Leading High-Poverty Schools: Strategies for Collaboration and Community Engagement With Washingto Collado
Oct 21, 2024
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Washington Collado, a Principal of the Year honoree and author, shares his transformative journey in education. He emphasizes leading with intention and building safe, trusting relationships within schools. Collado reflects on his upbringing in the Dominican Republic and the loss of his mother, shaping his commitment to underrepresented voices. He discusses integrating diverse histories into curricula for educational equity. Previewing his upcoming book, he highlights strategies for collaboration and community engagement crucial for high-poverty schools.
Authentic leadership requires fostering trust and open communication to create a safe, collaborative school environment for students and staff.
Nino Collado emphasizes the importance of community engagement and diverse contributions to support students' success in high-poverty schools.
Deep dives
The Importance of Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership is emphasized as crucial for creating a positive school environment. A strong leader, like Nino Collado, fosters relationships by sharing personal stories, which helps build trust among staff and students. Nino believes that leaders should prioritize safety in communication, allowing team members to express concerns without fear of judgment. This approach cultivates a sense of belonging and community that is essential for effective collaboration in educational settings.
Cultivating Internal Cohesion
Nino Collado introduces the concept of 'internal cohesion' as vital for the strength of a school community. This involves recognizing the interconnectedness of all staff members, from teachers to cafeteria workers, in achieving common goals for student success. By valuing diverse contributions, leaders can create a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered to share their perspectives and skills. This web of connections fosters a collective responsibility for supporting each student’s learning journey.
The Role of Personal Experience in Education
Nino shares how personal experiences shape one’s educational philosophy and approach to leadership. His journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming an educator highlights the importance of perseverance and the impact of mentorship. He expresses gratitude for mentors who guided him, reinforcing the idea that educators have the power to influence and inspire future generations. By sharing his story, Nino encourages others to connect with their students on a personal level, fostering deeper relationships and understanding.
Strategies for Transformative Education
In discussing his forthcoming book, Nino outlines four key pillars for transforming schools to better serve students in poverty. He emphasizes the necessity of being responsive to students’ needs through data-driven decisions, addressing social-emotional barriers, and building strong community partnerships. Collaborative leadership is crucial; thus, involving all staff in decision-making processes enhances the effectiveness of school initiatives. Nino argues that true change occurs when schools adopt a holistic approach, valuing both academic and personal growth for all students.
In this episode of Leaders Coaching Leaders, Principal of the Year honoree Washington Collado shares his personal and professional leadership journey. He underscores the significance of leading with intention and creating a safe environment for open communication among students, staff, and families, discussing how to achieve the respect and trust that are foundational to effective leadership. Reflecting on his upbringing in the Dominican Republic and the loss of his mother at a young age, Collado shares how these experiences shaped his commitment to education and advocacy for underrepresented groups. He highlights the importance of integrating diverse histories into curricula, explaining how this is essential for equity in education. Additionally, he previews his upcoming book, The Four Pillars to Guide Visionary Educators, which focuses on strategies for supporting students in high-poverty schools through collaborative leadership and community engagement. Collado's insights underscore the transformative power of education and the necessity of intentional leadership in fostering inclusive learning environments.