Thursday, September 2, 2010
Old Dogs - New Tricks (Technology)
As a new assistant principal you observe that your principal is not utilizing technology, instead the principal has the school secretary read and/or print e-mails. The principal has also directed you to write e-mails using the principal’s e-mail account so that the Central Office thinks the principal is staying current with both technology and communication. How do you handle this situation?
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Very funny but a bit stressful for a new assistant principal to deal with. How do you confront your new boss on ways to IMPROVE their performance? Honestly, I would find out if that principal has put in for retirement any time soon before I approach such a delicate situation. If retirement is not in the near future, I would offer a staff development book with highlighted courses in computer basics (a professional growth plan if you would)and strong words of encouragement reminding him that "Candidates acquire and demonstrate the skills needed to communicate effectively with all stakeholders about implementation of the vision" (1.5b)
ReplyDeleteNice post "P". I liked the use of the ISSLC! I also believe he should be confronted in a way that would not seem offensive but at the same time it is not 'my job' to do 'his job'. I would also offer advise on how to effectivly use the technology he felt uncomfortable using. While at the same time letting him know we expect our teachers to do the same.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments thus far, utilizing the ISLLC's is the best approach, but using common sense is important too for job security
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would not hesitate to politely tell the principal that I do not feel comfortable "deceiving' the central office by sending emails from his email account. I would offer advise on using the technology and/or suggest utilizing the IT personnel in the school system. I would also remind them of ISLLC 2.2c Leaders demonstrate the ability to use and promote technology and information systems to enrich curriculum and instruction, to monitor instructional practices and provide staff the assistance needed for improvement.
ReplyDeleteI do know a principal who likes to say, "My TV's not working." (meaning his monitor) Then will say, "Something's wrong with my VCR!" (meaning the hard drive). With him I know that he's just putting on a show. If a principal is truly having trouble with technology, after getting to know them better personally, I would simply ask them if they minded if I showed them the basics of operating in an email account. Many times, especially with the "ready to retire" folks, people are fearful of technology. They're afraid they're going to mess something up. Getting to know that person first will go a long way before offering your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI to have had the opportunity to work with some administrators who also do some of the same things. At first, I thought they didn't know how to use them and they were going to be gone in a year or two. But then you start seeing the same thing you mentioned about signing their name for something you done. I then started realizing that maybe they just didn't want to learn b/c they did not want to have to do anything. There is a fine line between ignorance and laziness.
ReplyDeleteIf this situation comes to me as an AP, I believe I would address the Principal about it and let them know that I could help them, but I am not going to do their work. I am kind of a person who speaks their mind, but as my experience has taught me sometimes it is best to approach the situation as a way to help them and what do they think we should do. I feel that to be a successful leader one must lead by example, not just dictate.
Israel Easter
I would use humor to deflect the principal's feelings of not being comfortable with the email. I would offer to help her, make a little cheat sheet for her desk. I would say that I was uncomfortable sending emails unders her signature. The above statements using the ISLLCs are good points. And they should definitely be used in your dealings. I may have misunderstood the intentions of previoius posters, but I don't think I would remind the principal of what the standards say. It would feel like an "in your face" move. Angie Cornett
ReplyDeleteThis might be a situation that is dealing with an individual that is just uncomfortable with technology, rather than refusing it. I would simply ask the prinicipal respectfully if he/she would like some help in getting to know the computer better. By asking a simple helpful question one would know the position of the principal and technology. If they would like help then I would offer it. If not and they just want me to do the dirty work then being the AP I would do as I was told with trying to throw in helpful hints along the way to indirectly divert the situation.
ReplyDeleteI really like what Angie said about using humor to deal with the principal's feelings of not being comfortable with the e-mail. I really like the idea of putting a cheat sheet on their desk and saying to them that I was uncomfortable sending e-mails under their signature. However, as Zack said, if this did not work then I would probably just keep doing the work for them. As the assistant principal, I feel like this is something I would have to do in order to keep from causing trouble for myself. I could only hope that maybe one day they would get the hint and start doing it themselves.
ReplyDeleteAmy Woodard
To begin with I would sit down the principal and bluntly ask if he/she is not comfortable with sending emails or just doesn't want to do it. This, of course, being done after building a relationship with the principal. Based on the response, I would offer assitance in teaching him/her about how to use email (basics, of course) or suggest he/she ask someone else to do the emailing for them because I do not feel comfortable being that person. Ethics have to come into play somewhere...
ReplyDeleteSamantha Reed
As I mentioned in another assignment, there is an unfortunate loophole with technology certification that awards certification once and does not require any substantial follow-up or proof of integration of technology into daily practice. As an AP in this position, I would ask at an administrative meeting (semi-private with the principal and any other AP) what they thought we could do to model for staff how to better stay abreast of technology updates and how to integrate technology into daily instruction and communication. Maybe the administrators in the building could agree to take a class, or host a presentation that would make technology more accessible to some resistant staff.
ReplyDeleteThe principal’s lack of effort to utilize technology and actions to manipulate the school and central office staff violate numerous ethical standards. As a new assistant principal, I would inform the principal politely that I am not willing to write emails for him or her but I would be willing to sit down with them to answer any questions about using email. If the principal is non-compliant or continually deceitful then I would take my concern to central office.
ReplyDeleteYou guys have had some great comments. I like the use of humor and cheat sheets to help your principal become more technology savy. The statement that Iseral made about ignorance and laziness is so true. Also the use of ISLLC standards is interesting, but as you know if they are that old they have no idea what ISLLC means and or stands for.
ReplyDeleteI would help the principal in any way that I could. However, I would not send or recieve emails for them, or do their work (within reason). First off, just one email is a legally binding document. I would not find myself speaking for the boss with central office. I think if you open that door you are on your way to a slippery slope. Since you are the new AP, you should make it your mission to make your principal technology sound. With some time and positive interventions he/she will hopefully improve their skills.
I agree that this is a delicate situation. I also would not feel comfortable sending emails using the principals signature. Once a good, working, respectful relationship has been established, I would talk to my principal about technology and how I can help. I would also open a discussion about how we as administrators expect our faculty to use technology daily and that we need to model this in our work. A cheat sheet for them is a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI have nothing new to add that has not previously been postulated.
ReplyDeleteStep One) Determine length of time before P has retired. If its less than a year or two, ignore the issue.
Step Two) Assuming P will be around for a while. politely decline to write further fake e-mails.
Step Three) Have crash e-mail course given by attractive faculty member. Just kidding. Kind of. But the crash e-mail course should be given by someone the P enjoys.
Step Four) Cheat sheet.
I am a very upfront and honest person, so initially I would offer assistance and show the principal how to do it, if need be. However I would not do their job, I have my own responsibilities to deal with. Also, we are all in this program because we think we will be a successful administrator and to some extent your principal knows that you want to be the principal someday, so they need to stay on top of their game or they could be replaced.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Zack. I would do my best to offer my personal help. I would be sure that it isn't just him being old school because he was uncomfortable with how to do it. Then let him try some and just send to me to verify he had done it right. I also feel like it isn't my job to perform his duties.
ReplyDeleteJake Leonard
This could be a tricky situation. Since I am new my relationship hasn't developed as close as I would like for me to confront the principal. In the beginning I would do as I'm asked but whenever I used his e-mail accounts I would force him to take a look at the e-mails that I am reading/writing/sending. This would force the principal to atleast look at the information that he is supposed to look at anyways. As the year and our relationship progressed I would introduce ways that he could use technology to be a more efficiant administrator. He may ignore technology because he is not familiar with it. I take it upon myself to help him along without confronting him in an offensive and direct way. If this didn't work then I would explore other alternatives because an assistant principal should not be using the head principal's e-mail account and giving false documents to central office.
ReplyDeleteIt is not appropriate for an assistant principal to send emails under the principals name. So if the principal wants me to disseminate information then I will do so as instructed using my own email account. If he wants it clear the information is coming from him, then a simple line of "per Mr. X" would be appropriate. If a line is not drawn when you initially start, it will be hard to draw it later. I would offer my assistance or that of the ITRT if his comfort or competence with technology is the issue. As far as having the secretary type or print emails, that is between him and the secretary.
ReplyDeleteI believe that with some tact and professionalism I can become a better assistant principal by being honest with my principal and say I don't feel comfortable "pulling the wool" over central office,however I would be more than happy to help/assist with emails/decisions since part of my title is "assist"ant! I am in agreement that since many current prinicpals may not know what ISLLC standards are they still are held accountable for some degree/level of integrity and this is one of those times. I believe that with technology advancements if this principal is not using email the way it should be used there are probably other areas he/she is also not utilizing so one suggestion might be to have ITRT to come in with some updates on our ever changing technology for ALL administration. I have a feeling that if I would go along with this issue it would only "snowball" and I would be in a position that would be hard to explain. Just as a way to lighten the issue I might suggest he/she take Technology class offered at a nearby college of their choice (not only will he/she be technologically advancing but also earning those PD points for recertification he/she may need if they aren't planning on retiring within the next five years).
ReplyDeleteI would be very uncomfortable using someone else's email account and signature. I agreed with Angie, Amy and Zack's comments. Humor can be an effective way to break the ice when discussing this problem with the principal. I would offer my assistance, providing a visual tutorial for his or her desk. I would offer my assistance and see if thing could be improved without any outside help. As Amy commented I would continue to help my principal with tasks I was asked to do. If things did not get any better I would suggest the technology department provide staff development in the basic technology skills for the entire staff. Misty Zyvoloski
ReplyDeleteIn this case I do not have a problem with the secretary reading/printing the principal’s email. Many corporate administrative assistants do just. A principal can easily spend all day answering emails so if the secretary can take care of a few, then that is more time for the principal to be out in classrooms.
ReplyDeleteAs a new assistant principal I would ask if the principal’s emails could be printed out by the secretary, she filters out the ones she can answer, and passes them on to the AP. The AP screens the remaining ones, answers those that are “appropriate” and fall within the AP’s role (sent from the AP’s computer), and passes the sensitive ones on to the principal saying something like “these are the ones you probably want to take a look at”. If the principal at this point still wants you to send them from his/her office in a way that makes you feel you are doing something deceitful, then I would need to say that I would be glad to help him send them, but that I am not comfortable sending them as him.
I agree with many of the comments of my fellow bloggers. I would try to tread lightly with this one. I agree that offering help and support is a valid approach. I also agree that sending emails AS the principal is setting both parties up for potential trouble. I also agree with Brenda that the volume of emails can be quite ridiculous and helping filter through them is a reasonable request. Kelly Russell
ReplyDeleteI would let the Principal know that it is very deceitful and misleading to send emails from their account using my technology and intellectual skills. I would show the Principal how to send/receive emails and how to use technology to produce documents and correspond with others. Hopefully, this action would encourage the Principal to learn more about technology.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the Principal and I would have a good enough working relationship for them to even ask a new assistant principal to do that and then I would request that I teach them how to use the email instead of having me write them and handle the situation that way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Angie Cornett. Developing a cheat sheet for the principal is a great idea. If that absolutley did not work, I would do as the principal asked, but note my initials in such a manner that Central Office new that I dictated the information. Although standards are important, to remind a "seasoned" administrtor of those standards may be a "slap in the face." Besides, the principal may have many other strengths, with technology as his shortcoming.
ReplyDelete