To Whom It May Concern: Caution!
As you begin this new school year ask yourself, “Are you managing multiple initiatives in your district or site?”
Here is what Dr. Schmoker had to say in an email subsequent to a visit to one of our client districts:
If you take on another initiative one or more of the following three things will happen:
Staff will become overwhelmed and will decide for themselves what not to do
Staff will become overwhelmed and will attempt to do it all but will never become proficient,
Staff will become overwhelmed and will pretend they are implementing the initiatives or they won’t pretend at all.
Our recommendation for folks we work with to implement Focused Instruction is no different. As Confucius says, “Person who chases two rabbits catches neither.”
How about you? Can you think of any other effects of pursuing too many initiatives? You can use our language frame: “Staff will become overwhelmed and…”
Let us know! Post your contribution on Facebook page or Twitter. Make sure to tag your comment with #onethingatatime