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

How can you make your February FABULOUS for your teachers? #LeadWithAppreciation

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We all know by this point February can be a dip in morale for our teams. It’s cold, it’s dreary, spring break still seems like it’s forever away…what if you INTENTIONALLY make this a fun month for your team? Try having Fabulous Fridays in February!

What began as something fun for me to do to brighten our team’s month has not only become a tradition but at this point, five years into my Whitt Wolf world, my teachers are ASKING for Fab Fridays! I can’t tell you how happy that makes me! It’s been 10 years of Fab Fridays y’all. TEN!! Here are five things I’ve learned to help you make sure your Fab Friday’s go off without a hitch!

5 Fab Friday Lessons!

  1. Plan ahead. My *secretary* knew in September to make sure and watch my 461 (discretionary budget code) line because I always do a few “somethings” this month. I started asking our leadership teams earlier in the month what they had enjoyed in the past or wanted me to make sure and include. We’ve got ours nailed down, added to a calendar and handed out.
  2. Mix it up! I added *more* this year but balanced free things with things I could purchase or do. They love free time, they love the warm-up days…it doesn’t have to be expensive to show your team you’re grateful for what they do!
  3. KNOW your people! We talk a lot about the value in knowing your team in Lead with Appreciation: Fostering a Culture of Gratitude. I have friends who are gluten-free, friends who are vegetarians, friends who don’t eat like a teenage boy as I do. 🙂  We don’t want them to look at these activities as things that they don’t get to participate in, everyone should get excited about Fridays in February!
  4. Leverage your people! I have mommas who love to bake, who love to help, who love to cut and hand out. I make sure I include them this month as well. From finding and cutting out my celebrity couples to donations for that delicious baked treat…I take advantage of this incredible community. Y’all, I managed to ruin not one, but two, dinners this week (it’s just not my gift.) but ya know what? I don’t have to do all of this by myself! The goal isn’t for you to walk away even more tired or despondent because of all that you’ve added to your own personal plate.
    Look around and ask for help!

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  5. Keep it simple! You literally can do one big thing this month…or tons of little things. Do all the free things. Simply cancel a meeting. Remove an expectation. Let them leave early. So many options! If you’re looking for MORE ideas, you can find some of our past years’ plans here, here or here!

 

Are fabulous Fridays in February already here, and to close for you to handle all this thinking and creating? What about Mondays in March or even a “you’re awesome” in April can also work! The main goal is to remind your teachers that you see them working hard, keeping their students at the forefront of what they do and that you just want to, yep, you guessed it, lead with appreciation!

 

 

Fabulously &

 

 

 

PS: Was this post helpful? You might like Melinda Miller’s and I’s book, Lead With Appreciation: Fostering a Culture of Gratitude! The book is packed with ideas to help leaders at any level support their staff and develop a PLAN for making sure climate and culture isn’t the ball that gets dropped when #leadershiplife happens! You can order your copy here, Lead with Appreciation: Fostering a Culture of Gratitude.

 

To be known or to be impressive? #2020oneword

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Twitter is so fun. We have a new-ish pastor. He’s been around now for about a year, but we attend a satellite church, so I’ve actually never met him. We are always entertained and moved through his message though. He also has been fantastic to follow and learn along with through the twitters.  It’s developed a “connection” from afar, and even just that tenuous of one, makes me feel more plugged into his sermons/messages.

While scrolling, I came across this tweet the other day and it made me pause.

 

Just through a quick read, I thought well that’s silly. Can’t I can be super impressed with people I know? I know some pretty impressive people after all… (coughTroycough)

He, so graciously, responded…and I just can’t stop thinking about how very much of THIS KIND of leader I want to be.

 

 

This is why I’m so transparent in my failures and the mistakes I’ve made as a leader. (#thefirstyear, just as a reminder.)

It’s also why I’m so anti “cotton candy leadership”. The notion that our jobs are all about riding tricycles or how giving up our offices is the right & easy thing to do…just kills me. Our jobs are hard! (and amazing and rewarding and filled with the VERY best of lil’people!!) but also, HARD.

Recognizing the multifaceted role that we are charged with…never letting any of those balls drop…being able to be SEEN in the role…means more to me than being impressive. It’s recognizing that sometimes it’s more important to let people see the struggle than just to assume the success. Otherwise its a misrepresentation of the MOST important things we do…change lives.

 

It means being KNOWN. Sharing the good, the bad, the struggles. Sharing the flaws and the failures…always being real.

And being ok with it.

 

My word for #2020 is going to be “known”. To be seen for #allthethings, not just the high light reel that is traditionally shared. (Although, let’s be honest, I’m not really that kinda girl anyway. )

 

Thanks for the nudge, JH! I look forward to ACTUALLY meeting you, 🙂

 

2020 ready &

 

#conferencechat Is #FETC on your radar? It should be…

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I am an unapologetic nerd. I love to read. To reflect. I love to grow and get better at whatever it is I am trying to do in life. As an educator, it is important to model that for not only our students but also our teachers.

It’s why one of our professional goals each year as a staff is to read a book that they feel can contribute to their growth as an educator. It’s an individual choice. One that I ask they take seriously, b/c I am also not a fan of jumping through hoops for the sake of jumping.

I’m also a huge proponent of attending conferences and growing with people and spend a considerable amount of my budget to grow our people.  Our team knows that I allocate money for them to travel and attend various conferences throughout the year. It’s even MORE fun when they find something and ask to go, but I also send what I can their way too. That also includes my more siloed campus members…art, music, pe, etc. Everyone deserves the chance to get better if they want to.

When it comes to conferences for me, I find I am much more selective these days.

I’ve been spoiled by the amazing educators I’ve gotten to see throughout the years that not only MOVE me personally, but that also push me professionally. I need both these days. I need to get better as a leader for my people, in addition to needing that personal connection to make it all come together with a big pretty bow. (like a gift! see? those love languages come up all over the place!)

Excited that FETC is first up in 2020…it checks off #allthethings on my “make it worth missing school” list. For my Texas peeps, FETC is the Florida TCEA, their state tech conference. “Tech” conferences have come a long since my days in the technology department…no longer are they just about the shiny tools and 50 apps in 50 minutes. It’s more about effective instruction in using any kind of technology, about introducing effective pedagogy and growing with your teams. Tools will come and go, but your people are yours.

Example…here are a couple of the sessions I am really excited about…

  • Dwight Carter: former principal, “Why settle for good when you can be G.R.E.A.T! In today’s high demand culture of education, it’s easy to get bogged down by initiatives, mandates, and other constraints, but there are two things we can control: our attitude and actions. You will learn five habits to shift your mindset to be G.R.E.A.T every day.”
  • Marlena Gross-Taylor, former principal, “Explore instructional strategies that can be used to create effective learning conditions to increase student success. Identify evidence-based instructional routines and tech implementation designed to maximize student interaction in classroom activities to deepen student discourse and thinking. Participants will identify a component of instructional practice they want to improve and develop a personal professional plan to support the identified goal.”
  • Marlena is also presenting on “The start-up model thrives on high-energy, innovative ideas and intentional marketing. This session will guide you as a leader in branding your school with a start-up mentality to create excitement, celebrate the creativity of students, and promote family and community involvement. Principals are the lead storytellers of their schools and must become adept in leveraging digital resources to share the amazing accomplishments of their school.”
  • Jacie Maslyk has SEVERAL sessions I can’t wait to get to:

C259 | #Connect2Lead: Using Your Learning Network to Move Your School Forward

W172$ | Challenge Accepted! 6 Engineering Design Challenges for Any Classroom

W085$ | Design in the Making: Using Creative Thinking in the Innovative Classroom

W211$ | Remake Literacy: MakerEd Meets ELA in Powerful Ways

W011$ | Unlock Creativity: 7 Keys For Every Educator

C032 | 5 Digital Tools for Every Administrator

 

Again, so much more than tools and tricks, right? I am hoping to catch sessions from Steven Anderson, Shaelyn Farmsworth, and Joe Sanfelippo..again, national voices that will be there, working with educators of all levels. Knowing that all these crazy talented educators will all be in the same space at the same time…I’m also looking forward to the conversations that I know will be taking place. I will never forget attending a conference with a group of people who attended zero sessions because “they knew all that already.” Even if that is true…

are your people at the same level/place of comfort and skill with you? If not then there is still growing to do!

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Connecting with like-minded, incredible, committed people just fills my bucket. How do YOU do that? If not at conferences, then how?

 

Come to FETC with me!

 

Inquiringly &

 

 

Are you thinking about your “next” big adventure?

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Our principal at Wylie High, Virdie Montgomery, is pretty great. He is someone who reflects regularly, praises often, and is always up for a good prank. One of my favorite things he shares is his thoughts on Facebook. This was a post of his from this past week that just made me stop and think. Mediums like this make me thankful so that we all can grow and learn from his voice and varied experiences. We should all have someone like that in our lives.

This semester, my superintendent has started an “Achieving Leaders” Facebook group. Its goal is to connect and grow leaders, both inside our district and out. I truly think its the casual conversations, the opportunities to share our stories, where growth can most easily occur. Principals of varying levels have joined us, sharing strategies that are both relational and transformational. It is practical and easy to apply, as a leader or even as a future leader.

If you’re interested in joining our group and learning alongside us, the link to join is here. We had an episode where we asked people to reflect and think about their stories. Virdie was a guest, as well as our Assistant Supt of HR, Mr. Winn.  We asked to reflect and share on their stories…and think towards their ending and what it looks like professionally speaking. Virdie’s answer was powerful…so powerful that I teared up. He then went on to share it on Facebook and with permission, I’ve shared it below.

Living the Dream! I don’t know what your dream is or when your dream formed. All I know is that we are all on the journey to get there. I live the dream each day, live in the present and am consumed by the present. The dream is not something that is always just over the horizon. It is right now. There are times when the journey is at the beginning but that journey is a part of the dream. There are challenges on this journey and there is a path to the dream we all must go down. Today is the most important part of the dream and it happens every single day. I have vivid memories of when I was in elementary school of wanting to be a teacher someday. Everyone who had ever mattered to me outside of family was a teacher. They had influence and power over me. They molded the very way I think and perceive things. I loved them in a way that was revered. They weren’t my friends….they were above that. They made me work.

They pushed me and they encouraged me without even knowing they were doing it. I could feel it. Even if they were disappointed in me I knew and felt that they knew I could do what they were asking. Disappointment is powerful. Truly, if someone is disappointed in you …that means they expected you to do better. If they were never disappointed in you that to me meant they did not think I could get there anyway. We are a product of our past. I never want to disappoint those that matter to me because that is one high expectation and it takes work. I wanted to teach and the journey there was long and it was not easy. I was living the dream even then because again…the journey is a part of the dream. I take pride in the journey that finally got me there and then I found that the dream was just a continuation of that journey began a long time ago.

Today, I ask if you are living the dream? Where are you in the journey and are you enjoying the journey and overcoming the obstacles that limit or hinder the overall dream? Sometimes the dream changes course but the journey continues. I choose to live this dream daily and I never want to disappoint so I give my best. Sometimes my best is not good enough and yet it somehow gives me a reward because as flawed as I am…it is the best I have to give. That is all we can do and for sure all we can expect of those around us …especially kids. If they are giving their best, how can I ask more of them than I can of myself? I want their best and I will love them regardless of the outcome because that is what I need in my own journey. In my mind, this all makes sense …written? I just don’t know…but I am giving my best every single day on this journey and I am blessed to be living the dream that began a long time ago.

 

Wherever your season of life finds you right now, I hope you’re living your best life.

I hope you’re excited about your present and see it as exciting as your future…that’s what I think Virdie was speaking to. I teared up when he said he couldn’t imagine his future being better than where he was right now. That’s how I want to live…knowing that where I am, personally and professionally, is fulfilling and makes me excited to wake up each day. Once you’ve joined the group, here’s the one I’m talking about, 🙂 

Join us over on “Achieving Leaders”. You’ll learn something each week…and we’ll all grow together!

Thoughtfully, thankfully &

 

 

 

 

 

PS: !!!

The Leadership Vault Reopens Dec. 1st!

Don’t miss your last chance this year to join over our inaugural 100 principals working together to level-up their leadership. We will reopen for a short period to welcome new members starting December 1st. Join the waitlist to get notified we are open before anyone!

 

Self care for principals…it should be a priority!

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We’re closing out October. You know…the month with 5,000 events and what feels like just as many days? The first armpit of the school year?

That October.

Recognizing that self care is probably at the bottom of your to do list (as it was originally on mine!) I decided I needed a way to make it a priority! Carving out time for yourself, whether you are a teacher or a leader, is crucial. We’re about to enter TWO important busy months where the focus is easily on those around us. The cliche line of not being able to pour from an empty bucket is a true one, friends. It’s important to remember that you need to take care of you, because honestly, as the leader, that’s not on the tip tops of your coworker’s minds. You make the big bucks remember? You’re usually the one care for those all around you!

My principal BFF Melinda Miller and I included a chapter in “Lead with Appreciation”How can you #LeadWithAppreciation? just on self-care. You have the seasonal ups and downs that our teachers do as well. The intentionality of taking care of yourself is just as relevant for you as it is for your staff/students. Self care isn’t just a trendy topic when it comes to SEL and our staff emotional well being. Burnout is a REAL thing. The pressure of our position is a REAL thing. 

“Self love is asking yourself what you need – every day – and then making sure you receive it.” – Unknown

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Sounds cute and fun, right? The last thing I have time for in the upcoming months is to add one more thing to my todo list, much less something that requires energy and effort to think and plan, right? But…putting ourselves first IS a necessity. And although our lives might seem crazy hectic enough, taking the time to care for ourself is going to aid in the effectiveness of you helping others. Even if it’s something as simple as…one of these ideas! I’ve created a 30 day “Principal Priority” idea checklist that I will be using in November. There are 30 days and here are 30 ideas! Most are free and easy…and all with the idea that you, admin, principal, or leaders of tiny humans, need to take a few minutes each day just for yourself.

 

How can you make self care a priority this month?

(Download your PDF to check off with me here!)

 

Is it possible to do a great job…in all the places and in all the ways- without sacrificing who we are or our sanity? I would certainly hope so. I do know, for a fact, that when I am able to carve out time to do things on the weekends, that I just do for the enjoyment of doing them, that Monday rolling around isn’t nearly as stressful. Self care can be as simple as adopting the mindset that within each day there should be something that makes your physical or mental health a priority. Not that means we can’t have ambitions! (Hello, #ennegram3 here!) It means that we realize for every yes we say to others, we potentially are saying no to ourselves and those who matter. We want to be the yes girl, or the I can do it all guy…but the reality is for the long term that is unrealistic.

Burnout can lead to poor decision making, stretched relationships, and tense campus culture. Nobody wants to work with (or for!) someone who forgets what it means to put themselves first. Being mindful of putting yourself first is the first step in trying to achieve that elusive balance we all seek!

Put YOU on your to-do list!

Allow yourself to put YOU on the todo list. I purposely didn’t pick specific “days” on that above chart because some of these ideas are perfect for the weekends and some are great for a random Monday where you need a smile.  Bottom line, we all need to make time to care for ourselves. Being able to do little things for ourselves is going to improve everything from our social interactions to our productivity. And which of those don’t we all need?

It’s ok to love yourself enough to try and balance out meeting the needs of those around you with your needs.

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That doesn’t make you selfish, it makes you self aware!

 

Calendar checking &

 

 

 

 

PS: Melinda Miller and I put a whole chapter on self care in our recent book “Lead with Appreciation”, if you’re looking for more ideas and context, you can buy your copy here!