How Shared Core Values Helped Our District Navigate the Pandemic
Paul S. Haughey • Principal Leadership Article
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated to many of us who work in public education that if we pool our limited resources and focus on teaching and learning in a variety of models—remote, hybrid, and in-person—we can achieve anything we set our minds to. For the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District in Spencer, MA, administrators also had to break through the old paradigms and beliefs of what schooling—specifically teaching and learning—needs to look like in the 21st century. Here are a few takeaways from the pandemic that are helping us move forward in the 2021–22 school year.
Leadership and Collaboration Matter
Consistent and collaborative leadership makes a difference. In our school district, our operational practices align to our policies and our shared core values. This alignment made difficult conversations easier when times became uncertain and beyond our control—we remained consistent in our messaging while remaining positive and collaborative in our work…