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

Leading Within the Box, #IMMOOC Week 2

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One of the struggles that I have encountered as a connected educator is the constant comparison of what my actual leadership/position entails and what twitter and blog posts make me think it should look like.

Homework is bad! Everyone should do PBL! What do you mean your staff isn’t on Twitter? Who cares about standardized test scores? Never be in your office!

Etc, etc, etc…

When you have conversations about innovation, sometimes the first assumption is that no one else is struggling with the balance of all. the . things. The reality is as a leader, just like our teachers, our role encompasses way more than what the memes tell us it does. In addition to all of the trendy & all of the innovative, we all still have to watch the same blood borne pathogen videos at the beginning of the year. We still have to meet our students academic and personal needs, as well as move our teachers along their own professional growth path. Oh, and be data informed, have crucial conversations, and develop relationships.

The upside is that as a connected educator the odds of you finding ways to meet all those needs is much greater. You make connections to incredible people who show you a little glimpse of that balance. George and I have talked about this a lot, and he references Yong Zhao’s quote that basic academic expectations should be the floor, not the ceiling.

Here’s the thing..you CAN do both. You can create a culture that allows your teachers to take risks. Your students can collaborate  and create, and be successful within standardized measures.  Technology allows you to combine personalized learning opportunities, while maintaining high academic expectations. It requires an innovative mindset and a willing to go beyond your basic curriculum guide, but it can be done. 

Last year we piloted ipads in each classroom for our district. As a campus that hadn’t historically chosen to spend their  funds in that manner, there was a huge learning curve. I was very clear that I wasn’t going to mandate a level of use, just that our expectation was to find a way they could be integrated within our core content areas, seamlessly. They could crawl or they could run, they  just couldn’t stand still. We had scaffolded trainings each month, we allowed students to teach us, and we shared our successes and failures, publically. The lessons we learned and risks that were taken were organic. If I had mandated a minimum expectation of use, that’s exactly what I would have gotten. By giving them the freedom to try and to fail, there were huge gains seen across the campus. Even my most resistent, my most hesitant, was emboldened to TRY. Just last week,  one of my rockstars had her students create a guide BY students, for students and parents detailing what the STAAR expository expectations look like. Another veteran teacher? Created flipped lessons using seesaw to help parents  understand how her 2nd graders were learning about fractions. If you as the administrator set the tone and allow the risks, they will happen. 

Don’t be confused by what you think you HAVE to do…get excited about all that you CAN do.



Allowingly,

Amber 
PS: Can we discuss the awesomeness that is our 2017? I am on a road trip, in a loud and crazy snack filled car…and can still share these thoughts?? Amazing. 

The importance of a mentor as an educator, regardless of what year you’re in…

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It’s that time of year…the time of postings and of opportunities. I love when people reach out and ask for my perspective on how to handle certain job interviews or whether or not take a risk in a new position. Branching out can be a scary thing but it can also lead to some of the best professional growth around! Having a mentor, someone you can call to help you process at this time of year, or actually, any time of year is one of the easiest, most helpful things an administrator can do.

I had a call this afternoon with a young lady who is about to interview for her first principal position. Her first step, in reaching out, already says so much. Seeking out someone, whether as a formal or informal mentor, says a certain thing about her. She is willing to hear feedback, to ask questions. Rather than think she is all-knowing and all qualified, she is wanting to see what other perspectives she should be thinking about. Do you have a mentor? A mentor isn’t someone you meet with on a weekly basis…or have a set, rigid schedule with, that’s a therapist. A mentor is someone who sees value in you and what you to offer. They are willing to help you get to the next step on your ladder. These relationships are crucial, especially to those in leadership because there is no substitute for having “been” there. Someone who has walked the path before you can help you avoid certain pitfalls, or help you see that those pitfalls aren’t the end of the road. If you’ve done this for ten years or for two, there is value in having conversations about what we do. It solidifies what you believe in, and reinforces what kind of leader you want to be.

Some other things to keep in mind, if you’re on the interviewing path:

  • Experiences speak. Personalize examples from your world when asked a question.
  • Be prepared. Know who you are talking to and if at all possible, what matters to them. I take the time every time to respond to an email about a position, using their name, and wishing them luck. Even when they haven’t actually looked into knowing who I am, or what my Wolf world is about.
  • Recognize that you won’t know it all, and aren’t expected to. One of the main things I’ve learned is that is way more important to be WILLING to learn, than the appearance of that you’ve learned it all.
  • Team player. Be a team player. There is an MVP, but that person couldn’t have gotten there without their TEAM. (Side eye, Tom Brady.)
  • Be yourself. If they don’t want the real YOU, then you don’t want them. I am so incredibly thankful for a district that allows me to be me. I haven been given many snippets of advice in my 15 years and some of what stands out the most was the critical feedback given about things that fundamentally made me, me. I can’t imagine the difficulties of leadership while also trying to be someone different, how exhausting!

Remember at the end of the day, what we do is more than a job. It’s a passion, it’s an obsession…especially to those who are great. Or want to be great. Great is not at every door, or to be found within every interview. Recognizing that you want to be better, and that even opportunities that don’t go your way, can still be considered a learning experience will help you get that much close to your version of great. 

 

 

 

Going for great,

Amber

My growth is in a different place: self efficacy as a leader #IMMOOC

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Reality check: Through your evolution as an educator, you will find yourself at different stages of growth. Recognizing and owning that your needs and strengths are going to evolve is critical to maintaining not only your sanity, 🙂 but also your trajectory as a professional.

An easy example… Early on as a teacher, I couldn’t get enough of books,resources, websites to support my lessons and instruction. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around creating my own resources from scratch. Over time, I found myself reaching less and less for all of those amazing Scholastic books, and developing what I felt like my students needed for success. When I am supporting teachers now, I use a whole different strategy of support and creation.

While attending a conference recently, I made the comment to a favorite principal peer of mine that I had guilt for not attending of the “how to’ or “try this tomorrow” sessions, and found that my deepest thinking came now from reflection of conversations…whether they be at 3am over a laptop and laughter or over a shared dessert at lunch…those were the moments that stretch who I am and what I believe. Instead of needing to sit and get, I find myself in need of conversation and reflection. Sessions didn’t grab me and hold me like they had in the past. She responded with what may be one of the smartest lines ever, “Your growth is just in a different place.”

My growth is in a different place.

I am at a professional stage where the lens in which I view things is different. When beginning my “technically Teamann” journey, I wrote about classroom technology integration. I gave handouts, I created how to videos, I was very detailed in my processes. My growth was in a different place. Now I am in a thinking/leading/principaling stage. I need to hash out thoughts and strategies. I need perspective and thoughts from peers in my administration trenches.

Recognizing where my campus is and what our expectations are, I have to be careful not to be guilted or feel pressure from other admin about their challenges and needs., that look different than mine. I also have challenges. I also have needs. My growth is in a different place. Not an easier place. Not a harder place. There is enough stress and enough success to go around. What looks like a win to you, manifests and looks differently as a win for me. And that is ok. My growth is a different place. 

Last year I isolated myself. I didn’t go anywhere, I didn’t participate in my voxer chats, or twitter chats. I silo’d myself. I focused solely on learning my building, my people, and all my Wolves. Which is ok. My growth was in a different place. Now that I feel like I have a grasp on what this principal job, somewhat can/should look like, I find myself thirsty to get back out there, to continue my growth. Taking part in George Couros’ s IMMOOC this time around is just the jump-start I need to keep pushing myself.

Know who you are. Know what you need. Reflect on where you are in your journey. Own that. And then? Get where you need to be to grow. If you’re on autopilot, or don’t feel challenged or don’t feel that you are successful, get in a different place, a place where your growth IS.

 

growth focused,

Amber

Expecting vs extending grace as a leader…

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cop

Have you ever been pulled over? This may surprise you, cough cough, but my driving style is a lot like the way I talk…and write. Fast and furious, always trying to get somewhere. Last weekend, with an unexpected afternoon of sunshine, I was out running errands, and inadvertently didn’t pay enough attention to a new posted neighborhood speed. When I saw those lights, gulp. My first immediate thought was, “Ohhhhhhh, MT is going to kill me!’ The second was, “Ohhhhhhh, please don’t give me a ticket! Just a warning, just a warning!”

Luckily, I did just get a warning that day. As I was driving away, I thought how ironic it was that as administrator, working with both adults and students, I am a big rules/policies girl. I like to know the parameters of an environment/situation and think that they are in place for a reason. I’m quick to want accountability and feel that individuals should be held responsible.

But when I get pulled over, my first instinct is to want grace. I want to explain, to rationalize, to make sure you understand the circumstances.

I was so much more cognizant of my speed this week. I was appreciative of the chance to do better. I was respectful of the officer’s power of a punitive action, but that he chose to give me the benefit of a learning experience. Had I gotten a ticket, would I have reflected on it so objectively? Or would I have been bitter and resentful? Been annoyed as I watched others fly by, getting away with their hurried pace, while I sat as the “one who got caught”… been focused on more of the consequence, than the actions that I had done to get myself there?

I don’t know for sure. But it definitely made me think about how I handle situations on my campus. Do I want the reflection, or do I want the finality of a judgement/consequence?

I know what I want for students…and myself. That surely transfers…

It was a very poignant reminder that as a leader, 

I have the opportunity to give grace, and that more can actually be accomplished by doing so.

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Reminded,

Amber

The #InnovatorsMindset MOOC Starting February 27, 2017 #IMMOOC

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I credit George Couros for many of the amazing things that have happened in my professional adventures and am excited to help support his book and current project, which I am sharing below! I hope you can join us! The Innovators Mindset is more than just a book, it can literally be a call to action to change the way you engage and motivate your staff or your learners.

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How do you move from “pockets of innovation” to a “culture of innovation”?

How do we start to innovate inside of the box?

What does innovation mean for education, and should every educator be an innovator?

These are questions that I have addressed in my book, “The Innovator’s Mindset”, and will continue to dig deeper into with the second “Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course” that will be starting again on February 27, 2017.

The brilliant Katie Martin will be joining again to help host this experience,  but alumni from the first course will also be taking part to lead in this experience as well.  Not only is this a great way to dig deeper into the content of the book, it is an amazing opportunity to create your own learning, while networking with passionate educators around the world.  We have also confirmed guests that will be joining us not only for a YouTube Live, but as well as a Twitter chat every Wednesday night at 9pm EST (6pm PST).

We are also extremely excited to bring on some awesome guests for this experience that will share their own experiences and work, to open up the learning past the book.

The guests and the times are as follows:

Actual Date Topic Guests Twitter Chat
February 27, 8pm EST Introduction AJ Juliani and John Spencer March 1, 9pm EST
March 5, 8pm EST Part 1: Innovation in Education Sarah Thomas March 8, 9pm EST
March 12, 8pm EST Part 2:  Laying the Groundwork Amber Teamann and Matt Arend March 15, 9pm EST
March 20, 8pm EST Part 3: Unleashing Talent Jennifer Casa-Todd March 22, 9pm EST
March 26, 8pm EST Part 4: Concluding Thoughts To be announced March 29,9pm EST

If you miss the original YouTube Live session, you will be able to watch the recorded version or listen to the podcast.

If you are interested in joining, please do the following:

  1. Buy a copy of “The Innovator’s Mindset“. We will have a “selfie challenge” coming soon so get your book as soon as you can so you can win a prize for our draw.
  2. Sign up for the course (also listed below).
  3. Get your blog ready to go! (I suggest either edublogs.org or wordpress.com)
  4. Share that you are joining to the #IMMOOC hashtag on Twitter and share this link for others to sign up.
  5. Join the Facebook group.

The great thing about the first IMMOOC, was participants created their own spaces to share as well. This is not limited to the groups that we are using above, so if you are interested in making your own spaces, please feel free to do so.

We look forward to having so many great people join this process and delving deeper into the importance of innovation in education.

Hop on over to George’s blog to join #IMMOOC!!

Hope to see you there!

 

Amber