Interventions

I found the article on Toolpack Consulting to be rather interesting. Beginning with the three reasons most people are suspicious of consultants. The first of these reasons, the fad or fly-by-night initiative which is when managers are enthusiastic until the next new thing comes along. Situations such as this occur frequently in my school site. Currently, my school is undergoing a CPM review, where the CPM review board visits the school site to ensure that all categorical funding is being spent appropriately and that their is equal access to curriuclum for English Learners. In order to help prepare my school site for this visit, local District 1 has arranged two "mock" visits in order to make sure that we are ready for the real. In preparation for our second visit the staff was told "put on a show" when they visit the classrooms. The whole purpose for a CPM review is to make sure that the school is servicing the students appropriately. I ask what will happen when the CPM review is over, the school is going to go back to business as usual, and no real change will have been made.

The article also talks about the components of a successful organizational transformation, empowering employees to do their jobs to be best of their ability is one of those components. Is that the message that my school site is sending? Absolutely not, my school site is sending the dog and pony show message. The truth of the matter is, a school going through CPM review should use this opportunity to better themselves, not put on a show for the powers that be..

The Group Process

Working in a group effectively is a trait that is not easily accomplished. As individuals we are aware of our processes towards the task involved. However when working in a group we must compromise our processes to be able to accommodate to the group environment. This is not easily done. According to Tuckman, there are four stages that groups must go through in order to be able to function and tackle the task at hand. These stages Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing, go from getting to know each other socially, organizing and comprising, role recognition, and finally the last stage when the group functions most effectively. I find it a bit ironic that we ask our students to try to work in groups effectively when its so difficult for adults to do it. Currently, I am the head of the ESL department where I face group challenges and resistance on a daily basis. Trying to accomplish a single goal can at times turn into World War 3. I have group members that love to participate and have such a great attitude and are open and I have others who are quiet and won't participate at all. As a leader, I wonder what I have to do to get my group out of the Storming stage and into the Norming in order to have a better functioning group.

Introduction

Blogging is definitely harder than it looks...I am sure it will become easier as I go...or rather I hope!