IIP - Oscar Cano - LSP1 Independent Learning Activities

Place your reflection for Independent Learning activity #1 here:

Reflection on the Workshop/PD Experience #1

I chose the learning goal “Professional Imprint 1.1.3 Resiliency” because balancing my personal and professional life is crucial for effective leadership. Resiliency isn’t just about getting through tough times; it’s about keeping a positive attitude and staying strong over the long haul. As an interim principal, it’s important for me to show that I can manage stress and maintain a healthy outlook. This goal helps me stay balanced, which in turn, supports my ability to lead my team effectively.

The workshop I attended, “Healthy Teachers: Twelve Brain-Based Principles to Avoid Burnout, Increase Optimism, and Support Physical Well-Being,” was part of a three-day conference by Solution Tree in Phoenix, Arizona. Our school is working on the PLC (Professional Learning Communities) approach, and this workshop was offered to our admin team. I decided to go because it seemed like a perfect fit for my goal of improving resilience and managing stress.

I chose this workshop because it focused on practical ways to prevent burnout and promote well-being. The session covered brain-based strategies for staying healthy and positive, which seemed very relevant to my needs. I wanted to learn techniques that would help me and my team handle stress better and keep a positive attitude, making it a great choice for my professional development.

Attending this workshop gave me some really useful ideas for managing stress and staying resilient. The session talked about simple practices, like taking regular breaks, using mindfulness techniques, and setting clear boundaries, which can help prevent burnout. I learned that taking care of myself and creating a positive work environment are key to staying strong and effective in my role.

One of the big lessons was that resilience involves both personal habits and the overall work culture. By encouraging self-care and fostering a supportive atmosphere, we can all handle stress better and keep a positive outlook. This fits with my goal of maintaining a good balance between work and personal life, and it showed me how to create a healthier work environment for everyone.

Next Steps at My Site

I plan to start by introducing self-care practices into my daily routine and encouraging my team to do the same. This might include taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and setting boundaries to manage stress. By doing this, I hope to set an example and help everyone feel supported.
I want to create a more supportive work environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their challenges and successes. This could involve regular check-ins with staff to talk about their well-being and offering support when needed. Open communication and support can make a big difference in handling stress.
I’ll make sure to include wellness strategies in our professional development sessions. This means sharing what I learned from the workshop with the team and giving them tools and tips for managing stress and staying positive. By integrating these strategies, we can all benefit from better practices.
I’ll regularly check how well our new self-care practices and wellness strategies are working. Getting feedback from the staff will help me understand what’s effective and what might need tweaking. This ongoing evaluation will help us create a work environment that truly supports everyone’s well-being.

Place your reflection for Independent Learning activity #2 here:

Reflection on Reading the book "Fierce Conversations"

I chose the learning goal “Flexibility 1.1.2 Buffering” because it’s important for effective leadership to practice an approach that focuses on optimizing conversations rather than blaming. In my role as an interim principal, I need to handle a lot of tough conversations, whether with staff, students, or parents. It’s important to approach these discussions in a way that builds trust and helps solve problems without creating more conflict. This learning goal is about maintaining a positive and productive dialogue, which is essential for fostering a healthy school environment.

The book we read, “Fierce Conversations” by Susan Scott, was selected because it offers practical advice on how to have direct and effective conversations. The book emphasizes the importance of having tough conversations in a way that’s respectful and solution-oriented. I felt it was the perfect resource to help us improve our communication skills and handle difficult topics more effectively. The concepts in the book are all about fostering open, honest, and productive discussions, which ties directly into our goal of practicing an optimizing, non-blaming approach.

Reading “Fierce Conversations” was a game-changer for me as a leader. The book taught me how to approach conversations with a mindset of openness and problem-solving rather than blame. It emphasized that conversations are not just about exchanging information but also about building relationships and finding solutions. This has been incredibly helpful in my role, where I often need to address various issues with different people.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was the importance of being fully present in conversations. Scott discusses how staying focused and genuinely listening can make a huge difference in how a conversation unfolds. This has helped me be more attentive and responsive during discussions, which in turn helps build better relationships with my team. I’ve learned to ask more questions and really understand the underlying issues, rather than just reacting to what’s being said on the surface.

Another key lesson from the book was the value of speaking with clarity and purpose. Scott advises against vague language and emphasizes the need to be direct and honest. This has helped me communicate more effectively with my staff and students. I’m now more confident in addressing difficult topics and providing clear, constructive feedback.

Next Steps at My Site

1. I plan to encourage more open and honest conversations within my team. This means creating opportunities for staff to share their thoughts and concerns openly and making sure that everyone feels heard. I’ll model this approach by being more transparent in my own communications and actively seeking feedback from others.

2. I will organize workshops or training sessions on effective communication based on the principles from “Fierce Conversations.” This will help the entire staff improve their conversational skills and apply the strategies we’ve learned from the book. The goal is to ensure that everyone is equipped to handle tough conversations in a constructive and non-blaming manner.

3. I’ll make a point to regularly reflect on how conversations are going in our school. This will involve seeking feedback from staff about how well our communication strategies are working and making adjustments as needed. By keeping track of our progress, I can ensure that we’re continuously improving our approach to conversations.

4. I aim to create a school culture where tough conversations are seen as opportunities for growth rather than conflict. This involves setting up a supportive environment where staff and students feel comfortable addressing issues and working through challenges together. I’ll emphasize the importance of constructive dialogue and provide support for anyone struggling with difficult conversations.

Place your reflection for independent learning activity #3 here (only required for make-up assignment):