5 Ways to Finish

Spring has arrived and the final quarter of the school year is here. Whether you live in the northeast or the southwest, students and teachers know that the seasons have changed and this school year is quickly coming to a close.

With each day passing there is an opportunity in front of us as educators that we cannot dismiss. It happens every year and we see it around us. Many times it happens within us. Either we raise our game and put the throttle down and finish strong or we simply take our foot off the gas and go on autopilot and coast until that final bell.

Here are five ways to finish the year that is best for students and best for you. As educators we have invested countless hours in planning, delivering and embracing the opportunities of each school day. Now that the final months have arrived, here is our opportunity to deliver some of the most powerful lessons of the year. With that, consider these tips to stay dialed in.

1. Stay Focused. Seasons have changed and it is getting greener. While we hear the birds chirping and see the flowers blooming, remain focused on the lessons yet to be taught. Make sure your learning targets are clear, your lessons are rich with student engagement and you are intentional with your assessments. Measure learning NOT material. This time of year you can get more from your students than at any other point. Keep yourself focused and the impact you will make will be obvious.

2. Relationships Still Come First. You have spent 8 months building upon the relationships that come to your classroom each day. Your students are hanging on every word that you speak and believe in you now more than ever before. This is your opportunity to dive into some learning and really draw from them their passion to grow. Be intentional in your instruction and use the relationships that you have fostered to push the limits of teaching and learning.

3. Grow Yourself. Recently a conversation arose about teachers and professional development toward the end of the school year. Educators are exhausted and administrators are attempting to find balance between allowing for that space to breath while still expecting best practices and growth among their staff. The reality is this, we never stop learning. As an educator you should be pushing yourself professionally as much in April as you did in August. There is no "down time" and there is no break in learning. Model this with your students. Show them that growth happens year round.

4. Check Your Goals. Remember when you sat down created your SMART goals to start the year? This is the time to assess where you are and ensure you have put the effort into accomplishing each and every one of those. If you have not been able to complete what you intended to start, time to get busy. Goals are set for a reason and if you haven't reached them, do not abort your passion to do so, simply find a way to get to the finish line and lean on others for support and guidance.

5. Celebrate. We have worked hard. Knowing we have spent hours upon hours of preparation and delivery and now comes the reality that the year is coming to an end. The relationships you have formed have paid off in the expectations you have set of others. Whether as a classroom teacher, a building administrator or a district office leader, find balance in the push to the end while ensuring that there is celebration of the organizations accomplishments. Just like a graduation ceremony for seniors, include the pomp and circumstance for even the youngest of our students. Celebrate your efforts and the efforts of those around you.

Everything we do in education begins and ends with the interactions we have with others. Our role is to ensure that it is those purposeful and intentional relationships that will drive the successes we experience throughout the entire school year. As you wrap up your academic year remember to finish strong. Avoid going on autopilot and make the most of each moment of each day.

Moments Between the Moments

As educators we are many things.

We give of ourselves tirelessly and pour our energy into our students. We refine our craft, strengthen relationships and work to ensure that each day every student grows in their academic journey. As teachers and leaders we wear many hats. We are more than just teachers of English and Math and Choir, we are an extension to the day. When we decided to be teachers we knew that our work would not end when the school bell rang. Our days would roll into nights.

It is during these extracurricular activities that we guide students to experience the moments between the moments. Those times in which the classroom walls have been pushed aside, the doors opened and the structures removed. The rules change, the dynamics shift and the social structure of the school day is thrown out the window. Often times, these activities allow students to change character, let down their guard and take risks. It is an entirely different experience. It is a part of their growth.

Tonight I found quite a few of those moments. Peter Pan is this years school play. Our 7th and 8th grade middle school students are putting on a show like no other. It is impressive. These students found their moment between the moment.

As I looked at the props, the backdrop, the transitions and of course the actors themselves, I realize that these moments are just as important as the moments between 7:30AM-2:30PM. These are the moments between the moments. And, as middle level educators we embrace these opportunities and know their vital importance to the academic experience. We know that experiences like these are irreplaceable and unable to be created in any other setting. They are essential.

Tonight was impressive. It was affirming. And, for those of us that work with kids at the middle level, it was as equally rewarding to see them during this phase of their journey in life. It will be these moments between the moments that will be remembered as they grow through their high school years and beyond.

This evening, and in the years to come, all of these students will take flight right alongside Peter Pan and Tinker Bell as a result of this experience.

Silver Lining

Take advantage of today. Don't wait until tomorrow.

Our gift as educators and as leaders needs to be shared.

Our community of learners looks to us to guide our environments down a path of success. Success takes on many forms. Walk side-by-side on this journey. It can not be done alone.

Always look for the silver lining, see the glass as half-full and chose optimism. As teachers and as leaders we bring so much hope to each day. We set the tone. Be responsible.

Teach, lead and listen to those around us. Be passionate about your work. Love what you do. Reflect on your teaching. Students will let us know about their learning . We should listen to what they have to say. Allow yourself as a teacher and as a leader to adapt.

Continue to give and you will be rewarded. 

Unconditionally and universally, your dedication to what you do and how you deliver the talents that you posses will be recognized. The reward will not be a plaque, a promotion or a promise, it will simply be the success of those closest to you. Your students, your colleagues and your community will reward you with kindness, support and belief.

There is no gift greater than the love and the belief from those around you. Be humble. Accept graciously, give tirelessly.

Be amazing today. No need to wait.

A Collective Effort

(courtesy hdscreen.me)

We can't do these jobs alone. The days are long, the work is hard and the reality is that we need each other in order to reach our goals.

Teachers are the greatest example of what a collective effort can get you. Team meetings, department time, hallway conversations and passing moments of engagement are all a testament to the power of dialogue.

Educators, like no other group of people in all my years of work, do it better than anyone else. Embracing each others ideas, showing the utmost respect and care for each other and unconditionally supporting one another during the best and worst of times is evident day in and day out.

As we head into the Ohio Middle Level Association State Conference, I am energized knowing I am surrounding myself with some of the best the region has to offer. These educators are being the given the opportunity to gather at a location set a side for some intense professional development and then take this knowledge back to their respective districts. The cycle continues. The ideas will travel. The collective effort will be showcased at this event.

I encourage you to take the time this week to reflect on your role in the collective effort. Think about the conversations you are having and what you bring to the table. Ensure that you are part of the team and moving the organization forward. Be a problem solver, a solution seeker, a lesson planner, a passion finder and a student-centered educator. Be a leader, an advocate and a listener.

Be a part of the collective efforts of those you work with. We are better for it.  Here is a quick video that reminds us of who teachers truly are.

Getting the Most of PT Conferences

It is that time of year. Teachers contact parents and the annual Parent-Teacher Conferences commence. This could be the best, or worst, 15 minutes of your life.

For us parents, at some point in our lives, we thought it would be a brilliant idea to have a child. For some, we thought to ourselves, it would be even more fantastic to have a second. For those that went beyond that, like myself, it had very little to do with the thought process at all.

None-the-less, we have them. And, now that we do have them, we get to love them unconditionally. Because let's face it, they are ours regardless of the ups and downs of their development. The joys of parenting!

As you think about the upcoming PT Conferences and prepare to sit down with your child's teachers, keep in mind that it the relationship with all involved that makes this educational experience what it is. We rely on each other, for good or bad, to ensure the needs of the learner are met.

As you gear up for conference week there is much to consider as both the parent and the teacher.  Therefore, as a colleague of mine, Keith Howell, recently shared in a column on his blog, consider the following as parents: 

·      Be on time for your conference and understand that if you are 5-10 minutes late, then that will affect the entire conference schedule for the rest of the day. 

·      Focus on the 5 things teachers want from parents.

o   Research tells us that there are 5 things teachers want from parents: 

1.       Establish child’s behavior

2.       Initiate warm conversation

3.       Get involved, monitor homework/school work/notes sent home/etc.

4.       Respond to teacher communication

5.       Good health

·      Don’t wait until conferences to provide teachers with a list of your concerns. Waiting months to articulate your concerns will only lead to speculation and negative feelings. Many times a quick conversation or e-mail will answer your questions and put your mind at ease. 

·      Understand educators: the teaching profession is their calling and a life-long journey of learning.  Teachers act out of love for their students and their passion for educating children, helping them become their best.

If you are on the other side of the table and are the teacher welcoming in the parent, his suggestions are: 

·      Say something positive: Show parents that you have a positive relationship with the child.  Show parents that you care about their child as if they were your own.

·      Focus on the 5 things parents want from teachers (see above).

·      Act, instead of react.  Watch body language of parents and adjust if necessary, focusing on positive collaboration.

·      Have some suggestions ready, setting goals for behavior or academic needs.  Know your students and their academic and behavioral characteristics.  

·      Keep to your conference schedule, and if you need more time then reschedule an additional conference. 

·      Let your principal or colleague know if you need support with any of your conferences.  It is always beneficial to work as a team, collaborating to meet the needs of all students.  Parents will appreciate the extra support and ideas to increase learning and/or improve behaviors.  

·      Understand parents: there is nothing more important to them than their children, parents act out of love for their children.  

Even though these interactions are brief they can be powerful. Each party can gain quite a bit of insight on the other person’s lens. The reality is that our children spend an incredible amount of time at school. And teachers often see more of the students during the day than many parents.

If it success we are aiming for then let’s work to get there together.  As parents we can’t give them back and as teachers we can’t turn them away. Make Parent-Teacher Conferences meaningful for all. It is more than worth it!

For more great suggestions, ideas and posts about Parent-Teacher Conferences, check out the blog roll from the #Compelledtribe.

Also read:

http://principalhowell.blogspot.com/

http://thecompellededucator.blogspot.com/

Understanding Blended Learning

(courtesy thriftyfun.com)

For the past few years educators have worked tirelessly to ensure that students in today’s classrooms, the same students that are preparing for jobs that don’t even exit yet, are receiving instruction that incorporates devices, or computers, as part of their learning experience. As educators know, incorporating technology is simply, integration. 

As academic leaders we have been spending time and energy, and most significantly dollars, so that technology is a part of each classroom and so that teachers are being supported in their work. With these efforts we have seen results. The investment has been worth it.

For the most part, technology integration was the path that we knew best. We have given teachers support with devices, students or the schools, and we asked them to enhance the learning experience within the classroom walls. We have overcome the barriers.  And in the end we have had some great success.

With all of that said, we are now learning more and more about Blended Learning. For many, the shift is on and we have been hearing more and more about the differences from simply adding technology to how we use this technology within the learning. How are they different? Do we have to toss that all away and head in another direction?

(educationrethink.com)

Then answer is “No”. In fact, if you work in an environment in which teachers and the school community has embraced technology integration over time, you are that much closer to being successful at sharing with your stakeholders the Blended Learning model.

Our technology integration simply needs “tweaked”. 

Blended Learning by any definition is taking the classroom instruction (in all its forms including the use of devices) and adding an online component that supports what is being taught within the classroom setting.  Here are 7 Characteristics of the Hilliard City School Districts Learning Environment of Blended Learning. As you read them, see how they translate into your teaching and how they would apply in your classroom, school or district. And, see how which side of the equation you fall on. Integrated or Blended?

(courtesy Hilliard City Schools)

As you read the language of each, there is a resounding message of connectivity between the traditional classroom setting and the digital elements of the learning environment. Assuming you can uphold the intentions of what Blended Learning is intended to be, then the environments in which are created, and the experience both the teacher and student will partake in, the results will be astounding. 

Now that we are shifting away from integrated and into Blended, make sure to take the time to work with your colleagues. Welcome everyone to the table, have the conversations, share experiences, perspectives and areas of expertise. Know that there can be more than one path to the intended outcome. There has been so much positive accomplished already that we need to build upon on our success. Teachers and their embracing of technology in instruction is constantly on the rise and we should continue to build upon that momentum.

And, of course, ask questions. There is plenty to learn along the way.

1st Day Reflection, Nervous Anticipation.

(discoverydesign.org)

Yesterday was the first day of school. With that, I was nervous, anxious, excited and scared. I was worried about finding my way, making new friends, getting my lunch and getting to (and from) school without incident.

I had trouble sleeping, less of an appetite and overall my nerves were on edge. This was going to be a challenge to make it through the day!

Oddly enough, normally I handle stuff like this pretty well. Rarely do I get "thrown off course" in a new situation. However this year, and on this first day, it was different. I knew that I would have to get my arms around why my emotions were raised more than ever.

(forms-surfaces.com)

My guess is you have students and even colleagues (maybe even yourself)that felt the same sense of nervousness on their first day. That is to be expected.

The uniqueness here though, I am the Principal. I am in charge!

This is my 21st, first day of school. Professionally one would think I would have had this day figured out. I had done this before. Whether welcoming new students, working with staff prior to the opening days or having spent weeks preparing for this moment, this first day should have been routine. Yet, the nerves where there.

As day two settled in, I sat down with Chip, a colleague and friend and we processed the nervousness. His answers, our answers, our conversation is a testament to our role as educators. Here are our takeaways from our talk:

• The desire for the day to be perfect. (Insert your definition here: _________ .)
• Afraid to fail. (A glitch in the schedule or system as we know it happens.)
• Accepting that failure is allowed and a part of the process of learning. (Builds trust.)
• The desire to have a good, no great, first impression on each other. (A must!)
• Wanting to share our passion with all of those we came into contact with. (A focus for the staff this year is Personal Passion, Professional Passion and Content Passion.)
• To make sure the students that I/we met in the first part of our day felt the same excitement as those that I/we encountered at the end of the day.
• Finally - to have fun, smile and be willing (and wanting) to come back for day number 2!

And with that, the reason for my nervous anticipation was answered. I had spent so much time preparing for this day because I wanted it to be the greatest first day ever. Not for me, but for those I am surrounded by each and every day.  My students and my teachers are my drive. They make me "tic".

As we wrapped up the conversation we both realized that the emotions I felt are more than just "1st day jitters". The nervousness that we experience is what drives us to work tirelessly for our students and our staffs to ensure that each day is their best day of school. In the end, every day should be met with passion and that nervous anticipation regardless of who is in charge.

(todayifoundout.com)

Are You An Extreme Leader?

When you walk into your building each morning, regardless of your role, do you consider yourself an "Extreme Leader"? Listening to Steve Farber this morning at the Innovative Learning Environments Conference in Hilliard, OH, gives me serious considerations to how I will lead my staff as we open our doors to students two weeks from this Thursday.

I have read two of his books this summer, both Radical Leap Re-Energized and Greater Than Yourself, and find myself looking at how I engage my staff and students and am motivated to engage them in a way that will be rewarding for all.

Mr. Farber bases the framework for being an extreme leader around a simple word with great depth and an even more intricate explanation: L.E.A.P. Throughout this mornings conversation we have discovered not only the words behind the letters, but more importantly how to put them into practice.

cultivate Love

Love for your yourself, your team, your goals and the process. Have passion. 

generate Energy

Positive Energy for your mind, body and soul. It's contagious.

inspire Audacity

Audacity is courageous. Stand up for what you believe. Make sacrifices. Be able to fail and try again. Change the world to be better. The OS!M

provide Proof

Actions are Proof and louder than words. Provide it by living and performing in a way that is full of Love, Energy and Audacity. Live it. DWYSYWD

As you are getting back into your routines, your school, your passions, consider your Love, Energy, Audacity and Proof in what you do. Find your OS!M and remember that you can change the world through the love that you have for your profession.

Stuart Scott, More than Booyah

Last night I found myself sitting down with a few extra moments to end the day. Normally I would use that time to simply flip through my twitter feed, scroll through Facebook postings or even check the channels on the television and find some brainless show to occupy the time. Last night was going to be different.

By now, many of you have heard, or even discussed, the moving speech given by ESPN's Stuart Scott as he accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPY's. This award named after the legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano is given to someone of high character who has been affected by an unimaginable turn of events in their life.  

Here is Mr. Scott's story: 

Many of us have loved ones that are faced with life-altering diseases or a circumstance that changes our normal or a series of events that no longer allows us to live as we once we did. Personally I have lost childhood friends, college classmates and as an adult have tended the bedside of ailing family and friends. Too many times our story ends in tears shed and lives remembered.

You too have been faced with adversity. You too have watched others struggle. We each have our stories with one no worse, or better, than another. 

What moved me to share this event was Mr. Scott's ability to articulate not only his fight, but his unwavering love of life and his desire take on this challenge. He made me feel his commitment to his persevere. He shared the love of his family, especially his daughters, and his need to feel normal when life was anything but. 

As you watch his acceptance speech (see link below) allow his words to be those of others that you know that continue to overcome daily challenges. Yes, he has the degree and the life experiences to be as eloquent as he is, however I would argue that his words are those of so many individuals that are faced with similar challenges each day. He truly defines what perseverance is. Keep up the fight Mr. Scott. You are an inspiration to so many.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:11225895 

The V Foundation

Fuel the Mind. Pick Up a Book

(courtesy mhpbooks.com)

Why is that sometimes what should be the easiest of tasks becomes the most complicated? Or, having that project that sits for weeks on end?

Consider the lose board on the fence. The paver on that sits just crooked enough to be an eye sore or the closet that has engulfed every last shoe and tie and shirt or skirt in a fashion that is anything but that. 

It can be either overwhelming or ignored.

With summer now in full swing, and many having already taken their summer vacation to a destination of their liking, here lies the challenge, something that can not be ignored, it is time to clean out the closet and gear up for what will be an amazing month ahead, August.

There are still many opportunities for some R&R, but at the same time, keeping those minds fresh is essential. Whether you pick up a book, organize your office, or simply keep those brain cells moving as you prepare for colleagues, students and families returning to the school house, I urge you to continue to grow yourself.

Looking for a good read? Check out these suggestions as part of your summer reading list, I did. They each speak to leadership, the art of teaching, innovation and the importance of relationships around us.

Here you go:

Steve Faber and his books Radical Leap, Re-Energized and Greater Than Yourself. 

Chip and Dan Heath as they share Switch. 

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner share Think Like a Freak after their hit, Freakanomics.

More great reads and awesome ideas from:

Scott Anthony has a hit on his hands with The Little Black Book of Innovation.

And if you need a review of some great leadership tips, Daniel Pink offers Drive.

Enjoy your reading, and, get those closets cleaned out too.