Gratitude Edition

 

Team, I hope you have had an excellent week as we wrap up the month of November and head into a


holiday season.  I am deeply grateful for all the work - the hard, urgent, meaningful work - each of you do each day. Today, I write you from the NST having returned last Sunday from Harvard's Family Engagement Institute with Dr. Karen Mapp. It was a truly transformative experience and we left with both inspiration and commitment to the important work of partnering with families. 

Alas, it has been a bit since I've sent an update to the team so this is a lengthy one:

1. NST Alignment:  Yesterday we hosted the monthly NST Community Meeting which was chalk full of a lot of updates (including the potential new Lauren Dembo Training Center at ECM!).  As was announced, I will be moving into a new role next summer and supervising schools.  Part of the realignment process is anchoring in a shared instructional vision and how to maximize NST supports to drive student outcomes at schools.  This is going to mean changes for us - the Academic Team.  On Monday, 12/2 we will convene to dive into a feedback session where you will get a chance to reflect on NST services and provide input on how to better leverage our talents to drive outcomes in schools.

2. NST School Support Follow-Up:  thank you for your candor and vulnerability in our retreat at the Kroc center on 11/12.  We rolled up the survey feedback and I wanted to share those trends with you:

  • The retreat provided meaningful opportunities to build stronger relationships with my colleagues - 94%
  • I gained practical strategies to adapt my leadership approach based on different situations and team needs. - 83%
  • Today's retreat helped me better understand my role in achieving our network goals and driving RP2 results. -  60%
  • I am leaving with clear, actionable next steps to implement what I learned in my daily work. - 71%
  • The logistics of the day were well-communicated and smooth. - 97%


Highlights

  • Team members really enjoyed the Noble Leader session, particularly the reflection on how one’s self-limiting mindset impacts leadership behaviors
  • Learning about the “Doer” role and how it affects one’s work, as well as the importance of adaptive leadership
  • Time spent working on and sharing SMARTIE GOALS
  • Getting to know different team members

 

Areas of Improvement

  • While the Nobel Story training provided thought provoking and great material, the team wanted more in-depth guidance and support to successfully implement these learnings into the work
  • More time for processing and developing concrete outcomes
  • Differentiate session content and format to accommodate the various roles and levels within the NST team (Senior Directors, Directors, Assistant Directors). Provide more "safe space" for each group to process their development

For the next retreat

  • Continued team training and development on adaptive leadership
  • Analyzing progress on goals, reviewing NST perception data, and looking ahead to reorganization impacts and developing specific leadership skills to improve network results
  • Addressing challenges around dotted-line management and cross-functional collaboration

We will come back with a more comprehensive plan on the way adaptive leadership and your Noble Story will be integrated into ongoing rhythms.  In the meanwhile, please ensure that you share your 5-square with your manager before winter break - this reflection should allow you to align to your Leadership Competency goals. 

3. ELA Curricula Adoption:  Kudos to the K-8 ELA team for orchestrating an inclusive, intentional working group process this fall to land on two finalists for adoption.  How exciting!  The two finalists will be shared at principal and AP feedback need week:  Amplify and EL Education.  Ask Bridget, Kallie, or Rachel their thoughts!  I, for one, am rooting for Amplify in this final stage...

With that, some personal updates!! 

Well, first I turned 43 on 11/12 so - as my dad tells me every year on my birthday - I'm in my best year yet!  I am also trudging through STATA to get some traction on my dissertation, specifically on getting my "Do File" set up with the proper code to run 12 regression analyses (yes, you read that right).  Next week I am taking off to get some R&R, prepare for the holidays, and continue that damn dissertation.  

One the fun side, my son is in the playoff game tomorrow - if they win, they'll go to the championship on 11/30 ---- fingers crossed!



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