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

The 30 day HAPPY ADMINISTRATOR challenge! #goals #thefirstyear

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I am a firm believer in that if it isn’t written down, odds are I won’t remember to get to it with fidelity. I’ve written about my goals for several years now (2015, 2104, 2012) and love being able to reference not only where I was personally but also  professionally. I’m only 8 days late into sharing my goals but have no fear! I am ready!

 

  • Enjoy every moment. Matt Arend, a principal pro from Plano ISD, is blogging daily about a single moment that he took the time to notice and appreciate from that day. His posts are already impressive but thinking about the clarity of appreciating what every single day brings, especially in whatever stage of your life/career is in is alluring. Couple that with what I saw on Pinterest, “The 30 day Happy Teacher challenge“, I called on my pretty awesome administrators to help me create OUR very own admin version.

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Feel free to download and share! I plan on working through this challenge several times this year. I’ll print and simply mark off each day that I complete.

  • Read 125 books this year! I met last year’s goal of 100 books (!!!) which I tracked through Goodreads. I loved the accountability as well being as able to reference the books I’d completed by using the Goodreads app. It offered me suggestions based on what I had read and allowed me to scan in potential books I wanted to read when I came across a suggestion in a blog or Target aisle. Follow me and let’s share books!
  • Listen more, talk less. If you know me, you may have actually just laughed out loud. I’m not what you would consider a “quiet” girl, and take my Gallup Strength of “activator” very seriously. Through some really great conversations with my leadership team, they don’t necessarily need to me to talk, they just need me. 
    My presence is more comforting at times than my solutions. 

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    In order to complete this semester and achieve my goal of being “the very best first year principal in the history of the world”, I need to be able to meet their needs, and be available for what they need, vs what I think they need.

While having fewer goals this year, this all still pretty much hit all that makes me happy and what will move me forward as a mom, as a wife, and as a principal. I challenge you to not think about what you would like to see the year 2016 bring, but actually write it down…take steps to achieve it…make it happen!!

 

What I’m reading now…and why.

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As if I am not crazy busy enough this year, I refuse to sacrifice one of my guilty pleasures, which is reading. I’m at 90 books for 2015, my goal was 100…I’m so close! I track what I read through Goodreads, should you be interested in following along. It’s quite handy to not only keep me accountable. but also helps me remember what I want to read. If I am out in a classroom or a bookstore, I can scan in what I see that interests me. I then pull up my app in the library and voila! I know exactly what  to get.

My “stack” right now is a hot mess of leadership, curriculum, inspiration and fun fiction. I take notes via twitter of what I’m reading, or on my phone. This ensures I can get back to the sentences or “tweetable” moments that mattered as I was reading.

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Book 1: Guided Reading: Good First Teaching for All Children  My campus is a BIG proponent of guided reading. As a former fourth grade teacher, this was a whole new concept for me. Guided reading is an instructional approach that involves a teacher working with a small group of students who are at the same instructional reading level and ability . Meeting daily and supporting each level of each learner is where the magic happens. This book will not only convince of the merits, but help you understand what best practices you can help support and should be seeing. It has changed how I look at reading instruction!

Book 2: The Differentiated Classsroom ASCD alway has great books and the newest Carol Ann Tomlinson one is no different. The best part of this book are the instructional examples that she shares…it’s all about being to read something and take away gems of greatness that I can share with my staff. The premise here is that you want to convey that the content in your classroom doesn’t change,but that students have multiple options for taking in information,making sense of ideas, and expressing what they learn. Differentiation, when done well, serves a classroom and individual students in a way that whole group instruction just can’t.

Book 3: The Innovator’s Mindset I had the honor of pre-reading George Couros’s first book and writing a recommendation. Here is what I shared with his publisher:

“George Couros has the ability to challenge what you didn’t even realize needed to be challenged. He does it deliberately, thoughtfully, and instinctively. These challenges result in a perceptive and practical book–one that will change how you “do” education. More importantly, he inspires you to WANT to be better than you are. If you’ve seen George present, then you know there is no better story teller than he, and this book is no different. He can make you cry in one sentence, and laugh out loud in the next. From that emotion comes the impetus for change…real change, that will impact educators & students around the globe. If you are looking for a book to help initiate conversations on innovation, challenging the status quo, and are unsure where to turn, “The Innovator’s Mindset” is the answer. From the “why” to the more applicable “what” he talks you through, step by step, a way to make change happen, and I for one, am a better leader for it. You can’t help but be motivated by the simple truths and examples shared. These are REAL examples, from teachers and leaders in classrooms today, that are accomplishing the basics and so much more. In a system that measures through standardized lines, these suggestions will take you far beyond what you think you could accomplish….and more importantly, show how to take your students with you.”

I can’t recommend this book enough.

Book 4: Carry on, Warrior

I love sassy girls, and books BY sassy girls. Funny, honest, brave…and literally made me cry laughing. Asking me to tell you about my favorite par would involve laughter/tears again, so I will refrain. You will not regret the time spent reading this book. Mommas, leaders, anyone who has ever felt they couldn’t get it “all” in will feel a connection. And that just about all of us?

 

So that’s what is on my nightstand. What have you read/want to read that I should add to my list?? I have ten more to read, so give me some good ideas!

 

 

Book wormN,

Amber

It’s ok to pause… #the firstyear

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Confession: I am so behind. I have SO many things to write about. From campus happenings, to the greatness of the #WGEDD conference last weekend…lots to share. I even worked last night until 9. 9 pm, ya’ll! and while it definitely knocked off several to do’s, I’m still not where I want to be.

Which brings us to here. Thinking about being ahead of the curve, staying up, staying ahead.

I had the opportunity t o be featured on The Goin’Digital podcast last week with Brad Gustafsaon and Michael Berry. Brad and I have connected on a couple different things, but have never “met”, and Michael was a new friend immediately. We were talking about tech savvy leadership, and ways that we are communicating and sharing with our campus and communities…and my word. Mr. Berry uses his walkthroughs to also create podcasts with his students. He records what they are doing, how their day is going…all kinds of student greatness, then publishes it. He made it sound SO easy! As an example, he talked about discussing parent conference with parents and what they wanted to see/learn when they went…what an incredible tool for HIS ACTUAL TEACHERS to hear as they prepare for conferences!

Brad in one sentence…ONE sentence…used the words “go pro, periscope, drone, augmented reality principal trading cards “. I mean really. All I did was scribble down practically everything these two guys said. I was supposed to be there as a resource for others, not feeling completely intimidated by my peers! Yeesh!

( I was able to brag on the awesome things my staff is tackling, I can’t be silent for too long!)

The next morning I was talking to my assistant principal and telling her how GREAT they were, and she said, “Amber, you can’t forget that they had to start somewhere too. You’ve got to give yourself time to get there.” Those words…that allowance of growth…I can’t even tell you. It made a decision I had been struggling with on our campus just crystallize for me. It’s OK to pause. 

It’s ok to be proud of where you are, knowing where you want to be. 

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Stepping back, giving yourself the grace to WANT to be better, but that it can’t happen overnight. There is a continuum of growth. There is a starting point. There is a beginning for us all.

If you are at the beginning of a journey, or in a place where you are wanting to move forward, have faith. 

Walk slow, just don’t walk backwards.   

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It’s ok to go slow, it’s just not ok to STOP.

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Don’t let where you want to be interfere with where you ACTUALLY are…progress not perfection, my friends!

 

pausing,

Amber

 

 

PS: Here’s the Goin’ Digital show I referenced above, if you’re interested!

 

Meet the Teacher…more than a fly by! #thefirstyear

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Meet the teacher is also a crazy hectic afternoon. You’ve beon in PD all week, your classroom is frantically ready, and you’re about to welcome in all of your new students.

*shivers*

This is typically your FIRST FIRST with these new babies! Especially in elementary school, this is such a big deal! We really wanted to make sure everyone felt welcomed, invited, and were excited to start off their year with us. Adding in a “few” new things can make a world of difference. Several of these ideas were shared by Matt Arend and Todd Nesolony, and given a lil’Teamann twist. I am so thankful for experienced, PLN friend who are supportive and sharing! 7

 

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We had a photo booth right when families walked in the door, with a staff member to take pictures so they could get in. Our art teacher is amazing. She freshened up some props, added grade level sticks, and decorated a frame our fabulous 3rd grade teacher had previously used. End result? Family fun while creating a memory. My lil’bit is starting kinder and this picture may have actually make me cry. 6

Parents were asked to leave a “wolf wish” for their student for this year. We had post its and pens that coordinated with the wolf, so even when the notes were up, you still saw our Wolf. (again, awesome art teacher!!) These wishes? So inspiring. 12

 

 

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Our end result was a fun night and hopefully, a start that made these Wolves ready for Monday!

 

Side note?

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This office staff? Makes my heart so happy. Their willingness to jump in, tolistent to me, to get to know me…has just made this new school year SO much better. We have these crazy text streams that go on and on and on..and are full of hystercal gifs. I hope that you all have a staff like this to work with!

 

 

proud principal,
Amber

 

 

 

 

 

Blogging the unbloggable… #thefirstyear

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We all agree that the educational system may need some tweaks and adjustments, and I will always voice those concerns/ideas. Am I just wrong to think that there is more to what we do than just doing the fun stuff? As a public educator you can’t just do the fun, and ignore the rest. That’s not what is best for kids…right?

As I prepare my back to school professional development with my amazing team, I am seeing starting to clarify some of my “instructional” thoughts. Why when I am searching for data plans or an agenda to deliver the nuts and bolts for the school, am I not finding anything? Where is the #reviewingdata hashtag? I can find meme’s making fun of the required video list…but I don’t see curriculum vertical planning guides.

Where is reality?

Fact: There is more to being an administrator than just motivation and supporting innovation.

 

I think it is a disservice to also not talk about some of the realities that are (or should be) be a part of our day to day.

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  • We get to experience instruction in every teachers classroom, potentially impacting how every student earns. We have to evaluate instructional strategies and then EMPOWER our teachers…but also help make them better.
  • We have to look at trends in data; we have to assess how our students are learning. NO, I am not someone who defends or supports the pressure standardized testing. It is still a reality. We in Texas are measured on student growth in addition to baseline scores. Growing learners…that is what we do. That means the data has to be analyzed, discussed, & evaluated.
  • We make hard decisions. Sometimes unpopular decisions. Decisions that have to be made to ensure the fidelity of the system…the system that we all become a part of when we committed to becoming an educator.
  • We teach kids how to learn. Little five year olds, including mine, come to us not knowing how to read…not knowing how to add or subtract. I need her to be taught how to do that. I need her to learn. We are responsible for TEACHING them how to learn. For ensuring that happens.

Now, do I think that there should be innovation and building relationships with students? Of course, I do, and if you know me, you know how much I value both of those things. But there also needs to be conversations about data, and handbooks, and district initiatives. There needs to be analyzation of assessments, both formative & summative. And then training provided to help support your teachers to be as effective as possible. And I think we should be blogging about THOSE things too.

I’ll be blogging those unbloggables, if no other reason than to make sure some administrator who is new to the position knows those things should be talked about. I am so thankful to those admin who have been transparent and helpful in their journey, like George Couros, Curt Rees, Melinda Miller and Tony Sinanis. Voxer conversations, blog posts, & friendships have all made me a better leader/person.  My goal is to be that for someone else!

 

PD planning,

Amber