Stepping Up to the Plate: What School Leaders Can Learn from the New Baseball Rule Changes (and How to Avoid Striking Out)
As a school leader in Minnesota, I can’t help but feel excited about the start of the baseball season and the return of our home team, the Minnesota Twins. Watching the Twins play is a great way to unwind after a long day at work, but as an educational leader, I also find that there are valuable lessons to be learned from the game of baseball. With the recent rule changes in Major League Baseball (MLB), the Twins are facing a whole new set of challenges, and as school leaders, we can learn a lot from their experiences. Let’s explore some of the key lessons that school leaders in Minnesota can take away from the Minnesota Twins, including the importance of adaptability, communication, and accountability. So, let’s step up to the plate and see what we can learn from our home team!
First off, let’s talk about the importance of being adaptable. If there’s one thing we know about baseball, it’s that the rules are always changing. Whether it’s the designated hitter or instant replay, there’s always something new to keep up with. And the same goes for education. Between new curriculum standards, new technologies, and changing demographics, school leaders have to be prepared to adapt on the fly. As education expert Michael Fullan puts it, successful school leaders are those who are “able to navigate complex, changing contexts, and to learn from their experiences.” So, if you’re a school leader, it’s important to be ready for anything. Just like a baseball player at the plate, you never know what pitch is coming your way next.
Speaking of curveballs, let’s talk about the importance of communication. In baseball, communication is key. Whether it’s a catcher signaling a pitch to a pitcher or a manager making a call to the bullpen, effective communication can mean the difference between a win and a loss. And in education, it’s no different. As education expert Richard DuFour notes, effective school leaders “establish a clear and compelling vision, communicate that vision to all stakeholders, and create a sense of urgency around it.” In other words, if you want your school to succeed, you have to make sure everyone is on the same page. That means communicating your goals clearly, listening to feedback from your staff, and making sure everyone knows their role. And if all else fails, just remember: when in doubt, send in the relief pitcher.
One of the major rule changes in Major League Baseball (MLB) this year is the new time clock. The clock is intended to speed up the pace of play and keep games from dragging on too long. Similarly, as school leaders, we also have to manage our time effectively and make sure that we are making the most of every minute we have. Whether we’re working on lesson plans, meeting with staff, or dealing with unexpected issues that arise, time is a valuable resource that we can’t afford to waste. Just like the Twins players have to stay mindful of the clock during games, we also have to be mindful of our time and make sure that we are using it wisely. By prioritizing our tasks, delegating responsibilities, and staying focused, we can ensure that we are making the most of our time and achieving our goals as school leaders.
Finally, let’s talk about accountability. In baseball, there’s no escaping accountability. Whether you’re a player, a coach, or a fan, everyone knows when you’re not pulling your weight. And in education, it’s the same story. As education expert Robert Marzano notes, effective school leaders “provide systematic feedback on student progress to teachers, monitor the implementation of instructional strategies, and establish consequences for noncompliance.” In other words, if you want your school to succeed, you have to hold yourself and your staff accountable for the success of your students. And if that means benching a underperforming teacher or calling out a slacker student, then so be it. After all, sometimes tough love is the best medicine.
So, what can we learn from the new rule changes in the MLB? Well, for starters, we can learn the importance of being adaptable, the importance of communication, and the importance of accountability. But more than that, we can learn that sometimes the most unexpected things can teach us the most important lessons. And in a world where change is constant and the future is uncertain, that’s a lesson we can all take to heart.
Remember, being a school leader is a lot like being a baseball player. You never know what’s coming your way next, you have to be ready to adapt on the fly, and you have to communicate effectively with your teammates. But more than that, you have to be willing to hold yourself and your staff accountable for the success of your students. So, if you’re a school leader, remember: when in doubt, just channel your inner baseball player and swing for the fences. And if all else fails, just remember: there’s always next season.
Reference:
Fullan, M. (2001). The new meaning of educational change. Routledge.
Marzano, R. J. (2003). What works in schools: Translating research into action. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
DuFour, R. (2004). What is a “professional learning community”? Educational Leadership, 61(8), 6-11.
Stepping Up to the Plate: What School Leaders Can Learn from the New Baseball Rule Changes (and How to Avoid Striking Out)
As a school leader in Minnesota, I can’t help but feel excited about the start of the baseball season and the return of our home team, the Minnesota Twins. Watching the Twins play is a great way to unwind after a long day at work, but as an educational leader, I also find that there are valuable lessons to be learned from the game of baseball. With the recent rule changes in Major League Baseball (MLB), the Twins are facing a whole new set of challenges, and as school leaders, we can learn a lot from their experiences. Let’s explore some of the key lessons that school leaders in Minnesota can take away from the Minnesota Twins, including the importance of adaptability, communication, and accountability. So, let’s step up to the plate and see what we can learn from our home team!
First off, let’s talk about the importance of being adaptable. If there’s one thing we know about baseball, it’s that the rules are always changing. Whether it’s the designated hitter or instant replay, there’s always something new to keep up with. And the same goes for education. Between new curriculum standards, new technologies, and changing demographics, school leaders have to be prepared to adapt on the fly. As education expert Michael Fullan puts it, successful school leaders are those who are “able to navigate complex, changing contexts, and to learn from their experiences.” So, if you’re a school leader, it’s important to be ready for anything. Just like a baseball player at the plate, you never know what pitch is coming your way next.
Speaking of curveballs, let’s talk about the importance of communication. In baseball, communication is key. Whether it’s a catcher signaling a pitch to a pitcher or a manager making a call to the bullpen, effective communication can mean the difference between a win and a loss. And in education, it’s no different. As education expert Richard DuFour notes, effective school leaders “establish a clear and compelling vision, communicate that vision to all stakeholders, and create a sense of urgency around it.” In other words, if you want your school to succeed, you have to make sure everyone is on the same page. That means communicating your goals clearly, listening to feedback from your staff, and making sure everyone knows their role. And if all else fails, just remember: when in doubt, send in the relief pitcher.
One of the major rule changes in Major League Baseball (MLB) this year is the new time clock. The clock is intended to speed up the pace of play and keep games from dragging on too long. Similarly, as school leaders, we also have to manage our time effectively and make sure that we are making the most of every minute we have. Whether we’re working on lesson plans, meeting with staff, or dealing with unexpected issues that arise, time is a valuable resource that we can’t afford to waste. Just like the Twins players have to stay mindful of the clock during games, we also have to be mindful of our time and make sure that we are using it wisely. By prioritizing our tasks, delegating responsibilities, and staying focused, we can ensure that we are making the most of our time and achieving our goals as school leaders.
Finally, let’s talk about accountability. In baseball, there’s no escaping accountability. Whether you’re a player, a coach, or a fan, everyone knows when you’re not pulling your weight. And in education, it’s the same story. As education expert Robert Marzano notes, effective school leaders “provide systematic feedback on student progress to teachers, monitor the implementation of instructional strategies, and establish consequences for noncompliance.” In other words, if you want your school to succeed, you have to hold yourself and your staff accountable for the success of your students. And if that means benching a underperforming teacher or calling out a slacker student, then so be it. After all, sometimes tough love is the best medicine.
So, what can we learn from the new rule changes in the MLB? Well, for starters, we can learn the importance of being adaptable, the importance of communication, and the importance of accountability. But more than that, we can learn that sometimes the most unexpected things can teach us the most important lessons. And in a world where change is constant and the future is uncertain, that’s a lesson we can all take to heart.
Remember, being a school leader is a lot like being a baseball player. You never know what’s coming your way next, you have to be ready to adapt on the fly, and you have to communicate effectively with your teammates. But more than that, you have to be willing to hold yourself and your staff accountable for the success of your students. So, if you’re a school leader, remember: when in doubt, just channel your inner baseball player and swing for the fences. And if all else fails, just remember: there’s always next season.
Reference:
Fullan, M. (2001). The new meaning of educational change. Routledge.
Marzano, R. J. (2003). What works in schools: Translating research into action. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
DuFour, R. (2004). What is a “professional learning community”? Educational Leadership, 61(8), 6-11.
