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

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!

 

Take care of your new people! and a newbie freebie! #thefirstyear

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One of my most special groups of people are those who have begun this year’s journey with me. Staff members that I either hired or inherited as new that began the year as newbies will hold a special place in my heart because of their energy, their excitement and because they too get that glazed over look at times, ha!

This group needs to be nurtured as a whole within your campus, but also as separate newbies. They have no history with the campus. You are in fact, building their history as the year goes on. Take advantage of that and check in with them often.

Their loyalty to the campus begins with you…and you want that to be strong, and as aligned with your leading vision as possible.

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 It is easy to get swayed if you do not have some core values locked in place, and your new people? You want them to have your core values in front of them throughout the year. Feeling like you fit in and are able to contribute is important…especially if you’ve hired the most awesome teachers/staff around! I am SO proud of how involved mine all already are, and that we are continuing to nurture their cohort relationship.

We met last week, just with my new staff, and had root beer floats, and I gave them this check in sheet to get back to me when they could. We talked generally about how their year was going, and what we had coming up to look forward too. It was reassuring to see that they too, were staying a’float!

staying afloat!

Taking care of my team helps them take care of my Wolves!

 

Pack leadN,

Amber

 

 

Words have power #thefirstyear

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As educators, I’d say that 90% of our job revolves around the words we say. We’re imparting education, examples, modeling what learning looks like. How effectively we are able to communicate, using our words for good, determines how well we do our job. Language—our words, tone of voice, and pacing— is one of the most powerful tools available to teachers. It permeates every aspect of our day. We cannot engage children in learning, welcome a student into the room, or handle a classroom conflict without using words.

From the good morning I say to as many students as I can, to the good jobs and high fives I give when walking around, to the conversations with teachers. I say a lot. A former coworker ran into a student in a park this week, and she asked her where she went to school…and she responded with mine. When asked who her principal, she was able to say me. She added that I was always happy. Two things there…she was able to name her elementary principal, who is new…and she said that I was always happy. I couldn’t have asked for a better description. To me that means that the words I share on morning announcements, or the hugs I give in the hallways are being communicated as I want them too.  It was also a huge reminder that my words have power, power that always has eyes/ears on it. It’s moments like this that gives me pause. Words have power.

My 13-year-old was told, at some point, in her educational career, that “girls aren’t any good at math”. I am sure it was shared in a consolatory manner, as she actually has struggled in math. At least, I like to think that was why something so disastrous was shared. That was 5 years ago, and guess what? Every test she struggles on, every concept that we have to attend tutorials for, it inevitably resurfaces. “But mom, come on, you know girls aren’t good at math. Isn’t that obvious?” No matter how many time I tell her that it isn’t true…no matter how many additional levels of support I give, she has a fixed mindset in THAT area. I can’t undo it. Words have power. 

Every day we have the opportunity to convey to our stakeholders valuable, important information. How are you using your power? Are you saying that students are behavior problems, or that you need help to meet that students needs? Are you sharing your academic expectations of far students can go in your class, or are you telling parents that their kid is doing fine? Are you providing resources that help students complete assignments or discover their passion? Our words have power.

 

If you tell someone something often enough, they’ll believe it. This is true for the negative…and also the positive. 

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Tell your students they are smart. That they aren’t quitters. That they can conquer the world. Give them that opportunity. Let your power be used for good.

 

Uplifitingly,

Amber

Also, just for the record, a couple of besties and I made a facetious prayer at dinner before Garth Brooks a couple of weeks ago, that we could somehow get better seats.

Ya’ll. Words. have. power.

   garth2 garth3 garth

Connected Educator Month, 2015 #CEM15

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Even though it looks different for each learner, being a connected educator simply means leveraging technology to expand one’s personal learning network. Doing so not only provides you with a network of like-minded people, but also inspires you to try new activities and strategies to create the most effective learning environment for your students.

No one has time to be alone on their educator island!

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Jump in this month and try something new!

There is a calendar through ASCD & the USDOE and  that gives a multitude of activities that you can partake in.  From tweeting to blogging to an online book club, there’s an activity for every type of learner. Defining what being what a connected educator looks like for you is step one!

I know right now, at this point in your year you’re thinking nuh uh, I can’t handle ANYTHING else. Trust me, we get that. These activities were intentionally easy,  applicable, and designed to help get you CONNECTED…which in turn should make your life easier.

Angela Watson, from The Cornerstone for Teachers, who is just a little slice of heaven, puts it like this “Has teaching gotten a little monotonous? Are your students driving you nuts? Are you bogged down by all the demands of teaching and losing sight of the big picture? Do you often dread or feel ambivalent about going to work each day? If the answer to any of those questions is YES, then becoming a connected educator is necessary.”

But wait, Amber, how does this all translate to helping students learn?

Educators are models of learning for kids.

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As educators’ learning shifts from the “sit and get” model to the collaboration model, that shift hopefully transfers to their teaching as well. If an educator controls his or her learning through self-direction, that learning becomes more meaningful. Authentic self-directed learning becomes self-motivating. That does more than translate to a better-educated educator — it also creates a teacher advocate for collaborative learning. AND that, quite simply, is where we are going! It’s easier  to differentiate, assess, and KNOW our students using this form of pedagogy, vs again, that traditional sit & get model. 3

We’re challenging our teachers to complete a “connected bingo” this month, knowing that if do  they’ll have changed the dynamics of their classroom, and the mindsets of their teaching!

Connectedly,

Amber