AmberTeamann — Page 24

Honor traditions #thefirstyear #VeteransDay

November 11, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

There is a tradition at my campus each November. The third grade presents a huge Veteran’s Day program. There are elaborate costumes, gut wrenching songs, and even more special, heartfelt reverence and appreciation.

Frequently we challenge the status quo of always doing the “same ol’thing” and I, in particular, am a fan of making positive student supporting changes. But when looking at the tradition of the Veteran’s Day program that I am in awe of last night…I can’t imagine it not being a part of what we do here.

Now, I have ALSO been a part of cultures where the same thing is done each year, but there was no ceremony…no tradition about it. It was just “the way it was always done”. It was easier for the teacher, it required minimal thought/effort. There’s a difference and a good leader can tell between the two.

When making changes, make sure that you aren’t changing for changes sake. Evaluate what you are wanting to do, talk to the people involved…gauge the impact change would have. As a leader (and we are all leaders in one form or another), it is very important to understand the power of we have in our choices and changes we make.

Don’t waste your power taking away something that BUILDS up and SUPPORTS the culture that you want!

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I was honored to read a list honoring our veterans and the wolves who love them last night. I was prepared with my list, knew how to say each tricky name. What I wasn’t prepared for was each service member and his/her wolf walking up to the front of the stage beside me. Some brought ornately framed pictures, instead of a person.

(Note: These are the things you should warn your new principal that are going to happen!) I know while reading those first four names my voice cracked, and I almost started bawling. (I kept reciting in my head rainbowsunicornsYOUARETHEPRINCIPALunicornsrainbows.)

It was moving. It was powerful. It was humbling.

And it will not be changed, anytime soon.

Tradition appreciative,

Amber

Trust #thefirstyear #cpchat

November 8, 2015 by Amber Leave a Comment

“Truth is the daughter of time, not of authority.” Francis Bacon

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How do you build trust? How do you get to a point where you trust someone?

Time. Time. Time.

It takes time to develop trust…on both sides of leadership. How do you build that? One of the biggest mistakes a leader can make is to assume that others trust him simply by virtue of his title. Trust is not a benefit that comes packaged with the nameplate on your door. It must be earned, and it takes time.

By being transparent, and sharing your thinking. By being vocal, and asking your questions. By being appreciative, and saying so. By being supportive, and doing so.

You have to do these things. And do them consistently. Not just days…not just weeks…but months. It takes months. Don’t forget that. Remember that no matter how amazing you are (cough cough) you are still new to them, and they are still new to you. There are many facets to learning each other…and that? takes time.

And if you’re lucky…you’ll find people who do all of these things beside you.

Lucky girl,

Amber

The power in not having the answer #thefirstyear

November 2, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

I keep a spiral in my desk where I write down little notes to help me remember all of my lil’leadership lessons as the days are flying by. This one is a doozie, and I am going to keep it short and sweet.

It’s ok to not have the answer….immediately.

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I have had several situations where my darn activator character strength kicks in and situations are handled quickly. Which is both a pro and a con!

(Sidenote: Have you taken the Gallup Strengths Finder? I am a BIG fan…my number one strength is activator. Defined as: “When can we start?” This is a recurring question in your life. You are impatient for action. You may concede that analysis has its uses or that debate and discussion can occasionally yield some valuable insights, but deep down you know that only action is real. Only action can make things happen. Only action leads to performance. Once a decision is made, you cannot not act.)

Learn from me, people. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking some time to think about a decision before making it. Even if I am 100% confident that in 24 hours I will handle it the exact same way, walking away and allowing myself to reflect, contemplate other points of view, talking to other seasoned peers, calming down…all allows me time to be pensive, thoughtful, and intentional with my decisions.

We had the opportunity to hear Mike Moses speak at a leadership meeting a couple weeks ago, and one of the things that stood out was that he said he wanted to be surrounded by patiently decisive people. Think about what that means. It’s someone who takes their time making a decision, but when they have the information they need to make to answer, they do. And they don’t waver. It is an informed, un-rushed, final decision.

(I have GREAT notes from him, I hope to get to write about SOON!)

A work in progress,

Amber

What I’m reading now…and why.

October 29, 2015 by Amber 2 Comments

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.

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

October 21, 2015 by Amber Leave a Comment

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.

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!