The Director's Cut: 2015

Monday, December 7, 2015

Preparing our Students for Their Future

Over the past few months there has definitely been a theme at the conferences I've attended and in the reading I have done. Many educators are continuing to encourage others to rethink what school looks like. I feel that we are joining that conversation and beginning to rethink our own approaches. We have embarked on the XQ Super School redesign project at FHS, the district is working on its Facilities Master Plan Project, and students are asking, "What if...."

We all know that we can't predict what the jobs of 2030 will look like, but we do know that we are preparing our students today for those jobs of tomorrow. With quite a bit of certainty we can say that there will be many jobs that require computer skills. We know that jobs will require collaboration and team work. Many jobs will require individuals to problem solve and work with others from across the world, no longer just on the other side of the cubicle. Employers will be looking for individuals that are dependable, positive, prepared, unique, and able to network.

Ask yourself this one question, Is your classroom environment preparing students to be successful for their future career? If the answer is yes, great job keep it going. If the answer is no, take some time to rethink how you could approach things differently. What opportunities could you design for collaborative team work? What opportunities could you design for public speaking? What opportunities could you design to network with other classes, members of industry, or someone in another country?

Here is one way to make an immediate impact on your classroom. We all know that this week is Computer Science Education Week and there is a great opportunity to incorporate computer science into your classroom. I will make the pitch one more time for EVERYONE to participate in The Hour of Code!!! Find at least one hour this week for you and your students to complete a tutorial. Certificates of completion and stickers are already in your boxes. Log into the tutorial page at: https://code.org/learn. Here is a link to a video that shows what students and staff did last year for the Hour of Code: https://youtu.be/773-gSLEcw8 Tweet using hashtags #codeFSUSD and #HourofCode

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Monday, November 30, 2015

A Moment I Will Never Forget

The week before Thanksgiving break, I had an unbelievable experience. I was coming back to my office from a meeting off site and there was a young lady in her twenties in the waiting area. As I approached my door she said, "Mrs. Witt do you have a few minutes to talk?" I looked at her and recognized her face but was not sure of her name or how I knew her. I told her, "Absolutely, come on in."

As soon as we walked into my office she said to me, "Do you remember me?" I told her that I remembered her face, but that I couldn't remember her name. She reminded me she was Antoinette and had been a student in my sixth grade class twelve years ago. I instantly remembered who she was. I told her it was so great she was here and asked her how she was doing.

Antoinette proceeded to tell me that she had been living in Louisiana for the last seven years and just recently returned to California. She said she had a purpose for the visit, she had to tell me something. She went on to explain that she had majored in Political Science in college and that she had to write a paper recently explaining why she chose the path in college that she did. She said that as she was writing her paper she connected her decision all the way back to sixth grade. She actually said to me, "Mrs. Witt it is because of you and the debates you had us do in class that I knew I wanted to be an attorney. I wanted you to know that it is because of you." She even remembered the topic of the debate we had in class. I can't even begin to explain the emotions I was feeling at that time. Goose bumps ran up and down my arms. It was such a great feeling to have her come back after all these years to reconnect and to let me know that her decision to follow a career path had to do with something we had done in class.

If she had never come and shared her story I would have never known what impact our sixth grade class had on her. She was a great way to end the week and go into the Thanksgiving break.

I am thankful for so many different things in my life right now. I am thankful for all the students that I have been able to teach. I am thankful for all the teachers and staff members that I have been able to work with over the last eighteen years. I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to work in education and help students every day. I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful to be here today taking one more step towards being the change I want to see in the world.

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Monday, November 16, 2015

Being the Change We Want to See in the World

Our staff and students are Being the Change They Want to See in the World!! Thursday was a highlight of the year when we hosted the First Annual Special Olympics Soccer Event!! There were over 500 students participating, staff from across the District, volunteers from ASB, AFJROTC, and donations by FHS staff and community members. The event was in partnership with Special Olympics and Unified Sports. It was such an amazing day that FHS has committed to hosting this on a yearly basis and expanding to more people. The event would not have been possible without adaptive PE teachers Matt Miller and Alex Aragon!!! Below is a video compilation of the event.

Our Super School Design Team met again on Wednesday and the meeting was AMAZING!! We had more students join us for the conversation. It was so encouraging to see our students taking an active role in FHS and sharing their ideas to make it even better for the years to come. We have submitted our preliminary proposal to the XQ group. Several students at the meeting kept emphasizing the importance for students to give back and do more in the community.

Friday afternoon we saw another 1st for FHS and surrounding schools. Our Key Club under the leadership of Peter Gelpke organized a dodge ball tournament. We had several student teams from FHS, a staff team from FHS, AND.... student teams from Vanden, Armijo, Rodrgiguez, and American Canyon participating. This event had a similar feel to our AAG competitions. It brought people together for light competition all in the name of a good cause, raising money for Pediatric Trauma. Here is a short video of the tournament.

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Working on Designing a Super School

A little over a week ago I sent out an email to staff and students informing everyone about a Redesigning High School Challenge. I was looking for people interested in joining the effort. I was beyond ecstatic to see how many staff and students were interested in taking on the challenge. We now have a team composed of 21 people and 8 of those are students.

We held our first meeting on Wednesday to talk about the positives and negatives of Fairfield High as it is, and what our school could potentially look like if we redesigned it. The central theme that came up from both staff and students alike was that the school needs to be designed around student interests. Listening to the students explain what they want to get out of their high school education was enlightening. The students want relevance, they want purpose, and they want skills that will help them be successful after high school in the paths they choose to take. The students also shared that part of the success of Band and ROTC are that they are composed of like minded individuals all working together towards a common goal.

The team has drafted a concept name for our redesign, "Fairfield High School Discovery Academy," and an idea that will be at the center of this proposed redesign: "A school designed around vibrant participation in a student interest themed environment. We will empower our students to access pathways through exploration of different fields. This access and exploration will allow our students to engage in learning that will prepare them for a life of learning and career opportunities."

We have the opportunity to win $10 million to make this proposed plan a reality. Want to share ideas or join the team? Our next meeting is this Tuesday at lunch! Please let me know if you want to join or share your ideas!

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Super Heroes Among Us....

What is a Super Hero? According to Wikipedia, a Super Hero is "A heroic character possessing extraordinary talents, supernatural phenomena, or superhuman powers and is dedicated to a moral goal or protecting the public."

We are very fortunate to have many Super Heroes among us at Fairfield High!! These are individuals that do everything in their power to make sure students are safe, happy, and successful. They don't let anyone or anything get in their way and are able to overcome many obstacles to ensure a student is taken care of!! These are true Super Heroes and individuals that need to be publicly recognized! Here are just a few of our FHS Super Heroes.

Dale Horton:
Dale lent his car and his time to the FSUSD Trunk or Treat event on Thursday night. Then, as if Dale hadn't done enough. He went above and beyond his call of duty when he met with Liz Teresi at the home of one of his students.

The visit extended past Dale's contracted work day and without hesitation he continued to review the student's IEP in an extremely patient and parent friendly manner. The student's father and step-mother appeared extremely appreciative and excited about the goals and resources explained during the meeting.

Dale's service to our families is an excellent example of Gold Standard Customer Service and exhibits the qualities of a true Super Hero!

Elizabeth "Ellie" Velazquez:
Ellie was called into my office on Friday to help translate. The topic that Ellie had to translate was for a very emotionally charged situation. Ellie maintained complete and total composure and professionalism throughout. Later in the day, after her work hours, Ellie once again was found translating for a parent that was going through a very difficult emotional situation. Ellie not only translated for the mom but afterwards sat one on one with her ensuring that she was okay. Ellie was a true hero on Friday in both situations. It was because of her that both parents were able to understand and deal with a difficult situation, and leave knowing they were heard and understood, because of her language skills and her human compassion. Ellie is a Super Hero!

Val Quijas:
In the words of James Macariola, "Val, you are the bomb! You had a long day already with leadership at 7:00 AM, teaching all day and dressed like a zombie, blood drive, sports rush at lunch, flash mob, and still found time to decorate for FHS at the mall? Someone get her some oxygen and a pay raise." This is NORMAL for Val Quijas! Val is a Super Hero to everyone at FHS!

Kelly Briggs: A one woman machine that managed to transform FHS into a Zombie Apocalypse on Friday!! Kelly started the movement and succeeded in getting a majority of staff members to come to school dressed as zombies and participate in a Flashmob at lunch! Kelly isn't afraid to take risks and have fun all in the spirit of THE STUDENTS COME FIRST!!! Kelly is a Super Hero!

CHECK OUT THE FLASH MOB!!

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Be BOLD.....

Be BOLD!! That was the theme of this year's NEU National Convention in Dallas, Texas. I was privileged to have spent the last four days with educators from across the United States. We are all part of a "fraternity" as founder Damen Lopez refers to the No Excuses University network of schools. We are like-minded individuals connected through the NEU Network. What makes the network special or unique? The fact that we are all committed to doing whatever it takes to make EVERY one of our students successful in school AND in life. It isn't just about academics. It is about the whole child and there was no better keynote speaker to hit that home than Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade.

Our day two keynote speaker is one that I heard a year ago while attending a conference in Monterey. He has now brought me to tears twice. Dr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade from Oakland, CA spoke to us Friday morning. His presentation was nothing less than "REAL." The research is clear, and the single biggest protective factor against the toxic cycle many students experience is a caring adult. A few quotes from his keynote: "The master gardener never blames the seed for not growing. We need to change the conditions so our students can grow!" "You have to win the heart to win the head. Keep pouring love." "We might not change the world...but we can spark the mind that does." "The point of education is not to escape poverty, but to end it."

Dr. Andrade spoke about an encounter that Tupac Shakur had with Maya Angelou. An encounter that Tupac's mother states, "Changed his life." Ms. Angelou didn't even know who Tupac was at the time of the interaction. She responded to him as a young man that she considered just as valuable and important as if he was a son of her own. As educators we MUST be aware of where our students are coming from and what they are experiencing in their lives. We MUST each commit to being a caring adult in their lives. If you can commit to understanding, learning, adjusting, and being that caring adult, then you are exactly what we need at Fairfield High.

Here is a similar keynote of Dr. Andrade's from a TedTalk in 2011. You have to watch this to appreciate the message!!

Each year the NEU Network of schools has a Charity of the Year. This year's charity is Together We Rise. A non profit helping change the way thousands of kids experience foster care in the US. All NEU Network schools are going to join together to raise as much we can to support this great cause!!

https://www.togetherwerise.org/

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Shared Leadership Continues

Back in September I blogged about the importance of Shared Leadership on our campus. I want to continue to talk about how leadership that is shared is what will make the biggest positive impact on our campus.

Last year Safe School Ambassadors began at FHS with around forty students trained and eight advisors trained to lead the Family Groups. We are now in year two and have been able to bring back ambassadors from last year and train another forty students this year. The process has been nothing short of remarkable.

Several students from SSA helped to put together a video that encapsulated what SSA means to them. Additionally, four student ambassadors came to our staff meeting last month and not only spoke to the staff but ran an activity that we all participated in. The message from the students was powerful and one that we cannot ignore. The voice of the student is paramount when we are designing lessons and instruction. Why? Because we need to know where are students are coming from, what their needs are, what their dislikes and interests are so that the delivery of the lesson is relevant.

The eighty Safe School Ambassadors are pivotal leaders on our campus. With the momentum they have after the two day training this past week we are sure to see a "pay it forward" effect on our campus. We must continue to entrust our youth with the strategies they can use to become empowered and ultimately be the change they want to see in the world.

Safe School Ambassadors and Advisors 2015-2016

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Monday, October 12, 2015

The way I see my role as a leader....

As leaders we should not be looking to direct people's actions or to have others do it our way. We, like coaches, are given a unique responsibility to help bring out the talents of those that we lead. Very similar to a coach on the sidelines, we must be constantly assessing and reassessing for the next best move.

As leaders in education we need to see staff members' strengths and point those out and help to refine and polish those strengths. We need to identify the weaknesses, not to dwell on them, but to find ways to improve on those weaknesses; to compensate, to balance, to build capacity. We need to reinforce expectations that we see will get the team to a winning season.

What does a winning season look like? A winning season is an academic year where students are enlightened, find their way in the world, develop their own core strengths to move on from high school to the next chapter of their lives.

I will continue to encourage staff to take risks and to push the boundaries of what they thought was even possible. In turn they will feel empowered to do the same with their students. A cycle of mastery will ensue. The shared leadership we have on our staff is building the network of connectedness and trust that we need to solidify systems and processes that will survive beyond any one of us. Both staff and students need Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose to find the DRIVE or motivation needed to be successful. See Daniel Pink in his TED Talk from 2009.

I am looking forward to our November staff meeting where we will have our Tech Jam 2015. All staff will be able to see and experience first hand the many facets of GAFE, Google Apps for Education. Mini demos will take place led by your colleagues that are using GAFE and from our Ed Techs in FSUSD. Just one more way we are building capacity from within.

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!!

Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Beginnings of a #TechRevolution

There are many things said about what it means to deliver "21st Century Learning," or to create a school that is "Future Ready." However, we all know that talking about what is good for kids doesn't get us that far in making an impact. What does go far are our ACTIONS.

We started on a tech journey together last year at our very first staff meeting. Each staff member was presented with an iPad. The iPad was much more than just a device. It was a symbol to everyone of the commitment we were making to a #techrevolution at FHS. Since that day back in August 2014 the momentum in our #techrevolution has not slowed. We were assigned an Ed Tech specialist last year and his one on ones with teachers have increased and the support/guidance is ongoing throughout the year. Ten teachers attended the GAFE Summit in November 2014 at Rodriguez. Those teachers then shared at our Tech Slam and mini Edcamp later in the year. Over the summer 18 more teachers attend a GAFE Summit in July. We are preparing for the deployment of Chromebooks to every single 9th grader in just a few months. The admin team attended the CUE Rockstar Admin camp a week ago. And... we will be sending another cohort of teachers to the GAFE Summit coming up in November.

We are continuing to share ideas and encourage one another to try new things. Last week we started the #FHSTwitterChallenge. The thought process behind the challenge was to increase the number of staff members on Twitter, increase the activity of those already on Twitter, and ultimately show everyone why and how Twitter can be such a powerful tool in education.

For those of you that have not been in participating in our #FHSTwitterChallenge it is not too late to begin. Here is a snapshot of what has transpired in the first FOUR days of the SEVEN day challenge.