S4 E11 - John Dues - Transforming Education Through Deming's Principles
May 14, 2024
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Join John Dues, Chief Learning Officer at United Schools Network, as he discusses applying Deming's principles to transform education. Topics include embracing System of Profound Knowledge, enhancing remote learning during the pandemic, using PDSA cycle, and promoting continuous improvement in educational systems.
Embracing Deming's System of Profound Knowledge for educational transformation.
Promoting continuous improvement and systems thinking in educational leadership.
Deep dives
Exploring Deming Philosophy in Education
John Deuce, the Chief Learning Officer in a school system, discusses his journey of applying Deming's teachings to improve education. After encountering Deming's principles, he delved into his profound knowledge system, initially finding it incomprehensible. Over time, through continuous learning and application, Deuce grasped the significance of systems thinking, variation, theory of knowledge, and psychology in education, leading him to author a book on his experiences.
Implementing Deming's Philosophy in Practice
Deuce emphasizes the practical application of Deming's principles, highlighting the importance of operational definitions and process behavior charts in understanding and improving systems. By engaging with teachers and students in continuous improvement cycles like PDSA, he aims to drive positive changes in educational systems, fostering collaboration and understanding to address variability and enhance quality.
Addressing Variability and Continuous Improvement in Education
Deuce navigates the challenge of addressing variability in education systems, emphasizing the need for data-driven insights and student involvement in improving performance. By leveraging Deming's philosophy to identify special causes and system improvements, he advocates for a holistic approach that values both quantitative data analysis and qualitative input from stakeholders.
Advocating for Systemic Improvement in Education
Through his interactions with educators and students, Deuce advocates for systemic improvements in education that prioritize collaborative problem-solving and continuous learning. By integrating Deming's principles into school practices and leadership approaches, he strives to create a culture of continuous improvement and quality enhancement within educational institutions.
In this episode of the Profound Podcast, I'm joined by John Dues, Chief Learning Officer at United Schools Network in Ohio and an innovative educator who has ingeniously applied W. Edwards Deming's theories to the educational sector. John shares his journey of discovery into Deming's methodologies and how these have profoundly influenced his approach to improving educational systems.
Our discussion delves into John's initial skepticism and eventual embrace of Deming's System of Profound Knowledge, which consists of understanding systems, variation, psychology, and knowledge theory. John explains his experiences in applying these principles within his school network, particularly how they've been used to enhance operational efficiency and educational outcomes amidst the challenges posed by remote learning during the pandemic.
The conversation also touches on John's approach to leadership and learning, emphasizing the necessity of continuous improvement and systems thinking in educational administration. He highlights the importance of aligning educational strategies with Deming’s philosophies to foster environments that nurture rather than stifle, promoting an organizational culture where insights into systemic improvements are encouraged and valued.
John's innovative application of Deming's theories offers a template for transformative leadership in education, demonstrating the relevance of these age-old concepts in addressing modern challenges within the sector.