Central Falls, Rhode Island, Superintendent, Frances Gallo, had pinks slips placed in the mailboxes of all 74 of the high school’s teachers. According to the report, Central Fall High School is one of the poorest performing schools in the state, with a less than 50 percent graduation rate. “Supt. Gallo said the teachers would not agree on a plan to fix the struggling school that included a longer school day and tutoring before and after school.” The report indicates that the teachers wanted to be compensated for working extra duties.

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Shine Those Diamonds - During a visit to our school several years ago, I was asked by a high-ranking U.S. Department of Education official, “Did you have to purge the staff?” I responded with a question, “Have you ever read Acres of Diamonds?” A big smile suddenly appeared on his face. It turns out that he had. Our school improvement efforts were led by a core group of dedicated, highly skilled teacher leaders all of whom had worked 15 or more years in the school. My job as principal was to find the diamonds and let them shine. In other words, I had to set teachers and their students up for success.

Control or Cooperation – In order to raise the achievement of each and every student, we need everyone working together taking ownership of the problems as well as the solutions. After this mass termination, I wonder how anyone will be able to gain the trust of the staff. As I indicated in a previous post, the essential question that every school leader and classroom leader must ask is “Do I want control or cooperation?” The answer to that question creates an intention that drives all future behavior. A school leader or classroom leader who seeks cooperation will think and behave much differently than one who seeks control. I contend that, if one has cooperation, control is unnecessary. However, it is the illusion of control or the fear of losing control that drives many leaders to engage in the kind of close-minded, top-down styles of interacting that erode relationships, stifle dialogue, and connote a lack of respect. Are you willing to give up a little control in order to get more cooperation? Are you willing to spend more time making decisions in order to make better decisions? Are you okay with not knowing all the answers? Are you willing to ask more questions?

The right thing, the right way, for the right reason – Schools become high-performing because they treat other peoples’ children the way that they would want their own children treated. In that same vein, we must treat our teachers the same way that we would want our wives or husbands treated if they were teaching at our school. My wife taught for 30 years and I can tell you that her classroom perspective kept me grounded. I certainly would not want her to receive a pink slip in her mailbox.