{"id":32432,"date":"2020-10-30T17:41:29","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T14:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zaednovchas.bg\/?p=32432"},"modified":"2020-11-04T17:44:43","modified_gmt":"2020-11-04T14:44:43","slug":"principals-need-a-clear-structure-and-space-to-implement-new-management-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zaednovchas.bg\/en\/principals-need-a-clear-structure-and-space-to-implement-new-management-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Principals Need a Clear Structure and Space to Implement New Management Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Four principals shared their experience in testing new management practices at the online conference \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Principals need a clear structure of what and when to test, space for reflection and discussion of the implemented practices, and a partner with whom they can talk about whether the practices they test work and how they can make them more effective.<\/strong> These are some of the main conclusions that four principals, who work towards a purposeful school-level transformation, shared at the online conference \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d on October 29. Over 100 guests from across Bulgaria participated in the event. <\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Four school in Sofia participated in this process: 106 Primary School \u201cGregory Tsamblak\u201d, 90 Secondary School \u201c<\/span>Jos\u00e9 de San Mart\u00edn\u201d, 159 Primary School \u201cVasil Levski\u201d, and 156 Primary School \u201cVasil Levski\u201d. The four principals shared their experience after their schools had successfully gone through the pilot program. The goal of the pilot program was to test different management practices which can potentially lead to the desired school-level transformation in the most effective way. This program is part of the second phase of the project \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d. It is funded by Sofia Municipality\u2019s Europe 2020 program and executed in partnership with Teach For Bulgaria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

More about \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

The content of the program is based on the main theories for building management capacity. It also builds upon the first phase of the <\/span>project \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d from 2019<\/span><\/a>. During the first phase of the project each of the four schools chose to test one specific approach to increase their effectiveness in the desired direction. The principals received professional support and coaching from Teach For Bulgaria – an organization which implements all suggested management approaches in their work. With their help, the principals managed to implement and test these strategies and eventually to adapt them according to their needs and the context of each school.\u00a0<\/span> More specifically, the principals received special email-missions with management strategies and guidelines for their implementation. Each principal had an assigned principal-buddy with whom to discuss the implementation and reflect on each suggested management strategy. All guests at the final virtual conference on October 29 were able to learn more about the missions of the four principals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Lessons Learned<\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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The four principals at the presentation of the first phase of \u201cFrom Vision to Results\u201d with Dr. Neli Koleva, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Teach For Bulgaria<\/span><\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n

According to Emilia Ivanova, principal of 90 Secondary School, self-reflection (setting a specific time slot to think and process) is a crucial step towards school-level transformation. She has personally discovered the potential of this approach and believes it has significantly improved her effectiveness at work and in her personal life.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cSelf-reflection can help neutralize conflicts in the team and lead to better communication. When we involve the majority of the team in this reflective process we can take more effective actions towards change,\u201d added Mrs. Ivanova.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cWe all make mistakes and as principals we need to listen very carefully to what our teams have to say. It is very challenging for our colleagues to give us negative feedback, so we need to teach them how by introducing the model for effective feedback and explaining what the goal is,\u201d shared Irena Mileva-Tsukeva, principal of 106 Primary School \u201cGregory Tsamblak\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

On the other hand, when principals have to give feedback to the teachers they should be honest, well-meaning, and open to hearing what the teachers have to say. This is what Ilka Stoimenova, principal of 159 Primary School \u201cVasil Levski\u201d in Chelopechene, had to say.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mrs. Korinova, principal of 156 Primary School \u201cVasil Levski\u201d in Kremikovtsi, shared that the project made her realize that her colleagues are very motivated.\u00a0<\/span> \u201cThe mission made me realize how important it is for the principal to be in constant open communication with the rest of the staff. We may be very busy and constantly trying to save time, but it is very important for us to encourage the teachers and to point out the good things that happen at school. Such kind gestures pay off,\u201d she added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Take a look at the videos from the sessions with each principal. Each session is dedicated to a specific mission:<\/b><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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