Why Are You Here?

[Dedrick]

One area of growth that I am really focusing on as a leader is how to get to the heart of who someone is. Jim Collins in his book "Good To Great" talks about getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats as being one of the things that took good companies to great companies. I love the way Michelle Rhee is running the DC school district with her no nonsense approach to protecting the futures of the scholars that are under her leadership by holding people accountable and making sure the right people are on the bus for the right reasons. Jim Collins also said, and I totally agree, that the right people on the bus for the right reasons make people management and motivation less of an issue.....that way the "issue" can be the "issue". However, one way to have that kind of atmosphere is to absolutely have the right people on board for the right reasons the first time. I want to learn more about getting to the heart of a person during interviews. As a leader it is so frustrating when you have to sacrifice scholars education because you have to replace someone that really didn't believe in the mission. Who was in it just for a paycheck. This work is too important for that! I have tried to search for questions that will allow me to do this, but have had limited success. In teacher interviews I try not to focus too much on the craft, because I am confident that I can teach you about those things (differentiated instruction, re-teaching, RTI, classroom management techniques, technology in the class, etc.), but I can't make you believe in this work and how it is so much larger than us. That it is not about us. I can go on and on about this, but I won't bore you with that..... Is there anyone out there who can assist me in finding the type of questions I am talking about from your own experience or from some contacts you have?

[Sandy Hirtz]

Hi Dedrick,
Great questions. I totally agree with "getting the right people on the bus and in the right seats." I work with a team of people that have developed workshops and materials for training education leaders and stakeholders. You can visit our NING community, Interactive Innovations, to access many of the materials.

[Dedrick]

I am the president of Sims-Fayola International Academies, Inc, and we are looking to open two charter schools in the year 2011 in Arkansas and Louisiana. Meanwhile I am reaching out to people who are as serious about this work of educating urban students as I am. I will definitely take a look at your site and see how we could possibly partner together. If you know of others I could reach out to as a resource, I would certainly appreciate it.