Why Have an Entry Plan?
I began developing Entry Plans many years ago as I applied for head football coaching positions. I always believed the plan played an instrumental role in getting me the job, and guided me successfully through the initial challenges of the job if I was fortunate enough to land it. An Entry Plan forces you to develop your vision, values, goals and beliefs as a leader. It challenges you to research the prospective employer and postion, and if done right, puts you in the position of understanding the school, company or business better than some of the people on the other side of the interview table. My Entry Plan is a living document that I reflect on weekly and adjust when necessary. I highly recommend anyone interviewing for a leadership position to develop an Entry Plan. If you are already in a leadership position an Entry Plan could easily be used to establish your new vision and assess your progress. The Entry Plan below has guided me in my first 100 days as a new Principal.
The Importance of an Entry Plan
In Jim Collins’ bestselling book “Good to Great” he points out that the enemy of Great is Good. He explains that we don’t have great schools because we have good schools – society is content with good. Normandin Middle School is a NELMS spotlight school that is primed for greatness. A clear, concise and intentional plan will ensure that the transition of principals is a catalyst for excitement, change and continued improvement. An Entry Plan serves as the principal’s review of the school; it demonstrates that he is a keen observer, an active listener and a proactive organizer. This document will provide our school administration, staff, students and community insight into my vision and thought process, and will outline my goals to aligning Normandin Middle School along a path of Greatness. I have found the process of developing this plan insightful, challenging and rewarding. The complex decisions involved in creating this plan were based on my fundamental core values as an educator and lifelong learner. My vision is to lead Normandin Middle School so that it is not only the best middle school in Massachusetts, but also the best school-period!
MY PERSONAL EDUCATIONAL VISION & VALUES
“VISION”
Our Normandin School community is a family. As educators we must treat each child as if they were our own. We must work together, support each other and realize that no one person is bigger than the school/family. We will all work hard, support one another and grow together. Our school is our family – success is a by-product of our commitment to working together and respecting each other.
“THREE POINT FAMILY VALUES”
1. BE THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE:
We must demand from each other that we be the best person we can be with regard to character, honor and integrity. Students, staff & administration must realize that their actions while members of the Normandin Middle School family are a direct reflection on the entire school.
2. BE THE BEST STUDENT YOU CAN BE:
Education is the meal ticket to success! Students must demand from themselves that they do everything in their power to succeed in school, while the adults do "whatever it takes" to ensure student success. Students must strive to do their best academically and behaviorally-becoming leaders in our school.
3. BE THE BEST COMMUNITY CITIZEN:
We must commit to giving back to our community through community service learning. It is important that we understand and respect the great New Bedford history and contribute as model citizens.
ENTRY PLAN - CORE VALUES
Culture of Personalization:
Our school will be a “Home Away from Home” for students, staff, family and community. A
place where the climate provides personalized learning for every student, built on strong student, staff, family, business and community partnerships. A place where everyone is treated with respect, treated fairly and appreciated.
Culture of Collaboration:
Our school will be a place where students, staff, parents, administrators and community
members work together and take ownership in developing and maintaining a dynamic student-centered learning environment.
Our school will be a place where academic and personal excellence is an expectation for all. It must be our fundamental belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels. It is our collective responsibility to ensure we do “whatever it takes” to prepare our students for the competitive 21st century global evironment. We will celebrate our successes!
ENTRY PLAN – GOALS
1. Perform a needs assessment to establish our strengths and needs for improvement
2. Establish a culture of learning
3. Establish system for clear communication
4. Establish high expectations that are clearly defined and communicated
* This plan is a draft and is subject to change based on collaborated input from our school family
For the complete Entry Plan, including goal assessment, objectives, actions and timelines please click link below:
4 comments:
Great suggestion. I'm a new principal beginning January 14th.
What I like most about your example goals is that they are universal needs for any school. You prioritise those goals and continually refer back to them.
There is a LOT I don't know about my new school - especially since it's in a different country. I'll be observing and asking questions my first year.
I realize I need to think more deeply than that, though. The process of writing down core values, vision, goals, and objectives helps make the path more clear.
Janet | expateducator.com
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment Janet. Congratulations on your new position! The plan is certainly ambtitious, and harder to execute than it was to write. Although I didn't get to every detail on my 100 day plan, I was able to use it as a guide and tweak it as I went. Treating it as a living, breathing document allowed me the flexibility I needed. Good luck!
Very well thought out. Your plan is reflective of your effectiveness as a school leader. I will certainly use it to guide me in writing my own entry plan. Hopefully, it will help me land a school leadership position soon. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Tagrid for your comment. Good luck landing a new position, keep me posted on the good news!
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