The following suggestions are a compilation of ideas gathered from the NASSP Middle Level Task Force as well as other seasoned middle level leaders.
Expand the skills and knowledge base of others:
- Learn and apply a new skill, such as present in front of a parent group, lead a staff meeting, share a professional skill with the staff, etc.
- Work on a project outside of their area of expertise
- Participate in the hiring process by helping screen and interview potential employees
- Invite them to accompany you to meetings with the school board, superintendent, etc., as appropriate
- Allow them to serve as a “substitute” administrator when out of the building.
Ask them to work closely with others:
- Serve on a school leadership team
- Lead curriculum or professional development committees
- Oversee and help evaluate classified employees
- Lead a book study or article review
- Represent the school at a district or state level.
Give them opportunities to observe and reflect on the skills of proven school leaders:
- Shadow a school leader for a day (in your school and others)
- Keep an observation log of ideas learned from “good,” “bad,” or “flawed” supervisors
- Explain how and why you handled a situation in a given way.
Help them view challenges as opportunities:
- Solve a real-life problem in the school
- Reflect on “mistakes” and set a plan of action for similar situations in the future
- Work alongside of you with in dealing with a challenging parent
- Create a Skunk Works group—a group brought together with the specific purpose of thinking outside of the box
Support their participation in professional development activities:
- Present information to the rest of the staff upon returning from a conference
- Encourage them to join and be involved with state and national professional organizations
- Ask them to serve as a mentor for new teachers.