The #AMLE2015 Experience – The Middle Level Learner

Day one of the AMLE Conference is nearing an end in downtown Columbus, OH. Educators from across the country and beyond have spent the day focused on middle level best practices. Whether it was the impressive keynotes this morning that delivered a passionate and resonating message of teaching and learning or the countless breakout sessions embedded throughout the day, the collective passion for young adolescents is alive and well at the convention center.

With day two only a few hours a way, there is an abundant amount of information to be shared by both presenters and participants. The sharing of knowledge that will occur on this second day will mirror day one and be as mind-boggling and professionally rewarding.

So, what is your plan for day two? Get some sleep and set your alarm for #AMLE2015 and Friday’s line-up. Here is some advice as you head off to enjoy your evening:

Birds of a Feather Flock Together – As tempting as it is to travel from session to session with those you know, push yourself to break off and set your own path. Take notes, ask questions, meet new educators and make the learning interactive. Grow your Professional Learning Network.

Don’t Put All of Your Eggs in One Basket – When we head off to conferences many times we go with a specific goal in mind. All be it goals are extremely important to have. In fact, they are essential to measure growth.  Make sure you get to sessions that have you thinking about who you are as a leader and learner. Goals take form based on your experiences. Branch out.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – Often times we select sessions to attend based on title alone. As we have heard countless times, make sure to peel back the cover and read into the description and the presenter. Some of the best learning moments can come from the most unlikely of places. Explore your options.

Actions Speak Louder than Words – When all is said and done, the real test is taking the knowledge you have gained from the AMLE Conference and apply it to your everyday world. Take the time to reflect, formulate a plan to implement and set your actions steps. Be courageous.

I would encourage you, and challenge you, as attendees to push yourselves the entire conference. You have a unique opportunity to grow yourselves leaps and bounds. By participating in these professional experiences, you are that much more in tune with the world of education and the passion and patience for the middle level learner. Stay committed to your students and each other and know that our work is essential to their development.

Join The Chat

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We all have something good to say.  Even when we feel we have nothing, something is bound to come out once the conversation starts. It happens every time.

Often, we over think what we are going to say, or write. Depending on the audience we create invisible filters that only the writer, or thinker, can imagine. As members of society we have been programmed to think before we speak.

I encourage that we follow that advice and would never want to udder words that could be hurtful or discouraging. In the same breathe, however, have we programmed ourselves to be silent because that is what we have been reminded over time? In the classroom, in the office and in interactions with others we spend so much time being mindful of what to say we rarely say anything at all.

The point of all of this? Say anything. If you observe a chat taking place, add to it. Scroll along for starters. "Lurk" as we call it on twitter. But in the end, join in. Say something. Add to the conversation. Grow from it. 

If you weren't interested, intrigued or inspired to improve the person you are, you wouldn't have tagged along to begin with.

Start sharing. You will be better for it. A better professional, a better person.

The Spirit of the Tribe - A Call to Leaders

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Since our very first methods courses of our undergraduate studies, educators have been encouraged to spend time reflecting on our instructional lessons. Whether in our first year of teaching or as a seasoned veteran, that charge holds true each day we are in front of our students and our colleagues.

In order to reflect upon our instruction we have to not only find time to do so but we also have to be committed to its value and be critical of our own teaching. Both of which are difficult for any one individual.

With the directions we are pulled each day, and all that needs to be accomplished to be the teacher that embraces teaching to its fullest, it is imperative that we still use reflection to assess our own practices.

This reflection, the kind that is true and at times uncomfortable, will take us from being "good" teachers and leaders, to "great" teachers and leaders. We will have looked into that mirror and had crucial conversations about what worked, and what did not.  And by doing so, others will benefit from time well spent.

For many, blogging has been a great tool for reflection. Recently I was asked to join a colleague, Jennifer Hogan, who I met through Twitter, to take an even deeper look at the craft which I have chosen, school administration, with the hope of improving my own work when supporting my teachers. She, along with a handful of others, intend to commit ourselves to monthly posts on our websites and then comment on each others posts to offer that essential feedback to assist with the growth that we seek. This "Tribe" will be comprised of people like yourself. People that take the time and effort to truly dissect the work they do. We want to move from being good at what we do to being great at what we do. We also know, it can't be done alone.

Check out Jennifer's blog here to read even more: The Compelled Educator

Care to join us on this journey? If so, complete the link below and send us some basic information to get things started!

Join the Tribe!

Make it Count

(courtesy eswalls.com)

There is only one today. 

Can't be re-done, no do-overs, no second chances at this one moment in time.

I recently sent out a message to my followers via Twitter: 

My motivation for this message was spawned by the passing of a great man. A man that devoted his life to teaching others. He embraced every quality in the human spirit and took every moment of every day to share with others his passion, his knowledge and his love of life. He was an educator, a veteran, a husband and a provider. He gave of himself and treated each child, each person, each member of society with care and compassion that can not be rivaled. 

In all my years of knowing this man he lived with this very question at the forefront of his morning routine. He knew that he only had one shot at each day. He appreciated life. He valued and respected the moment. Like others that you may know he never took a breath for granted, ever. This passion was at his most inner core.

So as you go through your days, weeks, months and year(s), keep in mind that there is only one chance to make it count. You have today to leave an impression that will last forever.

Will you do just that? I offer you that challenge today.

In memory of Ford Weyrick.
1925-2014 

5 Ingredients to a Successful Summer

(courtesy of wallpaperose.com)

Have plans for the weeks ahead? We know the time goes fast so make sure to enjoy each moment. Here are some quick ideas, and a few links (in no particular order) as you set your summer calendar!

Read - Many of us read articles and books as they pertain to the work we do. However, in the end, make sure to read something just for fun! Pleasure reading helps sooth the soul and keeps balance to the reading we do for work. Check in with Cathy Mere or see the list at Education Closet and see what books are on the list.

Play - Whether at your child's ball game, out back with the kids in the yard or treating yourself to a trip to the golf range, make sure to get active and enjoy your time being a kid. We spend a lot of time indoors during the school year. Take advantage of your summer break and the long lazy days of summer. Need some ideas? Here you go: 50 Fun Summer Activities

Connect - We spend so much time throughout the year focused on our colleagues and our work that sometimes we forget about reaching out to others. Family or friends, make time to chat with those that you may miss connecting with during the year. Then, as the summer ends, have a plan to stay connected throughout the year.

Travel - Pack up the car, head out of town and find something for yourself and/or your family to enjoy! Over the next couple of weeks slow down and head to the beach or take a stroll through a busy downtown street fair. Make sure to visit a place you can share with others when you return to school. Vacation Ideas found here. 

(Ed)Camp - Because we are educators we will undoubtedly do something related to work this summer. If that's the case, then go to camp, an EdCamp! While thinking about ways to grow professionally, try to find an opportunity to learn with others in this unique PD setting. If you live in Ohio, check out EdCampILECbus! Or, go to http://edcamp.org/ for a camp in your part of the world! 

Follow these simple suggestions and you will be energized for the school year ahead!

You Don’t Necessarily Find Your Passion, Passions Find You.

This guest post is from Jordan Meyers. She is preparing to enter her freshman year of high school in the Hilliard City School District in Hilliard, OH. A student who leads by example, she is not only an avid writer, but also a musician and theater student. Jordan is an outstanding individual in all aspects of her day. Here are her words:

        

(courtesy of autobahnmag.com)

One’s passion is a wondrous thing, meant to be explored and dreamt about, meant to be loved and pursued. You don’t necessarily find your passion, passions find you. One of my passions is writing. I’m writing about writing!

Okay, so maybe I don’t mean grocery lists or something, I don’t like scribbling down things we do not possess. I mean creative writing. Some people don’t like it. They don’t like the idea of work. If you love what you are doing though, you don’t consider it work.

During class, the teacher may state, “Now to do something other than essays, creative writing!”

Groans will leak from many of the student’s mouths. I just grin and get excited.

To me, writing lets me unleash my inner imagination that is trapped between the walls of my brain, and lets it soar onto the paper, letting a pencil be it’s transportation.

Writers block is no fun, when a solid barrier forms between your pencil and your imagination, not letting anything penetrate it to write a story. Now that’s annoying. However, on good days, nothing stands in the way. I will hit the ‘play’ button, watch the movie inside my mind, and let the pencil do the work! It’s fun to capture emotions within a little stroke of a word, and let stories of love, adventure, and suspense unfold. 

I plan on writing for the rest of my life, and I hope other people will find the joy that I have found in writing.