I know this year will be different for all of us. I know none of us are fully trained for what is about to be our reality. I know some of us are stressing out. However, I also know Alabama has the finest administrators in America, so I am positive we will make it through this year with flying colors.

I know all of us started in education to make a difference. Well… fish, fish, got your wish. 😀 There is an old saying that states, “If it were easy, everyone would be champions.” This is so true. I know we are ALL very competitive, but this year, more than ever, we have to work together. If something is working at your school, share it with everyone. Conversely, if something is not working, do not be afraid to tell us that as well. Too many times, we sit back and worry about what others will think of us. I know I have NOT posted things in the past for fear of the perception. That ship has sailed. I will be honest and post anything that I think might help another school or principal. If you think badly of our school, that is on you. What we should all realize is that, “There but by the grace of God, go I.” I know we need to craft our own narrative for public perception, but we should be able to be honest with our colleagues and trust they will not throw us under the bus. We need each other.

There has never been a year when being a member of CLAS and your affiliate is more important. You will need the timely professional development, legal services, and just plain old camaraderie more than ever. As president of AASSP and a CLAS executive board member, I want to welcome you back to school. I know you were placed where you are for a reason. I know your staff and students need you to be a leader more than ever. They need you calm, reasonable, logical and leading out front. You did not think you were getting out of this letter without some lame story or anecdote did you? So here goes…

There is a story of a pirate captain who always wore a red shirt. One day, his most trusted crew member asked him why. He said, “The crew needs to be able to see me out front, and red is easy to spot but more importantly, if I am injured, they will not see me hurt and lose heart. They need me out front, and they need to see me calm under fire to give them courage.” That is where we are for 2020. Get out front, wear your red shirt, calm your crew and make a note that if it gets too tough, you may also need brown pants! 😀 I love you all and know you will have a GREAT year.

On behalf of the AAMSP Board of Directors, I want to extend greetings and salutations to all middle-level administrators and instructional leaders. AAMSP stands ready to serve as a beacon of light during these unprecedented times caused by COVID – 19. Many of the challenges we will face will require courageous leadership. Difficult decisions will have to be made, and not everyone will be happy or satisfied. Do know that the AAMSP Board of Directors, coupled with our colleagues from around the state, will assist in any manner. You are not alone, and we shall navigate these treacherous waters together.

Secondly, I want to send a clarion call regarding CLAS membership dues and joining the AAMSP affiliate. The real strength of any organization lies in its membership and mission. I want to encourage all middle-level administrators and instructional leaders to become active with CLAS and AAMSP by first paying membership dues. For CLAS to continue to offer its members value-added services, there will be a need to sustain and grow membership. Next, I will ask members to recruit instructional leaders who are no longer active with CLAS and AAMSP. Lastly, find time to mentor aspiring leaders and have them commit to membership. We want to scale both our membership, operation, and services.

Finally, AAMSP members must take time to engage in legislative advocacy. The AAMSP Board of Directors would like to encourage members to develop strong relationships with state legislators. They are in a position to make decisions regarding legislation that will have an impact on public education. When we develop deep, lasting, healthy relationships with our legislators, we will be in a posture to maximize our influence and compose our narrative.

In conclusion, I am excited about this year and the opportunities for greatness it will bring. We have several institutes and conferences planned that will benefit the growth and development of our membership. Attend the various district meetings, leadership institutes, and conferences. Do not forget to join us on November 8 – 11, 2020, for the AASSP / AAMSP Fall Conference, held at the Perdido Beach Resort. Our theme is “Recharge!” I hope to see you there as we move onward and upward towards greatness.

If you are reading this, you are a leader. Regardless of your position, if you inspire others, then you are a leader. Are you a leader that you would follow? What are you doing to inspire others on a positive path? These comments and questions are ones we expect to see, read, and hear often in our role as a leader. However, never have we been called to lead in times like these. Everyone under your care is looking to you to guide, inspire, comfort, and encourage them in uncertain times. Everyone is seeking a sense of normalcy during unprecedented times, and everyone is looking to you to provide as much normalcy as possible.

Ok, enough with the inspirational speech about what everyone needs from you. When the rubber meets the road, how do we provide what our followers need? You could ask five people that question and get six different answers. However, you must find the answer that best suits your situation. I have some ideas on how to meet the needs of those under your care, and I will touch on each one briefly. These ideas are universal and timeless. None are mine.

Confidence

If you find yourself on a train going down a steep incline with no brakes, the last thing you want to know is your conductor’s name is George Costanza. You would much rather have George Patton leading that train. The general exuded confidence always, and those under his care needed that confidence. George Costanza is the exact opposite. You must exude confidence for those under your care. Granted you do not need arrogance, but everyone needs to believe in you and the plans you have in place.

Network

Have you talked with your peers? What are other leaders doing? Have you vetted ideas from your peers across your district, area, region, state, and nation? Have you talked with public health officials, local leaders, and stakeholders? Getting information from others is critical to ensure that you are on the right path. Often your conversations can give you a sense of what NOT to do. If an idea has been implemented and failed, why would you want to travel the same path?

Data

Leaders need data to make informed decision. In some cases, data are difficult to find; our currently reality fits this case. We do not have a template to use, so we must use the best data we can find to help inform our decision making. Be open and honest with the data you have and share that data with those under your care. What you do in your school or system could be different than what is done in a neighboring school or system, and both cases should be driven by the data gathered for each one.

Communicate

I cannot stress this part enough! Communicate regularly. Remember, the biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it is being done. Simply sending an email is not communicating unless the recipient reads the email. Inform everyone under your care about how you will communicate and set expectations for those receiving your communication. Communication will be critical when the plan changes, and the plan WILL change. Communication must be fluid with those under your care and those at other levels of the organization. Everyone on the leadership continuum needs to be aware of what is going on as much as possible.

Plan

“In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” – General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Planning is critical. Communicating the plans is critical. Your leadership team must be on the same page with the plan as this allows you to implement the plan effectively. It also allows you to pivot with the plan as needed. Keep in mind, you will be pivoting. Something will occur that changes the plan or renders it obsolete. What happens then? If you have been communicating, networking, and analyzing data, you will be ahead of the curve when changes occur.

Reflect

Reflection is critical to the success of your organization. Reflection time should be regularly scheduled and conducted with your team then communicated as needed to others. Use data to help guide the reflection process. Why is our plan not working? What can we do to change our trajectory? What is going well? How are you? These are a few of the questions you can and should be asking yourself and your team and those under your care. If you have someone who complains about the plan, you should take the complaint as seriously as needed for the situation. “I don’t like this plan,” should be followed by “Can you give us some solutions to make it better?” Remember, complaints without solutions are not helpful to anyone.

Repeat

Repeat the processes mentioned above regularly. Times like these do NOT call for plans on shelves. Everyone needs plans that are clearly communicated and easily implemented. The plans also need to be appropriately flexible when change is necessary.

Wow, that was easy! Everything should be so simple. AASSP stands ready to help you in any way possible. Your leadership is working hard for you every day. Your officers, Katrina Akers, and I will be here for you when you need us. Let us know how we can help.

Thank you for all you do for those under your care. You are all Rock Stars in my book!

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) oversees and supports the work of the Alabama Student Council Association (ASCA) and invites your school to join our student organization. ASCA provides excellent benefits for student council/student government sponsors and students alike. Your school’s annual membership in ASCA entitles your student council advisor(s) to attend a virtual one-day training at no cost to your school. Advisors/sponsors from all over Alabama will share fundraising ideas, set goals that will assist them in developing student leaders, discuss common issues, and network with other student government advisors. Your student government advisor(s), new or veteran, should be there!

In addition, your school’s membership brings you and your sponsor information and discounts on the ASCA Spring Conference to be held April 2021. This Conference is an excellent opportunity for your students to interact with other student leaders across the state, share ideas, hear outstanding speakers, compete for scholarships, and be recognized as the next generation of leaders in Alabama.

It was unfortunate that our students were unable to have their annual spring conference this past spring; however, as we move forward with the contagious optimism that is shared by our younger generation, we look forward to your school’s participation in our state organization.

Join with us as we continue to provide quality leadership opportunities for our students. Included is your ASCA membership form for the Alabama Student Council Association and my contact information for your SCA/SGA advisor.

Your continued support of our student council/student government organization is essential to the success of ASCA.

Sincerely,

Katrina Akers, ASCA Executive Director & AASSP Assistant Executive Director

Email: katrina@clasleaders.org
Website: www.clasleaders.org/aassp
Location: Council For Leaders in Alabama Schools, Pelham Street, Montgomery, AL, USA
Phone: 8002393616