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A Quick Note to Listeners:
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Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —-
Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answer a listener question with a five minute response.
The question is: What are some strategies that foster parent involvement in the school?
Listen in to hear their response and thank you for doing what matters!
John Mihalyo, founder of Elementary Advancement Solutions, is a seasoned education professional with over 20 years of administrative experience and 15 years as a Catholic school principal. He has a proven track record in supporting Catholic and faith-based school leaders in leadership, advancement, and enrollment. John has successfully collaborated with leaders across multiple states, establishing himself as a respected authority in education.
His accomplishments include founding two Advancement Offices and securing over $1.8 million in funding. Additionally, he led a $6 million renovation project and increased school enrollment by 24% as a principal. Through Elementary Advancement Solutions, John partners with schools to develop customized strategies, leveraging his expertise to help them achieve their goals. While in college, John played tennis and later coached a state championship team. He resides with his family in Apex, North Carolina.
Previous Work:
John has worked as an administrator in both public and Catholic schools. One experience that he is immensely proud of is his work in a struggling Catholic school. When he took over, enrollment was down and the building was falling apart. Through his experience at this school, he learned that families are often hungry for a vision, and, if you can show them where the school is going, they’ll work with you to achieve that vision. John states that the experience led him to develop a passion for the business side of education and inspired the work he does currently.
School Identity and Culture:
Identity and culture are the hub for all other outcomes of successful schools. John describes culture as the way we do things, while emphasizing that culture does not mean the way we always do things. He encourages school leaders to meet with their team and define the core set of values that will guide all future decisions. When defining those core values, it is important for schools and leaders to be realistic. They should not define their core values as what they want them to be, but rather what they are today. Doing so will help leaders keep themselves on track towards meeting their goals.
The Hub of Identity and Culture:
A key point John impresses on listeners is that they do not always have to look at other schools to be a great school. Once, when John was at a conference, he attended a hospital management lecture. He was impressed by the organization of the hospital and decided to take some of their practices and apply them to his work. Another point that John emphasizes is that everybody in a school should have some kind of leadership role, students and teachers alike. When it comes to the hub of identity and culture within a certain school, John states that there are five things (or ‘spokes’) that indicate that a school is thriving and has students that are growing. Those five spokes are:
- Community Engagement
- Individual Student Growth
- Workforce
- Operational Vitality
- Leadership
Advice for Leaders Trying to Implement Change:
One piece of advice that John offers for school leaders trying to implement change is focusing on building your school brand. He defines the school brand by what people say about your school when your back is turned. Another recommendation that John makes for leaders of struggling schools is to be honest and be willing to listen. In fact, he recommends that leaders do twice as much listening as they do talking. When tackling problems, John tells leaders that they need to really peel back the layers of problems and get to the root of the problem. Lastly, John reminds leaders that the transition period of change is what people do not like about change. If people can get through the transition period of change, then good change will happen.
Parting Advice & Staying Connected:
As a parting piece of advice, John discusses using the word ‘ambassador’ rather than ‘volunteer’ when seeking community engagement during school events. Engagement is something that people will be proud of and will foster a sense of excitement among people about getting involved.
You can stay connected with John Mihalyo via:
