#thefirstyear — Page 3

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

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!

Take care of your new people! and a newbie freebie! #thefirstyear

October 9, 2015 by Amber 2 Comments

One of my most special groups of people are those who have begun this year’s journey with me. Staff members that I either hired or inherited as new that began the year as newbies will hold a special place in my heart because of their energy, their excitement and because they too get that glazed over look at times, ha!

This group needs to be nurtured as a whole within your campus, but also as separate newbies. They have no history with the campus. You are in fact, building their history as the year goes on. Take advantage of that and check in with them often.

Their loyalty to the campus begins with you…and you want that to be strong, and as aligned with your leading vision as possible.

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It is easy to get swayed if you do not have some core values locked in place, and your new people? You want them to have your core values in front of them throughout the year. Feeling like you fit in and are able to contribute is important…especially if you’ve hired the most awesome teachers/staff around! I am SO proud of how involved mine all already are, and that we are continuing to nurture their cohort relationship.

We met last week, just with my new staff, and had root beer floats, and I gave them this check in sheet to get back to me when they could. We talked generally about how their year was going, and what we had coming up to look forward too. It was reassuring to see that they too, were staying a’float!

Taking care of my team helps them take care of my Wolves!

Pack leadN,

Amber

Words have power #thefirstyear

October 5, 2015 by Amber Leave a Comment

As educators, I’d say that 90% of our job revolves around the words we say. We’re imparting education, examples, modeling what learning looks like. How effectively we are able to communicate, using our words for good, determines how well we do our job. Language—our words, tone of voice, and pacing— is one of the most powerful tools available to teachers. It permeates every aspect of our day. We cannot engage children in learning, welcome a student into the room, or handle a classroom conflict without using words.

From the good morning I say to as many students as I can, to the good jobs and high fives I give when walking around, to the conversations with teachers. I say a lot. A former coworker ran into a student in a park this week, and she asked her where she went to school…and she responded with mine. When asked who her principal, she was able to say me. She added that I was always happy. Two things there…she was able to name her elementary principal, who is new…and she said that I was always happy. I couldn’t have asked for a better description. To me that means that the words I share on morning announcements, or the hugs I give in the hallways are being communicated as I want them too. It was also a huge reminder that my words have power, power that always has eyes/ears on it. It’s moments like this that gives me pause. Words have power.

My 13-year-old was told, at some point, in her educational career, that “girls aren’t any good at math”. I am sure it was shared in a consolatory manner, as she actually has struggled in math. At least, I like to think that was why something so disastrous was shared. That was 5 years ago, and guess what? Every test she struggles on, every concept that we have to attend tutorials for, it inevitably resurfaces. “But mom, come on, you know girls aren’t good at math. Isn’t that obvious?” No matter how many time I tell her that it isn’t true…no matter how many additional levels of support I give, she has a fixed mindset in THAT area. I can’t undo it. Words have power.

Every day we have the opportunity to convey to our stakeholders valuable, important information. How are you using your power? Are you saying that students are behavior problems, or that you need help to meet that students needs? Are you sharing your academic expectations of far students can go in your class, or are you telling parents that their kid is doing fine? Are you providing resources that help students complete assignments or discover their passion? Our words have power.

If you tell someone something often enough, they’ll believe it. This is true for the negative…and also the positive.

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Tell your students they are smart. That they aren’t quitters. That they can conquer the world. Give them that opportunity. Let your power be used for good.

Uplifitingly,

Amber

Also, just for the record, a couple of besties and I made a facetious prayer at dinner before Garth Brooks a couple of weeks ago, that we could somehow get better seats.

Ya’ll. Words. have. power.

Leading by learning… #thefirstyear

September 23, 2015 by Amber 1 Comment

With any new position, job, or skill…there is a learning curve. These days I walk the tightrope of leading…and learning. I posted this quote at our PLC meeting today and thought it most apropos.

How do I ensure that I keep my team passionate and not just STRESSED? Right now I am doing it through conversations, chats, and insisting over and over that they talk to me. Tell me why you’re overwhelmed, what can we do to make it easier to handle? Where do you feel we can make a change? How does that change impact our non-negotiable, of student success? I heard from great teachers today what all was on their plate, and had to really remember that we are new to each other. They aren’t sure how blatantly honest they can be with me, and I don’t know how much support or how many reminders they need yet.

A compromise has to be reached through trust and LOTS of talking.

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While there are some things that I’ll fall on the sword for (student growth, student empowerment, teacher support) there’s a LOT that I’m willing to be flexible with. I’ve said it before but I know they need to hear it again and again…my superintendent even referenced it yesterday. Having leadership model that mode of leading I HOPE will be an example for how they interact with their students. It’s one I am learning from the very top.

Always remember what the MOST important thing is…and it’s not usually a hoop to jump through.

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I read George say over and over again that leaders aren’t leaders because they know everything, they are leaders because they have the ability to create MORE leaders. They lead with a vision, and communicate that vision. “When the leader has this belief and proves it through actions, it trickles down to students in the classroom.” I am not the principal because I have all the answers, but because I will do whatever it takes to help my staff and students be successful. I’m so proud of my teachers…they cram SO much in, the very least I can do is listen and try to removes obstacles.

As an AP I remember thinking I always had to give an answer, to prove myself, at the detriment of having at times, to come back and admit I was wrong. I think it’s a sign of growth now that I can say, “lets talk through this” or “what are you thoughts?”, rather than give an edict.

Each and every day I learn something that I hope makes me better…and that’s something I hope my staff sees, and can appreciate. #thefirstyear #wearewhitt

passionately,

Amber