A Teacher Affects Eternity

Teacher appreciation week should be all year long, BUT since it is this week, is a great time to ensure teachers know how much their daily efforts are appreciated.   Teacher appreciation comes at a great time in the school year when teachers need a power boost to make it to the end of  the year.  As I read all the tweets and blog posts about teacher appreciation this week I thought about lessons I learned from teachers that impacted my life.

Here is a list of the lessons that I learned and how I have used each lesson to impact my practice as an educator. 

·         Relationships Matter - Teachers who cared about me made a huge difference in my life.  They took the time to understand what I liked, what my goals were and they were genuinely interested in me.  To this day I make sure that my staff knows I care for them.  I do this by engaging with them in conversation, asking about family, their weekend, their goals and aspirations, I ask their opinions, and I make them feel appreciated. I had a campus principal tell me in my second teaching job that kids don’t care unless they know we care (teachers don’t either) – Such great advice!  

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      Humor Helps - Something that stood out about great teachers is that they had a great sense of humor.  This skill helped me learn to laugh at myself in stressful times and to laugh with and not at others.  To this day, I enjoy the sound of laughter in a classroom and in my team meetings.  Laughter is always good for the soul. 

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      Praise is Valued - I remember that my teachers always had authentic praise for those in my class.  Every student needs encouragement, not just a “good job” but true authentic praise for true effort.  Everyone brings something valuable to the table on your team or in your class.  Let them know you see their hard work and that their effort is paying off. 

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      Positive Attitudes are Contagious– This definitely set great teachers apart from other teachers.  Walking into a classroom or meeting where there is positive energy is such a pleasant feeling.  As a student I dreaded the class that the teacher was always unpredictable when it came to their mood.  I learned that a positive attitude goes a long way.  Your attitude should not be a guessing game for students or those who work for with you.  How’s your attitude?    

I want to thank my many great teachers for the lessons they taught me without knowing it.  These skills have served me well as an educator and person. 

To all my teacher friends out there- THANK YOU!

The Influence of Data

In an effort to ensure that I can facilitate data driven dialog and decision making I had to dig into the research about decisions making thorough data this summer.  What I learned is that data is about the DISCUSSION first and the PLAN of action that comes from that collaboration.

   

We implemented Instructional Rounds last school year. Rounds is a data driven, evidence-based process.  The process is about classroom visits that focus on our problem in practice, which in our case is the level of questioning, teacher versus student talk, student discourse and classroom tasks. In our visits we collect EVIDENCE in six classrooms as it applies to the areas we are looking at. The power in this process is the DIALOGUE that occurs within the Rounds Team as we seek to create instructional solutions for each campus to implement.  Again, the power is in the DIALOGUE.

In education we have long been masters at identifying our areas of need, our FOCUS needs be in creating action based on the data story.  What is the story your data is telling?  Who are the main characters (demographics)?  What is the main idea?   As leaders of teachers we must help teachers put in to perspective that data is not about do-or-die moments; the data story is about setting a different course - adjusting and continuously monitoring progress towards our goals.  I had a coach once tell me that if you have nothing to shoot for you will most certainly hit nothing.  This has been the power of Instructional Rounds-we set goals, create a momentum plan and work to change our practice.

I am excited to walk with our teachers and administration as we begin to create those meaningful connections between data and tomorrow’s lesson plan. 

Here are some great resources about Instructional Rounds: http://www.instructionalrounds.com/Blog.html

Change Happens

When reflecting over the past school year I am reminded that change is inevitable.  People view change through different lenses.  We might not like it, but change does happen.  I learned a long time ago that as a school leader, people look at how you handle change and feed off of that.  The face of change is sometimes needed and should be welcomed, but other times it is a fearful step to take.  As the school year ends understand that staff will change, programs will change, and most importantly we must self-assess and see where we need to change.  Here are some steps to take in preparing for the changes a new school years brings. 

First, we have to recognize that change will happen. We cannot count on the way it has been done in the past as the best way to move forward.  By understating that change will occur I am not setting myself up if processes, duties, or people are different.  I am not reacting to the change, but becoming a willing partner in the process of change.

Second, we have to self-assess and ensure that my strengths continue to help my district. I also have to assess my weaknesses (yes, we all have them) and create opportunities that help me grow in these areas.  As leaders we have to be sure that the right people are on the bus.  I desire to be one of those people, don’t you?   

Finally, change requires flexibility.  The better we are able to adapt, the greater our chance of contributing to the success of the team and keeping our seat on the bus.  What will be required of you in the new school year?  What skills can you leverage with new responsibilities to help the team succeed?  You have to believe in the skills you have and contribute to the team.

I have never let change impact how I continue to do my work, which is giving everything I have every day to ensure the success of campuses and children.  Remember, change happens, just don’t forget to keep the main focus the main focus – and any new situation will be a good situation.

Leadership Is About Behaviors

I am so fortunate that I get to be in and out of classrooms in my school district.  I know that leadership is about behavior.  In the past week during our Instructional Rounds visits I saw many teachers who fit the model of a leader.  I was able to see young children cared for, valued, and celebrated for their contribution to a lesson.  This only happens when their teacher embraces the role of a true leader.

During my classroom visits I was so pleased to see teachers encouraging their students to be active participants in the learning process. These teachers were willing to change a lesson that they easily could stand and delivery, into one that allowed students to discover through collaboration with their peers.  Great leaders strive to create an atmosphere of trust – these classrooms are safe places for students to think, speak, and discover.

Great leaders passionately believe they can make a difference.  The teachers in my district use their magnetism and persuasion in teaching to help their students see their potential as learners.  In several lessons I witnessed students who shared a wrong answer, but were given an opportunity to ask a fellow student for help.  How powerful is it when we allow students to continue to gather information and contribute to the learning process.  Leaders enable others to act.

I am so pleased that I get to see great leaders of learning in my schools.  Leadership is about behaviors – I ask myself often if I am leading the way for others.  I want to be the leader that others see the passion in.  I want to be the leader that models the behaviors others see as proactive and supportive.  I want to be the leader that others see the excitement I have for learning and supporting the vision of learners in the future.   I want to be the leader that keeps hope and determination alive, the leader that makes others feel value and worth.  I want to strengthen others.Take stock and make sure you are modeling the behaviors you want other to see.  

Reward Exemplar Work

I have been fortunate to have principal support in implementing two initiatives in my school district this school year, Instructional Rounds and Standards Based Bulletin Boards (SBBB).  I have been amazed at the teacher and student growth in both areas.  I will focus this blog on the success of our SBBB initiative.

In the past, walking through our elementary hallways was a bit of a coloring display, or simple QR codes on pictures that led to never-never land.  But not anymore!  Our expectation is that the displays reflect the exemplar work our students and teachers are doing in their classrooms.  We use a rubric for which these SBBB are graded.  Each month by myself and the other Assistant Superintendent walk our buildings and review each new bulletin board.  Here is what review for each board:

• is the student task aligned with the intent of the TEK, 
• is the task at a higher level of Bloom's,
• does the task integrate writing and or technology, 
• is their written feedback about why the work is exemplar from peers or the teacher. 

It is such a great experience to look at the work from every classroom in our three elementary schools. Teachers and their students are rewarded by being selected as the monthly winner of their campus SBBB.  They replace their SBBB with a "Winner" poster and display their work at central office.  At the monthly school board meetings the teacher leads our board members in a learning walk about the exemplar work she and her students are doing.
  District Initiatives can be a win-win - this one sure has been.  

Lifelong Learners

I had a conversation over the holiday break with a friend about why educators continue to go to school.  It occurred to me that people on the outside of education don’t often get our passion for what we do – to teach others that learning is powerful.  The question came in the conversation…will your degree ever reap you financial benefits?  I honestly never asked myself that question; I simply wanted to achieve that next goal of getting a higher degree.  That is when it dawned on me how many teachers we have in our district that pursues a Master’s degree in order to better their practice.  Is the field of education that different from other professions that we feel an innate desire to learn more?  

School is something that I did not enjoy as a youngster.  It was something that I had to do to stay in good graces with my parents.  I struggled with school so it wasn't exactly what I looked forward to daily.  Looking back I had to think long and hard to pinpoint when my attitude changed about school, what made me want to pursue another degree (or two).  It wasn’t what, but who – it was the educators in my life.  A former principal told me that an education was a powerful tool and to embrace the chance to continue learning.  It was a college professor who made hard content relatively easy by being creative and persistent in her expectations.  It was the AD that gave me my first job and stood in the wings ready to help me if I needed it, who lent me a shoulder and gave sound advice.  It was teaching alongside great teachers who were creative, caring, and took every test score personally.  It was the staff that worked with me at CHS who were so committed to students it was obvious when you walked into the classrooms.

My desire to learn came from the people who made an impact on me in the field of education.  I am not always the greatest at reflection, but I do know that money has never been the motivating factor for continuing my education – it has been the innate desire to influence young people and teachers the way those who taught me had done.  I thank those who have impacted the way I see learning, and I hope I too can spread that love of learning to those I encounter daily.  

To answer the question---Is the field of education that different from other professions that we feel the desire to learn more?  Yes, It is!

What I Don't Know...

I love to spend time my niece who is twelve and my nephew who is eight.  We have the greatest give and take conversations, meaning they know so many thing that I don’t know.  When I say “what is that or how does that work?", they get a real kick out of showing me what they know.  It is no secret that kids today are much more familiar with technology than we are, just give them a device and let them show you.  +Reflecting on one of our conversations, it dawned on me that I have to be comfortable with what I know and just as comfortable with what I don’t know.   The great part about what I don’t know, is that I too can grab my device and search the world for answers. After all learning is power!

This year in my district we are working on our practice in the classroom through instructional rounds.  Too often great teachers move into administration and become managers of people instead of leaders of learners. So how can I as an administrator continue to grow in what I practice?  My choice is Twitter. I use this source because I always have a device in my possession and I get to choose who I follow for information.  I agree that engaging in the Twitter-verse is an acquired skill, but none the less worth the learning curve. I have to continue to grow my skills and acquire information using what our kids are so familiar with, social media. 

I am reminded of a professor I had in my graduate work that would say a million times to us…”tell me what you know, not what you think!”  Here is what I know, leaders of learners have to commit the time to learn, apply what they’ve learned in a setting that others can learn from them, and they must seek information about what they don’t know.   

Remember the old adage of lead, follow, or get out of the way – what I know is that your staff will get information from someone – make that someone you.  Be a leader, spend your time researching practices that other schools are using to accelerate success on their campus.  Do your research, interact with others on social media, through #edchats, or through other blogging sources.  It is amazing what I can learn in ten minutes on twitter or reading another educators blog.  Know what you don’t know, and commit the time and energy to learn it.  

Here are some of my favorite Twitter sites:

#leadfromwithin
@EducatorsRoom
@SBEducation
@NEAToday
@TED_Ed
@EdTechTeacher21

Take The Time

In leadership you spend your time serving others.  We often get to the end of a day and realize we haven't taken time to focus on our own needs and professional growth.  Leaders similar to athletes, must put in the time to strengthen their skill.  Most leadership models stress working smarter, meaning that the little time we have to grow our skills needs to be focused and intentional.  Here are some areas that will help you work smarter as you continue to grow professionally.

Create your own professional development plan.  You know what skill set or information you need to more development towards.  Create a plan for how, when, and where you will accomplish this plan.  In doing this, you are able to reflect on areas of need and create a pathway to make these skills your strength.

Seek out a mentor to help you become a better leader.  We all need someone to share ideas with, someone we can trust to ask "dumb" questions to without being judged.  There is truly no better model for growth than engaging with someone who will embrace you, and help you gain the skills you need to excel in your profession.

Ask for feedback from your supervisors.  Growth happens from reflecting on our practice as leaders.  Ask specific questions to get important feedback that you can use to work on your skills.  Go beyond asking how they think you are doing, ask for feedback on decisions, interactions, and goals.  Learn from mistakes by asking for guidance on what could have been done differently.  This is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The last area is to read books about leaders. Yes, I said read books, ebook count.  Reading must be a part of your development plan.  Create a book study with your staff, or peers, or even using Twitter as a source for discussion.

Planning is a natural part of what we do as educational leaders, don't forge to plan for continued growth and success for yourself.

Great books to read on leadership:
Boundaries for Leaders, by Cloud
The Secret Solution: How One Principal Discovered The Path to Success, by Whitaker
Taking People with You, The only Way to Make  Big things Happen, by Novak

Create a Learning Community

    

     I heard a principal say to a group of instructional leaders that “we must allow for teachers to dialog with us about what they think so we can guide them in their understanding”.  This is a powerful statement from an instructional leader’s perspective.  Many studies show that teacher collaboration has the biggest effects size when it comes to teacher growth.  Interestingly enough isn’t this what we ask teachers to do with our students – check for understanding?  

     When we begin to treat schools as learning organizations for teachers – student achievement will take care of itself.  Campus principals must model effective collaboration and disallow teaches to isolate themselves in their practice.  Teaches are the most influential professional in a student’s educational career, we must ensure that we are providing the venues for them to learn.  Research states that PLC’s do impact achievement in students and teachers (Dufour,Mattos, 2013).

     As an instructional leader you must focus on planning for your school community to focus on learning and not on teaching.  In my district we have elected to implement Instructional Rounds– We want to collectively work on the practice of teaching and create a culture of classroom observations that focus on learning for both the teacher and the student.  I am proud to say that our dialog has changed as we have prepared to implement this initiative.  What a great day it will be when teachers share a vision of shared learning and student achievement. This happens because campus leaders have created the time and set the expectation that their campus will learn together.   

     Educators are naturally lifelong learners, let’s allow for time each day for them to pursue professional growth – after all Webster’s definition of EDUCATION is the action or process of educating or of being educated.  Let’s commit to learning communities within the halls of our schools.

Until next time –Dr. Mc

How Do Principals Really Improve Schools? http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/apr13/vol70/num07/How-Do-Principals-Really-Improve-Schools%C2%A2.aspx

Rick DuFour and Mike Mattos

Professional Learning Communities http://www.centerforcsri.org/plc/literature.html

The Habits of Connected Leadership

Schools are communities in their own right.  One of the most important jobs of a principal is to guide the culture of this community.  This means that you must be forward, creative and logical in your thinking.  Students today require us to be innovative in how we teach them, which in turn means as leaders we must create a culture where innovation is embedded.  How is this done?  You must provide resources to help teacher understand what innovation is, what it can offer, and how it impacts student learning outcomes.

As a former high school principal I had to ask myself if my daily habits aligned with my instructional expectations.  To increase a culture of innovative teachers there are several habits campus leaders can focus on to get results.  First, you must plan for collaboration with your staff.  Create a culture of sharing and teaching with each other.  Second, you must make action a habit.  Teachers want to see their leader model what is being asked of them.  So, take action and use innovative ideas when you meet to collaborate with your staff. The third habit innovative leaders must possess is they must have a habit of being connected through social networking and their PLN’s.  It is important that you as the leader show your commitment to learn what other innovative schools are doing to stay connected with students.

Your school community is watching you and learning from your habits – I encourage you to give positive rewards to your teachers for trying to connect differently with students today.  Here are a few great articles to read on what other leaders are doing with their campuses:

http://thejournal.com/articles/2012/06/07/7-habits-of-highly-effective-tech-leading-principals.aspx

http://connectedprincipals.com/contributors/lyn-hilt

Practice makes perfect!

What matters for kids?  Quality teaching matters, what teachers are doing with students in the classroom matters.  Many students will succeed in spite of us, but others have very little chance to succeed unless we are on the top of our game.  There is a link between quality teaching and student achievement. All of us come to work daily and teach the best we know how.  Is your practice perfect?

Teaching is a practice - think about that.  I encourage you to view these these mini-videos by Lucy West- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI_a8I8lJZM.  She emphasizes that we as teachers must be willing to try, fail and try again in order to master our practice of teaching. A true learning culture sees failure as a means to finding solutions.  We must be okay with looking at the things that don't work in our classrooms and embrace the need to correct the practice - practice makes us better.  The same can be true with our kids,  don't shut them down for a wrong answer - use it as a platform for learning. Instead of saying "no, that is the wrong answer", encourage them to tell  you the thinking behind their answer.

When you think of teaching as a practice it helps you to understand that it is not always pretty, but with an open mind, the desire to improve, and a support system of peers we all can become great teachers of students. Practice specific skills that your students need you to have and once you have mastered that practice move on to another area.  Remember those students in front of you are counting on you to be the best you can be every day.

Now its time to share, teaching should be about sharing best practice tips- It is no different than mastering a skill in a sport and moving on to the next skill.  It is a great time of year to focus on what we do the best and working on the work in making a weakness a strength.

Have a great start to the new school year

Willingness To Try

This week we are completing our district-wide Digital-Age Leadership Academy II. The academy included all of our campus administrators, district directors, coaches, and librarians.  It has been a great summer of training and my co-presenter Renee Smith-Faulkner (@faulknerr) and I have grown as much as the academy team has.  We have taken a great step in supporting and empowering a group of digitally connected leaders within our school district.

I have been most impressed with the willingness of this team to try new things, to step into uncharted waters and to willingly create a platform for others to use as a resource.

My personal learning journey this week was in hosting my first tweet chat @#CISDEdChat.  It did take great courage on my part to step away from viewing what others were contributing on twitter and lead my district in a great collaborative session.  As a former coach I am guilty of wanting success the first time I try something and sometimes that keeps me from stepping out into areas I am not the expert.  As I reflect I have to pause and remember this is what learning is about, trying! So my advice to my fellow educators is to try - after all that's what being a learner is all about.  

I am encouraged and inspired by the power of the WILLINGNESS within the administrative team in CISD. We are committed to giving attention to the details and I am excited to see the returns from this commitment.  I encourage you to find us on the web at castleberryisd.net and follow us on our journey towards digital excellence.

Professional Growth Has No Boundaries...When You are Connected

What if we were able to make learning accessible whenever, wherever and whatever we wanted?  This was such a foreign concept  to me until I was invited to attend the 2012 TCEA conference in Austin, Texas.  I was surrounded by the most connected (literally) professional educators I had ever encountered.  The flow of information was off the chart. 

Eric Sheninger’s Digital Leadership Chapter 8 speaks about our digital collaborative growth as educational administrators. Traditional professional development opportunities are not always held at a convenient time or location – but a professional who is able to grow their connected Professional Learning Network (PLN) is not bound by walls, time, or the opportunity to learn.  The PLN allows us to reach beyond our campus, district, across states, and even into foreign countries to learn from other professional educators who have a passion for learning, just as we do.

Research shows that collaboration is a valuable learning practice and we master that within the walls of our schools.  Although a great practice, Sheninger states that this type of collaboration is often seen as closed when it is compared to a connected educator who is able to engage others through social networking.  The greatest point he makes in the chapter is that an educator who is connected through the use of PLNs is able to engage in both consumption and publication (p.119).

I can hear you asking, so when do I have time to grow my PLN........Yes, time is a valuable resource to any professional and the chapter states the value of using your PLN as a learning resource allows you to collaborate, communicate, acquire resources, elicit feedback, get support, and share ideas and information (p. 119) when it is convenient for you.

21^st Century schools require a connected leader. Sheninger's suggest several social sties that will connect you with endless learning possibilities.   My favorite is Twitter, I learn from people from all walks of life and I enjoy that the information is current to my profession.  I have grown to become a connected learner and in turn a connect leader.  My hope is that you make it a priority in your day. After all, our kids are counting on you to be the digital leader of their school.   

Digital-Age Leadership

Today in Digital-Age Leadership Academy II we reflected on where we are as 21st century leaders in applying the ISTE standards for leaders.  As leaders in schools we must equip ourselves with the knowledge and practice before we can empower others to lead 21st century schools.  Creating Lifelong Learners is what our district strives to embed daily in our classrooms - so I must ask myself am I modeling this for those I lead.......

The ISTE includes Visionary Leadership; Creating a Digital-Age Learning Culture; and Excellence in Professional Practice.

Visionary Leadership - I am an active advocate for the infusion of technology into our curriculum.  With this commitment comes the expectation that I must have the digital skills to facilitate growth within those that lead our campuses.  I am proficient in this area working towards becoming transformative.

Creating a Digital-Age Learning Culture is something I am committed to.  The first step in my district was to create an ongoing collaboration between the curriculum and technology departments. Teachers need support in understanding the "when and how" of infusing technology to meet the state standards.  The dialog must be open, safe, and creative in order for our teachers to feel empowered to think differently about activities that utilize technology.  I am proficient as a builder of a digital-age learning culture, and I am committed to lead the way for my self and my district to become a 21st century school district.

Two years ago I attended TCEA in Austin - wow was I blown away by the ease as which educators were using technology activities in their classrooms.  I made a commitment at the point that I would immerse myself in the digital world and grow my skills so that I could lead this transformation in my district.  My PLC is my go to for professional growth-this includes infusing technology, leadership, professional development, and adult learning.  Through this commitment I feel that I have been able to lead excellence in professional practice in my district.

I encourage all leaders to rate themselves on the ISTE National Technology Standards for Administrators and create a plan to become transformational leaders within your district.

I remember as a kid running out of the school building the last day of school as if I had been freed from time-out.  As I watch students leaving for the year I think back to all the teachers that have had an impact on me - boy, do I wish I knew then what I know now.  Along with these great teachers I also remember the great school leaders who worked daily to create a school I looked forward to going to each day. I realize now that I did not know how hard they worked to ensure every student had the best opportunity to learn as possible. 

The final school bell has sounded for the year yet the race is not over for campus leaders.  I say thank you for your work ethic, for enduring the stress, for keeping students your number one priority, for getting home late, and for being the professionals you are.  The campus is only as good as its leader - Stand up and give your self a pat on the back.  

Kids may not tell us but each one of them eagerly will await the start of school in August - which means that campus leaders must look ahead to a "new" year.  Take an honest look at what you need to keep, what needs to be changed, and who you have on you bus with you.  The old saying of "we are what we repeatedly do" is never truer than when planning for the start of a "new" school year. As you reflect on where your school is and where you want it to be, have an open mind, be optimistic, and don't be afraid to try something new.  After all, your kids are counting on you!

Learning Is Our Work

Learning is our work in education.  Every decision from central office, the principals office, or the classroom must reflect on the impact of learning based on daily decision.  The end of the school year is always a challenging time - we look towards the finish line and at the same time we begin to reflect on what changes we must make to move learning forward for the next school year.

The questions I have to ask myself are.....
        Did I celebrate success with the group I lead?
        What was I trying to accomplish this school year?
        What did I do to achieve my goals?
        What would I do differently?

The end of the school year is for reflection, as hard as it is when we are tired. I still have a fire inside of me to learn, share, collaborate and impact students.  What I must do over the summer is to find the fuel to ignite this desire to improve learning as the new school year approaches. I will reach out through my PLN on Twitter to find new ways to impact the learning for all.  After all, learning is our work!

A pep talk from Kid President is appropriate for this time of year