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

Summer studies…

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Came across two resources I plan on taking advantage of this summer. Abbreviated as mine might be, I am COVETING the 5 weeks I have off to refresh, renew, reinvigorate my passion in what I do.

 

The first, this blog post by Angela Watson, (whom I feel very honored to call an IRL BFF, :)) on the books she recommends for reading over the summer. Her “Awaken” is sitting on my nightside WAITING for me to dive in with a positive mindset. Her easy to read piece and why she includes each book will help you see an immediate connection and I hope you can find a couple to take with you to the pool. ALL of these books are easy to read, none are written like a…text book. Cough cough…

 

Second, through Zite (which I will be blogging about soon!) I cam across this Edudemic article that gives you some summer online learning options. It’s a new platform called Modern Lessons and has a ton of free online courses from learning the basics of Twitter to an advanced course on iPads in education.

 

Whatever you choose to do this summer, come back and share, especially if you read any of these books, or take a course!

 

Summer scheduleN,

Amber

 

 

 

4 days…

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Enlighten us but make it quick.  That’s the moto of Ignite Speeches. http://igniteshow.com/ I have been seriously impressed with this format of giving a speech.  20 slides, 15 seconds each, 5 minutes long.  Give your students a DAY to make this happen over a concept you have taught this year. Record it, save it as your intro to that unit for next year! LOVE!!

 

 

no lighter needed,

Amber

Are you a student principal?

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This post is cross posted from Connected Principals. 

 

principal-genericI met with a colleague yesterday to discuss our upcoming presentation for the Texas ASCD #Ignite13 on leveraging social media as an administrator for your staff, students, and families. He is a secondary principal who has recently been promoted to an area director in our district, so I feel like I was in the presence of a celebrity, 😉

As an elementary AP, it was interesting to hear his high school gems. The things that are SO important to elementary teachers and our climate are totally different than his. I found myself writing down several of the things he said, as just a reminder that there is a BIG picture out there. I think in my elementary world that gets lost.

My favorite line is from a discussion he had with a teacher over a scheduling decision that he was unwilling to be flexible on. (His policy made it easier for ALL students to get the credits needed to be successful and not be penalized for wanting to do extra-curriculars throughout the school year.) He told the teacher that he was here for the students.  He was a STUDENT principal, not a teacher’s principal. He made his decisions on what was best for the students, not for the convenience of teachers. It made me think of the powerful piece I read from Jimmy Casas over the weekend, Front Porch Leadership.

Our job is make all of the adults that come in contact with our students have that kind of mentality, that we are truly here for the students. Their success, their self worth, their future. Inspiring others to WANT to be that way is my goal for the 2013-2014 year.

 

note taking,

Amber

5 days….

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This assignment has been beaten into the ground but it’s still pretty cool.  There are a lot of blank Facebook templates out there but this one seems all consuming.   This is a great assignment for students because they can relate to it and it gets you what you want.

Here is a Facebook Assignment page that has a very Facebook-like look and feel and only includes the basics.  It has a status update, place for a picture, five wall posts with five spots for a reply, information, friends, likes, and room for students to create ads. What if they created a fictional “Lion” account? Their fav teacher? Mr. Howard? The possibilities are endless! It might be fun to have them “interview” each other and you create a class book!

 

 

news feedN,

Amber