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Let Teachers Try New Things and Learn Anywhere with Mike Rogers Part 1
Description
Mike Rogers, principal of a pre-K through eighth grade school in St. Paul, Minnesota, explains how he leads teachers as the only administrator in a non-public school. He rarely says no to a teacher's idea, gave teachers a cart of shared iPads over the summer, and encourages them to make mistakes.
Rogers also shares a hiring question he likes to ask, what makes a candidate want to teach a particular age group, and the podcasts that act as free professional development in his car. After four years as principal, he now sets his phone down at home and plays Duplos with his kids.
What you'll learn
- Say yes to a teacher's idea unless you see a major problem that would hurt students.
- Give teachers shared iPads over the summer and let them teach each other what they find.
- Ask interview candidates what it is about this age group that makes them want to teach it, and listen closely to the answer.
- Support teachers who go out on a limb, but do not prop them up the whole way.
- Write every task down in a system so email can wait until tomorrow and your evenings stay yours.
Chapters
- 0:00 How Mike Rogers became a principal
- 2:12 Running a non-public school with fewer resources
- 6:16 Giving teachers freedom to think outside the box
- 9:02 Coaching teachers to take risks and make mistakes
- 11:32 The interview question that reveals a good teacher
- 13:42 Why two big podcasts invited a principal
- 18:51 Podcasts that work as free professional development
- 22:26 Keeping balance and leaving email behind
Times are for the episode without ads. Your player may be off by the length of any ads.
Questions this episode answers
How do you encourage teachers to think outside the box?
Rogers says he keeps learning himself and passes along things he reads. He rarely says no to a teacher's idea, gave teachers a cart of shared iPads to explore over the summer, and hires people willing to try new things. Teachers then learn from each other.
What is a good interview question for teachers?
Rogers asks candidates what it is about this particular age group that makes them want to teach it. For a middle school candidate, he listens for curiosity and energy. He says the answer tells him what type of teacher the person is and what relationship they will have with students.
How can a principal stop working email at night?
Rogers says he writes down everything he needs to do in OmniFocus, so he knows it will still be there tomorrow. He recognizes that checking email at nine o'clock at night takes time from his family, so he now puts the phone down when he gets home.
About Mike Rogers
Principal of a pre-K through eighth grade school in St. Paul, Minnesota, who writes about using technology as a principal at techedvance.com.
Links and resources