Organizational Interventions

In researching organizational interventions I did not realize the important considerations for planning and performing. As we work in our own organization we become involved the the impetus of our particular situation and do not get the opportunity to reflect on interventions outside our environment. As we look into evaluating interventions for improvement the focus needs to be on objectives, procedures, and outcomes. As we work within our organization we must consider involvement of all stakeholders to make the interventions successful. As leaders we need to consider all viewpoints and be able to modify, redirect or change the intervention at any time. By evaluating and changing interventions can cause improvement.

The readings this week have given me the opportunity to reflect on my organization and the tasks I will be performing this week. I will be involved in instructional rounds, observation and evaluation. Prior to this point I have had meetings with all staff to be part of this process. We have set goals, reviewed language arts and math standards along with the 6 standards for the teaching profession. Dates and times have been set along with the follow up meetings where all observations will be reviewed and discussed. As I read the material for this week it clarified the importance of this process although I did not refer to it as an intervention.

Through the last round of observation I relied primarily on technology and took copious notes on my netbook. I did not focus on the teacher and discussed this with them ahead of time. My goal was to record as much as I could from the students and the teacher as the lesson occured. This was a very powerful tool because the information I later shared with the teacher was very empowering. For example: I was able to take a "snapshot" of a response from a child verifying the student understood the concept being taught. In preparing for this week the teachers are excited that I am not focused on them but on the students and the concept being taught.

In closing, I have made a few more attempts to contact my organization outside education. I recieved a call- back late Friday evening and was directed I will recieve a call on Monday to set up a meeting to schedule the intended visits. What I have learned so far is HR is a very serious position. I have had to really think about this as I believe my perspective can be reflected from my readings in Bolman and Deal. My assumption is HR is the human and sensitive side. From my experience I am changing that perspective and am more in tune with the seriousness and urgency in that position. I look forward to learning more about this department in my own organization, the one I will research and others in our cohort.

Educational Diagnosis

As I reviewed, read and reflected on the readings assigned for the week I realized the tools I have learned to continue to grow in my profession. In the article, Organizational Diagnosis, they discuss establishing  a purpose to a shared understanding of a system based on determining whether change is desirable. Without a shared understanding of the system, change would not be an easy outcome. Once all stakeholders share the same understanding programs can be developed and implemented with rigor and fidelity.When people consider themselves full fledged members of an organization they become part of the greater good and are tied to the cause.

When we think about changing social systems it can be accomplished with developing strong PLC's where communication and trust are well established. As I read on appreciative inquiry and action research I reflected on the research available and going on in my own organization. Trust has been fostered on my campus and teachers are involved in their own action research with their colleagues and have involved the student body. The energy going on as staff continue to bridge the educational gap is amazing! I want to continue to learn more about action research and the best way to develop and implement.

In closing, I have continued to connect with the organization I will be studying and doing a comparison/ contrast. So far, the presidents and owners of the organization have been supportive and inspiring. They have shared their feelings about education and have expressed interest in the support of higher education. They have given me access to the human resource department and we are working on an observation calendar. I was interested in the case study on HR consultants as I work with this HR department and look forward to comparing and contrasting my own organization. My goal is to have my first on site observation this week and one every week for the next four weeks.

Educational Culture

As we begin preparing to go into organizations outside of education a new lense has been created for me and allowed me to view my own job differently. For instance, I recently met with my grade level teams as we discussed the "urgency" in education as we get the students ready for the CST's. As we discussed this we compared it to the "urgency" from a retail corporation that has the staff members use "urgency" as part of the plan to keep production and sales high. The staff appreciated the comparison and it created many conversations that were inspiring as we discussed how to best prepare students.

Also, as I reflected on the upcoming observance of Martin Luther King and his famous "I have a dream" speech I had the ability to change my focus while still honoring this incredible leader.  Rather than read and discuss the dream speech I did some research and found his " Education" speech. The speech was short, direct and dicussed why we do what we do. It had a very profound ending that stated, Teachers, Be Careful!" What I have learned so far in class has given me the ability to change and inspire others to do so as well.

I have contacted an organization and have had two conversations with the owner of the company. I expect confirmation tomorrow if we will be welcomed to observe in this field. I keep reflecting on the statement made last week in class of Highly Productive to Highly Destructive. So far I view this company as highly productive and am excited to learn ways to incorporate that mindset and focus to my own organization. The questions and questioning strategies will require organization and clarity. 

Highly Productive or Highly Destructive

Tonights class was informative and encouraging as I prepare to visit an organization outside my educational learning environment. My goal is to go into this assignment with the expectation that everything is fine and nothing is wrong. Dr. Faverty put it in perspective for me when he stated we are getting ready to be able to go into another organization as a leader and do as stated above.

I am curious how other organizations handle customer service and the difficult conversations that must be had at a certain snapshot in time. The difference in the vision, mission and purpose is of high importance to me as well as I hope to learn from any disconnect and be able to apply to my own learning environment.

For the most part I intend to be observant, be true to the task at hand and continue my quest for knowledge in this higher education environment!

Managing Groups

After class last week I reviewed my notes and was inspired by Tuckman's 5 Stages of Group Development specifically forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning. After last quarter and the amount of group work we did it was interesting to review this perspective of group development and compare and contrast the diverse groups we  had the pleasure of working in.

The holiday season is over and we are gearing up to have schools full of students and teachers once again. I have staff meetings and grade level meetings already planned to develop plans for student success. After reviewing the strategies for making it work I plan on implementing Tuckman's 5 Stages and working with my staff to educate students on this process.

One area of focus will be virtual classrooms. Along with the students and staff we hope to enrich the students learning process with this option and get this capability up and running in the next few weeks. One of the areas of focus will be technology and creating an environment where students can continue to be exposed to the rapidly changing technology highway.