How to Lead a Thriving School: A Step by Step Guide for Elementary Principals Creating a Culture That Helps All Staff and Students to Thrive

By Marg Dodds

This manual is a practical guide for Principals. Its contents are designed to save school administrators time and energy. The guide is based on a proven set of strategies focused on a year-long communication plan and includes key documents that can be readily adapted for your school.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: May 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781982279936

Marg Dodds

Marg believes in the inherent worth of every living soul. This deep sense that each person matters informs her leadership. Having authentic relationships with the children and families we serve helps us to resolve issues with relative ease. This manual will help the child, their parents and all staff, to be committed to providing the best learning experience possible for each student. Marg has taught on four different continents, Grades 1 through 8, in a variety of socio-economic circumstances. She has successfully applied the strategies described in this manual wherever she worked in the world.

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Copyright © 2022 Marg Dodds.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

844-682-1282

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-9822-7992-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9822-7993-6 (e)

Balboa Press rev. date: 05/06/2022

Contents

About the Author

Introduction

SECTION ONE

Philosophy

Principles and Strategies

1. Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence

• Self-Esteem

• Self-Confidence

2. Physical Environment

3. Safety

• Signage to be Posted in Each Classroom and Hallway

o Happy

o Safe

o Hands Off

o Ignore / Give Space

o Talk

o See A Teacher

• Red Dots

4. Relationship Building

• Building Relationships with Staff

• Building Relationships with Parents

• Building Relationships with Students

5. Communication

6. The Importance of Structure

7. Success Measures

8. Importance of a Mentor/Confidant

9. You Can Do This

SECTION TWO

STEP 1: Building the School Year Framework

School Calendar

Staff Handbook

Family Handbook

Monday Memos

Tuesday Folders

Informative Monthly Newsletters

Resolving an Issue

STEP 2: Ensure All Interest Groups in the Building have Designated Time for Your Undivided Attention (Staff, Students, and Parents)

In-School Meetings

Healthy School Committee Meetings

Parent Council Meetings for Open Communication

Rotation and Meetings with Lunch Hour Assistants

Check-In with Educational Assistants (brief, weekly)

STEP 3: Building Relationships to Secure Your Foundation

Recess Room

End of Month Assemblies

Switch Around Days

Student-Led Conferences

Positive Phone Calls

Agendas

Grade 8 Students (Getting Them to Help)

STEP 4: Cementing Positive Relationships in Your Building

Communication, Communication, Communication

Thank You Cards

Find the Great Thing

Staff Socials

Two Over Ten (A Strategy for Classroom Teachers)

Thank you!

Attachments

School Calendar

Staff Handbook

Family Handbook

September Newsletter

Principal’s Guide

Monday Memos

Signage for Classrooms

Here’s What Marg’s Colleagues Have to Say:

Working with Marg was a Master’s class in connection. Her leadership drew from an intuitive knowing that relationships are the core of educational programs. Hers was a personal paradigm, where all students, parents, educators, care staff, support staff were seen and valued.

- Irma Di Renzo (Early Childhood Educator in a School Family Centre)

Only listen to Marg Dodds’ advice if you want to be pushed to your best self. She is a master at viewing the big picture. She digs into her tool kit for brilliant solutions and practical resources that result in CHANGE. These changes will produce happy, successful students and staff, and informed, satisfied communities.

- Charlene Frankavitz (Principal and Special Education Teacher)

Working in an environment that is nurtured by positivity, creates opportunities for people to feel safe, valued, heard, and that they contribute to the school community as a greater whole. As humans, the need to feel valued and that we matter is intrinsic. When this is demonstrated by the leadership in the school, and a positive mindset is the starting point, safe professional environments are created to solve the difficult challenges. Positive leadership is leading by example: with your words, actions, and mindset demonstrating we got this, we will do this together. In today’s current social, political, and environmental climates the leaders who create these environments are crucial to the positive progressive change in how we think and feel about the world and those around us.

- Cass Swift (Special Education Teacher)

I have driven school buses for over 30 years, and I have never encountered a principal as hands on or practical as Marg Dodds. Whenever I had a problem, Marg worked with me, the school, the parents, and most of all the student to come to a successful resolution.

- Phil Burnford (School Bus Driver)

Relationships matter to Marg. She has many years of walking the talk setting up a positive school culture and climate. She can pull people together to work as a team. All aspiring principals or current principals who want to learn more about building relationships and creating a culture of caring should read this book.

- Patti Aelick (Principal)

Dedicated to my two brilliant sons,

Nicholas and Zachary.

Nick and Zac are compassionate,

caring gentlemen.

And to my husband Tom, who has supported all my adventures.

Throughout, he has been a great sport with all my shenanigans!

They make the world a better place.

About the Author

My Leadership Perspective

Kids are like sponges. They sense every interaction between the people in their lives as they try to find their way. All of us want our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbours, and future generations to realize their full potential, equipped with the skills to navigate their life’s path. Whatever life throws at them, we want them to be resilient, courageous, and resourceful as they find solutions to live fulfilling and happy lives. Ideally, we want them to be kind and compassionate too.

As Principals, we serve as role models for the children in our care and for our colleagues. We may forget this at times, but they never