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GMRSD Administrative Retreat

August 11-13, 2025

Northfield Mount Hermon School

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Agenda

August 11, 2025

Welcome & Agenda Review
Connections Activity
Who is Tari & How Does She Operate?
Setting Our Norms/Community Agreements
Looking Back to Inform the Right Work for SY26
Lunch
Safety & Security Update
Digital Boot Camp
Ticket to Leave

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First Impressions

You all care a lot about kids!
Great loyalty & investment in the school community
Various personnel challenges
Student behaviors are stopping teaching and learning

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“A leader, first and foremost, is human. Only when we have the strength to show our vulnerability can we truly lead.”

Simon Sinek

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My Background

Teacher for 18 years
Principal
Superintendent
Coach
Spouse
Parent
Daughter
Sister
and…..

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I am also Neenah!

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Beau

Hank

Seelye

Elna

Jack

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Tari Nugent Thomas

What do I stand for?

-Every Student, Every Educator, Every Day

-High Expectations for all

-Equity & Belongingness

-Servant Leadership

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Servant Leadership

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Seven Pillars:

person of character
puts people first
skilled communicator
compassionate collaborator
foresight
systems thinker and
moral authority

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Servant Leadership

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How Tari Will Look & Sound

See me

Spending one day a week in classrooms, throughout buildings & in the community
Caring for the adults so they can care for the kids
Redefining the partnership between the secretary and the principal
Being very intentional with time
Being learner centered

Hear me

Finding ways to grow leadership
Being an active listener
Having a passion for you and your work
Being a lifelong learner
Encouraging risk-taking
Expecting you to bring solutions to problems
Appreciating you!

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MY JOB Through June

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Is to take care of you!

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CHANGE

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Quotations are commonly printed as a means of inspiration and to invoke philosophical thoughts from the reader.

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Powerful tool for thinking about change in any organization

This is how my mind works!

You first need to establish your vision and commitment. Determine your clear goals for successful change and communicate them clearly across your organization. A lack of vision can lead to confusion.

Then….what skills are needed to execute on the vision? Does the team have the expertise (or training available) in what they are being asked to do as part of the change? If not, will it be provided? Feeling as if skill or training is lacking may lead to anxiety.

The next step is about incentives. The word "incentive" means an action or event that encourages or motivates a person to act in a certain way.

What staffing and resources are needed? A lack of resources leaves people frustrated and anxious about their ability to execute on org changes. What resources are readily available? Are they appropriate? Are there in-house people who are resources? Is the distribution of resources fair? What resources are needed and how will you get them?

The final element required for change is an action plan. Once you've acquired the necessary resources, you can begin implementing changes that get you closer to achieving your vision successfully and effectively. During this step it’s important to share progress with all stakeholders so that they all stay aligned throughout the process.

All need to be in symphony to create well managed change.

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The Signal Words I Use When

Decision-Making

Autocratic

The leader makes decisions independently, without seeking input or suggestions from the team.

Consultive

The leader gathers input and opinions from team members before making the final decision themselves.

Collaborative

The leader facilitates a discussion among the team and the decision is made collectively as a group, ideally reaching a consensus where everyone agrees to support the decision.

Delegated

The leader empowers an individual or team to make the decision independently, providing guidance and support as needed, but remaining outside the decision-making process itself.

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The Difference Between a

Few Other Words You’ll Hear Me Use…

Suggestion

A suggestion is a proposal or idea offered for consideration, but there's no obligation to follow it.
It's often informal and can be made by anyone, regardless of their expertise or authority.

Recommendation

recommendation is a stronger endorsement of a specific course of action, product, or service.
It often implies some level of expertise or experience on the part of the recommender.
Recommendations are more likely to be followed than suggestions, but there's still no strict obligation.

Expectation

An expectation is a belief or anticipation that something will happen or that someone will act in a certain way.
It implies a higher level of certainty or obligation than a suggestion or recommendation.
Expectations can be explicit (stated directly) or implicit (understood based on context or relationship).

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Time Management & Walkthrough Days

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Tari is tightly scheduled in order to spend one day a week, Wednesdays, in schools with all of you.

Important that Tara (not Tari) have access to all of your calendars.

Text me if you need me… I only look at email 2x -3x per day.

Walkthroughs are about an hour; they are a combo of observing/analyzing teaching with me as well as time for 1:1 troubleshooting/problem solving, venting, etc….
Tara will tell you when I’m coming because she can see you calendars.

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Types of Meetings

Bi-weekly Tactical Meetings

Purpose: To plan and execute the specific actions needed to achieve strategic goals.
Focus: Short-term operational issues, day-to-day tasks, and problem-solving.
Frequency: More frequent, like weekly or bi-weekly.
Examples: Team meetings to discuss project progress, daily stand-up meetings to address roadblocks.
Every other Monday 3:30-4:30

Tactical Meeting Frame

Monthly Strategic Meetings

Purpose: To define and grow the organization's long-term vision, mission, and strategic goals.
Focus: High-level decisions, future direction, and resource allocation.
Frequency: Less frequent, monthly or bi-monthly.
Examples: Annual action planning and leadership meetings, retreats focused on long-term objectives.
Once per month for 2 hours; 9-11am

Strategic Meeting Frame

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How to find me…..

Text me
If I don’t answer quickly, call Tara
I do not monitor my email continuously; send only things that don’t require a quick response

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Establishing Our Norms

or Community Agreements

“Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.”

Andrew Carnegie

To foster effective teamwork, we need clear and collective norms.

What do you need to stay present and active in the work together?

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Simon Sinek - What Makes The Most High Performing Teams

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Think - Pair - Share!

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Fist-to-Five Protocol

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Connections Activity -

A Story Swap

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Draw a significant learning event for you!

A significant learning event is a moment where you acquire knowledge, skills, or a new perspective that profoundly impacts your understanding or approach to a particular subject, challenge, or area of your life. It often involves experiencing something first hand, reflecting on it, and connecting it to existing knowledge or goals.

Describing a significant learning event

A significant learning event is a moment where you acquire knowledge, skills, or a new perspective that profoundly impacts your understanding or approach to a particular subject, challenge, or area of your life. It often involves experiencing something firsthand, reflecting on it, and connecting it to existing knowledge or goals.

To effectively describe a significant learning event, consider including:

The context: What were you trying to achieve or learn? What was the situation or event that prompted the learning?
Your expectations and initial assumptions: What did you expect to happen or believe to be true before the event?
The event itself: Describe the specific details of what happened, what you observed, felt, heard, and any surprises encountered.
The learning that occurred: Clearly articulate the new knowledge, skills, or insights you gained.
The impact of the learning: Explain how this event changed your understanding, approach, or perspective on the subject or in your life.
Connection to the future: How will you apply this learning in the future?
Reflection and analysis: What were the contributing factors that made the event significant? How did you troubleshoot any problems encountered?

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Looking Back

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“When I want to understand what is happening today or try to decide what will happen tomorrow, I look back.”

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

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Rose, Thorn and Bud

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Rose:
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This represents the positive aspects, successes, or highlights of the experience. It's what you're happy with or proud of.
Bud:
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This signifies potential, areas for development, or opportunities for improvement. It's something that could be further nurtured or explored.
Thorn:
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This represents the negative aspects, challenges, or areas that need improvement. It's what you found difficult or problematic.

How to use it:

Choose a topic: Select the experience, project, or situation you want to reflect on.
Identify Roses: Brainstorm and list all the positive aspects.
Identify Buds: Brainstorm and list areas with potential for growth or development.
Identify Thorns: Brainstorm and list the challenges or negative aspects.
Analyze and Reflect: Consider the reasons behind each Rose, Bud, and Thorn. What contributed to the positives? What are the underlying issues causing the challenges? What potential solutions can be explored for the Buds?
Action Planning: Based on the analysis, develop actionable steps to address the Thorns and nurture the Buds in future endeavors.

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Alumni Hall

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School Emergency, Safety & Security Updates

Franklin County Sheriff’s Department

Deputy Carmichael

Captain Haughey

Director of Facilities and Safety

Heath Cummings

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“Emergency preparedness is a moving target.”

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Digital BootCamp

With Tina Mahaney

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“The digital revolution is far more significant than the invention of writing or even of printing.”

– Douglas Engelbart

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Ticket to Leave

3-2-1

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Agenda

August 12, 2025

Welcome, Agenda Review, Norms & Norms Keeper
Connections Activity- Compass Points
Professional Culture- Good Seeds Grow in Strong Cultures
Creating a Shared Vision for 2025-2026
Lunch
Finance & Operations
District 2025-2026 Goals & Indicators for Sup/Eval
Ticket to Leave

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-Be present and attentive

-Manage time effectively

-Communicate respectfully and collaboratively

-Build trust

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Norms

and the Keeper of the Norms

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Connections Activity

Compass Points

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” Helen Keller

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Professional Culture

Good Seeds Grow in Strong Cultures

“Culture affects all aspects of a school. It influences informal conversations in the faculty lunchroom, the type of instruction valued, how professional development is viewed, and the shared commitment to ensuring all students learn.”

Terrence E. Deal

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JIGSAW

1. Divide and Conquer:�The text is split into sections, and students are divided into groups (often called "jigsaw groups"). Each group is assigned a specific section of the text.
2. Expert Groups:�Students from different jigsaw groups who read the same section form "expert groups." They discuss their section, focusing on key points and understanding, and prepare to teach it.
3. Regroup and Share:�Students return to their original jigsaw groups. Each "expert" then teaches their section to the rest of their group, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
4. Consolidate Knowledge:�Through this process of sharing and discussion, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire text, like fitting together pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Teams:

Loren, Cindy & Joanne
Walter & Kristin
Tina, Kerry & Lauren

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Our Culture Reflection

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Padlet Reflection

My Takeaways as a Culture Cultivator

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Potluck!

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Budget, Staff Attendance, Work Day/Work Hours, Hiring Procedures & More!

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With Joanne Blier

“Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail.” Leonardo Da Vinci

Slide Deck

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Ticket-to-Leave

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Agenda

August 13, 2025

Welcome, Agenda Review, Norms & Norms Keeper
Connections Activity
Special Education Updates & Requirements for District Leaders with Kristin Dietz
Engagement & Communication for School Leaders with Tina Mahaney
Vision Planning
Legal Workshop with Kim Roche of Dupere Law Offices
Putting It All Together with Supervision & Evaluation
Ticket to Leave

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Norms Review with —

Today’s Norms Keeper!

Be present and attentive

Manage time effectively

Communicate respectfully and collaboratively

Build trust

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Connections Activity- The Ball Game!

“Connecting expands possibilities- in work and life- for ourselves as well as others.” Adele Sheele

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Special Education Updates & Requirements for District Leaders

With Kristin Dietz

2025 ELT Retreat: Pupil Services Retreat Presentation

“The world needs different kinds of minds

to work together.”

Temple Grandin

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Engagement & Communication

for School Administrators

With Tina Mahaney

“Excellent communication doesn’t just happen naturally. It is a product of process, skill, climate, relationship and hard work.”

-Pat McMillan, Author/CEO

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Creating a Shared Vision for 2025-2026

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s,

we rob them of tomorrow.”

John Dewey

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What Will Success Look Like This Year?

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Vision Drafting

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For 2025-2026 school year only.
Teams write a draft for the ultimate vision of GMRSD that meets the needs of all learners.
Teams will share and will combine them in to one vision statement….with maybe a little help from Gemini!
Then let’s determine what we’d see in our schools if this were happening!

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Alumni Hall

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A Legal Briefing on

Student Discipline/Suspensions,

Opt Outs on Curriculum,

Personnel Issues and More!

With Kim Roche of Dupere Law Offices

“The number one problem in the classroom is not discipline; it is the lack of procedures and routines.” Harry Wong

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Educator Evaluation

2025-2026

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“A good education can change anyone, a good teacher can change everything!” Anonymous

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Goal: to develop consensus on Goal Setting and Indicator Selection

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2018 Educator Rubrics

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Ticket to Leave

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Time for a Change

Plus exit ticket with three commitments for SY26

Exit Ticket