LEADING THE FLOCK:THE ROLE OF THE

TTIPS DISTRICT SHEPHERD

MARK EMANUEL MENDOZA, DIRECTOR,TEXAS TITLE I PRIORITY SCHOOLSEL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

WHO AM I?

WHAT THE HECK IS A DISTRICT SHEPHERD?

THE DISTRICT SHEPHERD Regularly monitors progress of 90-day action plan Provides feedback to principals when needed Responds promptly to principal requests for assistance Holds scheduled meetings with transformation principals Assists principals in problem solving Serves as a liaison between the LEA and TEA/SIRC Secures Operational Flexibility from the LEA

SOMETIMES…

MISSION:TO BOLDLY GO WHERE NO

SCHOOL HAS GONE BEFORE

CREATING A BATTLE PLAN BATTLEFIELD

ANALYSIS DEFINE THE MISSION ASSEMBLE YOUR

TEAM CREATE YOUR

BATTLE PLAN MOBILIZE IN PROGRESS

REVIEWS AFTER ACTION

ANALYSIS

BATTLEFIELD ANALYSIS Know your district.

Supports? Barriers? Know your campuses.

Strengths? Limitations? Know your grant.

Timelines? Critical Success Factors? Milestones?

Know your budget. Is the money in the right place?

ASSEMBLE YOUR TEAM Given the mission, what skills are needed? Secure a multidisciplinary team. Pick skillfully and carefully.

DEFINE THE MISSION Involve all stakeholders. Begin with the end in mind. Why are we here? Where do we want to be? What does success look like?

CREATE YOUR BATTLE PLAN GIVEN THE

MISSION:How are we going to

get there?When are we going to

get there?What stands in our

way?How do we clear the

road?

OPERATIONS MANUAL IN THIS MANUAL:

Job DescriptionsAssigned

ResponsibilitiesMeeting SchedulesPolicy and ProcedureExpectationsTimelines

SOMETIMES…THINGS DON’T GO THE

WAY YOU PLANNED…

OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY…BE BRAVE! BE BOLD! Sometimes, the ‘way things have always been

done’ stands in the way of progress. Fight for your principles and YOUR PRINCIPALS. Have a BACK UP PLAN.

KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM Listen to Kenny

Rogers’ song “The Gambler.”

Read Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.

“Wise is he who know when to fight and when not to fight.”

IN PROGRESS REVIEWS Communication is

Vital. Meet Often. Identify Barriers. Make Mid Course

Corrections.

TAKE TIME TO CELEBRATE

Recognize Accomplishments.

Praise Your Team. Publicize Victories

Reward Effort. Celebration Breeds

Motivation

BOLDLY GO!

QUESTIONS?

SUCCESS IS THE JOURNEY,NOT THE DESTINATION.