The Truth About Sharing

Update for Dec 14-18

A couple of weeks ago, my wife got me an amazing early-Christmas gift: a recliner.

I have officially said goodbye to any remaining youth I had and took one step closer to being that old man who yells at kids who walk through his lawn.

Ah, I have finally arrived.

The problem (for me anyway) is that even though it's my chair, I'm the one who sits in it the least.

The kids fight over who will sit in it.

The dogs both sneak their way onto it.

Even the wife kicks back in it.

I feel like they all do it while I'm in the room, too, like "Ha, look at him over there stewing because I'm in his chair! Sucker."

I know. It's not really that bad. I'm actually glad everyone likes it. I really did think it was an old man kind of thing.

It's just another lesson in sharing, which is challenging when you have to share something so coveted as a recliner.

Developing a shared vision is challenging, too.

As someone who's in a leadership position, it's hard to check my own perspective and make sure that my own vision doesn't shut down someone else's idea. For example, some folks ask for direction and ideas while others scrutinize words and conclude that I'm being too imposing.

As someone in a leadership position, this is a confusing position to be in.  How am I supposed to provide some sense of direction and not be too imposing? It's actually a balancing act and sort of reminds me about sharing my chair.  

Here are just a few things I've learned about developing a shared vision from a leadership perspective:

• The more specific I am, the more I limit who shares the vision.
• Trust those who are building the vision with me -- Keep it truly shared.
• Hold myself and others accountable for working towards that vision.
• Listen, listen, and then listen some more to what everyone, even the naysayers, are saying.
• Ask more questions than answering questions.
• Be extremely patient and trust the process.

I am so excited about where we are heading together as we take a look at strengthening the learning experience for our students.  I go through peaks and valleys of excitement and frustration along with everyone else.  But I know that it’s all apart of developing something special together.

Have a GREAT week!

-- Herb

Articles Worth Reading

Does education really need to change? - A.J. Juliani http://ajjuliani.com/education-change/ via @ajjuliani

Innovation Is Not a One Time Event http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/5857 via @gcouros

Wellington devotes a day to enrichment activities https://shar.es/1Gr9H5 via @thisweeknews (Thanks for sharing this, Becky!)

Click Here Next: Digital Literacy in K-5  http://clickherenext.com/ -- This is a great resource/blog about literacy and learning from Franki Sibberson and friends.



Upcoming Dates

Dec 16 -- ADCC Staff Meeting, 3:45 ADE Media Center

Dec 17 -- Admin Meeting (Herb)

Dec 18 -- 5th Grade Talent Show, 1:30-2:30; Holiday parties, 2:30

Dec 21-Jan1 -- Winter Break

Jan 4 -- Students Return; ADE PTO Meeting, 7pm

Jan 4-Feb 3 -- Winter Literacy Assessment window (Grades K to 5)

Jan 8 -- ADE Family Game Night, 6:30-8pm

Jan 14 -- Author Visit, Steve Harpster

Jan 18 -- Martin Luther King, Jr Day -- NO SCHOOL

Jan 19-Feb 29 -- Scholastic Reading Inventory window (Grades 2 to 5)

Jan 23 & Feb 20 -- NUMATS (gifted) test (by invitation/recommendation only)

Jan 25 -- Yearbook Sale Begins (Ends Feb 5)

Jan 25-Feb 26 -- Calkins Writing Assessment window (Grades K to 5)

Jan 29 -- K-5 Interim Reports

Feb 1 -- ADE PTO Meeting, 7pm

Feb 2 -- ADE Kindergarten Registration Day

Feb 5 -- Yearbook Sale Ends

Feb 8-11 February Conference Week

Feb 10 -- Conference Evening

Feb 12 -- Parent/Teacher Conference Comp Day, NO SCHOOL

Feb 15 -- Presidents’ Day, NO SCHOOL

Feb 23 -- K (AM) & 1st Grade (PM) ½ Day Data Team Meeting

Feb 24 -- 2nd Grade (AM) & 3rd Grade (PM) ½ Day Data Team Meeting

Feb 25 -- 4th Grade (AM) & 5th Grade (PM) ½ Day Data Team Meeting

Feb 26 -- End of K-5 Grading Period

Change As Simple As Returning To Our Roots

Update for Oct 19-23

From Wikipedia; Labeled for Resue

Allison Zmuda's message in the video below is timely for me -- When it comes to change, staying focused on how students learn helps us continue to change and grow.

Zmuda cautions us not to focus on the "pace of change" but instead to stay focused on the simplicity of the learning experience.  

She reminds us that powerful learning experiences are just a few key ingredients such as co-creation of learning with students, meaningful feedback to students, and providing the opportunities for students to share new learning with a broad audience so that they can "change the world one problem, one question, one task at a time".

Zmuda's message makes me think of how important it is to return to our roots -- Return to the purpose of why we are doing what we are doing.

For us, it's remembering that we believe students learn best through inquiry and when they are our partners in learning.

It means remembering that we value feedback- student to student, teacher to student, and student to teacher.

It means remembering to build units of study around enduring understandings -- Essential truths and understandings that students will remember for the rest of their lives.  

Furthermore, an article in KQED News's Mind/Shift blog explains Will Richardson's call for a "third narrative" in school reform. Take a look at an excerpt where Richardson describes what he thinks the third narrative should focus on:

What if we were to return to consistently using an inquiry-based approach to learning and connecting what we have learned along the way? How could we grow those roots?

If we were to return our focus to our roots of inquiry-based learning experiences, and then grow those roots deeper, we could support one strong and durable tree.

Have a GREAT week!

-Herb


Videos Worth Seeing --

Adventure Time! --

You'll need to get ready for some tears for this one, especially if you've ever had a dog as a pet. -- (Shared by George Couros):

Articles Worth Reading --

Lessons that Matter: What should we learn from Asia’s school systems? http://zhaolearning.com/2015/06/19/lessons-that-matter-what-should-we-learn-from-asia’s-school-systems/

Math At Home Adds Up to Achievement At School http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2015/10/14/math-learning.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-TW

The partnership side of leadership http://smartblogs.com/leadership/2015/10/15/the-partnership-side-of-leadership/


Upcoming Events

10/21--ADDC Staff Meeting @DCR, 3:45

10/23 -- ADE Staff Meeting with Dr. M, 8:00am.  Preschool Staff will join us in the Media Center

10/26 -- Yearbook Cover Contest Begins (Ends Nov 6)

10/26--6:00 p.m. STATE OF THE SCHOOLS ADDRESS at Bradley HS

10/28 -- IAT Team Meeting, 3:30

10/28 -- Superintendent Advisory Committee Meeting, 4pm

10/29 -- CRAZY HAT DAY!

10/30 -- CRAZY SOCK DAY!

11/2--7:00 p.m. PTO meeting

11/3--Election Day--Hilliard U Day -- District Staff report ONLY--NO SCHOOL for students.

11/20--END OF THE FIRST GRADING PERIOD

11/25-11/27---THANKSGIVING BREAK---NO SCHOOL