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

Ways to keep growing as a leader… #taketwo

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I’ve mentioned before that one of the things I think that impacted my leadership last year was that I put all of the “me” things on the back burner, including my own growth as a leader. In years previous, I was very active on twitter leader chats, participating in conversations, I was more involved with my local and state leadership opportunities, and would attend several conferences throughout the year. These opportunities helped me stay connected to my PLN (aka: peer friends!), helped me stay abreast of current and emergent leadership trends, and even grounded me as an administrator.

This year, more determined than ever to not lose sight of those things that I truly think help me maintain balance, that myth that we as educators all strive for, I’ve added more to my plate. Contradictory, isn’t it? Last year taught me however that when I spend too much time on the things I HAVE to do, vs the things I enjoy or WANT to do, I am not very good at anything. 

I have the privilege of having been named an ASCD Emerging Leader last year. ASCD has incredible resources to support educators overall, and in particular, those who want to GROW. They’ve been doing the ASCD Learn Teach Lead Radio podcast with BAM Radio for several months now and it’s getting extremely popular. There are great conversations with educationally centered authors on the show, and they are quick and easy to listen too. I’ve begun listening to one each Sunday as I get ready for church. All episodes can be found here. If you’re a teacher, looking for the same kinda knowledge, I can’t recommend Anglea Watson and her “Truth for Teachers“podcast enough. These are 10-15 minutes of PRACTICAL teaching advice, that both newbies and veteran educators can grow from. From genuis hour help to procrastination, she covers the #realtalk part of your world.

Professional reading can take a bad rap, but I again contend that when it’s something I WANT to read, it makes a huge difference. I blogged over the summer about what I was reading to grow, and that hasn’t stopped, even with my busy elementary fall world!

Three books you should stop and get NOW are:

  • Renegade Leadership, by Brad Gustafson. The title is enough, but Brad makes me want to be a better principal. Centered in student learning, he makes it sound SO easy to also be a renegade and push the status quo. My favorite part is that he doesn’t expect you to stop ALL the other pieces that we know being a leader means…the HR side, the finance side, the paperwork side. He shows you to be a renegade in spite of all those necessary components.
  • The Starter Guide to Makerspaces, by Nick Provenzano. Makerspaces are one of the things that I just don’t get. Thankfully, “The Nerdy Teacher” has written a book to help me! I definitely plan on leading my staff this Spring to a place where we can MAKE and MAKE confidently!
  • ROI powers ROI: The ultimate guide to think and communicate for ridiculous results, by Michael Rose. For $9 on Amazon, you can download this book. It just makes me think differently about what I try and communicate to my people. Sometimes the WHAT loses all its importance if you don’t master the HOW. Please see #thefirstyear for more on that! This book has made me pause before I speak and that is a good thing.

Last but not least…conferences. There is such power in connecting, not only myself, but also my teachers. I sent several to go hear George Couros a week or so ago, and EACH ONE OF THEM  have come in to me and asked, in different ways, how they can take a risk or lead differently. It doesn’t matter that I push them WEEKLY, it was hearing him speak that made them step up..and out. GO to a conference. SEND your people to a conference. No money? Find an #edcamp near you.  On my radar for the spring/ summer?

  • TCEA– Haven’t been in several years and am looking forward to presenting with Matt Arend on Snapchat in Schools, and also with him and Sanee Bell on Leadership through Failure.
  • ASCD– Missed last year, and won’t make that mistake again! Early Bird rates are still available!
  • ISTE- Local this year (ish!) and I’m taking a team of teachers…ISTE has come a long way with integrating academic best practices with emergent technology ideas, it’s worth attending every few years!

 

How do you maintain the “growth” part of your role as an educator?

 

Always learning,

Amber

Do you offer feedback or feed forward? #ASCD15

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feedbackI had the opportunity t to talk to the assistant principal and two teachers from Magnolia Elementary today, winners of the ASCD Whole Child Vision and Action award today. There were several take-aways that stood out.

  • When asked about walk-throughs and how the administration provided guidance, one teacher mentioned that as a campus they focus on giving “feed-forward” information, asking questions that allow self discovery. It works for kids and they said it really works for them!
  • Mental health cohort- The team of specialists on their campus meet regularly to discuss students and their needs. The speech therapist, school psychologist, the counselor, and others..all with a vested interest in some of the high flyers on the campus…they decided if a mentor is needed or if further support is needed.
  • These teachers mentioned empowerment several times. One of the ways that this was evident was that for their PD, each grade decides what they need in order to grow, and work with campus specialists to get the training they need. Students struggling in interventions? Great, let’s bring in the Title I specialist. Want to add some movement in your lessons for student wiggles? Awesome, let’s ask the PE teacher if she can meet with us. They utilize their on campus experts.
  • Administrator support- open door policy, all the way. The staff knows that they can come with any ideas, suggestions, or questions and receive the opportunity to talk and be heard. 
    This should be every administrators goal. Be steady and supportive.

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I was very impressed with the positivity that emanated from this group, and know that they are all in for the right reason…their students! With the population they are working with, it cant be easy, but I guarantee its worth it!

 

Sharingly,

Amber

Conferencing at #ASCD15? Here’s why you better be!

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ac15_banner_image_01ASCD is having its annual this conference in Houston this weekend. I am a member of several organizations, and attend several national conferences, in addition to local region/state events, and this by FAR is my favorite. Attending ASCD provides a chance to grow, as well as make connections with other educators from around the nation.

While, yes, I may be biased because of their outstanding communications team, there is so much that this organization and conference offers.

  • Keynote speakers: This year offers Sarah Lewis, who will talk about the concept of grit and play, both national hot topics. Nicholas Negroponte, the first ever TED talker, will talk about how its the EFFORT that should excite and teach us, not just the end result.
  • Content: This conference offers sessions that are literature rich, research based, and RELEVANT. While technology will be embedded in different sessions there isn’t a device focused buzz, or any “silver bullet” discussions that would require a “tool”. Best practices here revolve around people, ideas, and most importantly, students.
  • Author mixer: Steven Anderson (@web20classroom), Reggie Routman (@regieroutman) Todd Whitaker (@toddwhitaker), and my instructional coach crush Robyn Jackson, (@Robyn_Mindsteps) have all recently written books for ASCD and I’ll have an opportunity to talk with each of them, gleam any gems of greatness that I can , and will share out!
  • The 2015-ness: From the app to the official hashtag (#ascd15) ASCD naturally has taken the “connected” pieces and integrated them into their conference. Wifi, blog lounges, and a hearty twitter stream will all be in the background, available as needed.

 

I am REALLY excited about this weekend! Throw in that it is in TEXAS again this year, which means I can drive and am guaranteed to see some Texas faces, and I am counting down!

The awesome Joe Mazza (@joe_mazza) has also created an #ASCD15 Voxer group, if you’re a Voxer.

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 Join in!

If you are not able to make it this year, follow the twitter stream, there is sure to be a lot shared! 

Take charge of your PD, make ASCD one of your growth commitments!

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ASCD ready,

Amber

What are you reading? Need some help? (An #ASCD resource)

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I am a big reader. I love to read and have even gotten in trouble for reading in the shower. (TMI?) I read in the car, I read at volleyball practice, I read while waiting for small curly headed 4 year old to fall asleep.

Last year I took on the idea from Jessica Johnson, (@PrincipalJ) to record the books I was reading, both personally and professionally, into Goodreads. This went great, up until the fall, when there was an unfortunate missing YA book/fine/confusion disaster. Thankfully, this was resolved around Christmas and my library relationship was resumed. You can follow along with me on Goodreads here.

What’s harder for me to find at the library are the books I want to read for personal professional growth. Enter in ASCD. (I’m stewing over a professional organization post, stay tuned for that.) ASCD, as an administrator has been instrumental in making sure I am able to speak to, and have resources on, current educational topics and concerns. This infographic was recently shared with me, I hope you can find it beneficial as well! And if you’re reading something different, share with me so I can add it to my list!

NYFlowchart

 

Do you celebrate your highlights?

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I love that Jetpack sends me this “summary” of my year in writing. I also love that my top post included Kliff Kingsbury, 🙂 (wreck’em!) This post is purely for myself…as Tony Sinanis just talked about, accepting the awesome that was my 2014.

My celebrations and “thanks” of 2014?

  • Experiencing an earthquake while in LA for ASCD…gave new meaning to the “my job rocks my world”.
  • After 12 years of being in the district that trained me up as a teacher and taught me so much, I took a leap to somewhere new and didn’t look back.
  • Being named TEPSA‘s Region X Assistant Principal of the Year was humbling. It also connected to me several TEPSA members who have been an incredible addition to my PLN.
  • I spoke more in 2014 then I ever have before…exhausting, amazing, and SO fun connecting with educators all over the US! So thankful for the opportunities!
  • EdCampDallas in Wylie…gave me hope that school districts can embrace and support a different style of professional development.
  • ISTE in Atlanta, where I got to hang out with some of my favorite people in the world…who were all ready to cheer on my cousin Evan!
  • The connections. Meeting people I have gotten to “know” virtually is my favorite part of my PLN world. 2014 made this happen in a banner way. Curt Rees, Bill Selak, Melinda Miller…all people I respect & was able to meet this year. I am better for it!

I hope that your 2014 was as memorable, as incredible, as positive, as mine has been. Thank you to those who played a part!! May your 2015 be full of such fabulousness!

memory lane strolling,

Amber