We are at a place of transformation and few industries will be exempt! Transforming education will require brave and bold leadership. Creating the opportunitity for innovation and collaboration is critical. Peer to peer learning is a powerful way to influence behavior and to ensure there is enough gas in the tank to endure the journey!
A tip of the hat to BOSS!
Laura Goodrich
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9065415.htm
Board of School Superintendents Announces Cohort Learning to Reduce Stress and Isolation of School District Leaders
School Superintendents are constantly attacked and diminished by many stakeholders. This issue is only accelerating as districts are challenged with depleting resources. BOSS aims to reverse this through cohort learning.
Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) December 30, 2011
School Administrators continue to be under great stress as they conduct the leadership work necessary to improve public education. In a recent national survey conducted by American Association of School Administrators(AASA, 2010), Superintendents report the highest levels of stress in history.
Board of School Superintendents, has seen that this ongoing stress leads to isolation of the School District Superintendent and hinders growth and improvement in public schools. Beyond the personal costs, stress and isolation contributes to superintendent turnover. In some school districts a new superintendent is hired every two or three years. Turnover leads to inconsistency of action and ultimately the chronic under performance of public schools.
BOSS will provide cohort learning and coaching for active school superintendents as the solution to stress and isolation. Isolation takes a physical and emotional toll. Isolation encourages personal defensiveness and potential unhealthy responses to stress. The greater the isolation the less effective the school superintendent becomes. A way out of this common trap is to find a safe place to confide with other leaders. This moves the superintendent from the conditions of fatigue, drained, worn out, down, low energy, and depressed to the abundance of energy, creativity, engagement, courage, and strength.
“Leading schools today calls for a unique and profound leadership profile. A leader that can achieve high results for all students while simultaneously eliminating the achievement gap. Keeping a focus on this goal while also navigating multiple agendas can lead to exhaustion and isolation for any superintendent. BOSS is a place for superintendents to meet together, problem solve, learn and generate and sustain positive, proactive leadership. It's a place that will compel the moral imperative and change that superintendents need today as they work in partnership to achieve results," says Dr. Melissa Krull, a Minnesota Chair for BOSS.
Gary Cohen, CEO and Co-founder of BOSS says, “You cannot address the major issues facing public schools today if the superintendent is withdrawn, worn out and feeling diminished. We believe that in order to provide the required leadership development for School Superintendents so they lead adaptive changes in public schools, you must first address the emotional isolation and stress.”
“School Superintendents who join a Board of School Superintendent Cohort become engaged with other school superintendents who are experiencing similar job stress and isolation. Through a time tested and research based model for cohort learning, BOSS Fellows find their leadership performance improves by reducing the deleterious effects of stress and isolation. The level of confidentiality within this group provides a safe place for leaders to learn while doing a very difficult job,” says Dr. Mark Wolak, President of BOSS.
BOSS partners with national and state organizations, both public and private, who share the commitment to develop leaders and improve outcomes for students in public education.
If you would like more information about Board of School Superintendents please go to BOSS or call 612-204-2044. Board of School Superintendents (BOSS) strategic mission is to Elevate Learners by Elevating Leaders. BOSS is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and founded by Gary B. Cohen and Dr. Mark A. Wolak.
“Developing Leaders, Driving Change and Improving Outcomes”
A belief is not merely an idea the mind possesses. It is an idea that possesses the mind. ~ Robert Oxton Bolton
And that brings me on to the second major theme…
