Episode Details

Mary McMahon, president of the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals, created a course on The Principal 50 where each Alaska educator wrote their top 10 core values. Hear six lists, then write your own school core values and use them to say no to what doesn't fit.

McMahon opens with the list she shares with her staff on day one, starting with 'we treat students with respect at all times.' Jethro Jones later explains his storyline card, which lets a staff member say what they think you feel so you can confirm or correct it.

What you'll learn

• Write your top 10 core values and share them with your staff on the first day, since first seen or heard is best remembered.
• Reread your list every year and ask whether it still fits who you are right now.
• Use core values to say no when a request does not align with them.
• Ask what behaviors would make you stop and deal with an employee immediately, to find your non-negotiables.
• Try a storyline card so staff can tell you what they think is going on and you can confirm or correct it.

Chapters

• 0:00 Why core values help you say no
• 3:19 Sharing your top 10 with staff on day one
• 6:13 Mary McMahon's top 10 core values
• 12:13 A rural K-12 principal's top 10
• 20:38 Lessons learned: high expectations, listening, visibility
• 33:25 Values built on basic needs and strengths
• 38:51 Jethro's top 10 and the storyline card
• 56:53 A Kodiak principal's top 10 for eight schools

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Questions this episode answers

How do you come up with your core values as a school leader?
McMahon asks leaders what they are passionate about, which employee behaviors would make them stop and deal with it immediately, what their dream school looks like, and why they became a principal. Those answers feed a top 10 list of what matters most.

Why should a principal share core values with staff?
McMahon shares her top 10 on the first day every year because first seen or heard is best remembered. She says staff need to understand who you are and where you are coming from, which makes your expectations clear.

What is a storyline and how can a principal use one?
Jethro describes a storyline as the story you make up when someone gives you a look. A staff member says 'I have a storyline' and shares it, and the principal confirms or corrects it, so nobody worries over something untrue.

About akprincipals

A group of Alaska principals and educators who shared their top 10 core values in a class on The Principal 50 book.

Links and resources

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• Transformative Principal show notes
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• Transformative Principal website
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