Paper Chains

This week I came across a message from one colleague to another that referred to the paper chain countdown. Last year, this post came out at the end of April. This year, I share already. Enjoy the read and please, comments are always welcome.

Recently I joined in on the Alabama Ed Chat (#aledchat) hosted by Jennifer Hogan and Holly Sutherland. The conversation centered around how we as educators can finish the year strongly and maintain growth both for our students and for ourselves. That conversation inspired this post, Paper Chains.

"I can't believe the last month of school is already here!" she said as she walked down the hall with her friend to math class. "I know," she quickly fired back. "What are we going to do?"

It was in this moment that I was reminded that summer vacation may not be all that it is cracked up to be like many of us may think. Sure for some students and teachers, it is a much anticipated break. There is time with family, vacations and a break from the routine of traditional school. However, the reality is that many kids (and maybe even an educator or two) that would rather be in these halls with all the "rules, guidelines, teachers, homework, academic expectations and friends" than what the unknown other option may be. That other option, that unknown, is what many of us may not realize what awaits them.

And with that, I sent the message that the paper chain was going to take on a new meaning. The paper chain was now going to be viewed in a way that had not been considered before. This new view of the paper chain would have a sense of learning, not a sense of time passing by.

Instead of counting down the days until summer vacation by removing a link of the chain each day, we will remove a link of the chain that will be counting the days of learning remaining, of being with friends, of getting the most out of our academic journey. And with that, our outlook on the final month changed. It would change in a way that students and teachers would embrace. Our pledge:

We will commit ourselves to learn all that we can. 

We will teach like it was the first day. 

We will invest in ourselves and our students and our colleagues like we had just met. 

Our passion would be our drive. 

Our lessons will keep "selling tickets". 

Our expectations would continue to rise and our desire to connect with the learning will not reach an end. 

We will be there for our students knowing that this will be how they will remember how we taught them and how we cared for them. 

Our colleagues will feel the same.

I would end with this message and the message that I shared in the chat the other evening with this, "The last day(s) should be (and will be) as filled with as much energy and passion as the first." I challenge you to do the same. Rethink the Paper Chain.

Fun and Outrageous

She said what? “Fun and outrageous!” I am not sure either of those words would be used to describe who I am as a leader, a learner, a writer and especially not a parent. For those that know me, some would say I know how to “have fun” but I highly doubt many would consider me to be that “fun and outrageous” kind of guy.

But who knows. Maybe I am mistaken. Maybe it is my perspective. So I started to think of it in a different way.

I needed to reflect on not only who I am but just as importantly, what I do. As a Middle School Principal, maybe I wasn't giving myself enough credit. Maybe I am a bit more "fun" and can be a little bit "outrageous" at times.

This all came about when I was asked to be a part of a collaborative blog post. When I asked by my friend and colleague what direction we should, the response was “fun and outrageous”. After a quick head-nod, I shared that those would be the last two words I would have thought to describe not only me but also my writing style.

What I write is more of the straight-forward, get to-the-point with a twist of emotion now and again type of writing. Far from the “fun” and nowhere near the “outrageous” style I was now faced with considering.

But here we are. Thinking about a collaborative effort to see if I can collect evidence of my “fun and outrageous” side of who I am as a leader, a learner, a blogger and maybe even a parent. Not sure it can be done, but as we model to our colleagues, let’s give it a try.

So like any good teacher, I started the process through reflection. And as I reflected on this school year I generated a list that may in fact support my "fun" and "outrageous" side. 

Back-to-school Orientation and greeting over 850 students and parents.

Ice-breaker activities with students. 

Fundraiser kick-off and prizes.

8th Grade class trip to Washington DC.

Celebrating Winter Break with staff traditions.

Tubing at the local ski resort with our students.

Chaperoned our school socials, all four of them.

Student-Staff basketball game.

Attending countless sporting events, concerts and extra-curricular activities.

And the list goes on.

Do all of these fall under “fun and outrageous”? Not necessarily. However, I could go into depth on each one and find the laughs, smiles and even the craziness of a few. Each were amazing moments with teachers and students. Irreplaceable moments at that. 

So in the end my takeaway from this slice of events (like your own list of events) brings a sense of assurance. Or is it re-assurance? It is affirming to the time we spend, the lessons we teach and the relationships we have with those around us.We are provided the opportunities to have some pretty amazing moments with those we work and work for. And, some of them may even be considered“fun and outrageous”, with our students, staff and community.

Cover to Cover

As part of the blogging group, the #compelledtribe, we are sharing with our readers something new we attempted in our work this year to better ourselves as educators. I would encourage you to reflect on your year and do the same. We often times overlook the obvious so you may be surprised at all that you accomplished. 

Picking up that book and reading it from cover to cover earlier this year gave me a feeling of academic accomplishment that was unique to other work I had done in the past. As I reflected on my journey of being a student, this was a first. Papers had always been easy to write, notes simple to take, lessons came with ease. This, however, was new.

We are each life-long learners. Whether through undergraduate work or our masters degrees, or the professional development we receive with our jobs, the journey of learning continues for all educators. For me, each year has been full of continued growth and expanding my knowledge base to be a more effective teacher and leader. Like you, from conversations to conferences I have always invested time in deepening my understanding of teaching and learning.

Reading books from cover to cover however, was one particular style of learning that I can honestly say I had never actually enjoyed. Until now.

This year, like no other time in my life, I became a reader. A cover to cover type of reader. From beginning-to-end kind of reader. Not a "skimmer" or a "page flipper" but a highlighting, post-it note, marking up pages type of reader. And with this step, I realized that I was on a path toward self-improvement. This is where my growth as a leader officially rocketed me forward. My ability to lead more effectively, strengthen relationships with colleagues and make connections in instruction more purposefully would become just one way to measure the time spent in reading various books throughout the months to come. Proudly so, I was impressed with what I had started, and finished.

Here are just some of the books I have read (or finally read cover to cover) this year:

Greater Than Yourself

Radical Leap

Drive

Digital Leadership

Made to Stick

The Energy Bus

Lead...for God's Sake

The Carpenter

Taming of the Team

Rules of the Red Rubber Ball

Teach Like a Pirate

Choosing Optimism

Catching Up or Leading the Way

Shifting the Monkey

What Great Principals Do Differently

The list will grow and so shall I. I don't regret waiting so long in my adult life to become a reader of books from cover to cover. Rather I am grateful to have found this passion for reading when I needed it most.

On Empty? Fuel Up.

Recently, my tank has been running low. My topics are few and far between. I am struggling with practicing what I preach. Routine has taken over.

Until now.

Pulling my staff together the other day, I shared with them my take on where we are as educators at this time of the year. With one quarter to go, this is crunch time. Testing, grades, content that needs to be covered and expectations continue to grow. We all know that there is much to be done before the end of the year.

Working through that list of work to do, we know that we still have the same number of minutes in an hour and the same number of hours in the day. The days seem to be getting shorter, not longer, as the calendar suggests. Time, as always, is working against us.

Regardless of the obstacle of time, we move forward. And, during this time together, I reflected on where we had begun months ago. I felt the need to remind them of this journey. We had introduced Teach Like a Pirate by Dave and Shelly Burgess. We have had some inspiring and uplifting conversations about passions. That led to sharing Rules of the Red Rubber Ball by Kevin Carrol. To start the year we talked about our goals, our dreams and our ambitions for the year ahead. Our conversation then, and my sharing with them on this day, were becoming one in the same.

And then, it clicked.

I quickly realized that the fuel that was needed was as simple as the conversations that had just occurred. What I needed most was the people that I get to work with each day. It was my colleagues that would provide me the charge. They were the fuel. Being a part of the conversation I learned this:

Don't overlook the obvious.

Recognize the little things.

Celebrations should happen daily.

Greatness happens constantly.

Inspiration is discovered.

Create your own story.

Dance at every opportunity.

Smile.

Lean on others when you need them. Let them lean on you.

Listen to each other.

Be brave.

Take risks.

Laugh.

I am fueled up for the remaining weeks of this year and beyond. I am eager to see what is yet to be done. I am inspired, and the tank is full. May your final quarter of your year be as rewarding as the first. Finish strong for your student's and each other and most importantly, for yourself.

Randomness

We get to work with some amazing people. As educators we tend to plant our feet in a particular school and that is where we go each day. Being at the same school for the past seven years, I have had the pleasure to walk the halls with some talented teachers and devoted students for countless hours. The relationships are powerful, impactful and essential to the work we do. 

On occasion, we have the unexpected pleasure to cross paths with a random professional as they fill a role for an absence.

Taking the assignment of working in a building for a few weeks or months as a substitute can be a challenge. Unfamiliar faces, not knowing the climate, learning expectations and understanding the community in a short period of time are just some of the initial hurdles.

The impact of this role will be made by the effort and energy this person puts forth. What we often refer to as the "long-term sub" can be as simple as a "seat-filler" all the way to an educator that makes a lasting impression. The choice will be theirs. Their work ethic, passion and belief system will determine how they are remembered moments after they leave.

For the past six weeks I have had the pleasure work with Christine. Her name passed along from a colleague, she filled the absence of my guidance counselor who fell ill and was required to take time off. 

Today is her last day of her long-term assignment. As I excitedly welcome my guidance counselor back, and am grateful for her return, I reflect on the interaction I have had with this professional. As we were wrapping up the day yesterday, I said to her, "have a nice life". And with that, she moves on. 

As impersonal as this farewell may have sounded, the reality is that I will most likely never see her again. She has found work for next year, family is established in another community and she will meet a new staff in the fall. As in any line of work we grow our roots as we are transplanted. That is life. However, what I have learned from this random interaction, not unlike the others before, has left an impression on my as my role as a leader. Embrace these interactions with others. Learn from the moments in which you have. Recognize and acknowledge the efforts they put forth.

I firmly believe that we each have a purpose in the lives of others. As educators, that is an amazing responsibility. Do not take it lightly and take pride in what you do and how you do it. For me, this was a reminder of the role I play. I am grateful of the randomness of meeting others. There are lessons at every turn.

My message of appreciation:

Christine,
​
You have been an awesome addition to our middle school staff these past 6 weeks. It was a pleasure to cross paths with you. You have made a difference.

As I joking stated yesterday, have a nice life. It sounds bizarre to say and odd to just think it, but the reality is we most likely won't cross paths again. Ever. That's just how this crazy world we live in works. People come and go. I believe that there is a reason you were brought to us if even for a short time.
Your professionalism, care for kids, attention to detail and genuine respect for your job are second-to-none.  

With that, be well. Continue to guide kids in the ways you do best. I am inspired by your passion for teaching and learning and moved by your love for children.
Yes, you are that good at what you do. 

With gratitude and respect for your work, 

Craig 

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.