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

Motivating staff in the winter doldrums! #FabFridays for 2018!

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We’re all feeling the blahness here in Texas…multiple weeks of cold weather…we just can’t handle it!

Spring break is HOW  many weeks away??

HOW many assessments do we have coming up?

We like to joke that October and February are like the armpits of the school year. Not a lot to look forward to, but LOTS to make us all tired and sweaty!

 

Brighten your campus with some FUN FRIDAYS to look forward too! Fab Fridays in February have become something I look forward to each year, instead of dreading this long month of cold days. Check out what we’ve done in previous years as well! (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017). Some are cheaper and easier than others…it just depends on who you have around to help you , or if you have any budget money available.

 

My PIC Melinda Miller and I have Facebook group completely dedicated to administrators and staff appreciation/motivation ideas. If you’re an administrator (at any level!) join the fun and share what you do to keep your climate & culture healthy and happy!

The only thing we talk about are ways to celebrate and lift up your hard-working teachers and coworkers. From counselors week to staff appreciation gifts, there are a lot of people doing awesome things and we’re sharing that we can! It’s already 1100 admin strong, so come join the party!

 

 

What will YOU be doing for Fab Fridays in February?  Even just one or two fun activities to look forward to will make a difference!

 

 

 

 

PS: If you can’t get this pulled together for February? Try Marvelous Mondays in March!

a Principal’s Bucket List…great ideas from other principals! #bucketlist #2018

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I came across a teachers bucket list on IG by @PrestoPlans and knew I wanted to do one! Several of the ideas would have translated into my admin shoes…but then I decided to make an ADMIN version! Of course, as I sat staring at the page…I realized I wanted MORE! (Please see the previous blog! ha!)

Thankfully, I am surrounded by greatness on FB and IG, and voila! Look at all of these awesome ideas!! Free, easy, and admin accomplishable!! Listed at the bottom are all the amazing educators who contributed! There were so many great ideas I couldn’t even add the cutesy clipart, just so I could fit it all in! Thank you SO much to those who commented!

Will you tackle this bucket list?? I think these ideas are GREAT…some are new to me (send welcome cards to new families, monthly! LOVE!) and some I’ve heard of and have yet to tackle (#noofficeday, darn it!!)

This makes me SO EXCITED about this semester!! Anyone want to race me, in completing this list?? #gameon!

Download the PDF here!


@PrestoPlans says she is also working on an admin version, keep an eye out for hers as well! #allthethings

Why is appreciation so hard? Don’t let the Grinch get a’hold of you!

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Every day we are presented opportunities to say thank you. From a door being opened to the gift of a chipper coworker who lifts our spirits…this is a season of opportunities to be thankful and to say thank you. There is also scientific evidence that expressing genuine gratitude on a daily basis can improve physical health as well by improving quality of sleep, cardiovascular (heart) health and immune function.

Imagine that … something as simple as how we think about our lives and the people in them actually has a profound impact on our health!

Gratitude promotes optimism and helps us to develop a more positive outlook. Who doesn’t need more of that?? This season you can feel tired, you can feel run down. That to do list is ever looming, in addition to all the seasonal extras that seem to stack up! An easy way to help curb the grinchiness you may be feeling is to outwardly express appreciation for the gifts in your life. There is always something to be grateful for.

But what happens if you are NOT feeling appreciated? That you’re taken advantage of, or that all your hard works and energy/effort is taken for granted? I’m in a pretty awesome facebook group that my principal BFF, Melinda Miller, and I are running full of holiday prep & planning for our staff. It’s not uncommon for an admin to express a feeling of not being appreciated.

You’re not alone, friend.

Don’t lose sight of WHY you’re doing what you’re doing. You don’t do all that you do for words of appreciation. You do it because you are trying to create an environment of awesome. 

You are the architect of your environment.

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Culture matters. Creating a space where our teachers and our students are made to feel appreciated and WANT to be is a key component of our jobs…and that’s why you do what you do. Not for the thank you’s, but because it’s the RIGHT thing to do.

If you’re not feeling the love in your world, know that you are doing good work. You are doing some hard work. Some incredibly important work.

Take a moment to think about the people in your world…is there someone who might need to hear a “thank you” from you? Text or email…just a simple thought could bring a smile to someone’s face! Why don’t you text a principal friend RIGHT NOW? Just say “Hey…I see those long days you’re putting in…your staff is lucky to have such a dedicated leader!” Who wouldn’t have their day brightened by such a gesture? Even the Grinch would smile! (ok, he may smirk…but still!)

Please feel free to reread this as many times as you need too, 🙂 to help remind yourself that you are appreciated, even if not everyone vocalizes it…

 

Holiday hugN you,

Amta Claus

 

ps:

When we allow the different…

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When we allow the different…

  • we let students feel successful in nontraditional ways.
  • we present a different perspective of what principals are like or what they do.
  • those who felt unloved, feel loved.
  • we skip whats best for all, and focus on whats best for the individual.
  • we let go of what’s always been done, for what’s best right now.
  • it lets people feel like taking risks is allowed…or even encouraged.
  • we don’t get tired of the mundane or the status quo.
  • programs are changed and we make new choices.
  • antiquated instructional practices are let go of, for updated, new ones.
  • growth and challenges become the norm, instead of a place of stress.
  • we. make. a difference.
  • lives. are. changed.

 

This past weekend, I got to be present for a good friend’s wedding. A good friend that I met on the internet. 🙂 That I’ve “seen” maybe four times, in my whole life. And it was amazing.

Different, huh?

 

Be different. Allow different.

 

Embrace the different.

 

Amber

 

 

November thankful…what can a principal do?

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Can you believe November is already here? This school year is flying by fast…and November is a great month to stop down and say “thank you” to your staff. I heard in a training today that as the leader your words of appreciation and thanks mean so much more…because,  inherently, of your position. Educators live in a world where being overworked has become the norm, where demands for excellence only increase. If you are like me…you’re also tired. You’re also in need of some thanks. You’re also ready for some words of praise. This activity is even MORE important that you do it then! Gratitude improves psychological health. Gratitude reduces a multitude of toxic emotions, ranging from envy and resentment to frustration and regret. … in fact, research confirms that gratitude effectively increases happiness and reduces depression. Be the boss who is kind. Kindness begets gratitude…it makes your people feel appreciated. It makes the exhaustion feel worth it. Simple acknowledgement of the efforts and energy can make the long day seem a bit shorter.

What can you do?

  • A simple note. Use my Happy Notes template to make it even easier. Say thanks…and if you can tie it into a specific act of appreciation, even better.
  • Feed’em. From a snack cart that travels, to a hot chocolate treat during meetings, or a full on catered meal…acknowledging your appreciation with a snackie snack will brighten their day. I buy lil’debbbies treats and always have some on hand for a quick thank you. Toss in an “I appreciate you” post it or card, and you’ll get a smile.
  • Value their time. Are there meetings scheduled this month that could be handled with an email? Are there opportunities you can step in to cover a duty or allow a break for your teams? I snuck in an extra leave early pass into their boxes last week, just knowing that sometimes our teachers need permission to just STEP AWAY without feeling guilty.
  • Throw a mixer! As educators we rarely have the opportunity to come together for the sole purpose of having fun together! What if you scheduled an event for after school that was come & go and optional for those who had the time? Even just a hour over chips and salsa can help foster the team camaraderie that makes the season seem do-able. Is there a fun movie that’s out? Spring for the popcorn and meet up for a thought free afternoon/evening.

 

If you’re feeling like you could some principal appreciation too, I have a solution for that too! Text “Follow @ValuePrincipals” to 40404 and you will start receiving texts of appreciation on your phone! You can turn off receiving updates by sending “STOP @ValuePrincipals” to 40404. These texts will be meant to lift ya up, push you through, and just to remind you why we’re doing what we’re doing. No more than one a day…just gems of greatness to keep ya moving forward!

At the end of the day, we ALL work harder when we feel like we’re using our strengths and when our hard work is acknowledged. It doesn’t have to be expensive…just genuine.

 

How are you showing thankfulness this November?

Thankful for YOU,

Amber