AAESQ / QESBA Spring Conference 2011AAESQ / QESBA Spring Conference 2011AAESQ / QESBA Spring Conference 2011AAESQ / QESBA Spring Conference 2011 Hosted by Western Quebec School BoardHosted by Western Quebec School BoardHosted by Western Quebec School BoardHosted by Western Quebec School Board

May 26 May 26 May 26 May 26 ---- 28, 2011; Hotel Lac Leamy 28, 2011; Hotel Lac Leamy 28, 2011; Hotel Lac Leamy 28, 2011; Hotel Lac Leamy Gatineau, QuebecGatineau, QuebecGatineau, QuebecGatineau, Quebec

NEAR & FARNEAR & FARNEAR & FARNEAR & FAR

www.aaesq.ca

VOLUME XXXVII—No.1

V

OIC

E S

WELCOME

On behalf of the entire staff and the Executive of AAESQ, we would like to take the op-portunity to wish all members, both active and retired, a healthy and rewarding year. This year we will again be focusing on professional development activities for all our members including supporting financially, professional development for locals and sub-sidizing events at school and centres. Our Fall Workshop, held at Hotel La Sapinière on Thursday, October 7 and Friday, Oc-tober 8, allowed members of the Executive, Presidents of Locals, members of the Board of Directors and some ELC members to get to know each other and to partici-pate in 3 very informative workshops. Details on this event can be found in this edition of the Bulletin. A most interesting day is being planned during the Fall Teachers Convention—check out all the details in the Bulletin. As you know, the Association is already watching very closely the upcoming details on possible pension changes due in January 2011, so keep an eye out for the AAESQ Postcards. Another important priority this year will be the sub-committee looking at revising, where necessary, the present AAESQ by-laws and the 2 important documents related to the AAESQ legal defense fund. One of the main items for discussion is how voting will be conducted at this year’s AGM. As well, AAESQ has been invited to participate in various MELS’s summits during the year; the first one on Special Needs’ Students is scheduled to take place on October 25. Spring Conference, May 26-28, 2011, featured on the cover, is being hosted this year by our colleagues at the Western Quebec School Board. Check out the program and speakers on our website at www.aaesq.ca. Please take the opportunity to review the Bulletin to see what your Association is up to.

Stephen Pigeon Ron Silverstone Michael Stirrup President Executive Director Executive Assistant

Presenting your AAESQ Executive for 2010-2011

Stephen Pigeon Mark Massarelli Lucie Roy Jim Jordan President President-Elect Past-President Treasurer Central Quebec Lester B. Pearson Riverside Riverside

Executive Director Ron Silverstone

Executive Assistant Michael Stirrup

Randy MacLEAN Secretary Eastern Townships

Chantal Martin Vice-President (school/ ctre. level) English Montreal

Christine Denommée Vice-President (Board Level) English Montreal

Joanne Simoneau- Polenz Vice-President (at large) Lester B. Pearson

Chris Fuzessy Vice-President (at large) Lester B. Pearson

Katherine Snow Vice-President (at large) English Montreal

Gloria Keenan Vice-President (at large) Lester B. Pearson

France Goyette Vice-President (at large) Lester B. Pearson

Central Quebec Administrators Association Lorne LeMarquand Eastern Shores Administrators Association Howard Miller Eastern Townships Association of School Administrators Peggy McCourt New Frontiers Administrators Association Mike Helm Sir Wilfrid Laurier Administrators Association Josée Côté Riverside Administrators Association Natalie McCarthy Educational Administrators Association of Western Quebec Ralph Mason Association of Montreal School Administrators Evelyne Alfonsi Association of English Montreal Board Administrators Connie Primiano Pearson Association of School Administrators Maria De Wolfe

Association of Pearson Board Administrators Joanne Simoneau-Polenz

Each local of AAESQ has a President to represent its members at the local level. They meet with the Board of Directors of AAESQ four times during the school year and it’s their responsibility to make sure that their members are kept up-to-date.

They hold local meetings on a regular basis and their main responsibilty is to provide information and support to their members. A term of office is normally for one year but Presidents are encou-raged to stay on for at least 2 years.

Presidents of Locals also provide valuable advice to the Executive table.

Central Quebec Administrators Association Lisa Larente Eastern Shores Administrators Association Howard Miller Eastern Townships Association of School Administrators Renalee Gore New Frontiers Administrators Association Karin Van Droffelaar Sir Wilfrid Laurier Administrators Association Serge Edouard Jeanniton Nick Primiano Fred Greschner Riverside Administrators Association Deborah Angelus Hélène Coupal Educational Administrators Association of Western Quebec Judy Millar Marian Lothian Association of Montreal School Administrators Mike Cristofaro Eileen Kelly Demetra Droutsas Katherine Snow Association of English Montreal Board Administrators Horace Goddard Pearson Association of School Administrators Paula Pedroso Susan Piffer Dona Bianchi Mark Massarelli Association of Pearson Board Administrators Steven Colpitts

Your Board of Directors meet 4 times during the year along with the Presidents of Locals and members of the Executive table to discuss and decide on general policy for the Association. All of the powers of the Board of Directors can be found at www.aaesq.ca and click on Programs and Services and then By-Laws.

The following individuals are representing their locals on the 2010-2011 Board of Directors:

AAESQ Educational Leadership Committee

David McFall Western Quebec School Board (Chairman) Eva Lettner Eastern Townships School Board Ann Cohen Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Leah Auclair English Montreal School Board Chantal Martin English Montreal School Board Thomas Rhymes Lester B. Pearson School Board Chris Fuzessy Lester B. Pearson School Board Micheline Gagné Central Quebec School Board Phil Joycey Central Quebec School Board

Hélène Coupal Riverside School Board Daryl Ness New Frontiers School Board

AAESQ Educational Leadership Committee (ELC) initiates and fosters professional development for the members of its association. The ELC actively pursues knowl-edge of current concerns and issues and disseminates information pertaining to those issues to members. The ELC assumes an active role in the professional preparation of prospective administrators. The ELC is a forum for the gathering, co-ordination, exchange, and dispersion of information and ideas pertinent to educa-tional leadership and administration. Presently the Committee is made up of members representing various English School Boards in the province of Quebec. ELC is involved with Professional Devel-opment activities for members of the Association, especially new administrators who are in their 1st and 2nd year of administration. If you have any issues that you wish the committee to pursue, please call the AAESQ office at (514) 426-5110 or e-mail us at info@aaesq.ca.

AAESQ Committee Representatives 2010-2011

CPCG - Comité de perfectionnement des cadres et des gérants • Christine Dénommée – English Montreal School Board CAP – Canadian Association of Principals • Jim Jordan – Riverside School Board

CASA – Canadian Association of School Administrators • Cindy Finn – Lester B. Pearson School Board • Ron Silverstone - AAESQ, Executive Director CPD – Comité de perfectionnement des directions d’établissement d’enseignement • Robert Forget – Retired administrator ADGESBQ – Association of Directors General of English School Boards of Quebec • Ron Silverstone – AAESQ, Executive Director CPDE/C – Comité du Personel de Direction d’École et de Centre • Michael Stirrup – AAESQ, Executive Assistant

CERA – Coalition de l’encadrement en matière de retraite et d’assu-rance • Michael Stirrup – AAESQ, Executive Assistant LCEEQ Leadership Committee for English Education in Québec • Sam Bruzzese – Lester B. Pearson School Board • Randy MacLEAN – Eastern Townships School Board Spring Conferences Committees • Ron Silverstone – AAESQ, Executive Director Pension Indexation • Ed Zegray—Retired Administrator

The following people are members of the committee:

Your committee hopes that you had a great, relaxing summer—lots of sun, travel and golf, etc. etc. We are starting the new year with the following events: A) A luncheon at the Casa Grecque Restaurant on Newman Blvd., in LaSalle, on October

26. We will welcome new members who retired in June to join our retirees’ group. An R.S.V.P. form including further information about the luncheon has been sent out.

B) A meeting at the end of November at the Lachine Curling Club, which will also include a lunch and a speaker. More information will follow.

The Retirees Committee is very pleased to announce another session of ballroom dancing to start in November. Walt Steeves, Chairman

Gregor Campbell Vida Lietuvninkas Wayne Cook Heather Mizener Paul Doyle Sharon Rasytinis Keith Farquharson Jean Suffield Al Fitzgerald Helen Vertolli Robert Forget Ron Silverstone Carol Gray Walt Steeves, Chairman Joey Jaroslawski

For the new year, your committee would like to have suggestions for

programmes and events.

We would also like to have additional members for our committee.

If you would like to be a participating member of an active committee, please get in touch with the AAESQ office at (514) 426-5110 or via e-mail:

info@aaesq.ca

AAESQ 2010 Annual Golf Tournament Report The annual AAESQ Golf Tournament was held as scheduled on August 9th and made for a very pleasant day of golf. There were nine foursomes that set out on the greens of the Candiac Golf Course. The fairways were a little wet on this rain free day. This allowed everyone to complete their round with a clean set of clubs. Prizes were awarded for closest to the hole and reaching the green from the tee-off on par 3’s, reaching and staying in the fairway off the tee box on some par 4’s, a putting competition won by Tony Di Lallo. Since each player played their own game the Atlantic handicap system revealed the order of our champions. The list was divided into three groups and a draw deter-mined the winner from each group. From the first tier our winner was Tony Di Lallo, from the second tier Wayne Cook and finally from the third tier Bruce Walker. The best team score after applying the handicap was the team of Wayne Cook, Brent Cook, Judy Monohan and Jim de la Moth. There was a draw for 2 sets of double green fees with cart generously do-nated by the Candiac Golf Club. The final draw was for a 100$ gift certificate to Restaurant l’Inconnu, graciously donated by Mr. Jeffrey Stirrup, chef and owner of the restaurant situated in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal at the corner of St-André and Roy streets.

I would like to acknowledge the great service we received from both the golf course staff and the restaurant crew and especially Mr. Michel Trudeau, the course pro.

I thank the Retirees’ Committee for giving me the opportunity to organize this event and I am looking forward to staging this event next year at the Vallée des Forts Golf Course in St-Jean sur le Richelieu. I am looking for-ward to greet all of our retired members and a fair number of our active (working) AAESQ members.

Respectfully submitted by Robert Forget

Labour Relations Report 2010-10-13

Regulation review

AAESQ’s meetings with the MELS and our francophone partners continue. We (all the associa-

tions) have agreed on many articles but we have now reached the monetary issues. The MELS

group has presented several articles on this topic excluding the new salary scales.

On October 12 a meeting of the associations took place and several avenues are scheduled to take

place as the week unfolds. Once completed, you will be advised. You should note that at the re-

cent Board of Directors meeting which took place three (3) resolutions were adopted.

Resolution 1

Whereas AAESQ has participated in the discussions with the MELS on modifications to the

Whereas these discussions are of a consultative process, Whereas the MELS has informed the associations that all articles pertaining to monetary issues can only be finalized once approved by the Treasury Board, Whereas the MELS deposit of September 16, 2010 refers specifically to such articles, Whereas AAESQ maintains its initial priorities, in concert with the other associations, Be it resolved that the deposit of September 16, 2010 has been received. Resolution 2

Whereas AAESQ has participated in the discussions with the MELS on modifications to the

Whereas these discussions are of a consultative process, Whereas the MELS has informed the associations that all articles pertaining to monetary issues can only be finalized once approved by the Treasury Board, Whereas the MELS deposit of September 16, 2010 refers specifically to such articles, Whereas AAESQ maintains its initial priorities, in concert with the other associations, Be it resolved that the deposit of September 16, 2010 must now be deposited as an integrated text.

Certain Conditions Of Employment Of Senior Staff Of School Boards And Of The Comité De Gestion De La Taxe Scolaire De L’Île De Montréal (The Regu-

lation),

Certain Conditions Of Employment Of Senior Staff Of School Boards And Of The Comité De Gestion De La Taxe Scolaire De L’Île De Montréal (The Regu-lation),

Resolution 3

Whereas AAESQ has participated in the discussions with the MELS on modifica-tions to the

Whereas these discussions are of a consultative process, Whereas the MELS has informed the associations that all articles pertaining to monetary issues can only be finalized once approved by the Treasury Board, Whereas the MELS deposit of September 16, 2010 refers specifically to such arti-cles, Whereas AAESQ maintains its initial priorities, in concert with the other associa-tions, Be it resolved that the deposit of September 16, 2010 is not endorsed.

Comments on the 3 Regulation resolutions Along with the other management associations, AAESQ has approved the priority listing of requests to be presented in the Regulation review with the MELS. This list-ing goes back almost two (2) years and these have been maintained as recently as the end of September 2010 at the CCA, CPDC and CPDE consultative meetings and once again by the associations on October 11, 2010. The French associations have also begun ratifying similar mandates (as was done by the Board of Directors) to their representatives. At the Board of Directors it was mentioned that the Treasury Board had presented their position on monetary areas which did not even refer to the expired salary scales of April 2009. The representatives at the consultative tables are of the opinion that since we are only consulted we simply acknowledged receipt of their positions and requested an integrated text of all the contemplated changes. As for the third (3

rd)

resolution, it was recommended that the deposit dated September 16 not be en-dorsed even though there were some minor improvements. The most important objectives, which have not been accepted are; Right of Recourse and maintaining one’s classification when reassigned by the Director General or when the student population / Group hours of Instruction declines.

Certain Conditions Of Employment Of Senior Staff Of School Boards And Of The Comité De Gestion De La Taxe Scolaire De L’Île De Montréal (The Regu-lation),

It is very important to note that the process is consultative and all preliminary

agreements must go to the official consultative committees. They are; CCA - Comi-

té consultative des administrateurs, CPDC - Comité du Personnel de Direction de

Centre and the CPDE - Comité du Personnel de Direction d’école. AAESQ partici-

pates in the three (3) committees. Once that this process is completed it is for-

warded for final approval to the Treasury Board and the other appropriate bodies.

CERA – Coalition de l’encadrement en matière de retraite et d’assurances

This fall the major topic has been the potential changes to the PPMP pension plan.

The details of this have been communicated to you via a postcard message. Conse-

quently, 80 members have been in touch with the AAESQ office.

Pay Equity

The slow process continues and the next meeting is scheduled for mid-November.

Postcards

This method of communication continues to generate interest and your emails and

telephone calls bring me suggestions and / or events to base future postcards. An

archive of the previous issues is available on our website (www.aaesq.ca).

Some quotations

I'm astounded by people who want to 'know' the universe when it's

hard enough to find your way around Chinatown.

Woody Allen (1935 - )

Never confuse movement with action.

Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961)

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

- Albert Einstein

Michael Stirrup

Executive Assistant

Important Information on Monies Available to AAESQ

Locals and to Schools and Centres

Did you know that your local has access to AAESQ funds. Check out the information on the AAESQ website at www.aaesq.ca under Professional Development. These funds are available for any type of local professional development event and priority will go to locals in the more remote regions of Quebec. Funds are also available to schools and centres through the AAESQ Scholarship / Support Fund. Information and the request forms on these types of activities can also be found on the AAESQ Website. Some exam-ples of activities that have been funded in the past include the following: • Community and Service Fair • Choir Performance • Hockey or Basketball or Soccer Tournaments that involved several

schools • Humanitarian Summit Event • Community Art Show

Reminder that the deadline date for these 2 types of requests is December 8, 2010.

Professional Development Funds must be applied for by the President of the Local. Scholarship / Support Funds must be requested by School Principals or Directors of Centres. ___________________________________________________________

AAESQ Recognizes Cindy FinnCindy FinnCindy FinnCindy Finn

Congratulations goes out to Cindy Finn, administrator from the Lester B. Pearson School Board, who was the Quebec recipi-ent of the Canadian Association of School Administrators

(CASA) EXL Award. This award recognizes CASA members from across Canada who show exemplary leadership ability and en-hance school administration. A well deserved award!

The Annual Fall Workshop was held on October 7, followed by the

Board of Directors Meeting on Friday, October 8, 2010.

The morning session on Thursday, attended by the Executive Mem-

bers, Presidents of Locals, Members of the Board of Directors and

several members of the Educational Leadership Committee focused

on “Legal Obligations faced by School and Centre Administrators.”

Mr. Torben Borgers, Lawyer for the Fédération Québécoise des Direc-

teurs et Directrices D’Etablissement D’Enseignement, (FQDE), re-

viewed the rights of school and center administrators in dealing with

abusive parents and what steps can be taken to avoid a potential con-

flict. He also talked about harassement and the effect it has on the

school environment.

The afternoon sessions started off with a workshop by Ron and Mi-

chael and the roles and responsibilities of Presidents of Locals and

members of the Board of Directors. They focused on the possible pit-

falls, and the advantages of becoming more involved in the workings

of AAESQ.

The second session in the afternoon was animated by Carol Heffer-

nan, Director of Finance at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. Carol

informed the members about MELS budgets, board budgets and

school and center budgets, so as to better understand how to access

certain funds and try to get a better understanding about the difficul-

ties a Board faces allocating funds for the school community.

Congratulations to David McFall, Chair of the Educational Leadership

Committee and his team, for putting together a most informative day.

9:00 A.M. – 12: 00 Noon AAESQ Board of Directors Meeting including

Presidents of Locals and AAESQ Executive members.

12:30 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. Awards Luncheon (details and reservation informa-

tion can be found in the Bulletin) 3:00 P.M.—5:00 P.M. Workshop for ALL Administrators “A Conversation about Success Plans and Management Agreements” 5:00 P.M. – 6:15 P.M. ELC Panel Discussion (Palais Des Congrès) - Details will be available in

the QPAT Bulletin, once it is published.

Holiday Inn Select, Downtown 99 Viger Avenue,

(cross street – St. Urbain)

An Invitation to Attend the

A.A.E.S.Q. Awards Luncheon

At the Awards Luncheon scheduled to be held on November 25, 2010, AAESQ will be honouring several of our colleagues for their outstanding con-tributions to their profession. Please make every effort to attend this event in support of your colleagues.

This year’s recipients include:

AAESQ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDAAESQ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDAAESQ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDAAESQ OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Caryn Shacter ,School Administrator, Riverside School Board Steve Balleine, Board Administrator, Lester B. Pearson School Board

Paula Pedroso, Centre Administrator, Lester B. Pearson Iain Millar, Retired Administrator, New Frontiers School Board

AAESQ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDAAESQ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDAAESQ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDAAESQ DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Tony Di Lallo, Retired Administrator, Riverside School Board David Brisebois, Principal, New Frontiers School Board

Nelly Perez, Board Administrator, Lester B. Pearson School Board

Thursday, November 25, 2010

12:30 P.M. Holiday Inn Select – Downtown

99 Viger Avenue (cross street – St-Urbain)

All members of AAESQ, active and retired, are invited to attend the luncheon.

The cost is $35.00

Please reserve by calling the AAESQ office at (514) 426-5110 or e-mail us at: info@aaesq.ca before October 29, 2010.

RESERVE

NOW!

February 17 –19, 2011

November 18 and 19, 2010

October 24 –29, 2010

American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE 59th International Conference)

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Fall Conference

“Leading and Learning: Meeting Today’s Challenges”

www.aaace.org

British Columbia School Superintendents Association Fall Conference

Victoria Convention Centre

Theme: Personalized Learning in the 21st Century:

From Vision to Action

www.bcssa.org

American Association of School Administrators (AASA National Conference on Education)

Denver, Colorado

www.aasa.org/nce

February 24-27, 2011

National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP Annual Convention and Exposition)

San Francisco, CA

Theme: Improving Student Performance—The Time is Now.

www.nasspconference.org

April 7-10, 2011

National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP Annual Convention and Exposition)

Tampa, Florida

Theme: Go. featuring Plenary Speaker Todd Whitaker

www.naesp.org/2011

Canadian Association of Principals

(CAP Annual Conference)

Details to be announced shortly

Check out the website

www.cdnprincipals.org/conference.php

May 18– 20, 2011

AAESQ / QESBA Spring Conference 2011

HOST: Western Quebec School Board

Hotel Lac Leamy, Gatineau, Quebec

THEME: Voices, Near and Far

Our conference aims to provide a forum for significant ideas, “voices,” of people who have an impact on how we think about education (community leaders, youth leaders, and influential educators). Changing technology, global issues and advances in science are tugging at education locally and globally. Now it is critically important to hear what a variety of voices are saying about the issues changing how and what our stu-dents are learning. Topics include:

• finding space for creativity in the curriculum

• integrating technology in the classroom

• emphasizing problem solving for 21st century

• global connections: cultivating education leadership

Using web based registration, attendees will have an option to select from a pre-set menu of discussion topics, post questions that will be explored in forums, and learn about “hands-on” technology workshops.

BOOKMARK

MAY 26-28

NEAR & FAR

VO

ICES

VO

ICES

VO

ICES

VO

ICES

May 26 - 28, 2011

Note of Sympathy: Mr. John KillingbeckNote of Sympathy: Mr. John KillingbeckNote of Sympathy: Mr. John KillingbeckNote of Sympathy: Mr. John Killingbeck

AAESQ was saddened to hear of the recent passing of John Killing-beck, a truly dedicated educator who placed students as his number one priority. John was a longtime member of AAESQ and the former association, QASA. John received the QASA Outstanding Achievement Award in 1990 and the AAESQ Distinguished Service Award in 1999. John’s career included that of teacher, principal, director general and school commissioner. Even after retirement John kept busy in the field of education in many fruitful endeavours including visiting schools early in the morning to greet the students coming into school. John had the respect of all who knew him and he will be truly missed. AAESQ has sent a donation in John’s memory to the Pear-son Educational Foundation as well as expressing our condolences to his family.

Tribute to Shane RathburnTribute to Shane RathburnTribute to Shane RathburnTribute to Shane Rathburn

Shane and I began our collaboration as colleagues and friends in 1992. I was President of QACSA and Shane was President of BCAA. Shane was bright, in-sightful and opinionated; qualities I admired and appreciated as President. Shane soon after became the QACSA representative to the CPDE. QACSA would hold monthly board meetings. Shane would time his CPD reports towards the end of our board meetings. Why you ask? Well, QACSA’s practice was to go out for dinner after these board meetings and Shane was always ready to tag along. Along from his long career in education as a teacher, principal, and coordinator of HR services, Shane was one of the founding fathers of the AAESQ. During the 1997-1998 school year, Shane worked as a committee member from QACSA along with committee members from QASA to bring forth the new asso-ciation AAESQ for July 1, 1998. Shane also served as President of AAESQ during the 2000-2001 school year. Shane received the AAESQ Award of Merit from his local association PASA in 2000 and he was also a recipient of the AAESQ Honourary Life Award for his ser-vice to his association. After Shane’s retirement as principal from Lester B. Pearson, I recruited him to serve as member of the AAESQ’s Retirees Committee. Even though Shane used his electronic agenda to record meetings, lunches, etc. I would still phone to re-mind him of our meetings or lunches. Why...because Shane would often forget to consult his electronic agenda. Shane enjoyed life. He possessed a joie de vivre. Who could forget his hearty laugh. Shane, we know you left us too soon. You are now sharing your wit, laughter and sense of humour with the Angels. Rest in peace dear Shane. Your friend, Helen Vertolli

This article appeared in a recent edition of Education World and was written by Ellen D. Delisio

Developing More Resilient School Administrators

People who are resilient -- “realistic optimists” who adapt to changes and learn from mistakes -- often are more effective leaders. More administrators are learning what it means to be resilient.

Administrators today may be under more stress than ever before, with pressure from high-

stakes testing, accountability benchmarks, parents, and the multitude of needs students

bring to school.

Resiliency is increasingly seen as a desirable skill for administrators to cultivate as they

try to meet all of their work demands and maintain their personal well being.

Resilient people tend to be “realistic optimists,” according to Dr. Diane Reed, a former

school superintendent who now is co-director of the Graduate Educational Leadership pro-

gram at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. Dr. Reed has studied and lectured

about resiliency in school leaders and in March 2007 gave a presentation called “How Fe-

male School Leaders Successfully Lead in Tough Times,” at the Association for School

Curriculum Development conference.

Dr. Reed talked with Education World about how administrators can nurture their ability to

be resilient and how resiliency can make them better leaders.

Education World: We hear a lot of talk about nurturing resilience in children -- what does

it mean for administrators to be resilient?

Dr. Diane Reed: Actually, it means much the same for administrators as it does for chil-

dren. Administrators at all levels face constantly changing conditions, issues and chal-

lenges. Regularly, they are required to learn new approaches to deal with problems that

they had not encountered before; and for which their initial responses may not have been

all that successful. We teach children to be resourceful and to be adaptable by trying a lot

of different strategies until they find one that works. Administrators can cultivate their re-

silience by being life-long learners and applying some of the very things they were taught

in their first years of school.

Of course, the problems administrators face are of a much greater magnitude

and consequence. This is not to lessen the significance of the importance of chil-

dren being resilient in the early years of their schooling, but administrators face

decisions that can have far-reaching consequences and the responses from ad-

ministrators’ constituencies can be harsh and recriminating. Resilient adminis-

trators surround themselves with a support group that is knowledgeable and can

be trusted to give honest and constructive feedback. More than that, the resilient

administrator seeks and establishes close, trusted relationships with people who

can relate to her or him and provide counsel on a deeply personal, social, emo-

tional, and/or professional level whenever needed.

Administrators must have the courage to take actions that are unpopular or

against the advice of trusted others and sustain the effort through to its resolu-

tion. Actions of this sort must be taken by acting on core values that are clearly

articulated and that support the administrator’s rationale for making difficult de-

cisions in times of adversity. Hopefully the administrator’s quest for ever higher

levels of resiliency started in the early grades.

EW: What are some of the key characteristics of a resilient person?

Dr. Reed: Staying the course is the feature most representative of resilient peo-

ple. They are realistic optimists, believing that good things can come out of bad

situations and believing that you can make a positive difference. They recognize

that this just doesn’t happen. They are hard workers aware that overcoming ad-

versity requires time and sustained effort. The other feature of resilient people

not often appreciated or recognized is their strength, a strength that comes from

taking care of themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Resilient administrators immediately set in motion a plan that identifies and

weighs the relevant key factors involved and they act directly to execute the next

move that will serve to regain the initiative. Once the initial move has begun, a

longer term plan is established as the next step to sustain the momentum.

Resilient administrators sort and select options in order to identify an opportu-

nity to experience forward movement of personal significance. Once they attain

that movement, they acknowledge it by giving themselves a small but meaning-

ful reward to mark the win.

EW: How can administrators cultivate their resilience?

Dr. Reed: First and foremost the administrator visits regularly and frequently

past experiences where the knowledge and skills employed brought about suc-

cess. This maintains and reinforces a sustaining sense of capability that is rooted

in all of the previous successes and accomplishments, and is reinforced with

each new achievement.

This is about being a life-long learner around the question, “How can I become

more resilient when bad things happen?” Resilience is a growth process. Growth

occurs when administrators constantly reflect on how previous setbacks were

handled. The focus on what can be learned from previous setbacks will help ad-

ministrators be stronger in the face of future setbacks.

And again, the resilient administrator seeks feedback from close, trusted people

who can provide counsel that can sustain and promote further growth.

EW: What can professional development programs do to help build the resil-

iency of administrators in training?

Dr. Reed: Administrators, and those who train and support them, must gain a

deeper understanding of the meaning behind the term resiliency as it applies to

leadership. They must also understand that to be resilient requires study and

hard work. Often the most growth comes at the most difficult times in the life of

the administrator. However, the administrator should not wait to embark on

growth experiences when times are difficult. Much can be done to develop the

leader’s resilience in calm times.

For example, a safe environment can be created where fears and doubts can be

shared with colleagues and trainers. Trust can be established among the adminis-

trator’s colleagues who can be called upon when difficult times come along.

This is when some of the hard work that overcoming adversity requires can be

addressed. This is the time to establish the emotional strength that comes from

taking care of oneself physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Training programs can provide safe opportunities for administrators to take real-

life problems and apply tested principles of resilience to increase competence

and confidence that can get the administrator successfully through adversity

when it comes.

EW: Why do you think resiliency has become such a popular professional de-

velopment topic in education?

Dr. Reed: Well, perception is reality, and the perception by administrators in all

types of organizations is that leadership is more complex, more challenging, and

more stressful than ever before. And leaders don’t see this changing in the fu-

ture. Leadership also has become more open and transparent. Administrators

recognize that no one hits every ball out of the park. And their constituency is

watching their every at bat. Successful leadership is often represented by a series

of small wins with some losses along the way. So, administrators are looking for

ways they can strengthen their resilience.

The Talking CentipedeThe Talking CentipedeThe Talking CentipedeThe Talking Centipede

A single guy decided life could be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to

the Pet Store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After

some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug),

which came in a little white box to use for the house.

He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he

would start off by taking his new pet to church with him. So he asked the

centipede in the box, “Would you like to go to church with me today? We will

have a good time.” But there was no answer from his new pet.

This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again,

“How about going to church with me and receive blessings?” but again, there

was no answer from his new friend and pet.

So he waited a few more, thinking about the situation. The guy decided to

invite the centipede one last time. This time he put his face up against the

centipede’s house and shouted, “Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church

with me and learn about God?”

This time, a little voice came out of the box,

“I heard you the first time, I’m putting on my shoes!”