The many voices in my head......

"The many voices in my head...." was not just my attempt at a catchy title. I am referring to the many messages/concerns/issues I hear from co-workers, students, family, media, and mostly..... my own self.  Some of the messages are competing and it is hard at times to drown out the "noise."  At times it can seem daunting. I truly want to make things right, help those that need it, fix those things that are broken, and make every day better for our students.  My attempts do not always succeed. But, my hope is that those that are on this journey with me, are able to recognize that my intentions are always good and that my ultimate goal is help our "team" unite and become even stronger than we are right now. I believe that with that strength and trust in one another we can chip away at the resistance that some may be putting up that is getting in the way of change. Not change for the sake of it, but change that makes things better for everyone involved. Change that can be seen and felt. Change that is real and empowers both students and staff so that they leave at the end of the day filled with knowledge and joy knowing that things were accomplished, problems were solved, questions were asked, and yes struggles were had.

The reality?? We are all human. We are all trying to do our best. We have many competing interests tugging at us. Therefore, we must support one another. Tonight, a colleague shared with me something that someone had said about me that at first I thought was unfortunate and I didn't think it bothered me. But, as the night went on, I realized that it really did hurt. It wasn't the words that hurt. It was the idea that someone did not see the "true purpose" behind why I do what I do. It hurt because I want nothing more than everyone to be successful. I do ask people to take risks and try new things and I do push them out of  their comfort zone. But, I do this not out of control, but because I want to empower each and every one of them. That one negative voice took over for awhile tonight....However, I now see it as a challenge!! A challenge that I must work harder to show through my actions and words that I am all about positive improvement and a team working together to be champions.

"The quality of every human activity ultimately depends on our motivation." --Dalai Lama

Listen...Learn...Lead

Listening to our students, staff, and even ourselves is such an important part of what we must constantly do. We cannot make assumptions or base our decisions on a single viewpoint.  We must reflect, adapt, and learn what is necessary. It can be discouraging at times, seeming as though others around you are "just getting it" while you are stuck and wondering what is going wrong. We are all faced with those days when it feels like nothing can go right. It is what we do with that moment that is key. That is where true leadership comes out.  I was super impressed with a tweet shared by Social Science teacher, Shari Patterson today. She recognized the lesson didn't go well and instead of making excuses she is brainstorming how to make it better. Sharing this publicly took a lot of strength and trust with her own PLN. This is exactly how we can continue to support each other through the #observeme movement. Other teachers can now share ideas that may spark an even better lesson for Shari in her classroom. I can guarantee you that Shari is working right now to design a lesson that will top what she planned today and that will be shared via her tweets tomorrow. #growth #reflection

I am constantly learning each and every day from those that are part of my Professional Learning Network (PLN). I am inspired and motivated to try new things and encourage other educators to do the same. I find a sense of euphoria while on Twitter. I was trying to figure out why I am always so happy while reading and posting on Twitter. I think it is because while on Twitter I am surrounded by people that are encouraging one another, facing and conquering challenges, and continuing to improve their practices and do what is best for kids.  My challenge to myself is to take that same intense joy and energy that is felt while on Twitter and infuse it into the regular day.

If you haven't heard/seen/read there are some new bloggers in FSUSD!! Take some time to read the blog, "FSUSD Innovates" co-authored by Steve Trotter, Colleen Hutchinson, and Allison Klein. I have a feeling that a few more authors will join this amazing group of innovative educators very soon. http://baconplate.blogspot.com/

One of our very own Ed Tech's Andy Meyers has an amazing blog, "Embracing the Whole." He is part of the #IMOOC with George Couros, and Andy is taking on the #IMOOC with a gusto: https://edutechandy.wordpress.com/


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

Teachers Building Up Other Teachers

We are just a few days into a new Twitter Challenge, teachers posting daily using a school hashtag and taking time to read each others' tweets. We began on Friday and we already have momentum!!

I am very excited about what is happening. Teachers are posting what their students are doing in class AND they encouraging other teachers to join in and get on Twitter and share their class successes as well. Real movement and change occurs when people see the relevance, meaning, and purpose to their work. When teachers feel the need to get others on board, we are in a GOOD place! The beauty of this sharing is that it is breaking down the walls between our classrooms and opening up the possibilities for teachers to try new and innovative approaches. It is safe to try and "fail forward."

The reality is that not everyone is on Twitter and therefore teachers are reaching out and sharing other ways to collaborate on ideas, share practices, and encourage each other. One way is the the #observeme movement that has been and continues to take place in our district and across the nation. Teachers inviting other teachers into their room with the #observeme sign to observe and provide them with feedback. Yes, they want feedback so that they can improve on their lesson delivery.

A teacher reached out to me this evening to help share another great resource called Flipgrid. This is an amazing way to capture student voices through video responses. I love how he referred to the tool as a "force multiplier." A way for teachers to capture and share what is happening in their classrooms without even leaving their campus. If we "multiply"our impact the potential is limitless!! Check out a recent Flipgrid from Colonel Avery's classroom: https://flipgrid.com/x9h3gua

Publicize this link, share with your staff! Let's create a "force multiplier" https://flipgrid.com/observeme 

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

HOPE and Revolutionary Love.......

I cannot take credit for this week's post title. I must give credit to Alisal Union School District in Salinas, CA. I continue to follow Josh Harris on Twitter, our previous amazing Ed Tech, who is now the Director of Technology in AUSD. Today #AlisalStrong was in force on Twitter. Their district was engaged in a district wide Good Teaching Conference. Among the many sessions they were offering they, just as we do in #FSUSD, see the need to help develop the whole child. I was struck by one of the presenter's slides titled, "What is Revolutionary Love?" The presenter listed seven bullet points:

• Defined by inputs rather than outcomes
• Unyielding BELIEF in EVERY child
• Demands energy and passion aka Never Giving Up...
• Continual search to be better
• Taking responsibility
• Being courageous
• It hurts...

“When students feel a sense of self-worth, they’re five times more likely to be academically motivated.” --Professor Russell Quaglia

Click Here to read the Mind/Shift Article, "How Can Students Have More Say in School Decisions?"

My daughter brought this Ellen video to my attention this weekend. She said to me, "Mom you will like to see this." She was right!!! 

As we head back to work this week on Valentine's Day, take some extra time to reach out and show that you value EVERY student in your classroom and on your campus. Be that one caring adult every child needs! Provide your students HOPE that they CAN and WILL be successful. It is up to us to provide that HOPE and Revolutionary Love!! 

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

Every Child Deserves the BEST!!!

At the start of the school year, each member of the Ed Services Team reflected on his/her WHY? We then shared our WHY with all of the site administrators. Many of you then took that activity and shared it with your teachers who also reflected on their WHY. I think it is a pivotal time in the school year for each and everyone one of us to PAUSE and reflect back on our WHY. Why do you do what you do? Why are you in education? Why do you teach? Why do you lead?

Our students need us to be present in the moment, to appreciate them, and to make every effort to improve their overall experience in our schools. We can't connect if we are sitting in an office. We can't appreciate them if we aren't part of their experiences. And, we definitely can't improve their overall experience in our schools if we are only interacting and listening to the adults. I challenge each and every one of you reading this to go out and #ShadowAStudent. Walk the hallways, engage in discussions, be part of the classrooms and view our schools from the perspective of a student. You can learn a lot from walking in the shoes of a student for just a few hours.

GlennRobbins, @Glennr1809, a Superintendent in New Jersey, took on the #ShadowAStudent challenge. Here you see him with his backpack on enjoying one of his middle schools.

James Lane, @DrJamesLane, Superintendent in Virginia is seen here taking #ShadowAStudent to one of his local high schools. 

"Every Child Deserves Someone to be Crazy About Them" 

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

Let's... #RethinkSchool.....

I am a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. People and experiences come into our lives and either leave a strong impression or spur a thought, action, or emotion. Think of it this way, everything is connected; there is an action and a reaction, a force and a motion. I was kindly reminded this evening by a well respected colleague of mine, Lt. Colonel Avery, that we started a movement last year to #RethinkHighSchool. A movement that HAS the potential to impact thousands of lives. I do believe that reminder was just what I needed to write tonight's blog. I don't want to just rethink high school, I want us to #RethinkSchool!! Please watch this video: Designing a Super School

We see the messages all over Twitter and in Educational publications. We need to #rethink our approaches because #KidsDeserveit!!! There are teachers in #FSUSD that are breaking out of the box and creating classroom environments that are not just safe and welcoming, but that are challenging their students to problem solve, critically think,  and take on projects that give back to the community! I  want to hear and share your stories. It takes spreading the message to create a chain reaction. There are some educators poised and ready but are unsure of how to take the first step to #rethink school. I need your help to share what you have done and what you continue to do that is providing an engaging, relevant, and meaningful experience for your students. I encourage you to comment on this blog and share with others to do the same. I know that I can count on Colonel Avery to get his AFJROTC cadets to comment on this blog. We CAN and NEED to do this #FSUSD.

Join me and the other educators that are committed to #RethinkingSchool 

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

Pay It Forward.....Kindness

A smile, a kind word, a helping hand; all acts of kindness. How impactful can one positive act be? You may or may not be surprised to find out that kindness can be LIFE CHANGING!  A happiness researcher, Sean Anchor, found that if you perform random acts of kindness for two minutes a day for twenty-one days, you can actually retrain your brain to be more positive. The Power of Kindness Article

Sean Anchor also argues that happiness inspires us to be more productive.  The more kindness you sow, your mindset will shift to live and lead a happier life. See his Ted Talk here:

Jamil Zaki, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stanford writes about the Kindness Contagion.  He explains that when someone carries out a single act of kindness, three people benefit.  The person doing the act, the person receiving and anyone who witnesses the act.  He goes on to state that a single act of kindness can spread faster than a virus.  Kindness Contagion Article

Here are a few inspirational videos to help spread the message of Paying it Forward!!

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