V I S T A
Protocol for Collaboration and Evaluation
Reimagining Leadership for Thriving, Resilient Schools
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Values-Based Leadership
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Innovation & Change
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Systems not Silos
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Technical Management
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Adaptive Leadership
Introducing the VISTA framework for Head of School evaluation, goal-setting, and support
“In this landscape of uncertainty, the need is urgent for leadership frameworks that do more than measure compliance.
We need approaches that cultivate wholeness, resilience, belonging, stewardship, and visionary action.
(VISTA Workbook and Guide, by Kathleen Naglee and Homa Tavangar)
Why VISTA?
- Schools face rapid change, complexity, and societal shifts.
- Traditional evaluations are outdated and lack impact.
- Boards are often misaligned with their Directors.
- VISTA empowers leaders to grow personally and professionally in concert with their school community.
- When the Director thrives, it is felt throughout the school and directly affects student experience.
What’s wrong with current evaluations?
- Misalignment from the start: Traditional (well-intended) models often focus narrowly on limited outcomes and quantitative metrics that are more attuned to a dated educational model, misaligned with the modern needs of education, and removed from the unique contexts of your local community.
- Board members, not steeped in education structures, theories, and practices reach for lessons from organizations that produce a “product” (and parents increasingly expect “customer service” from schools). They aim to implement KPI’s or business metrics on a wide range of K-12 educational practices.
- Meanwhile, few school directors have extensive business (or other shared professional) experience. When expectations and language mismatch, this impacts trust and the sense of “success.”
- At best, current evaluations generally ensure business as usual, not a bold vision for growth, transformation, Director’s professional development, student experience, and relevance in a changing world.
- Evaluation and goal-setting can be used as a hidden punitive device.
HOW IS VISTA DIFFERENT?
- Helps align Board + Director
- Co-create goals and an evaluation process
- Articulate shared storytelling of mission/vision impact
- Builds Director’s strengths and capacity
- Aspirational and visionary, not compliance driven
- Facilitates transparency; no hidden agendas or misaligned definitions.
VISTA Delivers…
• Robust collaboration between Heads and Boards, esp with Board Chairs
• Alignment on language and expectations
• Meaningful goal-setting protocol
• Head of school evaluation that is growth-oriented and co-created, not punitive
• Professional growth for school leaders/Heads of School
Choose which outcomes respond to your school’s needs and contexts.
How it works:
- Mind the Gap – Vista Canvas
- Annual goal-setting based on VISTA dimensions
- Mid-year reflections guided by Big Questions
- End-of-year storytelling of growth and stewardship
The Lens of VISTA
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Values-Based Leadership
Guiding decisions with clear purpose, shared values, fostering trust and coherence with the mission.
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Innovation & Change
Setting up a school for transformation, inspiring co-created solutions, and a culture of innovation.
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Systems not Silos
Thinking and operating systematically, considering the various impacts across your community’s people, values and mission.
T
Technical Management
The disciplined execution of complex operational systems that make strategic aspirations sustainable.
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Adaptive Leadership
Leading with resilience, listening, humility and cultivating new leaders for deeper change.
Next Steps
Go deeper to understand how VISTA works and what you need to sign up.
