Showing posts with label growth mindset. Show all posts
Showing posts with label growth mindset. Show all posts

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Staying Vulnerable & "Rising Strong" - Follow-up Post

Update for May 23-27


A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about being inspired by Brene' Brown's book Rising Strong to stay vulnerable in order to grow as a leader.

 I set up times for my staff members to provide me with face-to-face feedback on these questions:
  • What should I start doing?
  • What should I stop doing?
  • What should I continue doing?
  • Is my vision for learning evident?
  • Are my expectations clear and realistic?
  • Do I provide good feedback and positive reinforcement?
  • Can I be trusted?
  • How could I help you more?

While not everyone took me up on the opportunity to provide me with feedback, those who did helped me in a very meaningful way.

"Start doing"? Those answered ranged from "Watch how you react to situations; you seem to wear your heart on your sleeve" to "I can't figure you out - You always seem to be wearing a poker face in situations".

That was all good feedback, but I had to laugh at that!

"Stop doing" responses included "You don't need to do a blog post every week", "You sometimes are sending too many emails" and "I want to know what is going on, so "stop" not including us in some of the details."

Another opportunity to chuckle.

 There were slices of moments when the implicit message from staff members affirms things I am doing well and causes me to pause and reflect on the things I am not.

I have realized from this opportunity that I have to provide a range of leadership that attempts to meet the needs of my staff and parents.  

 I need to differentiate my leadership - Be explicit with feedback and be more telling with some while planting seeds and leading from behind with others. The former pushes me to try and get better -- It puts me outside of my comfort zone which means I will probably fail or fall short of expectations during this journey.

 But I'm ready for that.

 As Dr. Brown states in Rising Strong,


"I believe that vulnerability -- the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome -- is the only path to more love, belonging, and joy."

I am committed to staying vulnerable and I challenge each of my staff to do the same.  

I challenge you to create a time when you can offer your students the chance to provide you with feedback on the experience you provided them with this year.  It will be affirming, uncomfortable, challenge and probably one of the best professional learning opportunities you will have this year.

 I would love to know if you take this opportunity to get better and how it turned out!

 In the meantime, have a GREAT week!

 -Herb

 Tweets Worth Checking Out --











Upcoming Dates -- 

 May 23-Jun 3 -- No PD dates (includes Assessment Days)
May 26 — Last Grow Together Thursday
May 30 -- Holiday, NO SCHOOL
May 31 -- ADE PTO Family Luau, 6-8PM -- It's a great time to relax and have fun with families! I ended up in a conga line last year and that's saying something!


Jun 3 -- Last Day of School (Students)
Jun 10 -- Secretaries' last day to report
Jun 24 -- Herb's last day to report

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Sunday, May 8, 2016

Staying Vulnerable In Order to Grow

Update for May 9-13


Last week, we focused on "Building Skill" - Intentional, focused repetitions on a skill we know we need to improve to move from Good to Exceptional.

 We talked again about how talent alone doesn't get the job done.  I mentioned this ad from Nike that I think underscores this point:
We also discussed the need to not only share your goal for improvement with others, but also ask them to hold you accountable.  Jim Rohn wrote, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."

 Surrounding ourselves with others we trust, whose approaches to life and work we wish to emulate, can help us build the skill we need to move from good to elite.

 However, this comes at a price to our ego.  In order to build skill, we need to stay vulnerable.

 I am constantly working to improve as a leader.  The topic and concept of leadership is a passion of mine so I find myself reading, thinking, reflecting, and sharing anything on leadership.  It truly fascinates me.

 And because leadership is a skill I am constantly building, I need to continue to make myself vulnerable in order to grow.

 I have done two "feedback" surveys with the staff and it has helped, to a point.  Anonymous surveys are a mixed bag.  Most people use the anonymity to be honest in answering the questions I asked on the survey.  

One or two folks used anonymity as an opportunity to be less-than-professional with their feedback.  The truth is, it's feedback I can't really use -- It just puts a giant pit in my stomach and keeps me from sleeping (Maybe that was what they really wanted to happen).  If you want to give someone feedback that will help them improve, you need to be specific.

In order to stay vulnerable and in order to get more out of your feedback, I hope that each of you will take me up on the offer to provide me with face-to-face feedback.  I was inspired by Thomas Hoerr's article in this month's Educational Leadership that discussed this type of feedback format.

 I am ready to have some of my assumptions about the ways things are going affirmed from our conversation.  I am also ready to face the music when the feedback hurts -- That's the feedback I need to listen to in order to get better.

 Here are some questions I am considering (Again, inspired by Thomas Hoerr):
  • What should I start doing?
  • What should I stop doing?
  • What should I continue doing?
  • Is my vision for learning evident?
  • Are my expectations clear and realistic?
  • Do I provide good feedback and positive reinforcement?
  • Can I be trusted?
  • How could I help you more?
I hope you will take 10 minutes out of your schedule to chat with me and help me grow!  A link to a sign-up will be coming soon.

 Have a GREAT week!

 -Herb

 Tweets Worth Checking Out --


Upcoming Dates -- 

May 10 -- Team Connection Time; let me know if you want to touch base.
May 11 — Spec Ed Team meeting, 12PM; RTI Team Meeting, 3:30PM
May 14 -- AD/DC Warrior Dash, 6PM
May 17 -- K/1 Data Team Half-Day Meeting
May 18 -- 2/3 Data Team Half-Day Meeting
May 19 -- 5/4 Data Team Half-Day Meeting 
May 18 — ADDC Staff Meeting, ADE Media Center, 3:45
May 19 — Herb Mtg AM
May 26 — Last Grow Together Thursday
May 30 -- Holiday, NO SCHOOL
May 31 -- ADE PTO Family Luau

Jun 3 -- Last Day of School (Students)


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Sunday, April 17, 2016

Roll With It!

Update for April 18-22

http://ih0.redbubble.net/image.30576296.4998/flat,800x800,070,f.u6.jpg


The first beautiful Spring weekend led me and many others to hours of yard work.

 Once upon a time, I used to look forward to getting outside and scaping the land with shovels, rakes, and garden sherers.

 Today, I still enjoy being outside; it's the yard work that I have come to dread.  Mowing, edging, and pouring chemicals on my yard all take hours of time to do.  Time seems more precious these days and I'm to the point when I'm ready to just buy a goat.

However, today while I was getting sunburned and overusing muscles I don't normally use, I came to the conclusion that my outlook on yard work is my problem and I needed to own it.

 I needed to remind myself that this happens ever year.

 It's all about my mindset and how I framed the work ahead.  

 I got to be outside on a beautiful sunny day.  I got to work at something that I would be able to appreciate for months to come. I got to get exercise.  I found myself slowing down and taking my time to notice what's around me.  I even started getting creative and imagining how I was going to redo some of the landscaping.  

 I share this because if we've been teaching for more than a year, we all know what happens in May -- discipline increases, we (kids and us) are starting to focus on summer, things get busier as we try to wind down.

 This happens every year.  It probably always will.

 Anticipate it.  Adapt to it.  Adjust to it.

 Change your mindset -- We get this opportunity to use the excitement of the school year ending. 

We get to give kids the chance to put all of the skills they have learned from us this year to do something truly amazing.

 Roll with the energy and excitement!

 Have a GREAT week!

 --Herb

Articles Worth Reading -- 
Upcoming Dates -- 

Apr 4-May 27 -- Spring Literacy Assessment window (Grades K to 5)

***State Testing Dates ***
Apr 19 -- Grades 3, 4, 5 Math State Assessment
Apr 26 -- Grade 4 Social Studies State Assessment
Apr 26 -- Grade 5 Science State Assessment

Apr 19 — ADDC Staff Meeting, 3:40 ADE Media Center
Apr 21 — Herb Meeting AM
Apr 21 — ART SHOW!
Apr 18-22 — Book Fair
Apr 21 -- New Kindergarten Parent Night, 6:30-7:30pm
Apr 22 -- K-5 Interim Reports
Apr 27 -- ADE Walk-a-thon
Apr 28 — Herb mtg AM
Apr 28 — Grow Together Thursday

May 2 -- ADE PTO Meeting, 7pm
May 3 — BIT Meeting
May 4 — ADE Staff Meeting, 8am
May 5 — Flower Sale Pick-Up
May 6 — BAC Meeting
May 2-6 -- Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5 -- Spring Flower Sale Pick-Up (This date may change.)
May 11 — Spec Ed Team meeting
May 14 -- AD/DC Warrior Dash
May 18 — ADDC Staff Meeting, ADE Media Center, 3:45
May 19 — Herb Mtg AM
May 26 — Grow Together Thursday
May 30 -- Holiday, NO SCHOOL
May 31 -- ADE PTO Family Luau

Jun 3 -- Last Day of School (Students)
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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Change, Debt, and "Owing the World"

Update for Apr 11-15

Labeled for reuse -- https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8302/7986922181_a3dd3b12b0.jpg


This week, we went deeper into R-Factor with students at our school community meeting.  We shared with them the power of pressing pause and getting our minds right.  I loved seeing the “press pause” signs students starting taping to the walls in the hallway.  I also enjoyed the anecdotes about students using these strategies with peers — 




Common language is powerful!

We also went deeper into the concept of “adjust and adapt”; being ready to take on change and getting better at dealing with change.  

 One of the most powerful lessons from this part of the R-Factor training is our response to new situations determines our level of stress.  Anticipating change and getting better at adjusting and adapting reduces our stress and increases positive outcomes.

A few weeks ago, I read a couple of pages out of Seth Godin's book What To Do When It’s Your Turn (and it’s always your turn) and today they make more sense to me after experiencing this week than they did when I first read them.

The first read by Godin focused on the phrase “It will be okay” - Something we say to ourselves that means, “It will turn out the way we want it to.”  

But as Godin reminds us, it almost never turns out the way we want it to.  

He suggests we start saying and thinking the phrase “Something will happen” because something always will.  We just have to have an open mindset and anticipate the right thing.  

I told someone the other day that I do my best to help grow authentic experiences at school — I try to listen and wait, sort of like a fisherman waiting for the right fish.  I’ve been trying to think “something will happen” more because what actually does happen usually far exceeds my expectations.

 ------

The second read talked about the feeling that we are owed something and it spurred additional reflection, but again it feels different after this week.  

Sometimes we hold this notion that we are owed certain things in life.  Not things like getting paid for work we do or rights we have.  This is more along the lines of "I'm a good person...the world owes me for it" or "I have x amount of experience, so I am owed that opportunity".  

Godin shares that this becomes toxic because this mindset creates massive amounts of disappointment.  For example, what you think you are owed usually differs from how someone thought they should pay you back.  We also set ourselves up for disappointment when we assume something must happen as a result of something we did.  This disappointment and the constant mindset of feeling that you are owed something can be toxic.

 I found myself agreeing with two truths shared by Godin:

1. No one owes you anything.
2. It's actually you who owes the world.

 Wow -- That's turning the expectations table, don't you think?

"Owing the world" connected with me as a blend of my faith, servant leadership, and R-Factor.  I am doing what I do because I want to serve others.  I also know that my Response to a situation is someone else's Event.  So given those two ideas, and given the statement in #2, remembering that "I owe the world" keeps me humble and keeps me focused on working towards positive outcomes.

 We all have good intentions when we work hard and then expect certain things to happen for us.  

 I think the lesson here is that we should work hard, but keep our minds open to the possibilities and unexpected outcomes that come from our hard work.  

 Let go of the toxicity of feeling owed; serve others and stay open to possibilities.  

 That is something you owe to yourself.

Have a GREAT week!

--Herb



Article Worth Reading --

 “9 Elephants in the (Class)Room That Should ‘Unsettle’ Us” by @willrich45 https://medium.com/modern-learning/9-elephants-in-the-class-room-that-should-unsettle-us-8335b2cef9aa#.bq0nkgujj

 I really hope you take the time to read this -- This list and the changes that are detailed reflects my goals for education.  This is what drives me, what excites me, and what keeps me up at night.

Quotes Worth Sharing -- 





Upcoming Dates --
Apr 11 --  Connection Time w/ Herb
Apr 12 — 3, 4, 5 ELA State Testing (AM)
Apr 12 — Tech/Media Planning day w/Teams
Apr 13 — Spec Ed Team Meeting, Noon
Apr 13 — RTI Team Meeting
Apr 14 — PD w/ Dr. Donna: “Connecting Classroom Language to Student Success”
Apr 15 — School Community Meeting: Walk-a-thon Kickoff
Apr 19 — 3, 4, 5 Grade Math State Testing
Apr 20 --  Thrively survey due
Apr 20 — ADDC Staff Meeting, 3:40 ADE Media Center
Apr 21 — Herb Meeting AM
Apr 22 — Interims Go Home
Apr 26 — 4th Grd (Soc St), 5th Grd (Sci) State Testing
Apr 27 — ADE Walk-a-thon (during related arts time)
Apr 28 — Transfer Meeting


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Sunday, April 3, 2016

Getting Really Good at Change

Update for Apr 4-8

 After 10 years, I think it's safe for me to say that a career in education doesn't get easier.

 I used to think that after working at something for a few years would lead to efficiency and allow me to be more supportive of each student in my class.

 But a funny thing happened on the way to the future.

 iPads, social media, connected learning, Twitter all happened within the last 10 years and they changed a lot about learning.

 If I were to place my bet on what will happen over the next 10 years, I'd bet on change.  I'd also double down on the fact that it's not going to get easier for educators who are expecting years of experience to equal "ease of use".

 So how does the mild-mannered educator deal with this reality?

 Accept it.

 Expect it.

 Embrace it!

 Get really good at change!  Yes, it's possible!  

 And it starts with...you guessed it: A growth mindset.

 Actually it starts with recognizing the mindset you have when you are face-to-face with change.  Do you find yourself trying to cling to the comfort zone or thinking of the opportunity?  If you are in the former, consider this --











So how do we overcome our default response of seeking to stay in our comfort zone?  

 Practice.

 Build skill.

 In this case, we need to press pause and get our mind right when faced with change.  We need to identify our mindset and adjust it if it will not lead us to embracing change.

 But think about it - It takes practice, just like a sport.  It takes mental reps that will take you through the process of pressing pause, getting your mind right, and readying yourself to consider the opportunity that change brings you.

 So in a way, this does get easier --  but only if you are willing to put  your focus on getting better at change and then committing to practicing and building skill.

 Have a GREAT week!

 -Herb
Articles Worth Reading -- 

52 Of Our Favorite Inspirational Quotes For Teachers http://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/52-favorite-inspirational-quotes-for-teachers/ via @teachthought
Personalize Learning: Personalized Learning Through the Eyes of a Child http://www.personalizelearning.com/2016/03/personalized-learning-throug
Three lessons on innovation that I learned during my 12 years at Apple: http://www.fastcompany.com/3058271/lessons-learned/three-lessons-on-innovation-i-learned-during-my-12-years-at-apple by @KelliRichards via @FastCompany 
Upcoming Dates
Apr 4 — School Community Meeting: “Press Pause, Get Your Mind Right”
Apr 4 — PTO Meeting, 7PM
Apr 5 — Herb meeting out of building AM
Apr 5 — BIT Meeting, 8AM
Apr 5 — Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45, ADE
Apr 6 — ADE Staff Meeting: R-Factor Training - R4
Apr 7 — Herb meeting outside of bldg AM
Apr 8 — KG to Franklin Park Conservatory
Apr 12 — 3, 4, 5 ELA State Testing (AM)
Apr 12 — Connection Time w/ Herb (Email-Schedule limited due to testing)
Apr 12 — Tech/Media Planning day w/Teams
Apr 13 — Spec Ed Team Meeting, Noon
Apr 13 — RTI Team Meeting
Apr 14 — PD w/ Dr. Donna: “Connecting Classroom Language to Student Success”
Apr 15 — School Community Meeting: Walk-a-thon Kickoff
Apr 18 — 3, 4, 5 Grade Math State Testing
Apr 20 — ADDC Staff Meeting, 3:40 ADE Media Center
Apr 21 — 4th Grd (Soc St), 5th Grd (Sci) State Testing
Apr 21 — Herb Meeting AM
Apr 22 — Interims Go Home
Apr 27 — ADE Walk-a-thon (during related arts time)

Apr 28 — Transfer Meeting
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Monday, March 14, 2016

“Words": The First Ingredient of a Culture Recipe

Update for Mar 14-17



This is not a political statement - It’s a hypothesis about the effect our words have on others.

I’ve always been a believer in the power of words.

Lincoln, King, Lennon and McCartney continue to inspire me: Lincoln for his prose like style speeches seen in the Gettysburg address and second inaugural address; King for his oratory style that evokes emotion and hopefulness; and Lennon and McCartney for their ability to rapidly evolve their music and lyrics.

Last Friday, I was mesmerized by the live images of a rally in Chicago for presidential candidate Donald Trump because of how quickly it was getting out of control and becoming uncivilized. However, I wasn’t surprised and here's why: I believe that leaders set the tone.

I believe that Tim Kight is right when he talks about how Leaders establish the Culture that influences Behaviors that get certain Results.  I also believe that the words we use and the messages we send directly influences the culture we are trying to build. When I think about some of the themes and rhetoric of the Trump campaign, I would say that much of it has been focused on exclusion, blame, and fear.  Those themes created the culture that influenced the behaviors that resulted in the violence we saw in Chicago on Friday.

Last Sunday evening, I got to take my kids to see the new Disney movie Zootopia. 



First, it’s worth the price of admission.  It has all of the elements a good Disney movie: great characters, funny scenes, and an engaging story line. Second, it and has a wonderful message about perseverance, acceptance and being aware of our biases and stereotypes. The writers did a great job of developing those themes without slowing the movie down for kids. 

I went into that movie not really knowing much about it, but I did know that I could expect there to be a positive universal message — That’s the result of a culture that has been built by Disney.


I come away from this weekend with two reflections.  One reflection is actually just another reminder that our words and the messages they send matter. They drive the culture we are trying to build.  

The other reflection is that we need to surround ourselves with words, messages and people that support and affirm Above the Line behaviors.  We need to work to find away to push out negativity or find t’s source so that it can be addressed.  

The next time you find yourself reacting out of anger, frustration or suspicion, press pause; think about what’s really going on.  Slow down and get your mind right because how you react and what you say next contributes to the culture we are trying to build and get the results we seek.  

Be a builder! 

-Herb


Articles Worth Reading

Validating the Learner and Nurturing their Passion for Learning https://shar.es/1Y0hqF

The biggest regret from a 41-year career in education reporting (and a lot more) wpo.st/TYdL1

Why Every Student Needs a Teacher Champion  -- THIS IS A VIDEO I WATCH AND RE-WATCH TIME AND TIME AGAIN!!!

Middle School Maker Journey: The Making of a Mantra by :



Upcoming Events

Mar 15 -- Hilliard U Day -- No SCHOOL (Students)
Mar 16 -- ADDC Staff Meeting, DCR Media Center 3:45
Mar 17 -- Elementary Student Transfer Request Forms Due
Mar 18-24 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL
Mar 25 -- Holiday -- NO SCHOOL
Mar 31 -- STAFF OLYMPICS!




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Sunday, March 6, 2016

Opportunity or threat?

Update for Mar 7-11

http://www.thebluediamondgallery.com/pictures/opportunity.jpg


What’s new or different can be perceived two ways: An opportunity or a threat.

New ideas, new people, or new places can cause folks to think about what’s possible or what’s avoidable.  

When you go to an event, birthday party, wedding, or get-together  and walk into a room full of people, do you find yourself thinking “I wonder who I’ll meet?” or “I wonder how fast I can get out of here?”.  When faced with a new challenge or idea, are you thinking “Oh yay!” or “Oy vey...”?

I know that I have to be mindful of how I am perceiving the “new”. My perception shows in my facial expressions, my body language and what I say.  If I want my staff, parents, and students to think "opportunity" instead of "threat", I need to model the behavior I hope to see in others. I have to remind myself to think "I get to" rather than "I have to".

Some opportunities cause us pain, heartache or frustration, but we have to remember it's all a part of life -- There's always a lesson in the pain.  We need to learn from each moment, good or bad, in order to continue to get better at life. Thinking of life's events as opportunities rather than threats can help us accomplish this.

Here's to new opportunities this week! 

 -Herb

Articles Worth Reading

Interest-Based Electives: Engaging Students With STEAM Explorations http://edut.to/1PZWznV

20 Strategies for Motivating Reluctant Learners http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/03/03/20-strategies-for-motivating-reluctant-learners/

 Innovation To Best Practice http://connectedprincipals.com/archives/12331
Upcoming Dates
Mar 7 -- ADE PTO Meeting, 7pm
Mar 7-11 -- OLSAT (Gifted), Grades 1 to 5 by recommendation
Mar 9 -- Special Ed Team Meeting, 12pm
Mar 9 -- Spring Concert, 7pm, Bradley HS -- Rehearsal at Bradley in the AM.  Details will be shared soon via email!
Mar 10 -- PD Series w/ Dr. Donna: "Discovery Approach", 3:45 at DCR
Mar 15 -- Hilliard U Day -- No SCHOOL (Students)
Mar 17 -- Elementary Student Transfer Request Forms Due
Mar 18-24 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL
Mar 25 -- Holiday -- NO SCHOOL
 
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