Summary: CT sits down with William Nee, principal of Oakland Unity High School in Oakland, California, for an in-depth discussion on “active supervision” in school leadership. Rather than adopting a traditional, office-bound approach, William spends most of his school days on his feet, actively engaging with students, staff, and the school environment. This episode explores William’s philosophy and the real-world practicalities of his “mobile office” approach, his focus on relationships, and the outcomes his school has achieved.

Key Takeaways:

• Active supervision is a proactive, intentional strategy that involves moving around, scanning all areas, and frequently interacting with students—whether in classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, or transitions.
• Prevents and addresses behavioral issues, reduces challenging behaviors, and increases on-task and positive behavior.
• Fosters student safety by monitoring all students, anticipating risks, and responding quickly to prevent injuries or unsafe situations.
• Builds stronger relationships between staff and students through regular, informal interactions, encouraging positive feedback, and providing timely support when needed.
• Increases student engagement and learning assistance by identifying students who need help and offering immediate, developmentally appropriate feedback and redirection.
• Promotes a positive school culture by reinforcing expectations, prompting appropriate behavior, and delivering corrective actions as needed—all in a fair, consistent, and relational manner.
• Effective in all settings and age groups, including classrooms, outdoor play, transitions, and after-school activities, and is adaptable to different levels of risk and student independence.
• Requires minimal resources but yields significant benefits, reducing disruptions and increasing safety with simple strategies like proximity, scanning, and regular student check-ins.
• Staff training and intentional setup are essential—active supervision works best when the environment is organized for visibility, staff are positioned strategically, and everyone understands their role in supervision

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Active Supervision

00:57 Meet Principal William Nee

01:12 The Oakland Unity High School Story

03:11 The Evolution of School Discipline

04:42 The Power of Active Supervision

05:49 A Day in the Life of Principal Nee

08:29 The Importance of Presence

09:36 Lessons from the Hallways

13:59 Building Relationships and Community

16:36 The Impact of Active Supervision

17:39 Engaging with Students in the Hallway

18:41 Balancing Administrative Duties and School Culture

19:35 The Importance of Being Present

21:30 Tools and Techniques for Effective Supervision

23:18 Adapting Leadership Styles Post-COVID

25:54 Focusing on Academic Results

31:06 Advice for Implementing Active Supervision

Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with William Nee: linkedin.com/in/william-nee-a16b00233



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