Name: Andrew Sherman

Title: Vice President Growth and Strategy, Latam

Organisation: Cognia

Andrew was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and has spent the last two-plus decades raising his children and joining school communities in their improvement efforts in Latin America.

His interest in education, Latin America, and community building is are product of his personal commitments, academic preparation, and professional experiences. Mr. Sherman is actively involved in school improvement efforts and accreditation as Vice President of Cognia in Latin America.

He currently serves as an Educational Advisor for the Tomas de Berlanga Experimental School on the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), the Midwest Academy for Gifted Education (MAGE) in Chicago, serves as a Board Member for EcoEducate and the K12 Change Lab as well as is sitting on the Executive Global Council of the International Parliament of Education. Mr. Sherman actively participates in community service and is personally committed to a number of local, national, and international civic associations.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Andrew's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

The constant and rapid pace of change requires agility, significant input processing and data collection, and analysis, creating time demands, which can quickly create disequilibrium in life choices and professional priorities. This situation requires consistent emotional and mental check-ins and personal organization, as well as attention to detail, to be able to manage the confluence of the macro and the micro.

No easy task to provide moments of self-care while engaging and guiding an educational community through challenging times. The number of daily inputs of information and interpersonal interactions can be overwhelming and detract from keeping the organization working on mission-driven improvements. Stop, breathe deep, and maintain focus.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I was sold on the idea of impact. I enjoyed the classroom, but was approached by a school leader who mentioned a leadership opening. As a relatively young educator at the time with a few years' experience in the classroom, I had not given a new role much thought; however, the conversation focused on the number of students you could connect with, build a relationship with, and collaborate with to guide them on their personal journeys.

The thought of moving from a classroom environment of 25 students to interacting with 700 students received my complete attention. I was convinced and never looked back. I have continued to teach as this is energy-giving giving but I also thoroughly enjoy the role of guide, coach, mentor, and collaborator that leadership entails.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

Hot water, Colombian dark roast beans, a coffee grinder, and a French press. The only way to start the day. The night before the review meeting, schedule and draw up or add to the to-do list. Morning stretch, walk the dogs, eat a little something (I am not a big breakfast person). Fill the water bottle to stay hydrated during the day and launch into work mode. Have meetings, always trying to finish early so I can move around prior to entering the next meeting.

Always attentive to adding and crossing things off to do list. Also, when a few minutes become available, complete something off the list. I am not good about stopping to eat, but a food break should be scheduled and respected. Prior to going to bed, review and clear out an email inbox, brush teeth, and leave the phone in another room.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

Always make time to listen to people. Even when you are running between meetings, and it feels like you are behind schedule, remember people need you to be present and attentive. You can think of it as being proactive. Smile, greet, connect, and share, and you will be saving time in the long run.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

Jim Collins's work, Good to Great. It is older management, but some points are not outdated. It is a reminder that to take an organization to the next level, you have to be dedicated to continuous improvement. Finding the right people to bring together to form the team, while having humility and determination to recognize and drive needed change, are factors moving an organization forward.

Collins also reminds us of considering how technology can be an accelerator for change and that change is about creating and sustaining momentum, establishing a culture or disposition comfortable with change. These ideas continue how I approach designing actions for change, from human resource decisions to going after low-hanging fruit to demonstrate the benefits of proposed changes.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

If you believe you are taking the right action to benefit students, have the patience and persistence to do it well.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

I recently had a chance to reconnect with graduates from a school where I was the director. They reached out to me as they wanted some advice, as their start-up was being acquired by a large company. I told them it was nice that they reached out for my opinion, so I asked them what they remember most about my leadership, and they said you were always at the front of the school to greet us and ask us how we were doing, always at our after-school activities to cheer us on and always stopped us in the hallways to see how our day was going.

They said they knew when they talked to me about their business, I would have their best interest in mind. Show people you care, and they will know that you do, and sometimes this is what they need to get through the day as well as guidance on life-changing decisions.