12 Months in S.P.A.C.E.: (S)trategic (P)lanning (A)ffecting (C)ulture and (E)nvironment

By Sandra A. Trach

Principal Jason Kotch, Ed.D., principal in Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania shared his strategic planning process and tools with principals.

Dr. Kotch advises that when building a vision and mission, principals must start with the “why,” which is the purpose for the work. The “how” (the process) and the “what” (the result) will follow. He also clarified that vision is, “the optimal desired future state,” and mission is, “the present state or purpose.” When creating a new vision and mission, Dr. Kotch advises these steps:

1. Think about your school. What is your purpose/cause/belief for each area?
   1. Student learning?
   2. Safe and caring environment?
   3. Management of systems?
2. Circle key words or phrases from each belief statement.
3. Identify whether the words relate to a vision or mission.
4. Draft a vision statement.
   1. What is our optimal desired state?
   2. What is the focus of our guidance and inspiration?
   3. What does our daily work to contribute to?
5. Draft a mission statement.
   1. What do we do?
   2. Who do we do it for?
   3. How do we do it?
6. Share, edit, and revise.

Dr. Kotch advises that the school leadership team refines the vision and mission throughout the year. It is best that it is a year long process in order to allow staff the time to reflect, refine, and internalize the meaning.

Before building school goals, Dr. Kotch encourages use of a school community survey. From there, instructional needs can be developed and goal areas can be derived. Then, a clear action plan should be developed that is easy to communicate and follow, and provides a check-off as goals are completed. He further advises that a 12-month goal document be developed with the following:

1. An action step.
2. The individual(s) responsible.
3. A completion date for the action step.
4. A measureable outcome of success.

Dr. Kotch closed by emphasizing the importance of staff culture and celebration. He gave numerous ideas that could be readily implemented in elementary schools:

• Post your recent learning as the principal.
• Storify your school Twitter messages for parents.
• Start a way for staff to give positive feedback to each other, through tools such as a staff-gram.
• Give a school mascot “trophy” to an unsung staff hero on your staff each month (staff nominated and celebrated).
• Start a suggestion box in your school.
• Start a buddy bench for students looking for a friend on the playground to play with.
• Be sure to have a staff appreciation week.
• Celebrate ACES: All Children Exercise Simultaneously.

Dr. Kotch exemplified that when a school has a strong vision, mission, and goals—and when these are coupled with opportunities to celebrate—a school thrives to high levels.

—Sandra A. Trach, principal of Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington, Massachusetts.

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