Menu

FOCUS

Learn from (simulated) experience

Computer simulations are a safe way to practice making tough decisions

By Ken Spero
June 2018
Vol. 38 No. 3
Imagine you’re a newly promoted principal, replacing a principal who left the job after only one year. Right before your first staff meeting, you’re confronted with a challenge with which you have no experience: A teacher comes to you in great distress because she’s being bullied by a fellow teacher. If you’re uncertain how to proceed, you’re not alone. Finding a more efficient way to help current and aspiring K-12 leaders is crucial because there’s a silent crisis undermining school reform. Low-achieving, high-poverty schools face twice the annual leadership turnover rates of other schools — and they generally fill positions with the least experienced leaders (Beteille, Kalogrides, & Loeb, 2011). More than 60% of urban superintendents cannot recruit or retain qualified principals (Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson,

Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.

Log In
   

Authors

Ken Spero

Ken Spero (kspero@edleadershipsims.com) is chief executive officer of Ed Leadership Sims, established in partnership with the Graduate School of Education of the University of Pennsylvania.

SAMPLE SIMULATIONS TO WATCH AND PLAY


DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS: DRESS CODE

https://edsimspd.com/SIMDEMO/dresscode/Start.html

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP: DIGITAL READINESS

https://edsimspd.com/SIMDEMO/FR_CP_1/

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL COACH: ANGRY PARENT

www.youtube.com/embed/OLARyKuHtjM/&rel=0&
showsearch=0&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&ap=%2526fmt%3D22

References

Seppala, E. & King, M. (2017, June 29). Burnout at work isn’t just about exhaustion. It’s also about loneliness. Harvard Business Review.Available at https://hbr.org/2017/06/burnout-at-work-isnt-just-about-exhaustion-its-also-about-loneliness.

School Leaders Network. (2014). Churn: The high cost of principal turnover.Available at www.acesconnection.com/blog/churn-e-high-cost-of-principal-turnover-connectleadsucceed-org


+ posts

Search
The Learning Professional


Published Date

CURRENT ISSUE



  • Recent Issues

    TAKING THE NEXT STEP
    December 2023

    Professional learning can open up new roles and challenges and help...

    REACHING ALL LEARNERS
    October 2023

    Both special education and general education teachers need support to help...

    THE TIME DILEMMA
    August 2023

    Prioritizing professional learning time is an investment in educators and...

    ACCELERATING LEARNING
    June 2023

    Acceleration aims to ensure all students overcome learning gaps to do...

    Skip to content