Natalie Nichols Shows Us How Leadership Coaching Creates Futures Without Boundaries

An Imperfect Leader

INTRO: When I first became a superintendent, I learned about Positive Coaching. Positive Coaching is a framework for winning kids with sport by building relationships with children first and foremost. The way I saw it, Positive Coaching emphasized the aspect of doing something together and learning how to be a team. It wasn’t about winning at all costs. I loved it. My guest today will talk about something that still makes her cringe a decade after it happened. I could totally relate.

One of my first acts as a superintendent was to gather all the coaches from the 6 middle schools and 4 high schools. I told them we were going to be positive coaches, that we weren’t going to want to win so badly that we were going to damage kids. I always tell leaders that you must get a beat on the system before you go out and make pronouncements. I should have followed my own advice. I am certain I insulted so many of the incredible adults who were already positive coaches. What I needed in that moment - heck, what I needed well before that moment - was a leadership coach.

Today, my guest, Dr. Natalie Nichols will talk about the value of a leadership coach (in her case leveraging EdConnective to help leaders support literacy instruction in their schools) and then she’ll tell us her cringe moment when she unilaterally chose to institute a dress code at her high school.

• In Part 1, Dr. Nichols talks systems thinking. If her district is going to have an impact on reading achievement, she knows that her leaders are going to need the very best training to support their teachers. She identified that the approach to teaching reading is a BIG topic and can be controversial. It is with the understanding of building technical skills while also attending to the affective side of change that she chose to partner with EdConnective to provide personal coaches for her leaders.

• In Part 2, Natalie tells me about an early decision in leadership when she made the unilateral decision to Institute a dress code at the high school she was leading. She talks about what she learned from this experience and how it has helped inform the steps she takes as a district leader.

BIO:

Dr. Natalie Nichols is the Senior Chief of Schools and Innovation in Round Rock, Texas. With over 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Nichols spent a decade serving Round Rock ISD in two major leadership roles as an Area Superintendent and principal of Round Rock High School, the District’s largest campus. Dr. Nichols has been an associate principal, an assistant principal, and an instructional specialist. She has also supported public school districts across the nation through the use of educational technology.

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At the end of every interview we have for teacher candidates, we say, “What questions do you have for us?” And they always ask, “What kind of support can I expect?” And we always say, “Don't worry, we'll give you a mentor.”

But it's not real mentorship. I mean, it's support with the difficult kid, or the field trip form, or the grade card. But it isn't coaching.

That's where partners like EdConnective step in. Because they provide real coaching, observations and feedback with practice. EdConnective ensures that every student thrives by facilitating exceptional educator growth. If you're looking for support for your people, for your leaders, for science of reading efforts, for recruitment and retention initiatives, check out EdConnective.com.

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Imperfect Leaders! Are you facing challenges filling open Speech-Language Pathologist positions within your district? Empat Speech understands the critical need for qualified professionals in your schools. The recognize that communication lies at the heart of academic success. Don't let open positions hinder your students' progress. Partner with Empat Speech today and ensure every child in your district has access ot the speech therapy they deserve.

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Music for An Imperfect Leader was written and arranged by Ian Varley.

Sam Falbo created our artwork, a wood-print inspired daruma doll butterfly.

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My book, An Imperfect Leader: Leadership in (After) Action is available at Amazon.com or peterstiepleman.com.