Stony Creek Strategy

I hope all you school folks are on summer hours and are floating in a pool somewhere without a care in the world, thinking delightful thoughts about the exciting team offsite retreat you just finished. This week's Talking Out of School is all about The Good Retreat. I have thoughts (of course!) #educationalleadership #retreats #offsites #bonding #fun #tapas https://lnkd.in/e6w_cnDK

This week in Talking Out of School, Leading in A Time of Polarization - it starts with us. I've thought many times over the past few weeks, "I'm glad I'm not running a school right now." And then I examined those feelings and saw how there are steps to be taken now to manage our way through the chaos, towards the fall. https://lnkd.in/eDTEd4Jd

NEW: Writing A School Statement - course session added! ➡ Given the terrible event over the weekend, I'm opening up the Writing School Statement course again. It's self-paced, culminates in a draft of a statement and I will provide individual feedback on your draft statement. Link to register in comments. ➡ Everyone was already anxious about what the fall would bring to our schools with the current polarized political climate before the horrendous events of last Saturday. It's easy to get caught up in doom scrolling. Remember, you only need to focus on your community and not solve political polarization in the US. ➡ I was planning on a post on governance for Talking Out of School Friday but now I'll be writing about leading in a climate of polarization and save the governance post.

It's been a busy week so it's a Saturday Talking Out of School. To welcome new subscribers, I've updated and expanded a popular post from this winter. Enjoy and I hope a tip or two resonates with anyone leading a team. https://lnkd.in/eibE6veP

Happy July 1 and congratulations to all those new heads of school and administrators starting new journeys today! So I am delighted to say that the "First Year of Headship: Five Guiding Principles" is now the most viewed post ever at the Talking Out of School newsletter and it only took two weeks for it to get to the top of the charts. I'm delighted it's been helpful! https://lnkd.in/etH-ZWZA

It's Friday. It's almost July. It's another Talking Out of School post. And given that it is an absolutely spectacular summer day here in CT, I thought, "hey, let's all talk about conflict!" 😬 Don't run away - I put it in a "5 tips" format and people seem to dig those! It's also just about the two year anniversary of Talking Out of School and starting from nothing, this little newsletter now has about 700 subscribers, maintains a 65% open rate and has connected me to so many new friends, clients and professional colleagues. I am so grateful for all my subscribers and a very big note of appreciation for those of you who support this work through the paid subscription. I couldn't do it without you all. 💙 https://lnkd.in/exa9vgZB

It's Friday and there's good news and there's bad news. The bad news is - no Talking Out of School today. The good news is that it's been a great few days for Stony Creek Strategy as I had the privelege of being a featured workshop at One Schoolhouse 's Academic Leaders Forum. So great and here's why: ➡ What an inspiring and talented group of academic leaders! And the message I delivered about using your authority as a force for good in conflict resolution resonated. Who knew conflict resolution could be fun - and in the words of one participant, "cathartic"! ➡ If you're an academic leader and you're not a member of OS's Association for Academic Leaders - run, don't walk. You get this annual in person forum, beautifully crafted online PD that will impact your day to day and most importantly, this smart and fun community of fellow educators. This is the best bang for your buck in indy schools. ➡ And my one week OS Effective Communication in a Time of Polarization course starts June 24th. And it will be running again starting August 5. For Association members! I want to thank Sarah Hanawald, Director of the Assoc of Academic Leaders, Kim Harris, the AAL's Program Manager and of course, fearless leader Brad Rathgeber for providing this special space for the people doing the very hard work of academic leadership in our indy schools. (I'm serious - sign up for the Association! As this influencers say, this is not a paid advertisement. :) Link in bio.)

School communications directors: What if you could have a prototype school statement drafted and ready to go in case you need it during the fall election season? ➡ July's Writing School Statements is a go-at-your-own-pace remote course that will help you do just that - and provide you individualized feedback on your draft! A few spaces are still available! Registration link in the comments.

There is no other experience like the first year of headship! Today's Talking Out of School is for all of you about to start on that big adventure. I can guarantee it will be a year you'll never forget. #headship #schooleadership #terror #joy https://lnkd.in/et6UjKe2

It's Talking Out of School Friday! This one took a while to get it where I wanted it, conveying why and how it can be helpful to take some time and really contemplate how you understand, align and internalize the mission, vision and values of your school. A bit abstract and not like "ten tips to make things better now" but hopefully helpful! https://lnkd.in/efJY6HcU