Summary:

Join C.T. and guest JJ Albert, principal of Mark Twain Elementary School in Central California, as they explore effective staff motivation, onboarding, and curriculum management in a low socioeconomic, transitional community. JJ shares how he builds strong rapport with a small teaching staff through visibility and open communication, fostering psychological safety and collaboration. He discusses redesigning pacing guides into flexible, manageable cycles and providing ready-to-use lesson plans to reduce teacher stress and promote instructional fidelity. The conversation also covers strategies for efficient, focused staff meetings and involving teachers in decision-making. This episode offers practical leadership approaches to support teacher growth and sustain motivation while addressing community challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Strong Rapport and Visibility: JJ emphasizes building personal relationships with a small staff through classroom visits, open communication, and making teachers feel comfortable and supported.
• Flexible Pacing Guides: He redesigned pacing guides into manageable 4-6 week cycles aligned to essential standards, allowing adjustments for real-world teaching interruptions, which reduces teacher stress and burnout.
• Instructional Support: JJ and his academic coaches provide ready-to-use lesson plans linked to curriculum standards, shifting teacher focus from planning to delivery and instructional quality.
• Collaborative Staff Meetings: He transformed meetings to be more efficient and focused on collaboration and instructional strategies, eliminating lengthy announcements and empowering grade-level teamwork.
• Inclusive Decision-Making: JJ involves teachers in curriculum and instructional decisions, valuing input while maintaining final administrative responsibility to foster ownership and professional growth.
• Teacher Onboarding and Ongoing Support: New teachers receive comprehensive onboarding covering both operational details and evaluation processes, supported by academic coaches and a collaborative environment.
• Focus on Student-Centered Service: JJ views education as a service profession, emphasizing clear expectations, professional responsibility, and creating a culture where staff feel valued and motivated to support students.
• Addressing Challenges of Transient Population: Leading a school with many students who transition in and out, JJ prioritizes coordination with other principals and aligned curricular efforts to provide cohesive student experiences.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode

00:48 Meet JJ Albert: An Experienced Educator

01:34 Understanding Mark Twain Elementary

02:14 Challenges of a Unique School Structure

05:58 Building Rapport with Staff

11:31 Onboarding New Teachers

21:50 Rethinking Pacing Guides

28:00 Streamlining Lesson Plans

32:34 Efficient Staff Meetings

37:10 Advice for Admins

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

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Warning: May cause spontaneous leadership growth and occasional inappropriate laughter during staff meetings.