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!

Educating vs scaring…which social media route do you take?

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Having a beast that just turned 16 means I get to engage in all of the driver centered conversations. It’s “When can I, where can I, how can I” for #allthethings. I’m watching friend after friend post pictures of permits, of licenses, of cars. (Parent pressure, yeesh.) It’s not a decision that we’re rushing into lightly or one that we know we can just ignore.

We’ve decided that the fireman will be teaching her in late spring, which will trigger a natural timeline. She’ll start, she’ll practice, she’ll practice some more…and eventually she will test. At some point after that, she’ll get a car, which will accompany responsibilities and requirements. (No free rides in the Teamann household!)

There are SO many steps that we’re taking in order to ease her into this stage of her teenage life. The conversations are a constant, from pop quizzes to opportunities to have “Did you just see that?” conversations. It would be irrational to think that just talking about driving with her would mean she could immediately handle being out on the open road.

As an advocate for technology & for social media, I struggle when I see an “anti” approach by people in leadership positions. Someone posted a parent engagement idea last night in a group on Facebook that spoke to preparing families of middle school students to what “lies ahead” when it comes to social media. It involved a detective and a cyber forensics specialist that came in and showed all the different apps kids use, the dangers of them, the laws surrounding cyber harassment, and then gave them resources for how to monitor their children’s phone use. It was followed by comments centered around blocking, locking, and can I get the hand out’s that just made my heart so sad.

When I tried to rationalize why I immediately cringed, I thought back to the way that we teach our teenagers to drive. How along with the inherent dangers that are shared, or what the potential consequences of their actions could be…we also do a pretty good job of TEACHING them how to be safe. Why rules matter and are relevant. Why we stop at a stop sign even if no one else is there. How to be careful. How to yield, how to handle the fast lane. There are rules that are taught, that are practiced. Before we ever allow them to go out on their own, we have a pretty good idea of how they are doing with the responsibility we’re about to bestow upon them. We’ve been along for the ride up until then and do so even after they have that highly coveted license.

We don’t just NOT allow them to drive.

There’s more to driving than just all the things that can wrong.

There’s more to sharing with students and families about technology/social media than just all the things that can go wrong. 

Allowing someone to drive without the supports and balances that we provide is dangerous.

Denying students the opportunity to be engaged on social media without supports and balances is also dangerous.

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It’s a responsibility as a mom and as an administrator, I don’t take lightly.

 

How can you engage and educate, rather than engage and scare?

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

#oneword2018 …but why pick just one?

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The world is awash with words, goals, and plans for the blank slate of 2018 that we all have ahead of us. I’ve blogged before about my goals, my reflections, and upcoming matters at hand (2016, 2015, 2104, 2012) and why should this year be any different? Considering that I don’t wear the same outfit twice in a season, the thought that one word can keep me focused on through 12 whole months seems…stifling. While I find myself much too loquacious to choose just one word…I do quite enjoy a plan. A plan that will hold me accountable, one that allows me to see how 2018 could be different for myself, both professionally and personally. A simple manifesto of thoughts, if you will, rather than a word.

 

This year I will:

  • read more. 120 books. That’s the goal. 10 a month…entirely accomplishable. All trackable on Goodreads…join me there and let’s share book suggestions!
  • blog more. Le sigh. I am hoping on down this list will be my solution for making this happen! Writing consistently is my version of a diary. It’s how I reflect upon my professional journey, and as my girls get older, a way that I share what matters.
  • friend more. I’ll turn the entirely too mature sounding 4-0 in 2018. (Eek!) While I certainly don’t FEEL like I’ve had four decades of living, I do recognize that I have been blessed with four decades of people in my life. I want to show that appreciation. I’ve already written down the names of people I care about in my planner and will reach out, each month. A year of blessings!
  • be more productive. I came across the concept of a “productivity bingo” on Instagram. (Are you on Instagram? It may actually be replacing twitter for me for ideas and great people!) Below will be my “first” attempt at a productivity bingo for the month of January. This allows me to transcend just one word for the year and gives me 12 opportunities to be successful. I can now make progress on my year, square by square. Some topics will roll over. Some won’t get done. But the potential for MORE? Always a possibility. 

 

If you’d like to make your own “git’R done”, here’s mine that you can edit to suit you and your goals! I’ve printed mine out and have it tucked away in my planner, just ready for me to cross off a square! To make it more exciting, I’ve added lil’prizes at the bottom. I love a good prize!

 

While it may seem that “more” might be my word, I think being intentional with what I choose to do, will allow me to actually do less while still getting’er done. And that? Seems perfect for 2018!

 

Complication of Kindness…is that a thing?

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Question:

As leaders, does one have to balance the gestures of kindness or acts of goodwill because of not being able to do it for everyone?

Example:

Student A is ill and misses a school event, and you are made aware of the illness/student sadness.

Do you respond, reach out,  & **insert kind gesture here**…for student A…

or

do nothing because there are always students who are ill and you’d be creating a precedent?

 

So very interested in your thoughts!!

 

 

StruggleN,

Amber