Isn’t exciting to learn something new? I have vague remembrances of getting the balance right on my bicycle. It must have happened because I can still do it. However, I definitely remember learning to ice-skate and to ride a skateboard because I was a bit older and I fell. A lot. About a year ago, I learned how to drive. Well, I’ve actually been driving for years but I taught my daughter. In the process, I really had to learn again. Some things change, like where you are supposed to hold the wheel. Others, stay the same, like how you make a turn. I experienced the somewhat uncomfortable sensation of accelerating into a turn and I had to quickly dissect the anatomy of the turn, keep my voice calm and instruct. Ahhhh… learning is fun. I’ve found that I learn quickly when there is a bit of pain involved.
Building a new leadership development program requires learning. I have a few bruises from the experience to be sure.
As we have shared our vision of developing CEOs for schools, many people have asked “What are you looking for in the ideal candidate?” This question is very important as we launched from a graduate school of business. The professors at Rice are world class thinkers and researchers. Our adjuncts have deep industry knowledge.  In understanding what we offer as a program, we also had to consider what we didn’t. We are recruiting for REEP from the education community. Our goal is to develop school leadership as a primary way to innovate and deliver on the promise of public education. Who are the ideal candidates?  We are looking for learners and leaders.
The Rice University Education Entrepreneurship Programs bring together educators from across Houston’s public school systems. Districts and charters are represented. Teachers, Assistant Principals, Deans of Students, Deans of Instruction/Associate Principals, Principals and School Leaders are all represented. We’ve even had some district leadership and staff participate. This far-reaching network with varied experiences creates a powerful learning environment to explore what it is that we know about education. We’ve identified 3 critical questions that we explore throughout all of our course content:
First, what is the role of the leader?
Second, how do leaders encourage critical thinking?
And finally, how much room is there for innovation and change?
The students are challenged to learn a new vocabulary, new tools and frameworks. We explore the possibilities of “What if…?” and “Why not…?” We examine the mindsets of both effective and ineffective leaders by reading research, watching movies, talking to each other.  The constraints in education are numerous. Almost everything seems to have a rule associated with it. Rules set the lanes in which we operate. But then we explore again. Do they really? I’ve often said that we don’t provide the answers at REEP; we offer questions. I ask the learners who come to REEP if they have a sense of urgency about their work. If we go on this journey together, will you make things happen? The call for leadership is everywhere, especially in education with budget cuts, technology advancements and human capital development needs.
What we should expect from REEP in the years to come? What are our ambitions for REEP?
We want to instill a sense of entrepreneurship in education. Entrepreneurs are sensitive to the conditions of the world around them. They know how to sell their products or services. They push limits, customs, and traditions to do something ordinary in a somewhat new way.  The Wright Brothers did not invent flight. They created a way for humans to experience it.  Oprah didn’t invent talk shows. She did create an experience of empowering others through knowledge. Steve Jobs did not invent music. He had an idea about how we might listen to it. The REEP students and alumni are entrepreneurs. They have sought out something new and are using the knowledge they have gained in practical, everyday situations. As we recruit new candidates for the 2012 REEP Programs, the possibilities are boundless.
The allure of the REEP opportunity was stated very eloquently at the end – people looking for new ways to work and learn collaboratively to solve ‘old’ or current problems to create a more successful system and positive outcomes for successes that transcend down to students, public education’s most valuable ‘product’. The insight that brought the two worlds together of corporate CEO training and high yield educator leadership potential in an entrepreneurial environment is prolific, and the kind of concept that should be emulated across the country.
I have been reading Steven Brill’s book, “Class Warfare”. It is intriguing to look into the politics and machinations behind school reform. As a principal, I need to become more aware of the outside influences of education. We are very good at critiquing education from the inside out, but it is time to take it to the next level – let’s look at the hidden driving forces behind education and use these powers to restructure our schools and go for the type of innovative change that will have a lasting impact.
This is incredible thinking. So often in Public Education, we have all kinds of great ideas that fall flat because roads are not built to get us to our desired destination. You are making a bold statement here: build the roads! Building roads requires all types of professionals, from engineers to construction workers, from legislators to private citizens, from public funding to generated revenues. If we are going to build the proverbial roads in education, a room full of similar individuals all in the same roles won’t accomplish such a feat. Bravo!
The over arching goal of the REEP business fellowship is out of the box thinking!! This fellowship is one that has been needed for many years. As principal, I look forward to the research and collaborative findings from the group to help me and my area/vertical colleagues apply business theories in our school setiings. The findings will help us to become better managers on our campuses. Cheers to REEP!!!
I have recently had the opportunity to meet with Ms. Medrado and Ms Huseman to learn more about the REEP program. I love that REEP is recruiting learners and leaders! I plan to attend Steven Brill’s lecture on Dec. 6th. I hope to get a chance to meet you as well.
I am looking forward to Steve Brill’s lecture on Tuesday. As a possible candidate for the REEP cohort 2012, the possibilities REEP has to offer are endless. We NEED new creative ways to approach the problems facing education today. I moved back from NYC recently where I taught in a small innovative school, and since moving back to Texas have seen what new small schools can do for children. There are so many problems facing education today and we need to start thinking outside the box and challenging the status quo. That cant happen soon enough. Since a “Nation at Risk” , what has really been done to fix our ailing public school education? What have we done as a state as a nation to challenge what we have always believed education to be. I have had these discussions with many fellow teachers and administrators. We all agree there are many problems in public school education, now we need to find the solutions!
I am looking forward to attending Steven Brill’s lecture! I have had numerous opportunities to visit Kipp Middle School and The Shine Academy, so I appreciate that REEP and KIPP are sponsoring this lecture series. I continue to look at innovative approaches others are doing in the charter school system as a jumpstart to discussions about “how we operate” in public schools. Finding answers to questions that haven’t even been asked yet will continue to be our mission to support all children on our campuses. I am looking forward to the journey.
Kudos to you for stepping out and doing this. While many have realized that principals are CEOs, there are very few programs around the country that provide CEO-type support to principals.
In a Huffington Post article earlier this year, Michael Haberman speaks about the success of a program where CEOs and other business leaders in various ectors have formed partnerships with New York City principals. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Michael-Haberman/principal-ceo_b_823375.html)
I am looking forward to learning more about REEP!