Ready, Go. Welcome to August!

My hope is that all educators took time these past couple of months to pause, rejuvenate, find balance and give back to family and friends the time, energy and love that many devote to their schools throughout the year.

The calendar has turned, August has arrived. I truly believe that having this time away is intentionally designed into our work. We each know what we give of ourselves when students and staff are present. The weeks away are a needed period of time to reset when they are not. These months are intentional, they are purposeful, they are essential.

Today is a new month on our calendars. For many, if not most, it is the month in which we officially get our mindset on the return of school. It is the time in which we tell ourselves to get (officially) going.

The reality is, however, if you are an educator like myself, you most likely never truly took time "off". Instead, you stayed connected via social media through twitter conversations and gathering of information. Many of us dove into the latest book(s) about the world in which we work. And each of us picked up the phone on more than one occasion to meet up with a teammate or colleague that inspires us every day we walk into the school buildings we serve. Learning never took any time off these past few months. Our growth continued.

Today, however, we officially begin. Emails from administrators will begin to hit our inboxes. Invitations for professional learning events will come from the districts we serve. And our own children, if you have them, will start asking the inevitable question, "how many days of summer until school starts?" For my children, the answer is 21.

To each of you reading this - it is time. It is time to be thinking about our classroom design and how we will be purposeful in building our relationships with students and staff. It is time to be thinking about lessons and instruction and how we will reach our learners where they are knowing where they need to be. It is time to ensure we are reaching the social and emotional needs of every child, every day, to the best of our ability. Today, it begins.

Good luck in the days and weeks ahead. You are committed to what you do and how you do it. Make this school year your best of all. Take on new challenges, embrace opportunities and be inspired and motivated to be at your best. Welcome to August, friends. It is time to do the work. 

Ready, go.

Learning Through Observing

Mesmerized by the passions of others. Writing, sharing, teaching. Educators striving to make an impact with students, with colleagues and with a community. Learning does not happen in isolation. 

Learning is not a moment in time, learning is constant over time. 

Watching others contribute to ones growth in knowledge has no specific formula. There is no specific way. We stumble, we attempt and we stay firm in our belief that in the end, we are better than where we started because we believe in each other. We believe in our growth.

Our convictions are strong. Anchored through the conversations with others and built on the foundation of trust and a goal to be committed to the organization in which we serve and to learn ourselves. 

Learning occurs through observing. And, doing. We must have a willingness to let go of what we may have thought was once the only path and find the path that will make us better tomorrow than we were today. Sometimes looping back, paths are meant to be blazed through the daily challenges in life. 

Not every step has one that follows. Your path is just that, yours.

Watching, growing, breathing. Being the best version of ones self. 

Always learning. Always observing. 

A Summer of Learning. 5 Ways to Reflect and Grow

With the ending of another year of leading and learning, I push myself to take the pulse of the year completed. While there are many different moments that I am extremely proud of I know there are just as many moments in which I stumbled. The truth is I rarely take the time to revel in all that was positive. I would say we celebrate and move on. In the same vein, I don't labor on the events that may have crumbled and been obstacles on our path to success. Instead, I give each the attention they deserve. Like you, I learn from the successes we have and the failures we experience.

Now that the year is complete, this is an educators opportunity to get better at their craft. Summer is the perfect time to grow yourself in all aspects of your work. And even though there may not be students or teachers walking our halls and attending our classes, our learning never stops. This is a summer to grow and deepen our understanding of best practices in education.

As you starting thinking about where your summer growth may come from, here are the ways in which I will grow my learning in order to be a better leader:

1a. Dive into a Book. Get reading and think about how the words on the pages can impact the students and teachers that will walk through your doors in August and into September. Need some suggestions on what to read? There are many. Get on Twitter, stop by your local book store or ask a colleague. There is a vast collection and the topics are endless. Make sure to chose books that push yourself as an educator.

1b. Jot it Down. Post-it-notes, pages, sketch-notes or even take to your blog page. If you are anything like me, writing it down is what makes me better at remembering what I have read and will be more likely to apply in the future. Keep it simple and keep in intentional and you will be grateful you took to paper or computer to recall what you have been thinking about.

2. Head to a Conference. Whether an EdCamp, a conference sponsored by your local educational service center or at the national level, conferences are a great way to connect with educators that are passionate about what they do. Find something that works for your budget and commit to making the trip. I have found that conferences challenge the way in which I approach my work and broaden my lens to what others are doing in their schools and in their communities.

3. Pick up the Phone. Today we rely on social media and email to deliver messages and professional information and sometimes we forget that our "old technology" is just as good as the latest and greatest tech tool. Some educators use "Voxer" to be an integral part of their learning journey. Voxer allows you to send a message to either a group or to individuals and then they can respond as they have time. Of course nothing is more personal than picking up the phone and connecting and sharing your journey in leading and learning.

4. Get Outdoors. Regardless of what you teach or where you teach (or lead), there is much to be gained from being outdoors in your community and taking in the culture and surroundings that define it. If fortunate enough to travel, take pictures of where you have been and plan to use those in the year ahead. Remember, every step you take is a step in growing yourself. Use the outdoors as a way to grow and to rejuvenate yourself as an educator.

5. Find Balance. Press Pause. With all that there is that can be done, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing at all. Clear your head, go for a walk and find the time to decompress from the year that is behind you. The pace we keep is intense and we need to give ourselves permission to catch up. So yes, we do have weeks off that other professions do not so use them wisely. Find balance and press pause.

You may be asking where the reference is to family. I purposefully saved that for last. As I have been reading the work of Gordon and Kight they both emphasize the need for clarity and purpose. For me, it is family that helps me achieve both. Regardless of the company that you keep, embrace the moments you have and spend time this summer growing with them. Family is often the reason you give with the effort that you do. Be sure to give back to them in the days and weeks ahead.

Rethinking Professional Development - Friday Focus

If how we deliver content to students is constantly evolving than how we offer professional development to our teachers needs to continue to evolve as well. And the good news for many of us in the field of education, it is doing just that. Professional Development (PD) is on the move. It is better, smarter, more efficient and personalized. Educators are moving PD in the right direction. Just as powerful is the fact that there is an amazing number of exemplars in the field of how we can and should offer PD to and for our colleagues. Equally as powerful is that educators are and need to continue to find platforms to share what is and what is not working in relation to teaching and learning. And, for those of us that are connected, there are countless members in our #PLN that make us better at this very task.

When it comes to your own learning in how to become a more impactful educator, most teachers and administrators in the field of education value the need to continually grow themselves in all aspects of their jobs. Like growth mindset, professional development centers around the notion that we each strive to increase our abilities as educators by constantly growing our depth of knowledge. In an attempt to be relative to our audience, we must challenge our way of instructing them. When it comes to teaching and learning we must model our own growth if we expect those around us to embrace the same expectation.

When it comes to the delivery of professional development with my teachers, the truth is that I am no genius when it comes to best practices. I know very little theory in the matter. The reality is that my approach to professional development for my teachers, and the training I have, is in large part to what I have observed from those around me, including you. Simple observation has been most greatest tool. Application of what is best and removal of the ineffective has been my greatest asset. Instead of just doing, I do with purpose. I model what I observe.

Think about the best PD you have experienced. The following characteristics should be present:

• collaborative
• shared ownership
• an environment that fosters the idea that the collective whole is greater than any one common presence
• open communication
• each participant feels valued and respected
• meaningful and relevant content
• applicable to your role and those you serve
• student-centered
• interactive

With this list of characteristics (and more that you could add) think ahead to your next opportunity to learn with others. If you are the leader of this PD then I encourage you to think about the ways, platforms, tools and resources to ensure the needs of the audience are met. If you are on the receiving end of the professional development than make sure that your school leaders embrace these common threads of PD.

Here is an example of how I am rethinking PD that supports each of the bulleted items above. This is just ONE of many forms of ongoing embedded growth. Please feel free to use this idea in your work with your colleagues.

This week my assistant principal and I continue our Friday Focus (link that explains what it is with questions) series in which we invite staff to our innovative Media Center as we discuss our next topic. This week we discuss Parent Engagement in the Learning Process as we prepare for the end of the first quarter. On Monday (going in to the Friday Focus) we share out questions to consider so that staff members can be reflecting on it throughout the week. Then, on Friday, we simply facilitate the conversation allowing our teachers to share out best practices, ideas and suggestions for the weekly topic. Teachers come to the Media Center during their plan period. Conversations can last anywhere from 10 minutes to the end of the period (50 minutes). Teachers can come and go as they please and it is NOT required and we do NOT take attendance. Each semester we have four of these "Focus" conversations. Next semester our staff will determine the topics by using a Google Form to submit ideas.  So far, so good. Great feedback from our staff.

As you continue with your year in learning and growing as an educator, continue to embrace how you offer and how you learn when it comes to professional development. You do not need a title to offer rich, meaningful and intentional content to those around you. You need a passion for growth and a willingness to learn.

Keeping it Simple

I have a lot to do this summer. I mean, A LOT! And, I am excited to get working on it. The problem is that my brain and my actions are not aligned. Yet.

Before I dare dive in I need to figure some things out. If I don't, it will be a long summer of barely completed tasks and a feeling of a thousand pounds closing in on my chest as I awake each morning. So, how will I keep it simple and ensure a productive summer of growth? Well, here is just a sampling of my solution:

I am going to start by getting my mind right. In order to do that, I have to simplify. No, not make it easy. The work I have to accomplish is anything but that. As I sit at my desk this first morning without students or staff in the building my mind wanders. I think of what needs to get done. It overwhelms me. It consumes me. Therefore, I need to have a conversation with myself and accept that there is a lot of work to be done and be OK with that. With that, I am ready for the next step because I have mentally accepted there is much to be done. My mind is right.

The next move to simplifying the work to be done is to make the list of what needs to be accomplished. For this I am going old-fashioned. I am going to use paper and pen and jot down the work that needs to happen. Like you, I often end up with stacks of list. For the work ahead, I am narrowing it down to one list, maybe two. And, yes, items will be added but strategically. Always be mindful of adding too many items to your list. Sometimes we have to say "no" to new requests to keep our lists from growing too long.

Prioritize when it is going to happen and watch the list begin to dwindle away. This can be the easiest or the hardest of all. Some things have to get done sooner than later simply by when events are going to fall on the calendar. For example, I have a conference in July and need to complete the presentation. Even though my mind is saying to get working on that now, I had better finish up the graphics/questions for #OHedchat that I am hosting in two days first. Therefore, look over the list, overlap it with the calendar and mark some dates to get things done.

Final step: Find a way to hold yourself accountable to the work that needs to be done. For this, you might need some help. For me, I lean on my #PLN. People like Bobby Dodd, Neil Gupta and Jennifer Hogan will keep me from getting to far ahead of myself (or not moving quickly enough). For me, I/we schedule weekly check-ins for the work we do together. For other items on the list, I lean on colleagues at work or even at home. Let' face it, if we hold others accountable we need to do the same for ourselves.

Now that I have my head in the right place, the list of things to be done is created and I have put a stamp on when to get them done and who is going to help me make sure it will get done, it is time to make some headway with the work. Remember, you will get overwhelmed. That too is part of the process. There is so much we want to do and so much we could do and time is always a factor. Tackle your list, give yourself a break as you need one, remain balanced and celebrate as you cross the items off.

Small Fish, Big Pond

For weeks I have been stuck on these four words; Small Fish, Big Pond. And, the more I reflect on this year's journey of my growth and my learning, I am brought back to the simple notion that I am that fish in that really big pond. And there is so much YET (my mindset) to do in order to continue to grow as a leader and a learner. (Which is the inspiring part.)

In my journey in education I thought (for a brief but significant moment) that I had entered the deep end of the pond. Yet, (there it is again) I am reminded how big the pond really is. The fact is that the pond is enormous. As for the fish within the pond (that is all of you) I have been fortunate to learn as much as I have. The unthinkable (but realistic) part is that there are so many more (fish) I have yet to encounter and so much more to learn.

This part I know for a fact - within this pond there is at least one thing that we each have in common. We all want to grow. And with that growth we know we will be better for ourselves and for those around us. Those we serve. We need to swim. We need to meet more fish. We need to continue on this journey of learning.

So, as you and I swim within this pond of knowledge and interact with the other fish near and far, here are some things to remember when we are looking to grow professionally:

1. Avoid the Predator of Time. Don't allow the trap of time (and energy) take you away from your work and your passion to grow as a leader and learner. It is a common enemy that you must thoughtfully work to avoid. Therefore, get organized, set a schedule, carve in minutes for you, and your growth. As a fish within the pond you have to be intentional with your day. Make it happen, no excuses.

2. Explore. Don't Always Stay with the School. Professional development is often offered to the group. We sit and take in best practices with our colleagues within our school community. While that method can be powerful, also consider exploring other resources to add to your growing list of tools. Many of us use twitter, blogging and other platforms such as a good book and podcasts to help us in our development. Find an EdCamp, reach out to a Voxer group and explore on your own. Sometimes your separation and reflection can help you grow the most.

3. Set Goals. Keep Swimming. Just as time can be the enemy to our productive intentions, not having a set of goals can be defeating as well. Therefore, decide what it is that is most important to you on your journey. It can be anything from learning a new resource to starting the blogging journey to committing to present at a conference or host a workshop. Set your goals, come up with your action steps to achieve them and get moving. You'll be glad you have a plan in place.

4. Grow Your Network. Stay Connected as You Swim. As shared above, there are limitless fish to swim with. And, as you swim, gain knowledge from them. You never know where and when the next great moment may come from. In the same tone, make sure that you share your knowledge with those around you. You've worked hard to get where you are. Share your work with others, get connected.

5. Model. Show Others How to Swim. You are reading this post because you are already committed to your growth to some degree. If you are reading blogs, most likely you are writing as well. That action alone is a perfect example of how we look out for each other on this journey of learning. Whether with your students, your staff or any team in which you work, showcase your growth through modeling what you invested in. Make sure people can observe and learn from your willingness to model best practices.

Take these ideas and add your own as you too process the size and scope of the pond of knowledge. Even though we are simply a couple of fish swimming around, we are a powerful force when we come together. As the school year moves on, keep the learning of yourself alive and well.

5 Essentials for Educators for the Month of May

The final month of school is approaching. A school year's worth of work is being measured and in a blink of an eye graduation will be here. Thinking of these final weeks of school, check out these essentials to ensure you finish as strong as you started and have a plan to be ready for whatever may lie ahead.

1. Take Inventory. As the year wraps up, reflect on what worked and what didn't in your instruction of either your students or your staff. Don't allow the argument of time stop you from this occurring. Reflection is a constant part of our work. Think back to your year and take a month by month glance of what was successful and what needs tweaked as you plan for the upcoming school year. Be ahead of the year that will be here before you know it by reviewing the year you just completed. Come August you will be glad you did.

2. Think Forward. Now that you have notes of the year almost over, create a blueprint for what lies ahead. Just as you should be reflective of the work in your past, be just as ready for the year ahead. Spend a few moments and chart out what the days and weeks will look like when students and staff return. Think forward to the lessons you plan to teach and allow for the summer months to be a part of refining the instruction.

3a. Relationships at the Core - Your Students. As you head into this final month of work, take a look back at the relationships you've established with your students. Focus in on making the final month of school the most important. For many of your students, regardless of your demographics, school is the highlight of their day. Be there for them, engage in conversation, be reflective on the content covered and discuss what their summer of learning could look like with their peers. Guide them to be ready for the return after a few months away.

3b. Relationships at the Core - Your Staff. One of the best ways to take inventory of a year is to be transparent enough to ask those you work with and get their feedback. Consider gaining your teachers perspective of where your building is in its growth through the sharing of a staff satisfaction survey. Weighing in on vision, communication, community and accountability, every person on a the team can own the accomplishments and the work left undone. In addition, focus on the relationships that have blossomed and those that need attention. Get your mind right and be ready to put even more purpose into all relationships after a summer away. Have an intentional plan for building leaders up and focusing on getting the power of the team in play.

4. Summer Growth. Plan your summer professional development now. After a school year of embedded professional learning, district opportunities, collaboration with colleagues and more, have a detailed plan of how you will extend your learning throughout the summer. Take advantage of local conferences, find an EdCamp in your area (all states are hosting an EdCampLdr in July) and have meet-ups with other educators to talk best practices.

5. Feed your PLN. If you are reading this post, you know the power of being connected. It matters and it makes us better. We are constantly in control of our learning. Whether using twitter, reading blogs, attending online webinars or a host of other connected opportunities, continue to expand your network. Push your four walls of learning even further and be purposeful as you do it. Find your niche of colleagues that will add depth to your work.

The final month of school is just as important as the first. All that you have worked to achieve is coming to a head. Celebrate what has been accomplished, make time for what still needs completed and be ready to plan forward. To make the most of your learning, own where you are and where you need to go. You will be better for it.

6 Essentials for Educators

As educators, we are well versed in what works, and does not, in education. Day-in and day-out we get a fresh take at new opportunities. And, each day I get an opportunity to improve on the day before. We are, as the saying goes, a work in progress.

Spending my days and weeks with middle level students (and their teachers) can provide great examples of what progress does look like. And, after hours of classroom visits, teacher observations and self-reflection, I can also speak to where the work currently is and where we should should continue to offer our support for educators. We are also asking each day, "Where can we grow?"

And, throughout each of these days in education we talk about essentials to our teaching and our learning. Here is my list of suggestions on striving to support the work in progress of both teachers and administrators in education. Please feel free to add yours in the comment section below.

• Teachers (and Administrators) need and want ongoing embedded professional development. There is a balance between what teachers want and what they need to improve in their instruction. The essential key to this is ensuring that the PD they receive supports not only the now but also what lies ahead. It is important that we stay current in our PD. And to do so, at times you have to get ahead.
• Educators require feedback to their instruction on an ongoing basis. And, this feedback needs to be both validating of what is working but also critical of what is not. The best conversations with colleagues are the ones that end with a question and not a statement. Leave the room wanting to learn more not feeling like you have everything answered. Great conversations lead to more great conversations.
• Collaborative time for educators is essential. As we refine our craft and look to improve in our instruction, there must be time set aside for teachers to share ideas, discuss obstacles and brainstorm next steps. Progress comes from both successes and failures. We must talk about both and schedule time for this to happen. We know the enemy for reflection is time. Let's be proactive.
• Data drives instruction. We know what the standards are and what needs to be taught. We have the instinctive ability to create lesson plans that support those. However, when all is said and done, it is the assessments that we use and the data in the results that will make us better teachers and help students in their learning. Use the data to drive what you teach and what your goals are in learning each day.
• Personalize with a purpose and differentiate as to support the work. Words are just that. Applying them is the challenge and the charge. As more is shared about what personalization is and the potential to impact teaching and learning, we will continue our efforts to meet our learners where they are and embed best practice. Our students are unique learners and as educators it is our role and responsibility to meet them where they are and grow them. 
• Relationships are essential and drive everything. As we think about our exchanges with others in a school day (and beyond) it is the way we carry ourselves with our community that defines us and helps us progress in our success. Whether working with students, teachers or our community, we must cultivate our relationships to maximize the experience. It is at the core of what we do and can be the foundation to our efforts.

As you reflect on your work and determine what is needed to support your own learning and those around you, think of how you embed these qualities into what you do. Feedback, collaboration and relationships are just a slice of what we inherently strive to improve on. Embrace being a work in progress. It is what makes us better.

Are You a 21st Century Educator?

Constantly striving to embed best practices, teachers are embracing the notion of the 21st Century academic experience more now than ever before. And, as leaders in our field either in the classroom or within our building or district, it is the modeling that we do, the efforts that we make, and the implementation of these concepts that sets us aside from our peers.

Teachers and administrators today are defining themselves by the experiences they offer. The art of education is taking on a form of its own. The traditional side of education is evaporating from our experiences. The strides being made in this generation of learners has evolved beyond all the previous generations combined. There is a growing separation.

With that, we have heard time and time again about shifting from the scope of being “good” at what we offer as educators to taking what we do to the level of “great”. Today, however, we are hearing and believing that being “great” isn’t good enough. The charge given to those that truly seek to be innovative and be a leader amongst leaders and a visionary amongst their colleagues is to take the craft of teaching and learning and strive to be “exceptional”. It is educators taking their passion of teaching and learning to a level achieved only by a handful. Many of us work to aim toward this level of instruction, not all can reach this peak.

Being exceptional requires many attributes, most notably, the belief in being a 21st Century teacher and leader. Do you have the attributes of being a 21st Century educator? Read below to see how you measure up to your colleagues near and far. Becoming exceptional is a goal well worth achieving.

Are you a 21st century teacher?

Do you share what your students are doing with the world?

Do you bring in experts to talk with your students via Skype or Google Hangout?

Do you seek out and participate in professional learning via twitter and other online communities?

Do you take your students on virtual field trips?

Do you focus on having your students to create instead of them only consuming?

Do you connect your classroom with other classrooms across the globe?

Do you use backchannels in your classroom to give even the quietest students a voice?

Do you give assignments where students collaborate via online platforms, such as Google Docs?

Do you teach your students about digital citizenship and anti-cyberbullying?

Do you share your lesson plans and collaborate with teachers across the globe?

Do you leave a video tutorial or podcast for your substitute to play when you are not at school so that students don’t miss a day of learning and/or doing?

Do you allow your students to guide their instruction and do they own their learning?

Does the culture of your room speak to the values and beliefs of the learning?

Are you a 21st century school leader?

Do you flip your faculty meetings?

Do you seek out and participate in professional learning via twitter and other online communities?

Do you share what your teachers and students are doing with the world?

Do you model risk-taking?

Do you provide professional development experiences that allow for teacher choice in delivery format, skill level, and flexible time of delivery?

Do you lead technology training sessions?

Do you use Remind to notify your staff of important events and news?

Do you collaborate with other school leaders across the globe via social media and other online communities?

Do you have a school hashtag?

Whether you are a teacher within a classroom of students or a leader within a building full of learners, your charge is to ensure that each person within your community is receiving a 21st Century academic experience. This list of questions is a great starting place for you to recognize what is, or is not, happening in your workplace. Take inventory in your teaching and leading and strive to becoming an exceptional educator in the 21st Century.

A Day of PD - Putting the Shoe On The Other Foot

Rise and shine! Today, (if not at Hilliard University insert your day of professional development here ________) is a day you have been provided to grow as a learner. The shoe is officially on the other foot. Typically you are the teacher; today you change your role. Now that you are here (where ever that my be) what are you going to do with your time? My two cents - grab some coffee, connect to wifi and check out some pretty amazing teaching and learning. Here is some straightforward advice below to plan out your time. And, above all else, enjoy your day of PD!

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 your day of professional development 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, to push yourselves the entire day. 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 are showing your passion for teaching and learning. You are modeling for your students. Stay committed and know that your work is essential to not only your development but also for your student's experience.

Your PD Summer Checklist

The countdown is over, summer is here!

Teachers have taken to a new routine. They are spending time with their families, catching up on chores or simply, taking it easy.

However, that is not the case for all of our teachers. Not yet, at least. Learning for many teachers is taking place on this second day of summer. The building in which I work is fortunate to host our "Summer Academy". This academy is time set aside for teachers within our district, the Hilliard City Schools, to receive additional professional development on many of the innovative ideas that continue to take shape in our forward-thinking community of leaders and learners. The courses are being taught by our district staff for our district staff. It is purposeful and it is powerful.

Today alone, teachers are spending their time learning about Canvas, our newly adopted Learning Management System. They are also working through iMovie and learning applicable ways to introduce this fun and creative tool to their students when they return. And, for many, they are diving into a deeper understanding of Blended Learning and our One2One initiative for our district. This August we will distribute 3600 iPads to our 6th through 8th graders. There is some intense learning taking place!

Keeping in mind that we are all learners by nature, create some goals this summer for yourself and your learning. Make sure you stay current and keep those new and innovative ideas in the forefront of your mind. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Inspire. Find a local conference (Innovative Learning Environments Conference) or a workshop through an educational service center. Or even yet, go camping. Find an EdCamp and jump into a great day of learning with like-minded (and not so like-minded) colleagues.
• Engage. Keep the conversations going with our colleagues by connecting every week or so. Reach out via phone or email and stay in touch. Talk about what you are looking forward to in the coming year.
• Embrace. No simpler way to teach yourself something new than reading a good book. There are countless suggestions. Here is my list from this past year: Cover to Cover. Whether something heavy or even better, something light, find a good book and allow yourself a few moments to enjoy.
• Play. With technology being a staple in our work, grab your iPad, your lap top or any device and just spend some time exploring all the options available to teachers and students.

The goal is simple. Keep the learning going throughout the summer months. We encourage our students to head to the library and practice their math over the summer. There is no better way to remind them of that by modeling ourselves. 

Have a great summer of relaxing and learning!

"June, July and August"

If playing the game Jeopardy, a question by the non-teaching community might be: "What is the best part of being a teacher?" Their answer, "June, July and August".

The reality is, as we educators know, that this is the farthest from the truth. In fact, if you are like me, you have over 180 days worth of examples of why you became a teacher and a list of reasons of why the summer months can be counter-productive to what we are trying to accomplish during the school year.

Regardless, those three months are a part of our profession. And yes, we do not have students in front of us during those days. However, for many educators like myself, the learning continues all twelve months of the year. The seasons change and the days may look different but the learning continues.

While children are out and enjoying these months, I will continue my passion for teaching and learning without skipping a beat. Why? Well, that is what I, and many of you, do.

In June of this summer, a colleague of mine (@JackiPrati) and I are going to offer support to teachers wanting to learn more about the power of Twitter, chats on Twitter and how blogging can support their work and assist with reflection of their teaching. We will do this during our school districts month-long of Professional Development through Summer Academy. Yes, you read that correct, our district offers teachers weeks of learning by offering courses presented by educators for educators almost the entire month of June.

Also during the month of June I will gather with middle-level educators from across the state of Ohio as we have our summer retreat for the members of the Board for the Ohio Middle Level Association. OMLA provides professional development throughout the year and it is highlighted by our state conference. This year Ohio hosts the Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE) conference right in downtown Columbus.

In July I take my learning on the road. I have already selected a few great reads to enjoy as I travel to see family and friends. I am going to continue reading the work of Jon Gordon and his take on life. And while I am at it, a book or two on being effective leader. I practice what I preach, there is always room for growth. The month of July will be my personalized Professional Development.


In August, I hit the ground running. A three-day conference, the Innovative Learning Conference on August 5-7th, is right in my own backyard. We welcome in Kevin Carroll and Dave Burgess. Talk about a kick-start to the school year. (And, all are welcome.) That week wraps up with EdCampILECbus hosted by myself and Jacki. To plan and deliver an event such as this is quite the professional charge. Once again, please join us!

With students returning later that month, the first few weeks of August will be invigorating. Setting the tone for the year ahead. Welcoming in a new Assistant Principal, preparing for a new group of students and their parents and working with our returning students to develop leaders right out of the gate is an awesome time of the year. Not to mention handing out over 850 iPads to each student.

As I think ahead to the summer that awaits, I am already charged up for the great things that await me.

Think about it. "June, July and August". What are you going to do with your "time-off" this summer? My guess, if you are anything like most of the educators I know, you will continue your learning from beginning to end.

The Time is Now.

With three full months of school left, there is plenty to be accomplished in this academic year. Teachers are providing lessons full of passion, students are gaining knowledge by the moment and the school community is thriving to the fullest. There is much yet to be done.

The reality is though that for many of us the current school year is winding down faster than the calendar suggests. As difficult as this sounds, many of us in administration are already in the planning stage of the school year that awaits. Staffing, budgeting, scheduling and more has become our focus. The 2015/2016 school year will be upon us before we know it.

The time is now.

To start next year, after an in-depth technology task force completed hours of work and reported their findings to the school district and community, our middle grade students (6th through 8th) will all start the year with Ipad mini's in their possession.  We will roll out 3600 devices in a district of 16,000 students. This is no small feat. And, for those that have already participated in something like this before, you know there is work to be done.

The time is now.

As we close in on Digital Learning Day on March 13th, there is a level of anticipation like never before. Our teachers and our students are preparing for what lies ahead. Our district is blessed that we have embraced technology integration over the years in our buildings. Each school and each teacher is incorporating the Blended Learning mindset and creating a culture that supports an online component. We have been planning, we will be ready.

The time is now.

While many of our teacher have been using Ipads over the past few years, some staff are less familiar with the opportunities that await them. Therefore, to ensure a level of readiness, my staff is doing the following as we close out this school year to prepare for next:

- Familiarizing themselves with the Ipad and it's potential with instruction.
- Discovering apps and programs to implement into learning.
- Exploring the device and it's various forms to interact with students and parents.
- Connecting globally with educators to hear of successes and failures.
- Collaborating with colleagues within the building and district to discover its layers.
- Risk taking and allowing themselves to fall forward with trial and error in the infancy stages.
- Supporting one another on this journey of teaching and learning.

As educators, we realize that in order to be ready for what lies ahead, we must plan ahead. The time is now. Each day is a celebration of our successes. Let's be ready for tomorrow and be ready to support this next layer on our professional academic journey.

Lessons from the Lodge

It is amazing what you can learn while sitting in a ski lodge.

My son and his buddy wanted to hit the slopes so I decided to take them a quick 45 minutes up the road and enjoy the day at an Ohio ski hill. Yes, a hill, it's Ohio. Not much for elevation change in the Central part of the state. None-the-less, the boys were about to have a blast.

Today I decided to sit this one out. They were both boarding and I, well, wanted them to take on the day how they saw best fit. "Next time", I said.

While sitting just inside the snow covered runs, I found myself engrossed in small talk with those around me. Most of us were doing the same thing. We had each decided to allow our kids to take to the lifts and enjoy the day being on their own. We were fostering our children's passion to ski while also allowing them to dive into their independence. This became my lesson for the day.

Giving our children their independence is not easy. For so many years we spread our wings and shelter our young from the "real world" that sitting back and letting them face daily obstacles is challenging to say the least. I gazed out the window frequently hoping to catch a glimpse. It wasn't to be. They were up, and down, the slopes too quick for my eye to see.

As parents, we share similar sentiments when it comes to our hopes and goals for their success. We want them to conquer their fears, take on the challenges that lie in front of them and be strong in their will to improve. The hill became the metaphor to my desire to want them to succeed. To those I conversed with, we each strive for our children to reach the peak of their potential.

We are proud of our children's accomplishments and brag on them endlessly. We each take great pride in what our children can do. When given the opportunity we share with others all that they have done in school, with their interests and their passions. That gives us great satisfaction of our jobs as parents. For every moment of parental challenges, today was an opportunity to reflect on all we have done right.

As you enjoy your winter of spending time with your children or those you impact through your teaching, remember that every day you are making a difference in their lives. No moment is to simple and no conversation just words. Each breathe of each day is a lesson all by itself. So, whether in the classroom or on the slopes, encourage them take risks, overcome obstacles and move beyond the "bunny hill". Great things await them and we as adults can't wait to sit around and brag on them while sitting in the lodge.

Pieces to the Puzzle

Being a building leader, it is essential that I work with my staff and understand their instructional path. One of my focuses this year has been to work with my teachers to discover, define and implement what their passions are in their teaching. The conversations that we are having are imperative to our success. They hold the pieces to this puzzle.

Working with students at the middle level, I also find a it a priority to discuss with them what they strive for in their academic experience. Even though they are in the early stages of their journey, they hold many pieces to the larger puzzle of the teaching and learning experience. Their input is necessary to our growth as an academic institution.

Puzzles, as we know, are challenging. Arranging, turning and guessing where each piece is placed can be a daunting task. The shear number of pieces and their appearance alone can be overwhelming. My task is to take these various pieces and lay them out in front of each other and show how the interlocking sides can become that completed puzzle we seek in eduction.

It is these very pieces - the perspectives, beliefs, passions and experiences of the student and the teacher, that cultivates an environment that pushes the boundaries of education and redefines what best practices truly are. We must bring our ideas together and collectively determine what it is we want from our experiences.

As these conversations take place, each learns that many of their ideas are more similar than they may have first thought. The pieces to this puzzle will fit together nicely.

Teachers and their students share the following beliefs in their teaching and their learning:

Collaborative spaces. A classroom where students can work together to share their ideas and discuss the topics. A space where teachers can move freely about to support the learning process is essential.

Share the teaching. Their is no longer one teacher within the room. Each wants to be responsible for sharing out the content. If we allow for a sharing of instruction, the return is evident in the achievement students are having.

Feedback is essential. Guide us, share with us and push us with critical questions to the learning we are doing as the student. Whether the child or the adult, both seek feedback to the work. Offer it.

Technology supports the learning. Teachers and students agree that technology is essential in todays classroom. Both agree that technology is intended to enhance the teaching, not replace it. It is a shared belief that both students and teachers rely on each other in the learning on how to use technology in instruction.

Accountability. Students want to be held to the highest standard possible. Teachers agree. Not always the easiest of tasks, still a critical one at that. Don't allow "lost homework" and poor attendance to be an excuse for failing grades. Instead, pool resources and find solutions.

Take risks together. We have gone through our lives, young and old, learning from our mistakes. Mistakes happen due to a risk we have taken. In teaching and learning we should be offered the opportunity to take risks and learn along the way. Imagine the possibilities.

The pieces to the puzzle are laid out on the table and we are working together to create a year of success. Student achievement, regardless of how you measure it, will increase. Passions will be evident, impact will occur and best practices will continue to evolve.

Work with and listen to your students and your teachers to determine what their needs and wants are of your environment. Cultivate the great things that are happening and watch the growth continue.

The AMLE Conference - It's the People

(courtesy AMLE.org)

Professional Conferences. It’s the people that make the experience memorable.

Even in today’s day of being connected, the takeaway from the AMLE Conference in Nashville goes back to the human element. It is all about the people. And, it’s all about the relationships.

When we have the opportunity to sit and discuss best practice, experiences and our passions it is inevitable that it will be the contact we have with each other that is what resonates in the weeks to follow. That is what we will talk about more than anything else.

After spending three days with educators passionate about kids in the middle, I share my reflections of my experience and a list of suggestions the next time you head out the door to a professional smorgasbord.

#AMLE2014 Reflections

-       Passionate Minds. Get a few thousand people in the same city, under the same roof, remove all distractions and task them to grow as learners. On top of that, they are all focused on the same thing. In this case, middle level educators who care about the adolescent and their development through some of the most challenging years of their lives.  Dive-in.

-       Keynotes are Key. There is a reason they start the day and there is a reason certain people are tasked to kick-off conferences. Dru Tomlin and his cast of characters had this on their minds throughout the schedule. We need those hooks to inspire us and motivate us for the day of learning that lies ahead.

-       Take Notes. Our brains are amazing in all they can do at any given time. However, there is so much going on throughout the day that we better jot some of this stuff down. Whether electronically or old-fashioned paper and pen, you are going to want to refresh your memory once you get back home.

-       Introduce Yourself. For those that get in front of the group and present I give you credit where credit is due. Some people are meant to be in the audience while others can command a room. If you sit through a session and are inspired by what you have learned, take the time to thank the person that delivered it. Both parties will appreciate the simple gesture.

-       Get, and Stay, Connected. Many of us are tweeting, blogging and surfing the web often for ideas, direction and suggestions for our own work. Sitting in a room on a Friday night conducting #mschat with 25 others is jaw dropping. Connect names to avatars and ideas to faces. You’ll be amazed on how the connections raise the energy in the room. I am connected therefore I am one step ahead.

-       Ask Questions. When we signed up we assumed we knew what we were getting in to. We saw the keynotes, got excited about the pending experience and set a course for the trip. Many would say that sometimes the best sessions are the ones we know the least about. As you walk around the conference ask others sitting across the table about their experiences. Two fold – you’ll gather some more great ideas and you will “get connected” along the way.

As I make my way back home this morning I am eternally grateful for the experiences over the past few days. Even more so, I am grateful for the friends that I made. It is these new relationships and the conversations we had that will motivate me to continue the work for middle-level students, their teachers and the community.

Personalized PD - More Than Worth It

Yesterday I wrote about a risk. One that was calculated but yet still considered one.  You can check that post out here: Not Your Typical Professional Development Day.

Today, the results. 

I would start by stating the day began with eager nervousness. There were new rules, new presenters, new expectations. Once the first session was under way it smoothly transitioned into confident professionalism. As lunch arrived there was collegial laughter and smiles. The day ended with professional banter, exchanging of best practices and an entirely new appreciation for the capacity each posses in their ability to share what works best.  

We shared our stories, our passions and our motivations. We became the teachers. And, we became the learners.

Take a few moments and view some of the hundreds of tweets from today. And, if you are so moved, take this idea to your district leadership and see if this is something you can pull off where you work. Whether small scale, or large, don't create obstacles and don't find excuses. As you will see, you will be glad you did.

Be the change.