keys to innovating and leading in independent schools presentation available at

Keys to Innovatingand Leading

In Independent Schools

Presentation Available at www.gclileadership.org

http://www.gclileadership.org/

PRESENTERS

• Ted S. Fish, Ed.D., gcLi Executive Director

• Dr. JoAnn Deak, gcLi Institute Scholar

• Jeremy LaCasse, gcLi Faculty Dean & Head of School, Kents Hill School

• David Jimenez, Urban Promise, Camden, NJ; Shadyside Academy ’11

INNOVATION

Leadership

Copyright © J. Deak 2012

Adolescent Advantages

Leadershipand the Brain


CORTEX

AMYGDALA [Limbic system]

PREFRONTAL CORTEX

Basic functional design of the brain… Triumvirate… 3 parts always work in synchronicity:


Equal muscularity is the growth goal

But that isn’t the design

during adolescence!


I have a better idea: let’s send him to an NAIS school!


Not only is the PFC immature [has not reached its natural full size], What is there is often suppressed [functionally imitates a five year old PFC ]


And the amygdala is swollen!


Brain Quiz!

Swollen amygdala + suppressed/immature PFC =

You will be surprised by the answer…


A person who is predisposed to:• Try new things• Take more risks• Enjoy challenges• Seek interesting ideas• Excite others by their actions• Making mistakes and trying again

AKA… A LEADER


In a nutshell…

• It is the design of the adolescent brain to seek excitement, novelty and exhilaration to enhance learning and growth before adding to the gene pool!• Learning happens best when the brain works, does new and harder things, not the same thing over and over [it acts like a muscle].


However, it can be shutdown easily:

When adults curtail adolescent excitement and mistakes.

When peers give negative feedback, pressure each other to conform too much [some is natural and healthy].

When the school culture is too controlling, promotes a ‘right’ answer approach too much.


If the adolescent brain is stopped from seeking excitement, novelty and exhilaration in school,it will find ways to do this without our neurosculpting help!


available online:

www.deakgroup.com

Resources: elvis1 is password

http://www.deakgroup.com/

Implications#1: Teachers invite, promote and support new ideas

#2: Teachers and schools create cultures where students do the same LEADERSHIP…caveat: the same cultures that give risk to risky behavior and mistakes give rise to innovation. They emerge from the same ground


Implications

#1: What does it mean for students to step outside of the box and innovate?…it’s natural…they are hardwired for it, so long as they are not hobbled by socio-cultural concerns

#2: What does it mean for teachers and schools to support that moment, so it happens frequently?…That’s where we build a conducive culture,Teacher-student; student-student ….LEADERSHIP

APPLICATION


• Problem: We had a community full of affinity groups, but little cohesion resulting from their work

• Goal/vision: to help students see the benefits of difference while creating a common understanding in the Shady Side community

Presentation Available at www.gclileadership.org

For more: LL Jun 15-21, 2012

Also see: www.facebook.com/gcLiLeadership

http://www.gclileadership.org/

keys to innovating and leading in independent schools presentation available at

Documents

joann deak

year old pfc copyright

pfc immature

yr old

brain keys

basic design

bad things

brain triumvirate