When I think of gathering input for the sake of reflection, a certain movie comes to mind. There is a scene in "A Few Good Men," where Tom Cruise is grilling Jack Nicholson. Tom Cruise's character demands the truth. In response, Jack Nicholson's character shouts, "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" There in lies the internal dilemma with staff climate surveys for administrators. We want to know how things are going. However, we are very nervous about what we might learn.
In reality, as administrators, we work hard to provide the best possible balance we can. We conduct walk throughs, monitor the halls, supervise the cafeteria, attend various meetings, and serve to provide the front line approach to public relations. That being said, do we really know what is going on in our building? Do we really understand the needs of our teachers? Are we really listening and responding?
I think the answer to these questions can be found through a staff climate survey. Is a survey the "end all, be all?" No, but you are only leading if others are following. A staff climate survey can easily point out a focus area for an administrator. I do not want to fool myself by thinking things are going great, if there are needs I'm unaware of. I do not feel the survey is the evaluation. Rather, it can provide an administrator with a direction for professional goal setting. Just as teachers set goals for their own professional growth, administrators must do so as well.
This week I have issued a staff climate survey. Yes, the anxiety is high - I just want to live up to their expectations. However, the reality is I'm not perfect. I have room to grow. So, when the results come in, I will review each item. I will celebrate my successes. Most importantly, I will reflect upon my weaknesses and work to develop a plan to address them. Like Tom Cruise's character, "I want the truth!" Additionally, I am ready to handle it. I owe it to my teachers and students.
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