As leaders we constantly use all 4 and more. We “prune” unnecessary items from our and teachers plate to stay focused on our goals. We “graft” new ideas with older ideas to build a better stronger new idea/goal. We “water” daily by showing appreciation to all staff in different ways. And we do look for / add supports to “landscape” the basic needs needed for all students and staff to help our students achieve.

I am thinking of sunlight and water for growth. Most people who well when they feel that their work is valued and respected. This is not about everyone getting a participation trophy and a pat on the back. This is recognizing the good that is already happening, shining a light upon it, and watching the growth of that person as a professional because they know that we as leaders care.

I would like to "prune" the amount of time we spend doing direct instruction in the classroom and cultivate more mathematical discourse and student discovery. 

As instructional leaders we must use all four. 

I probably need to work on all of these - depending on the teacher or even the grade group. I know that I am working on the watering and fertilizing this year - in a preplanning way. I noticed that I needed to work on our overall moral - we have gone through a tremendous upheaval with our roof being replaced with closing half the school for the last month of school. Plus, we had all of the changes with Covid that seem to continually make the boat a bit rocky. 

As the gardener for the upcoming year each practice will be used depending on the teacher's need. I have a couple that need a little pruning and help grafting in better practices. 

Over the last couple of years, our Bell to Bell teaching practice has diminished. We definitely need to to some watering and fertilizing and then take care fo the landscaping. I can garden. I love to garden. Using this metaphor helps me see how I can help make change in our practices. 

I think that there are times when you will need to use all 4 of these practices.