OAESA exists to passionately advocate for our members, and I suggest you review Barbara Shaner’s article about the newly elected 133rd Ohio General Assembly. OAESA Board members, Mark Jones, Barbara, and I had the privilege of again representing you in Washington, D.C. during NAESP’s National Leaders Conference. We met with representatives from several Ohio legislative offices.

Like what you’re reading? Then be sure to attend the OAESA Annual Professional Conference. When applicable, we have noted conference presenters, clinic titles, and session times alongside the article.

How do we do the magic we do at OAESA? With all of you, of course! We are giving a special shout out and appreciation to our many members of OAESA’s six Service Teams (page 14) and the wonderful OAESA Board of Directors (page 6)!

Happy Reading! I hope to see you at the conference.

We invite you to join us for OAESA’s 62nd Annual Professional Conference, The Magic of Why: Stories of Purpose, June 12-14 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton.

stories of purpose Magic Why the

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In this issue

Service Team Thank You A shout-out to all of the hard-working members of OAESA’s six Service Teams

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Magic? Indeed! Attitude and effort are two crucial ingredients for a magical student experience. Paul A. Hohlbein

Why Did You Do That? Creating professional magic requires years of training, determination, and persistence. Paul G. Young, Ph.D.

My Students Inspire Me Every Day! A new role has allowed one principal to see another magical side to her students. Julie Gulley

Do You Believe in Magic? Unlocking the magic in the people in your school is the first step to creating real change. Jack Hunter

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One, Two Three...It’s Magic! Making magic for our students requires a lot of hard work, research, and planning. Mary L. Crabtree, Ph.D.

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4 Shifting Our Lens A school leader’s power comes from developing the magic in others. Maria Goodman & Mike Janatovich

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In every issue table of contents

ABOUT THE PRINCIPAL NAVIGATOR

3 Executive Director’s Exchange Happy Spring from OAESA Dr. Julie Davis

6 OAESA Board of Directors Our 2018-2019 Board

8 Highlighting an OAESA Hero Carrie Sanchez, 2018-2019 Middle Level Representative

10 SAIL for Education Teacher leaders enrich schools and enhance educator professional practice Dr. Becky Hornberger

12 From the Desk of our Associate Executive Director Shining a new light Mark Jones

34 Out & About with OAESA Photos from our spring regional meetings, school visits, and events

36 Health Matters Early childhood education resources Ann M. Connelly

38 Legal Report Non-renewals, reductions in force, and terminations Dennis Pergram

40 Legislative Update Fresh faces bring optimism Barbara Shaner

42 The Chalkboard News from the Association

44 We’re Booked Members’ reviews of the latest, greatest books for principals and students

50 Welcome OAESA’s New Members!

INTENTIONALLY C NNECT

EFFECTIVELY DEVEL P

EDITORIAL SERVICE TEAM

Luna Alsharaiha, Columbus Diocese Julie Kenney, South-Western City Schools Kirk Pavelich, North Royalton City Schools Dan Sebring, Bay Village City Schools Jeromey Sheets, Ed.D., Lancaster City Schools Erin Storer, Forest Hills Schools Tammy Elchert, Ed.D., Carey Exempted Village Schools Paul Young, Ph.D., retired Stephen Zinser, retired

OAESA/SAIL STAFF Julie Davis, Ed.D., Executive Director Mark Jones, Associate Executive Director Nancy Abrams, Business Manager Michelle Burke, Executive Administrative Specialist Melissa Butsko, Graduate Program Specialist Rebecca Hornberger, Ph.D., Department Chair, SAIL for Education KT Hughes Crandall, Communications and Project Manager Mary Mitton-Sanchez, Editor, Principal Navigator, and Multimedia Specialist

EDITORIAL POLICY

Unless otherwise noted, all articles published in the Principal Navigator become the property of OAESA and may not be reprinted without permission from OAESA. The articles published in the Principal Navigator represent the ideas and/or beliefs of the authors and do not necessarily express the views of OAESA.

Advertising inquiries should be directed to OAESA by phone at 614.547.8087 or by emailing info@oaesa.org.

The Principal Navigator (ISSN 1088-078X) is published three times per school year by OAESA, 445 Hutchinson Ave., Suite 700, Columbus, Ohio, 43235. Subscriptions are available only as part of membership. Periodical postage paid at Columbus, Ohio, and additional mailing offices.

OAESA is affiliated with the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

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