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

Are you drifting or driving?

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I have a post it on my computer that simply states, “Be intentional.” Did you know that every single day you’re choosing to either move forward or move backward? There really never is a standing still, especially in this field we call education. From the lessons you choose to deliver to the conversations you choose not to have…you’re either driving towards greatness or drifting away from it.

 

Are you empowering or enabling? There is a difference…

Be intentional today. Choose to move towards greatness. Be an empower-er.
(Yes, I just made that word up. Intentionally.)

Steeringly,
Amber

Top five reasons I am a “connected” educator…

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October is a big month to celebrate education. Not only are we leading the charge for National Principals Month, but NASSP is also involved in promoting the importance of connected leading and learning during Connected Educators Month I thought in that spirit I would list the top five reasons I think being a connected educator has changed not only the way that I do my job, but also how I think, interact, and learn. (Those are HUGE facets of anyone’s world!)

#5. Connections become friends.

When I have an important decision, point to ponder, or even a snarky opinion to express…I now contact people that I have developed relationships with online. I have met some of them once, hung out with some of them twice, but I interact with them on a daily basis. They’re my sounding board, my inspiration, and the ones who keep me on a path of doing what’s right for kids.

#4. I get the opportunity to discuss innovative, trend pushing, status quo breaking initiatives with educators who are out there making it happen. The last #SAVMP hangout was awe-inspiring. (And not because I was leading it, wink wink!) We had three different educators who are doing things in three incredibly different ways, all making a difference in education.

 

 

3. Conferences become family reunions.

BT (that’s before twitter) I’d attended both the ASCD and ISTE conference with my instructional technology position. They don’t particularly stand out in my mind (aside from the great travel companions). This year, ISTE and ASCD were the HIGHLIGHTS of my admin career. I had such an incredible time putting faces and voices with profile pics and avatars. Between each session there were hugs and speedy chats as you went from session to session. I traveled to ASCD alone. In Chicago. If you know me, you’d know that is a HUGE thing for “Ms. I can’t even go to the movies alone.” I went and came back having found two ladies who are not only inspirational educators, but are now inspirational, supportive friends. I have already started planning for both conferences again next year, and @ErinKlein and I have roomie ‘rangements pending!

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EdCampDallas is also just around the corner and that’s another great way to make connections with learners around you. We sold out (!!!)  this year, but keep your eyes open for others to pop up in our area soon!

 

#2. Your jargon has changed and changes often.

Hashtag. FF. Voxer. Techlandia. MISTERMACNOLOGY. Podcasts. Feedly. Cpchat. Follow. Retweet. Google hangout. Ignite. Blogger. Google Plus. DM. Chat. Followers. Twitterati. Bammy’s. GFC.

All google worthy things that are now a part of the lexicon of being a connected educator.

 

#1. Like you even had to read this far to know what my #1 was. 🙂

 

Do something this October to get connected. Follow a blog. RT something worthy. Follow a chat. Lurk and learn. Stalk a celebrity. Just DO something!

 

 

connectedly,

Amber

 

Inspire or enrage? Push my thinking, but don’t be a jerk!

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The older I get (cough, cough) the more I realize I don’t know. There’s always another side to every story, there’s always a perspective that can be discussed or understood. Reasons for every action, thought, or attitude.  I know teachers who swear up and down they’ll never be administrators, and administrators who wish teachers could walk just one day in their shoes…especially if they get to pick the day!

One of the surest signs of a confident learner, IMO, is their ability to listen and respond to other’s who don’t believe the same things that they do. There’s a quite the convo happening on twitter right now on the validity and credibility of the Bammy’s that took place in Washington DC this past weekend. There are fierce supporters on both sides. It’s been interesting to watch and think about. I’m intrigued because I truly respect people on BOTH sides of the discussion.

The trick is to do that and NOT come across as arrogant. Or all knowing. Or condescending. Can you do that? Can you engage in a conversation with someone who doesn’t agree with you and NOT be a jerk? If you can, I’d love to have a conversation with you, I might even be swayed. But if you can’t, I’ll just agree to disagree and ignore you. both sides. Twitter gets a lot of flack for being the echo chamber, but that’s not what I see. Maybe because I choose to follow edu-peeps who challenge my line of thinking, ones who not only disagree with me at times (George Couros) but challenge me to defend my beliefs. Not in an offensive, abrasive way…but in a thought provoking way.

Nobody likes to be made to feel stupid…and if you can’t discuss perspectives without making that happen…I don’t think you’re a very good leader. Of course, the onus can also be on you to be willing to HAVE that conversation at times, as well.

If that doesn’t make sense…I’ll let Ross and Phoebe reenact this blog post for you, 😉

Open minded-ish,

Amber

A cautionary tale…reposted

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A conversation with some fabulous kinder team reminded of this post and I thought it would be approriate to re-share…
A word to the wise…
Parents are biased. Parents are sending you the absolute BEST that they have to offer at home. The child in your class that may test your patience like no other is the 20×30 poster hanging over their mantle. They are LOVED. ADORED. WANTED.
Yesterday when I picked up my TsT, she was “shadowing” the teacher. Meaning her lil’hand was in the teachers pocket and she had to stay there all day. No free play, no lunching with friends, no centers…basically no fun. Why? Because she wasn’t being sweet and gentle with her friends.
(Read: a hitter! my kid was the hitter!! argh)
My first reaction was to want to cry. (Like the 2 year old was doing as she was telling me how ” sowee” she was.)
Disclaimer: I MISS my kids when they are away from me. I think about them. I want to see them. I can’t WAIT to hug them.
Do you know how hard it was to “discipline” my girl once we were home? I made her stay in her room, gave her no dessert, and NO ipad fun game time with mom.
Guess who felt more punished?? ME! I didn’t know if that was the right thing to do! Were these things even effective? Should I be more concerned? Is there a youtube video I could watch on how to fix this issue??
Teachers….you have to HELP your parents. Explain behaviors. Explain when there is cause for concern, or if it’s developmentally appropriate. They look to YOU as the expert. Balancing being a mom and wanting to support what is happening at school but also loving your kids is HARD. We’re asking them to unbiasedly look at their child and behaviors that they weren’t a witness too, and take action on them.
How would you feel if ONLY negative things came home? Or if the only contact you had with your child’s school was a negative one?
You have the power to fix that. YOU can make every encounter positive & supportive. Even when there is negative information to convey…
a mom’s perspective,
Amber

Let your students ignite their passion…and kickstart your class!

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Ignite talks are tag lined with “Enlighten us, but make it quick,”. Ignite is a presentation format where a presenter speaks while slides advance automatically to support them. An Ignite presentation is exactly 5 minutes, and contains exactly 20 slides. The slides advance automatically after each slide is displayed for 15 seconds. I think this would be an amazing thing for teachers to use in class with upper elementary students. With only 20 slides, a presenter must make important decisions about introduction, body, and conclusion. We teach summary skills on a regular basis, what better way to do this than have them prepare an ignite speech?

The students are forced to become experts.  You  allow them to have a note card or two but they are not allowed to simply read about their topic.

 

Erin Klein of the famous Kleinspiration site, gave an inspiring Ignite speech at ISTE this year. Check out her speech, she begins at 46:05.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsVYu1yi-JI

 

I think one of these would be a GREAT think tank idea!

 

Let me know if i can come work with you or your students to get an ignite inferno going!

 

AmFire