Summary: <br> I am digging into the archives of Principal Matters to bring you an episode from January 2018, when I had the privilege to interview Dr. Judi Barber. <br> <br> <br> <br> Photo by Craig Whitehead – Creative Commons No known copyright restrictions https://unsplash.com/@sixstreetunder?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit<br> <br> <br> <br> First, let me tell you a story. During the previous Christmas break of 2017, I had taken my family to see the newest Star Wars movie. In the opening scene, Jedi-in-training, Rey, has journeyed to the planet where the retired Luke Skywalker, has hidden himself away from the universe and its troubles. She climbs the heights to his hidden village and finds him meditating on a cliff overlooking the sea.<br> <br> <br> <br> Rey introduces herself: “I’m from the Resistance,” she says, “Leia sent me. We need your help.” To her surprise the elder Luke refuses to help and walks away. And thus, begins the most important conflict of “The Last Jedi” as Rey must find a way to convince Luke to train her and help her save the Rebellion. Thankfully, Luke finally begins training her and then takes the steps necessary to save the universe.<br> <br> <br> <br> You can see the movie for yourself, but I had that opening scene when I traveled two hours from Tulsa to the backroads in Grove, Oklahoma, in January 2018, on my way to see a Jedi-master-in-education. I wound my way up a long driveway to beautiful home nestled on a bay above Grand Lake. After greetings on the front porch, we moved into the house for a cup of coffee and some catching up. This was her 50th year as an education leader, and I had sat under her teaching and coaching in my early years of school admininstrator. Dr. Barber had agreed days before to letting me capture an audio recording of our conversation.<br> <br> <br> <br> Meet Dr. Judi Barber<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Judi Barber has just finished her 50th year as an educator. She has been a Teacher, CurriculumInstructor, Arts-in-Education Coordinator, Principal, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, in Norman Public Schools. Since her retirement she has continued work as a Special Instructor and Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma and the President of her own school district consulting company, Collaborating for Results, Inc. You can also see her bio as an <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://sde.ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-educators-hall-fame" target="_blank">Oklahoma Education Hall of Fame Honoree in 2005</a>.<br> <br> <br> <br> Asking for Excellence<br> <br> <br> <br> Here is a summary of the questions and takeaways from our talk. Listen to the entire podcast episode to unpack these bullet points:<br> <br> <br> <br> What would say are timeless truths that apply to education just as much today as at the start of your career?<br> <br> <br> <br> * Parents love their children.* A strong education in the basics of reading and mathematics are essential AS ARE science, social studies, and the arts to build the capacity of curiosity.<br> <br> <br> <br> The 9 essential elements of school are the rubric of effective schools<br> <br> <br> <br> * Curriculum* Evaluation and Assessment Strategies* Instructional Strategies* Learning Communities* Family and Community Connections* Professional Development* Leadership* Organizational Structures and Resources* Comprehensive Planning<br> <br> <br> <br> What ways do school leaders need to be adapting with the changing times?<br> <br> <br> <br> * Understanding digital communication* Becoming open-ended thinkers* Applying shared leadership<br> <br> <br> <br> If you could go back in time and talk to yourself as beginning school leader, what advice would give?<br> <br> <br> <br> * Be consistent in the way you follow the 9 essentia...
