Serving Others & Making "Change Work for Us"

UUpdate for Jan 18-22

Last year on MLK Day, I wrote about the energy of our words and how leaders like Dr. King continue to guide us towards a better world through words that were spoken decades ago.

I thrive on the words of others -- Their ideas shared through blogs, videos, and Tweets make me a better educator.  But an idea isn’t much without action.

And Dr. King wasn’t just about ideas either -- He was about action.  He was about taking steps to create a better future for all.  

When Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”, he was calling on all of us to take action towards making a better life for others.  He was asking us to commit to leadership in the form of service to others.

For me, it means to act in this time of rapid change in the field of education.  It means committing to creating a learning experience that lifts up the very best of what we have to offer as educators and connecting that to the interests, learning styles, and natural curiosity of each of our students.  It’s recognizing that we will never truly arrive and that we will always need to evolve with the world.  

Six years ago this April, the first iPad was released.  Think of how dramatically teaching and learning has changed within these past six years.  

Now consider that our kids are currently experiencing the worst technology they will ever know.

The writing is on the wall -- Change is inevitable and it does not follow any rules, protocols, or timelines.  

What lies ahead in the next six years?

Last week, President Obama delivered his last state of the Union address to Congress and had this to say about change:

“We live in a time of extraordinary change — change that’s reshaping the way we live, the way we work, our planet, our place in the world. It’s change that promises amazing medical breakthroughs, but also economic disruptions that strain working families.

It promises education for girls in the most remote villages, but also connects terrorists, plotting an ocean away. It’s change that can broaden opportunity, or widen inequality. And whether we like it or not, the pace of this change will only accelerate.

America has been through big changes before — wars and depression, the influx of new immigrants, workers fighting for a fair deal, movements to expand civil rights.

Each time, there have been those who told us to fear the future, who claimed we could slam the brakes on change, who promised to restore past glory if we just got some group or idea that was threatening America under control. And each time, we overcame those fears.We did not, in the words of Lincoln, adhere to the dogmas of the quiet past. Instead we thought anew and acted anew.

We made change work for us, always extending America’s promise outward, to the next frontier, to more people. And because we did, because we saw opportunity where others saw peril, we emerged stronger and better than before.

What was true then can be true now. Our unique strengths as a nation — our optimism and work ethic, our spirit of discovery, our diversity, our commitment to rule of law — these things give us everything we need to ensure prosperity and security for generations to come.”

I am committed to making “change work for us” in education.

What actions will you take to move education forward?

Have a GREAT week!

-Herb

Articles Worth Reading -- 


"What Teachers That Use Technology Believe" http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/teachers-use-technology-believe/ via @teachthought


"Supporting Young Artists in Our Schools" by @staceygoodman http://edut.to/1W5v7WK


This is one of the better articles I've read in a while.  Well worth the read! -- 

"You Don't Need New Ideas, You Need a New Perspective" http://99u.com/52479 via @99u


Something to think about -- 

In order to be creative and productive, we must lose our fear of being wrong.

— Marc and Angel (@marcandangel) January 18, 2016

Upcoming Dates --

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

Jan 20 - ADDC Staff Meeting, 3:45 - DCR Media Center: R-Factor Training

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

Always Building

Update for Jan 11-15

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/30/102035155_696b3275fb_b.jpg

When I host families who visit our school for the first time, I treat it like I'm on an interview.  

One of my favorite education leaders, Todd Whitaker, says that induction starts with the interview.  This is my chance to sell our building's culture and initiatives. When I tour with a family, I want them to experience our culture and I want them to know about what we are working on as a building community.

I do this knowing that the family might not even end up being a family that attends our school.  But there is something bigger at play here than a building tour.  

It's about building our brand.  It's about celebrating our accomplishments and our work.  It's about connecting visitors to our culture.  

I do this because I believe we are Always Building Culture.

This Friday, I shared a note with our staff that a recent visitor sent to me. She and her family had toured Alton Darby in mid-December, just before winter break.

The family was planning on relocating from St. Louis and wanted to tour schools in the Central Ohio area before making a decision about where to relocate.  

Here's what she wrote:

As you can see, the family decided to move to a different school district in Central Ohio, but I believe there was a reason why she took the time to write me and positive note anyway.  I believe it's because I committed to helping the family experience the culture we have built.  

We may not have gained a family, but we may have gained one more person who will indirectly help us build our brand and our culture.  If she ever talks about her experience at Alton Darby, chances are she'll share something positive.

As Tim Kight reminds us, the work we do each day "creates the culture that drives the behavior that produces the results" we hope for - Students who are ready to confidently take on any opportunity that comes their way.

Each of us plays a role in creating our building's culture. Each of us drives behavior that produces results.  The tone we set through our actions has a direct effect on our culture.  

How are your actions supporting our district and building initiatives?  Are there actions you are taking that go against what we are trying to accomplish as a district and as a building?

Do you come to school each day ready to build?

--------------

#ADCCulture Challenge continues this week!  It's not a competition between others -- It's about challenging yourself to positively impact our culture and to connect with others. Have fun!

Have a GREAT week!

-Herb

Articles Worth Reading -- 

How To Get Your Kids Interested In STEM (Without Forcing It On Them) (via @LifehackerAU) http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/01/how-to-get-your-kids-interested-in-stem-without-forcing-it-on-them/


An Educator's Gift to Their Learners: Seeing Each One of Them http://wp.me/pKlio-25E via @jackiegerstein


How Showing and Telling Kids 'I Believe in You' Can Empower Them at School http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/01/07/how-saying-and-showing-kids-i-believe-in-you-can-empower-them-at-school/



Video Worth Watching -- 

Upcoming Dates -- 

Jan 12 -- Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45, DCR
Jan 13 -- Special Ed Team Meeting, 12:00
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

My #OneWord is You.

Update for Jan 4-8

I aspire to be a servant leader for my students, staff, and community.

Greenleaf.org describes servant leadership this way:

A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of power by one at the “top of the pyramid,” servant leadership is different. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.

I see this description through the lenses of three different stakeholders that all end up shaping how I try to carry out my role as a principal.

For my students, this means striving to evolve our practice to continue to support the learning journey of each of our students. It means recognizing the changes in our community, our state. our country, and our world and adapting how we develop learners.

For my parents, this means providing them with opportunities to not only gain knowledge about how they can help their child as a learner, but it also means helping parents connect with the school through fun.  We know parents want to be proud of our learning community and I believe school pride can be built through fun events like our Warrior Dash, Spring Concert, Art Show, and various other grade-level celebrations that take place throughout the year.  

For my staff, it means helping each and every one of you grow professionally. I do this because I believe Todd Whitaker is right when he says it’s not programs, technology, interventions, or furniture that makes a difference for our students -- It’s people.  People make the difference for kids and always will.  It’s you who makes our school a great place to be.  It will always be you.

My #OneWord in 2016 is YOU, but it is bigger than that one word.  Because being a servant leader means your word is my word.  Your professional growth focus is my professional growth focus. Our kids' dreams, curiosities, and aspirations are mine, too.

Happy New Year!  Now let’s go and make the world a better place!

At your service,

Herb

Articles Worth Reading --

How I'll be learning in 2016 http://wp.me/p2KVKA-KL

Be a Change Agent http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/5897 via @gcouros

Why Do Students Struggle So Much in Math Class? http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/12/math-class-performing/421710/

If You Want Innovation, Start with Purpose | John Spencer http://sumo.ly/dVlb via @spencerideas

Upcoming Dates --

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

Jan 4-Feb 3 -- Winter Literacy Assessment window (Grades K to 5)
Jan 6 -- Staff Meeting, 3:45pm -- Focus will be R-Factor Training presented by Boettner, Halley, and Raterman.

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

Jan 12 -- Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45, DCR
Jan 13 -- Special Ed Team Meeting, 12:00
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

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

The Folly of Comfort

Update for Dec 7-11

Comfortable shoes -- There's nothing else like them.  They are like the perfect pillow for sleeping or the hoodie we throw on to keep warm during a cold winter night.

At the end of a long day, no one is lacing up a pair of dress shoes to relax.  Instead, we often go for a warm pair of slippers or a pair of old running shoes that you can easily slip on without untying them.

I've been having some issues running lately where the muscle around my shin tenses up. It's not something that makes me have to stop running, it's just annoying and it slows me down a little.  I sound like a car that has a flat tire as my tensed leg strikes the ground with a flat "slap" on the pavement.

I've tried different stretches, paces and routes trying to find a solution.  I decided to go back to an old pair of running shoes to see if maybe my new ones were the issue.  

I laced up my old Sauconys and they felt great -- Why did I ever stop wearing them?

After about a mile and a half into a run in my old shoes, my feet and knees started hurting.  Instead of going for a 6 mile run, I ended early.  What was I thinking?  I stopped wearing these shoes when I started getting injured -- Why was I going back to them?

Instead of going the distance in my old comfortable shoes, I ran less than normal.

I share this because in the midst of change, we sometimes are tempted to go back to our old ways, putting on "comfortable shoes", rather than face the challenge.

Our project is hard work and we have miles to go.  If we are going to keep moving forward and increase the depth and authenticity of the learning experiences we help create with kids, we should build off of what we do well.  

Let's commit to strategically increasing our distance and pace and avoid seeking out comfortable solutions.

Have a GREAT week!

-Herb

Articles Worth Reading --

The Links Between Teaching Reading And Math http://www.heinemann.com/blog/oconnell-reading-math-11-30/

How to Guide Students Towards Learning Ownership https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/guide-students-towards-learning-ownership

The Active Learning Classroom: 8 Essential Elements https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/active-learning-classroom-8-essential-elements

Video Worth Watching -- 

Upcoming Dates --   

Dec 7 - PTO Meeting, 7PM

Dec 8 - 3rd Grade ELA State Assessment; Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 - ADE Media Center

Dec 9 - 3rd Grade ELA State Assessment; Ed Team Meeting, 12:30; IAT Meeting, 3:45

Dec 10 - PD Series by Donna - "Dealing with Challenging Children", 3:45 ADE Media Center

Dec 11 - KG Toys for Tots Fire Station Visit

Dec 16 - ADCC Staff Meeting, 3:40 - ADE Media Center
Dec 18 - 5th Grade Talent Show, 1:15ish; Holiday Parties, 2:30ish

Dec 21-Jan 3 -- Winter Break