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Valuing on (and off!) campus relationships, while #pandemicprincipaling

August 28, 2020 by Amber 2 Comments

Hey there. Remember me?

Goodness, gracious. It’s been a while. Quick update…we’re back at school. All my staff. Half my Wolves are here, half are doing remote learning.

If you’re interested in what our district is doing, peruse our back to school website when ya have time.

It is beyond amazing to have our students back, in either capacity. While we may have felt the stress and definitely had some decision making fatigue during our inservice days, once the kids walked in the door, everything became secondary to what we do here. Which is love and learn up our Wolves. My people have been…beyond amazing.  We’re at the two week mark and all is well.

That being said…

I feel like I am principal-ing two different schools, at the same time. Having to look at every activity, celebration, shout out through both lenses has been a dualing, pervasive thought each day. From walk-throughs to announcements…I’m doing my best to make sure every Whitt Wolf knows they are a part of the pack.

What we’re doing differently, plus what we’ve always done…

  • Announcements are filmed live on FB, but now done early. Each teacher is now “showing” them at 7:30, and virtual teachers are mirroring their screen to show their at-home learners. Protecting instructional time is always important, but I needed to make sure we were SUPER consistent with these this year.
  • Mailouts each month…in addition to all teachers giving me a celebration to write a postcard home about, we’re sending home a monthly “hey, you!” postcard. Here is our August version, and you can download an editable version here!

 

  • Everything we do, we do in two versions. One directed to remote learners, one to on-campus learners. From the brag board to calling home with celebration calls, the number I do for one is the number we do for the other.
  • Spirit days, think college tee-shirt days…we post pics of students on campus and invite families to share theirs from home via email or Facebook. We created a google form where parents can send us pics and ask questions weekly as well.
  • Campus communications are obnoxiously loaded with all the details, for all the things. I want them to hear as much as they can about well things are going here, because, at the nine-week mark, Wolves can change their mind and come back.

 

Last but not least…I created an admin version of a balance checklist. I’ve got a big copy on my desk AND a smaller version in my planner for September. I am determined to model balance and healthy habits for my people. I also shared this with my admin team and fellow principals. As much as we are leaning on each other right now, I feel like we all need the balance! (editable version)

I hope that YOUR start, whether it be in person, or online, has gone as smoothly as ours!

 

Hanging in there with ya &

Filed Under: Freebies Tagged With: #beintentional, #edchat, AmberTeamann

5 ways to make your campus more inclusive as a leader

October 7, 2019 by Amber Leave a Comment

I am privileged enough to work at a campus that is incredibly diverse. From ethnicity to abilities, we are surrounded by Wolves that aren’t all the same. While that is ALWAYS true of all our campuses, I am fortunate enough to have two self contained classrooms that make my heart so happy. In addition, each year, I find myself blessed with Wolves who challenge the ways we have done things and make me more aware of ways I can do better by these babies I am entrusted with each day. It’s always been important to me that my self contained classrooms, those with students with special needs, feel as if they are just as much of a part of our campus family as the other classrooms. I spend time in those classrooms, and give the same feedback as I do with other teachers, and take every chance to share out the great things I see in their rooms like I would a general education classroom. I send positive cards to each of those Wolves, celebrating things that have gone well…and I have even been known to spend some time out at recess, coming when they say come, and going when they say GO.

 

 

Are they connected with appropriate grade level peers?

Beyond during the typical inclusion or lunch/PACK time…we make sure that our families are included with a partner teacher and are on their email list. (They can always opt out, but no one ever has!) They get the newsletters, the contacts, the communication , the curriculum blurbs, etc. They are a part of the classroom Facebook pages. When there are events, I want them to feel just as included in grade level activities and invitations. Programs, socials, etc…they are always invited and we make sure they are able to participate to the best of their abilities. Sometimes, even though something shared isn’t as developmentally appropriate, families can adapt and discuss at home.

Where can you find these friends in your yearbooks?

In addition to listing these students within their class pages for their self contained class & teacher, we also include them with their inclusion class. These are the peers that they interact with throughout the day, during their inclusion , lunch, & recess. They are just as much a part of that room as they are of the other. When they flip through that yearbook later, I want them to see themselves within BOTH groups of friends. We make sure collages also include all the friends…because there are plenty of opportunities to get candid shots of their interactions, if you’re looking for them.

Where do they sit during programs?

When at all possible, we allow students to sit with their inclusion class. Again, an opportunity to socialize with their peers…even if its just sitting and enjoying a program or campus pep rally. Typically, they have a “buddy” a student with a big ol’heart that wants them to sit with them and makes sure they are enjoying them self. They find them at recess and invite them to sit by them at lunch. These are the Wolves that are going to change the world, I have no doubt. Watching these friendships develop is one of the very best parts of my job.

How do you plan their parties/field trips?

We make sure that the self contained classrooms have separate parties scheduled. One with daily friends, with a craft and snack that is appropriate to each student, but we also make sure they have the chance to attend their grade level party. If this means I need to provide additional coverage, I do that. If more bodies are needed on field trips, I find them. It definitely means I consider ALL classrooms when making scheduling decisions, instead of just gen ed ones. We have students who leave for therapies, and I take that into consideration when looking to schedule #allthethings.

How do you communicate your messages and values with your families?

We share a LOT via social media. I like a good font, a fun clip art…and LOVE having props that go with all the crazy fun elementary things we do. We intentionally choose images that represent ALL our friends. From diversity to special needs, it speaks to our campus when they see images or shares that resonate with their ethnicity, culture, or faith. We seek out and include as many as can. Whether this is holiday related or just a regular ol’message…we try to make it as diverse as possible. Seek out parents with different faiths, ask how you can celebrate their culture. Ask what matters to them and be intentional when you reach out and invite them to participate with your campus. It will make you all better! #leadwithappreciation

Principal confession: I got this wrong this year in a pretty big way. Despite making sure communications, posters, flyers, etc. are diverse, we created a photo op of a cowboy/cowgirl that students could take pictures inside of, with a fun face cut out. They were REALLY cute. They were also both very fair skinned/blonde haired. What a missed opportunity for my Wolves with dark hair and dark skin! We could have created one more with a different hairstyle/color that could have included many more of my students. Do I have to make one for every ethnicity we have? No, but it is pretty important to at least give options when I can. This was an easy add that I just missed.  I don’t want them to feel like they have to misappropriate who they are, just to include themselves in the themed fun we have.


If nothing else, please take away that decisions are made on the individual-ness of each student.

There’s no “one size fits all” decision.

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It’s not made on IQ or disability or placement. We don’t do “these things” for student in wheelchairs or for students with Down Syndrome. I do what Landree needs or what Levi needs. It’s made on whats appropriate, whats most fun, and what each student deserves for us to make happen, no matter what. Sometimes that requires additional staffing, or support from the office, or extra $$$ to support funds and ideas. I am the voice that says YES, how can we instead of YES, but how even could we…this all starts with the principal, or someone asking the principal. 🙂

Making sure I have open lines of communication with my families, ALL my families, means they reach out when they see something that they feel could be handled in a more inclusive and positive manner. It’s always done with respect and the best interest of our Wolves. That can be attributed, I hope, to the fact that I listen when they talk. I don’t take umbrage to the fact that I have been doing something WRONG or that albeit, unintentionally, has left their wolf out. These convos can HURT, but I am always a better leader (and person.) afterwards. All of the things above, that we now do as a norm, are a direct result of mommas (and daddies!) who make me do better, who hold me accountable for doing everything I can to make sure ALL students are Whitt Wolves, to the fullest extent possibly.

Even if they don’t directly apply to the students you have now, I hope you see something that resonates and could make your whole campus feel more included.

 

 

Thinkingly &

 

Filed Under: Leadership Tagged With: #beintentional, #edchat, #students, AmberTeamann

Changing the Way We Think About Leadership #EdWriteNow

October 1, 2017 by Amber 1 Comment

When I reflect back on the professional opportunities I’ve been blessed with, I am so thankful to have many that rank way on up there. I can’t think of one, however, that had as much of a purpose as the one I experienced this summer. When Jeff Zoul and Joe Mazza initially reached out, about the #EDWriteNow project they had in mind, I was flattered, I was humbled, I was terrified. The concept was unique…10 writers, sequestered and challenged to write 5000 words…one chapter contributing to the overall message… of changing the way we think about different pressing facets of what we’re doing these days in education. All proceeds would benefit an amazing cause, The Will to Live Foundation; an organization founded to support teen suicide prevention. I signed on to the opportunity and agreed to donate my time and write a chapter; all of which would be completed in 2.5 days over a weekend in July. Saying yes was a no-brainer!

I am fortunate to be surrounded by REALLY smart friends…like award-winning, multiple books, bestselling author friends. It is humbling at times to look around my PLN and the collective knowledge and expertise that exists. This group of ten was no different. This was a group of passionate, involved, committed people. Our first meeting was a brainstorming session to establish what we would each write about. In the next 48 hours, we set up a schedule that allowed for solo writing time as well as partner share/reflection time. We had the chance to connect and give each other feedback. (By the way, stressful environment? Try chatting with authors like Starr Sackstein or Tom Murray…both with multiple best-selling education books, them giving you personal feedback on your writing… sheesh! The pressure!) The goal was to have our individual chapters completed by Sunday morning.

10 chapters, 10 authors, one book. It was incredible.

The topic I ended up landing on was one I’d been struggling with for awhile.  Why is it that when you read about an administrator in the paper, or on the news, it’s in a negative light? When did school based leadership automatically become the bad guy? It was pressing on my heart then, and even now…I struggle with knowing my position has the traditional connotation of negativity. Given that I’ve been threatened and belittled with profanity TWICE in the past two weeks, again says that we need to change the way we think about leaders and how we go about our position.

Here is just a smidgen on my piece, “Changing the Way We Think About Leadership”.

The administration title carries a unique work load. Our days are filled with decisions. From decisions that have a major to a minor impact, we spend each day with a list of things to do, and then chase the many fires that occur instead. We know the good, the bad, and the ugly…from students to staff, to our community. On any given day we decide what goes in a coke machine to whether we feel a parent is mistreating a child.

Much of what we do is dictated by state and district policy, and yet, there is no instruction manual that you’re given when named “administrator”. While we are able to make a sustainable impact, we are still held to the highest of expectations. That’s why we get the big bucks, right? To never make mistakes and ensure that everyone is happy.  Our decisions and the implications of that what we say goes is a heavy load. It’s an incredible honor, but it’s also incredibly stressful. There literally is no winning in some situations. Everyone will not be happy with the decisions made.

Leadership means making the hard decisions sometimes.

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Recognizing that education itself is different than it was even just 10-20 years ago calls for also recognizing that the way we look at the role of “administrator” needs to change. It needs to evolve before any other of the changes we want to see happen in education can occur because like with most other decisions made in a school, it starts and can stop right at our door.

Gone are the days where anyone can do this job alone.

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 A quote that anchors much of what I believe and share is by David Weinberger, “The smartest person in the room, is the room.” Connecting to other practitioners in this day is too easy for it to not be happening in school district and campuses, world wide. Whether it a virtual relationship via social media, or a core group of peers whose opinion you value, there is such benefit in having a group to collaborate or share ideas with. It can also be lonely in that office all by yourself. By developing relationships and making professional connections, you are exponentially increasing your ability and opportunity for success within your walls. By flattening what we think of when we think  “administrator” we have the power of changing everything about what we do. An administrator who dares to do things differently and challenge the status quo of what has been done before can not only transform their role, but empower all of those below…by bringing them alongside.

 

I can’t wait to see how the entire book comes together.

Be sure to pick up your copy of Education Write Now. You’ll support a great cause, and hopefully, be challenged to think differently about education, right now.

 

Sharingly,

Amber

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: #admin, #cpchat, #edchat, AmberTeamann

Help curb teacher burnout with Fab Fridays in February!

January 17, 2017 by Amber Leave a Comment

Teacher burnout…it’s a real thing. This stretch in the winter/spring is a LONG chunk of instructional intensity. You’ve got middle of the year data, you have testing awareness creeping up on you, and spring break is just outta reach. The genius of Melinda Miller introduced me to Fab Fridays in February several years ago and I have loved coming up with fun things to do with my staff each year.

While it may seem like a lot of work, really, your teachers are doing the heavy lifting this time of year. And if your team is like mine, they easily over commit in order to help their students succeed. The benefits of building and supporting a positive school climate far out-weigh the time and effort required.  

I would also take a guess that a positive school climate can help bring the joy and fun back into teaching and learning.

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Who wouldn’t want to be part of a school like that?

Here’s what we’re doing this year! (You can also download it here!)What do you do to love on and support your teams?

 

FabFri loveN,

Amber

Filed Under: #taketwo, Freebies, Principal, Staff Development, teacher leader Tagged With: #admin, #beintentional, #cpchat, #edchat, AmberTeamann, freebie

#TXASCD Groundshaking moves for Integration Success

November 3, 2016 by Amber Leave a Comment

I had the pleasure of presenting at the Texas ASCD conference this week with a principal here in the Wylie ISD. We were a part of an iPad roll out last year and wanted to speak to our experience. It was a lively group and we were able to get into some great conversations. Below are the challenges we discussed, and the presentation itself.

sept-challenge

October challenge!

november-tech-challenge

Speedgeeking!

And our presentation! Please let me know if you have any questions!

 

November integration,

Amber

Filed Under: Classroom Integration, Leadership Tagged With: #cpchat, #edchat, AmberTeamann, technology

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