Survey+Questions



Introduction to Survey: We're looking for the skills of a successful leader to share with our readers vs. an explanation of the programs at your schools.We recognize the time it would take to answer each of these questions with indepth detail so please don't think you have to do that. Instead, share one or two things that you did that would be helpful advice. That's the key purpose of this project and with everyone's input we believe we'll be able to collaboratively provide thoughtful help to our colleagues engaged in middle level leadership. Please keep this in mind as you answer the survey questions.

__Serving Every Student__

1. Understanding how the characteristics and needs of young adolescents impact their learning is one of the tenets of quality middle level education. As a middle level leader, how do you ensure this understanding permeates all aspects of your school?

2. How do you maintain an atmosphere of high expectations and ensure equitable access to all programs for all students in your school?

__Creating a Shared Vision__

3. How did you build your personal vision for what a quality middle level school should be?

4. "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality." (Warren Bemis) How did you go about turning your personal vision into a shared vision within the school community?

5. How did you develop a school culture that values and supports collaborative leadership?

__Communicating Effectively__

6. What have you done to effectvely communicate with your various stakeholders (i.e. district office, parents, community, students) to help build their understanding and support of your school?

7. How do you go about maintaining regular transparent communication with all members of the school community?

8. Describe one communication network you use that is important to your school's success.

__Leading for Academic Growth and Personal Development__

9. In professional development //one size does not fit all//. How do you differentiate professional development to meet the adult learning needs of your staff?

10. How do you maintain positive relationships with your staff while at the same time holding them accountable for meeting the responsibilities of their positions? ( ie: student academic growth, assigned duties, parent relationships and communication, genuine collegiality)

11. What techniques have you found effective for implementing consistent data-driven decisions?

11A. How do you ensure you are hiring staff members that are both knowledgeable and committed to working with young adolescents?

__Sustaining Change__

12. You know changes need to be made. How do you determine your entry point for school improvement?

13. What are two or three of the most important actions you've taken to ensure the continual progress of your school?

14. To sustain change it is necessary to build leadership capacity in others. Give an example of how you have done this.

__Organizing for Success__

15. What is your best time management technique?

16. How do you prioritize issues and tasks?

17. When things don't go as planned, how do you get back on track?

__Modeling Personal Professional Development__

18. In the last 12 months, describe two things you've done that directly supported your personal professional development?

19. How do you build time for professional development into your busy schedule?

__Advocating for Middle Level Education__

20. How have you gained resources for your school that were outside the budget?

21. How do you keep others in your district informed about middle level education? (e.g. district office, high school, elementary school)

22. How does your school celebrate its successes?

23. What tips can you offer for working with your local media?

General Questions:

24. What do you know now that you wish you had known when you first started your career?

25. What is the best piece of advice you can give to a colleague starting out in your position?

26. What do think is the key to your success as a middle level leader?