my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

5 things a principal can do this summer for 17-18 …also, principal checklists! #leadership

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Summer has either already begun for you, or is JUST around the corner. I am sure there are many things a principal can do in the summer, but use your time intentionally to get yourself ready! June is my “close it up month” that I spend wrapping a big red bow around our 16-17 school year, so that in July, after my extremely welcomed week off, I can move forward with all of my 17-18 plans.  I’m also a big fan of checklists…there’s just something that makes me feel that much more accomplished when I can scratch something off of a list. 🙂

There are a few things though that need to happen first. As a leader, it’s important that you determine what you NEED to do, in order to decide WHAT to do. At this point in my principal-ing, I have a pretty good idea of what is going to happen. I know what is going to be stressful at the beginning, I know what I am going to need to get ahead of…and June is my month to get all my plans in place. Working a month ahead this past year was easily the best thing I changed from year one to year two.

  1. Data: From state testing to student independent DRA levels, I can crunch the majority of the data I need to make instructional decisions in the fall. When looking at class placements I want to use DATA to determine which teachers were the most successful with certain student groups and be intentional with student placements. I know, for example, that one of my first grade teachers, showed a 100% increase on her ESL students this year. Each student made at least one years level of growth from August to May in TELPAS. Makes placing certain student pods easier when I have data to support it!
  2. Schedule what you can NOW. I’ve already ordered my life planner for next year.  Some events you just know are going to take place each year and can get on the calendar. I use my Erin Condren from LAST year to help map out events and days for this upcoming 17-18 year. Things that took place in a certain month, but that I am unsure of an exact date for, I write out to the side. This planner has daily pages in addition to monthly “at a glance” pages. However you choose to stay organized, this is the time to get your skeleton in place for the next school year.
  3. I still use this trusty notebook to take notes in throughout the year at all the meetings I attend. It’s really handy to have them all in one place and I can refer back to it during a meeting very easily. I just don’t use/refer back to an electronic system, trust me, I’ve tried. I take advantage of summer down time to flip back through all those notes to reflect. My goal is to be able to plan better for the next time, or just to refresh my memory in general of where we were last August, September, etc. I also use the EC version because of its bulleted lists out to the side. I find those to be really helpful in a meeting to help me discern between notes and things I better get done.
  4. Get a head start on your social media! Our district calendar is set. I know the dates we’ll hold our PLC meetings, I know when report cards are going out. All of the items I can auto schedule now, I do. This allows me a sense of calmness to recognize that my BIG items will be shared automatically, but I can still push out timely content when I’m out and about in classrooms in the fall.
  5. Take. a. vacation. Unconnect. (yes, I made that word up.)  Intentionally disconnect. I’ve taken to un-following the social media accounts that stress me out or make me doubt myself. (No guilt!) Give yourself a refresh. Your campus and staff will be all the better for it. Take the time to remember your “why”. One of our staff development activities in August will be to share our individual “why” and have them hanging in the hallway. I’m really excited about it! (our template!)

Five easy things…but what about the rest of the summer? I’ve been working on checklists for my assistant principal and I to work on. If you work in Canva, let me know and I’ll share an editable copy with you to adjust as you’d like. What would you add?

 

I hope you have a fabulous last few days, or weeks!

 

SummerN,

Amber

No teacher summer slide…FUN summer PD for teachers! #TTESS #PD

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I’m sure the last thing a teacher is thinking about right now is summer professional development, but! Melinda Miller is an amazing principal that I get to call friend, conference roomie, and creative collaborator! We’ve teamed up this week to bring our campuses a fun opportunity for summer professional development This is obviously not required, but some fun alternatives and for my Wolves, a chance to “win” a free day off in the fall for every bingo they complete. I’ve also offered a free PD book of their choice for each bingo! The activities are easy, and hopefully, something they can use to grow and stretch over the summer. The effectiveness of professional development depends on how carefully educators think, plan out, and implement what they are learning. These choices support not only our campus learning initiatives but also support our state evaluation system which asks each year for teachers to develop a professional growth plan. These are launching points for each teacher for their self assessment that we do in August.

I want our school to be a place where both adults and students learn. Staff who routinely develop their own knowledge and skills model for students that learning is important and useful. Their ongoing development creates a culture of learning throughout the school and supports our efforts to engage students in learning. A school that prioritizes staff development demonstrates that it is serious about all educators performing at higher levels. As a result, the entire school is more focused and effective. These activities are more FUN than what we typically see in a PD setting, but this is also a GREAT time of year for teachers to remember that learning can (and should) be fun!

Download here!

 

My teachers are done as of a half day tomorrow, so I hope they use some of these squares to connect with me over the summer, my halls are so lonely without them!

 

Summer planN,

Amber

Math Mysteries for your Students

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Dum da dum dum… duuuuuuum!
And that’s not a lolly pop offer, 🙂
I’m talking mysteries…plus math! Found a fabulous reminder this morning of a site I’ve used with GT students before, although it can also be used whole group. It combines problem solving with their natural mystery loving tendencies.
(Side note: Not a sponsored post, I just thought these were so fun for my third & fourth graders!)
It’s a great site for teachers. It also offers audio support for those who have difficultly reading and has the option to print each mystery out. You can even choose from different levels of mysteries. Challenge your students to write their own via google docs and let their friends solve…a cross curricular activity at its finest!
These would be great centers, a homework alternative for problem solving practice, or a great way to close out a classroom lesson. I know that energy and creativity can start to lag here in May, but this is an easy enough idea that can extend into something you could work into your regular rotation for the fall. I know your writing teachers would appreciate the push!
Enjoy!
Sherlock Amberolmes

5 #leadership promises to my Assistant Principal

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One of my realizations early on last year in my first year as being principal was that I was now responsible for growing and empowering my assistant principal. As a connected educator, and someone whose strength is that of an activator, I don’t remember looking to my principal as the person who “grew” me necessarily, but reflectively know that I gleaned much of what I do (or don’t do) from their example. My “first boss” as I affectionately call him was a servant leader in the truest sense of the word. He was the first to stop down and pray over a family or a situation, and was the first person at the hospital if there was a need. It was an amazing example of what I wanted to be…and now, when families are baffled at me visiting their Wolf in the hospital, I am confused. That’s just what kind of principal I want to be.

Knowing that, I am hyper sensitive to the example I am now setting for my assistant principal, or my teachers who want to be administrators. I am who is modeling what she could potentially be. It’s so important to remember that even if I ACTUALLY am cranky, or need to vent, it needs to be done in a proactive or positive manner…to also be cognizant of the eyes that are on me. Values, actions, & behaviors all set the tone that will eventually define those below me. Here are five of my big takeaways that I hope I am able to convey.

5. You’re going to get the behind the scenes from me, not the finished movie.  Have you ever worked for someone who seemingly got everything right? That person who always had everything together, and got everything right the first try? Yeah…I’m not that leader. I am messy. I am flawed. I make mistakes. But I will also be the first to admit those errors and do my darndest to not make the same mistake twice. You will see my process, hear my thoughts, and know what all went into something that went well, or what could have gone better.

4. You’re not going to be regulated to “specific” roles. Another highlight of that first principal of mine, was that he treated me as an equal. I wasn’t just there for books and discipline. I want my assistant principal to see ALL things that go into being a principal. I want her voice in the room when decisions are made. I count on her counter balance. I don’t want her to think of this as “my” campus, but as of “ours”, always. Not that sometimes I don’t have to make the big decision, but her input is wanted and valued.

3. I won’t let your focus be on “what you’ve always done”. I am connected educator spoiled. I see a bigger picture than a test, than a curriculum. I will consistently question the status quo. I will think bigger than where we are right now. Think bigger. Dream bigger. Even if what we “dream is a pie in the sky” idea…surely there is a piece of that pie we can make happen.

2. Get ready, you’re going to be my work spouse. Leadership can be a lonely place. Connections that you’ve made ebb and flow with the busyness of the year, and even with the best of intentions those you thought were your “go to” become your “once were”. I won’t allow the frantic pace of our day distract us from having regular conversations to keep us on the same page, we could be all that each other has! Even if we fundamentally disagree, I want to know what you’re thinking and vice versa.

1. Growing isn’t an option. We will get stronger together. We will each have our strengths and we will utilize those to the benefit of our campus. That doesn’t mean that we won’t have places where we each can grow and stretch. I am a lifelong learner and I want to help her see that as a GOOD THING. From books, to tweets, to conferences…there are so many ways we can get stronger…and we will, together.

My sweet AP reconfirmed how well we know each other today with the most incredibility thoughtful gift. A basket full of “13 reasons why she loves me”. Ya’ll. I don’t think my husband has even given me something this thoughtful. Every item in it…so perfect, so me! It reinforced that while I selfishly am determined to be a successful administrator to be GOOD at what I do, I owe it to her as well. That’s the model I want to set…she deserves it.

 

 

Eyes up,

Amber

“13 reasons why” I’m ok being a helicopter momma! #cpchat #leadupchat #momsasprincipals

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My beast is a freshman in high school. High school (if you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing YOUR child in high school yet, just you wait), is a whole. new. ball. game. She is fiercely independent (which she comes by naturally), but is unable to grasp that I am still the conduit to all the things in her life. She doesn’t yet know all that she doesn’t know. Part of the growth process, I am sure. Each grade level, each stage of this educational ladder that she climbs up, is designed to take her one rung closer to independence, to college, to real life… right?

The problem is, there isn’t a “how to be a grown up” class. There are opportunities for her to learn from missteps. (But it sure helps when someone points them out to her!) There are opportunities to reflect and correct. (But it sure helps if she has someone who models that!) There are opportunities to learn about time management when you’re juggling sports, clubs, friends, and oh, and an all Pre- AP and AP course load. (But it sure helps when you have parent privy to all those calendars providing reminders and nudges.) This is a path I am walking with her. I don’t care that the police club sponsor awarded her with the “Most Likely to Have a Helicopter Momma” award at her police club banquet (side eye at officer Stewart). I am involved in her world. I am her chauffeur and her bank account. I am the questioner and the friend picker upper. This is what I do.

 

 

The beast has zero forms of social media. (Caveat: no allowed accounts that I know of, anyway!) I am an involved parent. I am the parent who still signs up for snacks at the high school during teacher appreciation week. I am the mom who texts the other moms confirming plans, times, and expectations. I am the one who rolls the window down every. single. time, and yells “Don’t forget you love Jesus, make good choices!” (I think she likes it.) We make sure she checks her grades regularly and has conversations when she needs to concerning a reteach or make up. We make sure SHE is responsible for all of the follow ups she needs to be successful. Is that helicoptering? Or parenting?

If I hadn’t connected with her school on Facebook, or her church group in Instagram, or her HS principal on twitter (Virdie Montgomery, a good follow!) there are so many things I wouldn’t be aware of or have the chance to talk to her about. Thankfully, it’s 2017. There are no paper flyers that come home from the high school that I have to hunt down. Through our LMS we are able to access them all digitally, and of course, I am able to keep up that way. Don’t know if your school has/offers a LMS? itslearning is a great place to start! It’s a way for parents to stay connected with their campus, and as a leader, I make sure I push out all that I can so that again, parents NEED to stay connected with your student and oh my lizard, you have to start somewhere!

Be involved with your children. As an educator, I see the value in what it looks like when parents are more connected and involved with our campus. Parental involvement is an important factor in a successful school community. We can’t do it alone! It also helps for students to see that parents and educators are on the same team. We all want our students (your children!) to be successful… and the best way for educators to know what that looks like is for you to be involved. Help us help you! A trusting two-way relationship ensures that neither side will have to make assumptions on the other. Don’t know where to begin? Knowing the way communication is usually handled and through what channels is a great way to start.

There is such outrage circling the interwebs right now about the young adult series on Netflix “13 Reasons Why”. I made my teen read the book several years ago, and we watched the series together. If parents were more involved, genuinely, truly involved, that series actually might not rank at the top of your “to be concerned about” list. The amount of inappropriateness that cycles through SnapChat, or IG, or Quiz Up would astound you. There are conversations that need to be had. If you think your child “isn’t ready” for those kinds of convos, all the more reasons to have them! I preach that social media should be taught to the younger kids ALL the time. By the time they’re old enough to actually handle it, they’ve been all trained up by their peers and are uninterested in what you have to share.

Your children need you. They may not want you…but they NEED your wisdom, your experience, your voice. Don’t be scared of the things that go viral on Facebook, friends, be more scared of the stuff we know nothing about.

Communication is key, and parental involvement is important. Utilizing an LMS is just one part of the parent-student experience. If your school doesn’t already use an LMS, check out itslearning today!

This piece is sponsored by itslearning.

 

Side note…if my calling my teen “the beast” puzzles you, read this. 🙂 

Parenting puzzleR,

Amber