Grateful for the Team

What is your favorite quote when it comes to the team work of your school or organization? While there are many, there has to be one that stands out to you.

For me, the team that I am surrounded by continues to show and demonstrate the abilities we have in making a difference in a students life and in a teachers role. It is not just about impacting the learner, it is also about impacting the colleagues we work with each day.

This morning, the leadership team I work with most closely had the opportunity to share out the great things that are happening by the entire staff. The Campus staff are the ones with students each and every moment of every day.

On the Innovation Campus we take great pride in the experience of our students. We emphasize that it is the interactions that our students have with adults, the relationships that are formed and the active learning that takes place that makes all of the difference in our world.

Once we focus on that - the relationships, the lessons and the experience, then all of the pieces and parts come together as one.

The Team is making their difference.

Today, the Leadership Team of Stacy, Scott, Lauren, Trevor and Jennifer had the amazing privilege and opportunity to share out all of the incredible moments that are happening in every aspect of our Campus.

For the work that they do, the time they devote to this Campus, the way in which they share their passion for those around them, I am grateful. We are grateful for the teachers we work with, the team that leads the work, the parents that send us their children to serve, the vision of the district that provides us these opportunities to do what we do and especially the students who come eager and willing to be engaged in this place.

This team. Our team. Whether it is small in numbers or big in size, is what makes the difference in the teaching, learning and leading that we experience each day. I am grateful for all of this, and more.

More gratitude to come...

Growing Differently

This year I haven't taken to the pages. And, the guilt of this has picked away at me over time. I take great pride in growing through writing. Therefore, when not writing, there has been a sense of disappointment. Until today.

As I was listening and learning today from George Coursos, it hit me. While I have had a sense of being at a loss these past few months for not modeling a platform of reflection (blogging) that I take great pride in, I was reminded (via George's comments) that quite possibly my growth this year has happened in other ways, equally as powerful, just not nearly as noticeable. 

Mr. Couros reminded me/us that while we need to find ways in which to share out our story, the way in which we do can change over time just like our students change the way in which they learn over time. And even though we may become accustomed to one particular way of doing so, we must constantly be evolving ourselves as learners. And therefore, as teachers.

The reality is that this past year I have found other ways to grow personally and professionally. And finally after months of "guilt" (and with the help of today's conversation), I feel a sense of understanding in my journey. 

This year, maybe more than others in years past, I have been more intentional and purposeful with:

• Engaging with face-to-fact conversations and having deeper conversations about being impactful and effective in teaching and learning/leading.
• Sharing our/my school story of successes and failures in teaching and learning through both my personal twitter account and our school (@wmscats) account and most importantly our school hashtag, #WeaverWay.
• Helping others grow by encouraging and modeling multiple platforms of social media to reflect and grow as educators.
• Reading some amazing books about my current role as an administrator and future role next year. (Message me if you would like my list!)
• Growing others through intentional professional development as a community of learners.
• Focusing on relationships first and foremost with students, staff, colleagues and community.
• Building leadership capacity in those I work with day in and day out.

Reflecting today, and hearing the message of the morning, I am letting myself "off the hook" for not writing/blogging as much. Because in the end, I have grown just as much (if not more) but just in other ways and while using other tools. 

Mr. Couros also reminded me that if we ask our students to change in the ways in which they learn, then I too can change the way in which I am taught. The goal is growth. And for me, I have done just that this year.