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

PLC conference: Leadership gems

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We have traveled as a district leadership team to the Solution Tree PLC conference. Day 1 involved some powerful examples of what a PLN and PLC led culture can lead to on a campus.

I figured out at my first PLC conference that the PLC mindset was very similar to what I think is the “connected educator” mindset. It’s all about collaboration, sharing information/knowledge to benefit students, growing as a learner, and utilizing the knowledge of the whole to benefit the individual. That being said, I enjoy conferences because I love to learn, and think there is always something else I can do to improve as an educator and as a leader.

Yesterday’s sessions and great thoughts:

Teaching, Leading, and Living a High-Energy and Well-Balanced PLC Life, by  Timothy Kanold            

This session was all about finding that elusive work/life and how necessary it is to keep sane. Relational and emotional intelligence is a REAL thing. Did you know your EQ has a direct correlation to the emotional climate that you create within your campus? Your relationship with your campus/co-members is as important to their success as it is to yours. “Poor relational leaders will drive skilled and motivated workers out of their profession, or even worse, cause them to withhold discretionary effort…” (Hard Facts, Dangerous Half Truths, and Total Nonsense, 2006)

He referenced “The PLC Energy Quadrants”, that I thought was very interesting. It spoke to the need of EVERY day spending time in quadrant II, a place of low positive energy…(reflective, serene, relaxed) in order to balance staying in the “fully engaged, in the flow” quadrant I, a high positive place (helpful, hopeful, connected, joyful).  Ironically enough, this past year, I weeded out almost all of my low positive “actions” instead choosing to be action oriented and focused on my first year as an administrator. 3

Another fun fact: too much time in QI or QIII will send you to Q4.

Leading with Passion and Purpose: The Principal’s Role in a PLC

This session was led by a high school principal from Texas, bonus points! Mr. Jones started with an activity, having us complete an acronym, with the word LEADER. Pausing to think about how as a leader, each one of those letters stand for such BIG THINGS that I am responsible for being…for representing…for modeling was a big pause. He also shared that the principal, by their year 3, has a direct and substantial impact on students results on a campus. (Marzano, 2005) Knowing how difficult it would be for me to manage such a substantial impact on all 54 of my staff members, I can however choose to be that person for my 6 PLC teams.  “No one person can serve 50 masters!”

My two top tweets from his session (I take notes in twitter blurbs…it works for me!)

  • There’s a difference between co-laboring and collaborating. Which one do you do? # Everyone’s shovel is in the ground!
  • If you’re listening…you’re not talking, solving, or rationalizing, you’re being present…be a listening leader!

He closed talking about something I struggled with this year. His slide was titled “When you’re Famous”…but it asked what evidence you have to show that your students, your teachers, your teams, and your school have accomplished.  

Being a leader isn’t all about you.

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If you’re the most successful, celebrated, and accomplished person on your campus, you’re doing it all wrong.  The awesome Matt Arend sent me a screen shot this week lauding someone who used to be against many of his initiatives but has, over time, become a huge supporter of the growth changes he’s brought forth. That is a successful leader. That is #realimpact.

“Indeed, there are virtually no documented instances of troubled schools being turned around without intervention by a powerful leader. Many other factors may contribute to such turn-arounds, but leadership is the catalyst.” (Leithwood, Seashore Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004)

 

leadership growN,

Amber

 

Thank a Teacher in Your Life #thefirstyear

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I had the opportunity to blog for ASCD this week on a topic that is near & dear to my heart…appreciating teachers. I hope to always retain my “teacher eyes” and now have the benefit of seeing an entire campus in action. They impress me each and every day.

As an educator, Teamann-Teacher-Appreciation-300x300I love that my professional life revolves around a school calendar, brand new school supplies each year, and the daily promise of children’s hugs. How very gratifying it is to know that what we do has the power to change a child’s trajectory in life! Teachers are in a unique position to accomplish what so few other occupations can: immortality. They live on forever in the stories shared between generations, the unforgettable memories, and the differences they made in their students’ lives.

As we celebrate teachers with intentionality this week, I hope administrators, parents, and community members are able to take a moment to reflect on what happens behind the scenes. From the early mornings to the late nights, a teacher’s work is never just a job. There are so many cliché jokes that can be made about working from 8:00 to 3:00 or having summers off, but I don’t know of many bankers, lawyers, or accountants who spend their own money on their professional supplies or fight passionately to the point of tears over their “clients” the way my teachers do. Teachers expend energy to the point of exhaustion but never fail to turn on their smiles each and every day . . . all for the students they will teach for a mere 187 days of their academic careers.

I see students walk into classrooms, broken and dejected. I watch them blossom under a teacher’s care and see their entire futures being rewritten. Do you think that sounds extreme? Visit a classroom and watch how, when given attention and support, even the students who struggle most will become engaged and grow as learners. My teen, in such a precarious stage in her life, has had the opportunity to be coached by someone who took the time to get to know and support her not only athletically but also personally. He has held her accountable for her playing on the court and her decisions off the court. I’ve watched him devote his time and stay 45 minutes after a game waiting on parents to pick up their daughters, despite having a family of his own at home. These are the adults with which we entrust our future. How very thankful for them we should be!

On my campus alone, I have teachers whose homes were destroyed this week in a hail storm. Their cars were totaled. Their roofs were destroyed. And you know what? They are here. They are here, they are smiling, and they are hugging on our students and listening to their storm adventures—all while their personal world is in ruins. Find me another profession where you see this level of daily commitment. There are dozens of examples of how far above and beyond a “contract” teachers will go. The 4th grade teacher who stays up until midnight, working on papers and trying to advance her education with an administration certificate while simultaneously teaching full time and raising two active kids. The 3rd grade teacher who makes it a point to write a letter of encouragement to a former student with testing anxiety—a student she had four years ago—before our state standardized tests. A teacher who has invited every one of her students to have lunch with her each day for the last month (or more) until STAAR to ensure that they all know they mean more to her than a test score. A nurse who visits a student who had to be hospitalized, just so he knew he was loved and missed. I could go on and on. And I am just referring to my one elementary campus. There are examples like this where ever you find teachers.

You never forget the teacher who made an impact on your life.

As we celebrate teachers across the nation, I hope that you take the opportunity to reach out and thank a teacher in your life. There are so many ways to show teachers or staff members that you appreciate their time and energy (thanks, Pinterest!), but even a simple thank you or a handwritten note can make an entire year’s worth of energy worth it. We are blessed to have those we call teachers . . . let’s make sure they know it!

Click here for some of ASCD’s most inspiring free resources for teachers.

 

How do you know if you’re doing a good job? #thefirstyear

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I’ve said before that there is no manual that comes with a leadership role. How very much easier it would be in life if every time you had a question or were presented with a situation, you could simply turn to the relevant page and see how it should be addressed. But we all know that is not true in life, and it’s definitely not true in leadership.

Recently I’ve found myself wondering how do I know if I am doing this whole principal thing right? What are the measurements in being “successful”?  Is it everyone being happy? Is it knowing all that there is to know? (gulp.) Is it happy kids? Is it happy teachers? HOW DO YOU KNOW?

The answer is…..

impossible to measure?

non-discernible?

based on assessments? (but which ones? State? Local? Common, formative? Rabbit trail, that one is…)

popularity?

definitely not easy.

In speaking to those infinitely more wise than me, I think that you just do the every best that you can and know that you are always growing.  Keep yourself surrounded by people that you can have heartfelt, genuine, reflective conversations with, on a regular basis. From your staff to your parents to district leadership…be open in discussing how they are feeling and how they feel the overarching principles that you want to lead by are being received.  Are you fair? Are you consistent? Are you doing things for the right reasons?  Have there been any misunderstandings? Is what you are saying what they are hearing? The answer to that may surprise you…but the only way to KNOW is to ASK. #lessonslearned

 

I’d be interested in hearing from you…what are the markers of you feeling as if you’ve done a good job? How do you know? This question has kept me awake at night lately, and would love to know what you think! And while you’re thinking about it, this post has now gotten THIS SONG stuck in my head. You’re welcome!

 

 

survey seeking,

Amber

Who doesn’t need additional support? #ASCD has you covered!

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Last week, ASCD launched a brand new product for teachers, ASCD myTeachSource. This is a digital subscription product where teachers can access tools and content they need on key topics, such as formative assessment and classroom management. It’s priced at just $29 per year and is designed completely with the needs of teachers in mind. (members ALREADY have access to it!)

Now, I am a self-admitted ASCD junkie, given the amount of their books/authors I depend on to meet my own professional development needs. But this? This is for my people!

My highlights:

  • Articles on a PLETHORA of topics. This week alone I could share 3 different articles on formative assessment. A very timely topic, this provided background, practicality, and easy applications for my teachers. From the articles section, you can also connect with videos, tools, and additional links on the topic!
  • Videos: What better catalyst to a PLC than a short video? The focused in on best practices, no fluff, so I could get right to the good stuff. (LOVED the one on “relationship building exercises”.
  •  Tools: As a principal, again, this are SO valuable for quick and easy support with my team! I can send these out for team leaders to lead a conversation on, or I can use them for coaching with those might need a lil’support. A time saver for me, but a HUGE resource for them!
  • Links: Now, you can google just about anything you want these days, but knowing that ASCD has cultivated these resources, that align with their “whole child” vision, & that have been vetted by their team, just makes me so much comfortable utilizing them!

ascd

 

Check it out!

 

All about that support,

Amber

Connected Educator Month, 2015 #CEM15

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Even though it looks different for each learner, being a connected educator simply means leveraging technology to expand one’s personal learning network. Doing so not only provides you with a network of like-minded people, but also inspires you to try new activities and strategies to create the most effective learning environment for your students.

No one has time to be alone on their educator island!

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Jump in this month and try something new!

There is a calendar through ASCD & the USDOE and  that gives a multitude of activities that you can partake in.  From tweeting to blogging to an online book club, there’s an activity for every type of learner. Defining what being what a connected educator looks like for you is step one!

I know right now, at this point in your year you’re thinking nuh uh, I can’t handle ANYTHING else. Trust me, we get that. These activities were intentionally easy,  applicable, and designed to help get you CONNECTED…which in turn should make your life easier.

Angela Watson, from The Cornerstone for Teachers, who is just a little slice of heaven, puts it like this “Has teaching gotten a little monotonous? Are your students driving you nuts? Are you bogged down by all the demands of teaching and losing sight of the big picture? Do you often dread or feel ambivalent about going to work each day? If the answer to any of those questions is YES, then becoming a connected educator is necessary.”

But wait, Amber, how does this all translate to helping students learn?

Educators are models of learning for kids.

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As educators’ learning shifts from the “sit and get” model to the collaboration model, that shift hopefully transfers to their teaching as well. If an educator controls his or her learning through self-direction, that learning becomes more meaningful. Authentic self-directed learning becomes self-motivating. That does more than translate to a better-educated educator — it also creates a teacher advocate for collaborative learning. AND that, quite simply, is where we are going! It’s easier  to differentiate, assess, and KNOW our students using this form of pedagogy, vs again, that traditional sit & get model. 3

We’re challenging our teachers to complete a “connected bingo” this month, knowing that if do  they’ll have changed the dynamics of their classroom, and the mindsets of their teaching!

Connectedly,

Amber