The evolution of this blog has come a long way. It began as a tool I used in my fourth grade classroom. It then became a place I could share all of the great things I was seeing in classrooms and share techie resources as a technology facilitator. It then became a place to share weekly happenings as an administrator. It became less and less about “technology” and more and more about leadership…about quality instruction…about all the things I am passionate about.
Did you know that there are Texas standards for principal efficacy? There are!
- The leader is responsible for ensuring every student receives high-quality instruction.
- The leader is responsible for ensuring there are high-quality teachers and staff in every classroom and throughout the school.
- The leader is responsible for modeling a consistent focus and personal responsibility for improving student outcomes.
- The leader is responsible for establishing and implementing a shared vision and culture of high expectations for all students.
- The leader is responsible for implementing systems that align with the school’s vision and improve the quality of instruction.
Do you notice what is missing from those standards?
- The leader who tweets and blogs.
There is much, much more to being an administrator, and much, much more than that to me.
The leader who tweets and blogs is simply using a tweet and blog vehicle for helping accomplish the goals of the principal. It’s not bad. It’s a choice. The standards are standards. They don’t define the tools used to address the standards.
I’m choosing to rename this blog, and the domain (henceforth to be www.amberteamann.com) to ensure the clarity of not being a technology driven administrator, but instead as an administrator who sees the importance of technology to help accomplish my goals as a leader. Just like I see an importance in having a strong system to work in, a focus on relationships, and a level of accountability for high academic expectations…it all meshes and melds together into a modern, effective, collaborative leader.
I am thankful for leaders like George Couros, who model so well what I hope to emulate for my staff, my district, and the PLN that has grown right along side me. As a leader, it is not just teaching “stuff”, but it is helping people to see why it is so importance to embrace the change needed in schools today. Whether that be through the Fundamental 5, instructional rounds, or literacy circles, this is a space where I share what I’m doing, what I’m thinking, and how that relates to education.
This blog is an investment into the kind of leadership that will allows teachers to be the very best that they can be, ensuring each student gets the education that they deserve. Pre-social media (pick your noun- Twitter, Google +, Blogger, Tumblr), many administrators were actively learning and enhancing their craft, but it was hard to really show that one was a “lifelong learner” that we promote so actively to our staff & students. We now have a variety of tools at our disposal. We can not only share our expertise, we can share it in a much more open example of transparent leadership.
This is a space of collaborating, of communicating, of creation. It also happens to be a blog.
Focus on the verbs, not the nouns.
Verb-ish,
Amber
For new teachers to our campus, there was a special breakfast. They were given a goodie bag, a campus tee-shirt & magnet, and an opportunity to meet with key members of our staff. Two of our veteran team members were there to talk them through what it means to be to a Watkins Wrangler. They shared the campus vision and the mission, as well as a glimpse into what it means to work here. One of our teacher leaders who opened the campus shared that before carpet was laid on the floor, the teachers were encouraged to come in and write what they wanted to see achieved on their cement classroom floor, or a scripture. Each room has a message written on the floor. Knowing that every room was so intentional in their student focus just warms my heart! 
Finally, the first day of our teacher in service, each teacher was given a tee shirt, a welcome note, and a cookie for each of their students. Our teachers then used 
decisions, are like sheets of paper, dropped against that egg. They aren’t deal breakers, they aren’t enough to harm you. But big decisions? Boulder tough decisions? You need a SYSTEM to keep you safe. She brought out the most simple of illustrations, a green tool box, and inside, placed the egg. No matter what fell against that box, the egg was safe. 
One of the hardest things about doing any presentation for me is choosing how I will deliver the message to the audience. I typically present on content that supports what I believe and have been doing, so it is easy to “say”. What isn’t easy is choosing the accompanying visuals. I spend a ridiculous amount of time choosing just the right pictures, layout, and yes, font. Why? Details matter.