Why We Tribe - The Reasons Behind It

I don't even remember when it actually started. I know I can go back and search for a first post or try to put my finger on when I first tweeted my blog through social media. However, I am not sure that gets to the bottom of why I even started on this journey to begin with. We can each answer the when but can we each answer the why?

Blogging for me has been a rocky relationship. Some weeks and months I feel like I have so much to share and grow from by putting my experiences in writing. Then there are weeks, months and even the past school year in which I hardly wrote at all. There was guilt for not writing. Disappointment at times. I was not modeling everything I had encouraged others to do. I stepped back. Stayed quiet. I was trying to redefine my place.

As the school year went by and the seasons passed, my reflection on the year unfolding was getting louder. While I had stopped writing and posting, I hadn't stopped growing. I gave myself permission to step away from blogging. It wasn't until this spring that I found some answers and realized I needed to go back to the beginning of my journey. I needed reminded of my why.

June passes and now into July. The Compelled Tribe (a group of educators from across the country) were given a task and a challenge of sorts by writing to a prompt, a shared topic. We asked them, and therefore I ask myself, "Why [do] We Tribe?"

Our suggestion for your post this month is to use the power of reflection to move forward. Simply, "Why We Tribe". Each of us has committed to this group for one reason or another. Whether we are writing and reading as suggested or fall short due to the realities of life, why are we here? The goal is to tell our story and recommit to the group. Hopefully this post will encourage just that!

Now I find myself sitting here today gearing up for a new year, new challenges and many new faces. Relationships continue to grow and knowledge continues to expand. I find myself eager, yet scared. 

It sets in. It all comes back to the question that motivated and inspired me along with so many others to get into the world of blogging to begin with years ago. It answers the question. I am re-discovering my "why". 

While simple by words, it is not always simple to see. The reality is that it is our Tribe that is at the core of our why. And it is our Tribe that reinforces our reasons for blogging, reflecting and growing. 

Our Tribe:

... gives us an open and honest platform to REFLECT in our practice. Therefore, we get better at our craft. Our PLN is transparent and does not judge. Reflecting on what we do is essential to grow forward.

... is about RELATIONSHIPS first and foremost. When we find our tribe and commit to them whole-heartedly we grow. We live the model we preach in our school districts and in our classrooms. Relationships are at the foundation of everything that follows in teaching, learning and leading. Our tribe reminds us of this daily.

... provides an opportunity for each of us to RECOGNIZE our strengths and weaknesses. It is this group of people, our community, our tribe, that helps us see what otherwise we may be unable to recognize on our own. No rose-colored lenses here. Just honest feedback and an opportunity to expand who we are.

... energizes and REENERGIZES our passion for the work that we do. We all stumble and we all have days that are harder than others. The tribe is always there. We stand with each other in our best of times and our worst of times. We feed off the stories of each other. The tribe brings the energy.

... gives each of us the opportunity to REJOICE in our work and the work of others. The power of the professional learning network is more than a passing moment. Connecting with others and sharing our story is part of our growth and our way to celebrate the work of others. We rejoice in what we see in others. 

There are thousands of bloggers in all aspects of work and life. There are hundreds of educators that take the time to write about their journey.  And many of them are better at their craft than me. I am content being a small fish in a very large pond. 

At the end of the day, being a part of a tribe and many different tribes at that, it is what allows me to grow in what I do each and every day. Whether my tribe is the building I serve and the community within, the district leadership team I am blessed to be a part of, the Compelled Tribe of educators from coast to coast, or my family at home, it is the experiences of each of these that allow me to give to others and therefore answers my why. My why is my tribe(s). And for that, I am grateful.

Why do you Tribe? Check out what Seth Godin says about finding your tribe.

Back to the Beginning

We each have our own version of what reflection is, what it looks like and what the intentions are. For me, writing about my educational experiences had been my path for so long. For years I had taken to the keyboard to share the journey I was on with the work that I do.

And then I stopped.

The passion for writing fell short. I struggled with this and internalized whether or not I could even have the word "blogger" in my online description of who I was as an educator and as a professional. Defeat set in. Failure loomed. Certain relationships went silent.

As the months passed and the lack of sharing my journey through blogging continued to have zero presence in the online world, I came to the realization that it was my own fears that had been holding me back. And most importantly, it was the fear of failure that had become the barrier to my desire to write.

Some of us are better than others at putting our thoughts, emotions and stories onto the canvas of a paper through the movement of keys on a computer. Others of us have found that sharing our journey is often done more effectively through the simple art of listening and conversing face-to-face. It is the relationships that we form through personal interactions that inspire us to do the work we do.

In the end, maybe we are one in the same. Maybe we should focus more on the "why" and less on the "how".

The reality is that we each have a story worth sharing. Our outcomes in our work are a series of responses we have made in decisions, actions and purposes of each day. Maybe it is time to rethink the vehicle in which we share our own story. Simply put - if we share, we grow.

I have always believed, and still do to this day, that written reflection can be one of the most powerful tools in our growth. Pausing, sharing, refining, editing and publishing our story can be transformational and inspirational.

It is our commitment to reflect that will guide each of us on our leadership paths.

Giving myself permission to step away from the keyboard is what has motivated me to return to it. Spending less energy on how I write and refocusing on why I write has been the difference.

My voice is back.

The story is just beginning.

Looking In the Rear View Mirror. A Reflection on 2017

It has been quite a while since I took to the keyboard and posted my reflections with teaching, learning and with life. For me, these past 6 months have been about discovery of who I am and finding my purpose. Whether as a principal, a parent, a spouse or simply a friend, I have committed myself to the powerful art of reflection.

With that in mind, each of us takes our own journey. We also stop and take inventory of the work we are passionate about, the families that engage us and the friendships that we thrive upon. As each of us moves ahead in our journey it is an essential part of the ride that we take a moment and look in the rear view mirror. Often times it is what we have accomplished that will give us direction in the days ahead. This creates a constant state of growth.

And, even though I have been silent from posting here on my page, I have been anything but silent in understanding the powerfulness of being connected with educators near and far. Whether learning from the blogging group "The Compelled Tribe" or being a part of the twitter chat #Ohedchat or learning alongside colleagues from the Hilliard City Schools, this academic year has pushed me in my understanding the greater good, the awesomeness of learning and importance of leaning on others.

With that in mind, here is a reflection of my 2017:

1. Struggle. Ending the 2016/2017 school year meant learning from mistakes. At times it was stressful and finding resolution with various situations was difficult. However, in the end, it came down to trust and understanding. The Power of the Team (as we share where I work) was never as important as it was in the spring. With that, the year concluded and students, teachers and friends geared up for what would be a fantastic summer ahead.

2. Balance. The summer of 2017. Memories made and moments cherished. We often lose balance as educators and families and friends are put on hold as we give so much to the educational institution we each work for. For me, the summer of 2017 was about reconnecting and keeping it that way. Embrace each moment and remember that life is a series of experiences. My goal is to ensure that the experiences shape my journey. No looking back here. Friends and family were my focus.


3. Celebration. What a start to the school year! The @wmscats started the year off with #1st3Days for the 2nd year in a row. We focused on relationships first. No content allowed. Our charge was to focus on getting to know our learners and our learners getting to know us. I had the pleasure to share this work with over 25 educators that have reached out via social media for our template this year. The power of being connected proved itself time and time again. Not to be outdone, the #OHedchat team kept it rolling each Wednesday night at 9PM EST with awesome conversations and professional growth. I am a better educator thanks to this experience.

4. Purpose. As 2017 wraps up, I was offered a new opportunity in my journey of serving others. Starting next year, I have the exciting opportunity to open the extension project of the Innovative Learning Center (soon to be Campus) for the Hilliard City Schools. Entering my 25th year of education in the fall, I will take all that I have learned in serving others and embrace this change.  Innovation, collaboration, growth mindset and design thinking will drive what we do for students. We each need to be "pushed" (my OneWord this past year) and this will do just that. I am excited to be pushed out of my comfort zone and take on this new role.

5. Hope. This reflection is essential. Whether it is the mistakes we make, the accomplishments we are blessed to be a part of or the people we encounter, there is always a sense of hope going forward. Leaning on others and being on this journey together makes us better. It has made me better. By no means have I reached an end. Rather I am in a constant state of reinventing who I am. I have fully welcomed the understanding that it is the team, and the attributes of each member of that team, that will give me hope and courage in 2018 and beyond.

Here is to your journey, your struggles, your successes and your story. Share it. Let others hear your passion for the work you do and the communities you serve. Pledge to yourself that you will push yourself in the year ahead. Find balance and above all else, celebrate.

My Turn - Be More Dog!

I am ready. I am motivated. I am inspired. It's my time. Time to "Be More Dog"!

If you have seen a common thread with the reference to "Be More Dog" then you are reading the work of The Compelled Tribe. We are writers. More importantly, we are educators. And even more important than that, we are educators that are committed to reflecting about our work through sharing of our experiences and being transparent in our success AND our failures.

So, what does it mean to "Be More Dog"? Well, start with this quick video. Recently I was able to share with this video among other "stuff" along side of Jennifer Hogan, my Compelled Tribe colleague, as we were presenting to educators about the craft of blogging, reflecting and sharing while at the NASSP Ignite Conference back in February.

Now that you have watched the video and had a moment to soak it in, here is how I will "Be More Dog" in the months ahead:

• I will own my professional development as I continue to support my teachers in their work with their students. As I challenge myself to this growth I will encourage others to come along with me and show them them the amazing results that can be gained by committing to this learning.

• I will dive deeper into relationships with stakeholders and ensure that I am purposeful in my interactions. I will demonstrate how those relationships support the work that we do. These relationships will catapult us to great things. 

• I will not allow others to negatively impact my spirit. I will share my work as I proudly talk about my story and my schools story. I will wear my passion on my sleeve and I will demonstrate through my actions what our teachers and students bring to their school every day of every week.

• I will share my failures with my colleagues as I make them and not after I make them. If I stumble, I will pick myself up. I will learn and I will be better for it. If I ask others to do just that, I will do the same myself. I will model.

• I will live each day do the fullest with my teachers, my students, my community and my family. I will find balance in what I do. There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. I will be purposeful and I will be present. I owe that to those that I spend my life with.

To me, "Be More Dog" means to get out of routine. It means that we must explore the paths that we are on and determine if there are opportunities out there that we are missing. Eyes open. Hearts beating. Confidence coming through. Who we are is a great thing to be but imagine if we take the passion of this cat and explore the options of being more dog.

Finish

The year has come to a close. Much accomplished, yet some tasks did not come to complete fruition. Being accepting of what was done, and what was not, is significant to our growth. It is important to celebrate the end of one year and think ahead and be ready for the one to come.

In looking back, ideas were plenty in 2015. I was challenged by colleagues in a way that motivated me to be better. I was inspired by students to dive deeper into the relationships that drive the teaching and learning. And, I was surrounded by professionals that continued to raise the bar both personally and professionally in all that I do for those that I serve in education.

For every up, there is often a down. There were failures. I did not always do as I said I would. There was disappointment. Ideas were left to flutter in the wind. Conversations did not turn into action. When I should have listened, I spoke. Pressing pause to reflect should have been required not simply encouraged. Failure occurred. Defeat was felt.

However now it is time to look ahead. A New Year brings a new set of opportunities and new growth in all that I do. 2016 is here for the taking. With all that I have learned about life and about myself, I know there is OneWord that will drive me this coming year. That word is:

 -  FINISH  -

In thinking to what I have accomplished, and what I have not, it excites me to think about what lies ahead. Already in the works for this coming year:

• My staff will dive into intentional work as it relates to culture not only in our building but in the classroom and in the hearts and minds of all stakeholders in our community. 
• As a middle level building who serves the most impressionable of minds, we will look into our own beliefs and lay out our expectations of ourselves and each other as we serve the students in the middle. 
• With best practices we will continue look at how we measure a students growth and assess their knowledge and strive to prepare kids for tomorrow and focus on the now. 
• And finally, I am excited to work along side colleagues globally to offer rich, authentic learning in a forum that supports our passions to being the servant leaders we each are. 

With that in mind, the only way this becomes a success, however, is if I FINISH what I start. We would all agree that ideas are plenty in each of us. Actions are spoken with confidence. The beliefs we have are indicative of the communities we serve. We can talk the talk. We are each well versed in the power of conversation. The desire is there.

The reality for me is that I must FINISH. Come in early, stay late, push boundaries, support the uncomfortable, encourage the quiet, process the negative, lean on others, learn from all, listen to and do not ignore the obvious. Feel the pulse. Know my surroundings, support others in the process and remember that it is the teaching and learning that we do that is at the core of what motivates me to not only show up each day but most significantly, act each day.

2016 is here. I am ready to FINISH what I start. I will embrace today, I am ready for what lies ahead.

First Chair

Guest Blogger Monica Todd is an 8th grader at Hilliard Weaver School in Hilliard, OH. She is your typical middle school student. Or is she? What is shared below are her words, her takeaways, from her 7th and 8th grade middle school journey. Her English teacher, Meghan Schultz, introduced blogging to her students this year as a way to communicate and receive feedback for their leaning. With Monica's permission, I share her post with you.

Monica's Musings

Eighth grade was a tremendous year for me. I learned so much, did so much and changed so much. I just have to make one last blog post all about it. Just for closure. 

I've had so many great experiences over the course of the year, but Washington DC wins by a landslide. I truly believe that Washington DC changed me as a person. I got so much closer to my friends, I saw so many beautiful things and I learned so much about our country. But the most important thing I learned wasn't about history- it was about life. I had a revelation standing atop the Lincoln Memorial. In that moment, I realized I needed to be an optimist, that I needed to think positively in order to have good memories. To savor every moment. That had to be from God. I've been trying to live like that ever since, and it has made me so much happier. If I've learned anything this year, it's how to live in the moment and that good thoughts are what make good memories. 

Another huge win for this year was that I have made some truly amazing friends. Making good friendships is something I've always struggled with. I've always been shy, so the beginning of 6th grade was a nightmare. I was going to Tharp, away from all my friends in elementary school. I prayed and prayed for God to send me good friends. I thought I found them, but at the end of 6th grade, I realized that they were not good friends at all. Again, in seventh grade, I thought I had found the perfect group of friends. It also didn't work out. Finally, in eighth grade, I think I've found my group of friends. I finally have friends that know me well, that support me and I can hang out with for hours. Sure, we're not perfect, but at last I have found friends that I'm comfortable being myself with. 

Finally, I have done so much this year, I can't write about it all in detail. I'll just do this highlights, then a long list. First, I made first chair in orchestra. I still do not get tired of the thrill of seeing your name on the top of the list. All the hard work paying off. Your tired fingers and rosin-coated strings were worth it. Your passion paid off. I know I won't be feeling that kind of joy for a long time. I may never be first chair again in high school, so I'd better savor it. I've also become a much better artist this year, and not just in skill, though I have improved. I am so much more passionate about art than I was at the start of the year. I'm much more relaxed and I've learned how to have fun with art. I'm also learning to become proud of my art. I used to get so embarrassed about how people would just go on and on about how good it was. Now I know that you shouldn't be ashamed about how you inspire people. Yes, I'm still working on dealing with the embarrassment, but it doesn't stop me. 

This year, I've been so involved in drama. I thought it was a minor passion, but now I think it's a real one, specifically directing. I loved it. Even all the stress was worth it. I wish I could do it all over again, just to feel the joy of seeing your vision come to life. It's a feeling like no other. I've done so much else this year, but I think I'm going to have to draw this to a close. I'm running out of good words. 

All I have left to say is that I have done so much this year. I have changed so much, from becoming an optimist atop the Lincoln Memorial, to growing in all my passions, and becoming truly happy. That's right, I became truly happy this year. And finally, I came to love blogging. This is not my last blog post ever, I have plenty more passions to write about.