1. Recognizing that there are multiple, sometimes even conflicting, pressures on middle management, the most important thing for me to accomplish is

a. Putting in place a comprehensive plan that details where we are, where we should be, and how I propose we get there.
b. Keeping my finger on the pulse of what is happening in the schools through frequent and varied kinds of reports from principals, instructional coaches, and teachers.
c. Raising money for science programs, since our budgets are shrinking with no turn-around in sight.
d. Implementing centralized professional development on good instruction and working to get the best attendance possible.

2. Our professional development is based in best practices because we

a. Survey our teachers to ensure we know what their greatest needs are.
b. Require attendance by school representatives to ensure all schools are getting the message, and expect to see our priorities reflected in school plans.
c. Focus on aspects of instruction modeled by inspirational and practical experts.
d. Have moved most of our focus to the school, where we have instructional teams focused on data-based problem solving and collaboration among teachers at each grade or subject area.

3. Of all the pressures at the district level, the most frustrating is the focus on results, when everyone knows change takes time. I cope by

a. Citing the research on change taking time, insisting that we are coming along, and secretly crossing my fingers that we make it.
b. Setting goals that I know we can reach, even if they are too low for some. Anything else is political suicide and I like my job.
c. I guess I work both sides—I set meaningful and ambitious long-term goals, and then doable, short-term goals. I report on the success measures for the short terms and remind everyone they are in service of the long-term goals.
d. I am serious about making a point about how many aspects there are to meaningful change, so I keep a notebook about 3 inches thick and bring it to every meeting. I report on a part of what we are doing and everyone understands by implication that a lot more is going on.