1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Make it Count Challenge

Although the challenge was handed to me a while ago, I'm finally sitting down to write. This challenge began in #principalsinaction Voxer group that I listen to daily (Well, I try! It's more like a couple of times a week).  The group consistently inspires me, challenges me,  and helps me grow. Thank you to my #savmp mentor @PrincipalGarden who encouraged me to take this challenge on and reflect. Thank you to all I have connected with this year and made year two better than year one! I've loved expanding my PLN this year and learning with all of you!

1. What has been ONE of your biggest struggles this school year? 

One? I sometimes feel like an entire week is a struggle so it's hard to just pick one thing. Since I have to, I'll choose staff meetings. I want my staff meetings to be professional development for my teachers; something they are learning or something they can replicate and bring back to their classrooms. I have the best intention to always make them this way but then I feel like things get in the way: information to discuss about upcoming events, district requirements, technology issues, state testing...you get the point. I always try to put whatever I can in my blog post to my staff, but some things end up at a meeting. 

2. Share TWO accomplishments that you are proud of this year. 

Before school began this year I made a personal goal to get connected with other administrators. Through Voxer and Twitter I have been able to do just that. I have multiple groups I connect with throughout the week that motivate, inspire, and support me. I've grown this year because of them! 

Another thing, thanks to #principalsinaction, is I've started positive calls home. As a teacher I made it a point to call and email home for good things all the time. It was something that was enjoyed by everyone and helped build relationships. As a principal I never really thought of doing it and even when I first heard of others doing it, I pushed it off because I thought I was too busy. My thoughts changed and I made time for the calls. They were such a highlight to my day, not to mention for the parents and students too! :) I'll definitely be continuing them. 

3. What are THREE things you wish to accomplish by the end of the school year? 

One thing I wish to accomplish by the end of the year is to remain balanced through the craziness of the spring. I have worked this year on balancing work and other parts of my life. Although it's a constant struggle, I'm doing better than last year. I remember the crazy, stressful time of spring last year and I want to remain balanced and not let it overcome me. With my Work.Life.Balance group as one of my supports, I think I can do it! 

Another thing I'd like to accomplish is to refocus our staff on the purpose and power of professional learning communities at our site. With the shift to common core, a couple years without new curriculum, and now newly adopted curriculum, our focus has shifted and time is spent trying to stay afloat. I want to focus on looking at student learning and instruction. 

My third thing I'd like to accomplish is to be present more in classrooms. Although I get in classrooms every week, the time seems to decrease as the meetings pile up. I want to be in classrooms to connect with kids and provide feedback and support to teachers. I'm often popping in and out of classrooms, but I want to make sure I'm providing effective feedback in order to support instruction and provide the best opportunities for students. I want to connect with kids on a daily basis. 

4. Give FOUR reasons why you remain in education in today's rough culture. 

#1 The kids - I love seeing their smiles, their accomplishments, their growth, and supporting them in their time of need. On a difficult day all I need to do is go into a classroom or out on the playground to join in on a game and my day is changed. 

#2 The teachers - they need someone who is willing to support them and their students as they work to provide the best opportunities for them. 

#3 I get to make a difference. Every day I get the opportunity to have a positive impact in the lives of so many people. 

#4 What else would I do? I can't imagine doing anything else. Every day is a new day and not one day is the same as another. I get to continue learning alongside other educators near and far. 

(My quote I love from @DrShannonbray, "I don't HAVE to be a principal, I GET to be a principal!")

5. Which FIVE people do you hope will take the challenge of answering these questions? 

I won't call anyone out specifically, but I'd love for the teachers at our site to take on the challenge. It doesn't even need to be in the form of a blog, just a Google Doc to share with others as a chance to reflect and inspire. 

Any principal from #principalsinaction that hasn't done it yet. Brandon?  Adam? :)

Roadblocks in Life

Currently I am reading The Mindful School Leader with one of my PLNs on Voxer.  After just finishing up a section, I was compelled to take time to write. A principal in the book shared her way of “purging” or getting out all of the thoughts and ideas in her head in order to make sure she was more mindful and balanced before the day began and before the day ended.  She journaled twice a day. I thought of how useful this could be in my life, especially at the end of the day before heading home to my family.  Journaling for me isn’t going to be my to do list, but rather my thoughts and feelings that I need to get out to relax and enjoy the time ahead of me. I decided my first “journaling” would be tonight in the form of a blog post.  

With high hopes and a positive outlook, I set out to try something new the other day. Something that I’ve never done before and I wasn’t quite sure what would come of it. In hindsight I probably didn’t think it all the way through, but at the same time, I was doing it because I believed it was best for kids.  So I didn’t mull over the possible negative aspects of it, I just did it.  

So what happened?  It blew up in my face.  I felt like I slammed into a dead end and and instead of making progress, I was pushed backwards.  I questioned myself. I wanted to give up.  The thought crossed my mind, “Why try if the results are like this?”

I thought about it, I leaned on my PLN for support, and over time I realized that it’s all part of the job. Actually, it’s more than the job, it’s part of life. We can set out with the best of intentions, but not everything is always going to turn out like we hoped.  There may be something in life you want, but it’s not going to come easy. Does it mean we stop trying?  Does it mean we give up? No way.  

I experienced a roadblock that day, not a dead end. Now I’m just looking for other ways to accomplish my objective.  

I know there will be more roadblocks along my path, but I need to remember this experience.  I need to take it for what it is and know that it doesn't mean I've reached the end.  I need to be able to reach out for support and work to overcome it.

We've all experienced a roadblock either professionally or personally...What roadblock have you encountered?  Did you give up or did you work your way around it?

My #oneword: Believe

A challenge was sent out in one of my Professional Learning Networks to decide on one word that would be our focus for the year.  My initial thought was one word, that's all I get? There are so many that I could choose that tie into my life how can I chose just one?  So I pushed it to the side and figured I wouldn’t do it. But I couldn’t get it out of my mind.  I would find myself thinking about it at the most random times.  What word would be the best: intentional, team, support, faith? I wanted it to be perfect.  I would start to write and then change my mind.  Then it came to me – BELIEVE.

Believe in Our Students: Every student comes into the school from different backgrounds and different skills.  I need to continue to believe they can all reach high expectations.  I need to believe that children want to do well.  Children want to grow and learn.  They are going to have days that aren’t as good as others.  They are going to struggle.  I still need to believe in each and every one of them ALL the time; modeling for others to see in my words and actions.

Believe in Myself: I don’t know anyone else, but often in life when things start to feel overwhelming, I start to question myself and my ability to get things accomplished. I start to wonder if I’m doing the right thing and making the best decisions.  Is this the right job for me? There may be doubt, fear, or hesitation.  I work to push those things out and work on clearing my mind and believing in myself.  Things don’t have to be perfect.  

Believe in Growth: Opportunities for growth are all around me whether it is something I am currently doing in our school, my personal life or something new I want to try. There is always a chance to get better.   Sometimes I am held back by the belief I can’t.  But I can!   It may not be easy.  It may take some time.  It may mean stepping out of a comfort zone and taking a risk.  But there is always room to grow and I need to believe that I can.  

Believe I Have the Chance to Make a Difference Every Day: I have the best jobs around.  I get to be with kids every day.  I get to be a part of their life and make a positive impact that can affect them not only in the moment but for the rest of their lives.

I can’t wait for all the things to come in 2016.  As I travel down the path I know it won’t always be smooth; there will be bumps and unexpected turns.   No matter what, I have to believe.

Why Do I Lead?

Why do I lead? That question has been lingering in my mind since it was posed to a group I am in a couple weeks ago.  I've been thinking about it, and to be honest, I have been disappointed with myself that I couldn't come up with a profound reason.  A reason that would inspire people and really help them understand why I do why I do.  I struggle with putting it all into words.  So I put it off and decided I was going to let it go and not respond.

Then it came to me...

It came to me as I was sitting in my office with a second grader.  He was talking to a police officer I had asked to meet him.  Not because he was in trouble, but because I was hoping to help form a relationship.  I was reaching out for something to help him connect and help him see a future since he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.  It was the first day of a positive mentorship (hopefully!).

I'll call him Sam.

Sam has been one of my tough ones, even as a first grader last year.  I am constantly working with him.  What do we know about Sam? He's struggling academically.  He's missing foundational understandings that are necessary for him to progress in reading and math.  He can act defiant.  He'll look right at you and do exactly what you asked him not to do.  He's had people give up on him. He's funny.  He craves attention.  He seeks approval from peers and adults.  He comes from a family that speaks another language.  He's made improvements.  He constantly pushes back on staff and I feel like he is waiting for us to give up on him.  He makes me smile.  He makes me cry, and sometimes he frustrates me.  Somedays he makes me feel like I can't make a difference.

But when it comes down to it, I lead because of him.

I believe that every child needs someone that loves them no matter what.  Every child deserves someone to see the best in them even when they can't see it themselves (or show it).

There may be good days and tough days, but I won't give up on him no matter what.
I lead not only for Sam, but all the other "Sams" out there.  As a leader I hope to inspire teachers to always see the good in students and never give up on them.  

Ted Talk - Rita Pierson - Every Kid Needs a Champion

"Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be." Rita Pierson

Start Somewhere

When trying something new there's always a risk. You wonder if it will turn out right or the students will get it.

Over the past two years teachers have been trying new things whether it is with new math strategies or close reading with text. One area we are focusing more on is speaking and listening.  Not just because of the new standards but because it is right for students.  Students need to engage and make sense of their learning.

When trying out new things, there's going to be times we're a little unsure and apprehensive but we have to be willing to take a chance and try. What's the worst that can happen?  It doesn't turn out how we expected? So what! The students will be ok and we get a chance to reflect, learn and grow...and try it again. 

As my district focuses on speaking and listening this year, it's leading us down a path where some haven't been before. We're shifting from seeing speaking as delivering a speech in front of the class to being able to engage in collaborative conversations with other students in the classroom to deepen learning and understanding. So many questions come to mind: what does this look like? How do I teach it? How do I assess it and give feedback? 

We may not have all the answers figured out just yet, but we don't have to wait for the answers to get started. We have to start somewhere. So where do you start?  Start with the standards. What do they say? What are students expected to do by the end of the year? Then work backwards. What do you have to teach and facilitate in the classroom? 

I am inspired by many teachers I've seen take the risk and start. They were a little unsure of how it would all turn out, but did it anyway. Whether it's starting with structured partner share or sentence starters for conversation, they're doing it. 

Recently I visited a first grade classroom and students were engaged in literature circles. I was amazed to see and hear the students sharing their ideas and going back to the text to support their ideas. Was there two way conversation going on? Not yet, but the teacher started somewhere. She taught the students the roles of lit circles and how to listen and focus on the speaker.  The teacher has the end in mind and knows where she wants the students to go from there. Was she a little nervous about how it would turn out? Absolutely! But that didn't stop her from starting.

What have you been wanting to start this year but have held back because of uncertainty? Stop waiting. Take the first step and start.

The Power of Connection

When I think about our students, I think about the fact that more, now than ever before, we are trying to teach them how to communicate and collaborate with their peers.  With this in mind I think about the following:  How are we, as educators and leaders, communicating and collaborating with others?

As a teacher you may feel limited to the teachers at your school site and the time you have during the school day to collaborate and learn from each other.  As an administrator, most often, you have no one.  So you give up?  What would we want our students to do?  Problem solve? Reach out? Find other ways?  Of course!

For me, it all started with setting up a Voxer account. I'll be honest.  I was reluctant and skeptical before taking the step.  I actually even poked fun of others who had an account because I didn't quite understand the purpose or the potential that Voxer could open up for me.

In the few months that I have had an account, I have gained more that I ever thought possible:

* I have people to problem solve with and offer different perspectives beyond that of those in my school district.
* I have a forum to share ideas, ask questions, and learn from others across the country.
* I've connected with people who inspire me and challenge my thinking.
* I've found people who help motivate and encourage me.

* I have a chance to learn and grow daily!

With today's technology, there is no excuse to not be connected and collaborating with others. It's quick, it's easy, it fits into my schedule. 

Whether it's Voxer or another pathway, take a risk and get connected. Instead of limiting yourself to the teachers at your school, why not open up and collaborate with the entire grade level district wide? Schools across the county? Why limit yourself to the administrators in your district? Making connections and collaborating with others will not only affect your life but it will impact the lives of the students at your school. 

Thank you to all who continue to support me, inspire me, and help me grow. I can't imagine doing this without you!

                                  

Take Care of Yourself

As I finish up the second full week of school tomorrow I can't help but reflect on the fact that I miss summer. Summer was filled with relaxing, reading, working out, and time with friends and family.  It was time to relax and recharge.  It was a time to take care of myself. Then, August hit!

When August arrived, everything shifted.  The once quiet campus was filled with energy and excitement: new kids registering, returning families dropping by to say hello, and teachers making their way back into their classrooms. Not only were they focused on getting their classrooms together, but grade level teams were meeting to plan lessons and discuss new ideas for the upcoming year.  It was just the beginning of the countless hours that the staff will continue to put in throughout the year.

I was excited when the first day of school finally arrived.  Greeting the kids as they walked onto campus, seeing the excitement in their eyes and smiles on their faces validated all the work that we put in to preparing for the first day. Popping into classes the first two days and seeing the students engaged and connected with their teachers and classmates added to the energy.  It reminded me about why I love what I do and put in all the hours of work. 

After the first days passed, everything else began to hit: deadlines, parents, professional development, site plans, students having meltdowns, scheduling, sub request, CELDT testing, meetings, and more! All of the a sudden the refreshed feeling from summer quickly started to disappear.  My days and nights were spent focused on work and the things that rejuvenated me during the summer were pushed aside.  I had to stop, reflect, and think about what I was doing.   Can I continue?

I can! But I must continue to take care of myself along the way. As I look back over the past couple of weeks I think about our lives as educators.  In education our time and energy is most often spent taking care of others. We take care of the kids at our school during the day, and often the hours after work are spent thinking about what we can do to help a specific child or children.  Many of us leave school to go home and take care of others in our lives, but what do we do to take care of ourselves?

I realized that in order to do the job that I do, I must put aside time for myself.  I know this isn’t something easy to do; it’s something I constantly struggled with last year, but I realized how important it was in order for me to do what I do everyday.  The thing is, we can’t wait for the three-day weekend, a week off for the holidays, or even summer vacation to take care of ourselves; it needs to happen all year.

So I challenge you (and myself) to do something for yourself every day.  Whether it be running, walking, hitting the gym, time with a friend, picking up a good book…do something!  You matter and it's important to take care of yourself.