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 — 

Liam helped 2 arguing friends by telling them "push pause and think about your actions." It worked! @AltonDarby pic.twitter.com/8ut8s9K3LK

— Adrianna Kruse (@AdriannaKruse) April 6, 2016

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

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 -- 

Finish this sentence - "Every student should be able to _________ by the time they are finished school."

— George Couros (@gcouros) April 1, 2016

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

Within You

Update for Mar 28-Apr 1

Today during Easter service, our pastor discussed how big moments don’t necessarily change everything immediately. He talked about the fact the Resurrection didn’t change that the Romans ruled the Holy Land. He also connected that argument to current events such as the presidential race or the terrorism in Belgium.  

The sermon made me think about a quote from Steve Jobs during a commencement speech at Stanford University in 2011:

Big moments take time to have a lasting effect that changes our world; this could be argued for any religion.  In many ways, the changes and impacts our various faiths have on the world continues to happen but at a pace we are not used to.  

One reason that was offered up today is that whatever our faith is, we could all agree that it is a deeply personal connection that happens within us.  

Therefore, the change we expect to see actually happens much slower than we anticipated because it has to live within each of us first before change begins to take shape.

For me, the two messages from Dr. Anderson and Steve Jobs have similar implications for what I do in my role as principal and I hope they connect with you in the work that you do.

First, big moments often don’t make sense in the moment, nor can they predict what will immediately happen next.  They do, however, make sense looking back when you are reflecting on progress you have made.

Second -- and this one has been a big one for me for the past 5 years -- Whatever I believe in my heart is right for kids has to happen within me first before it can happen through me.  

Try as I may, this is something I experience almost as much failure as I do success; but I am deeply committed to making what I believe come through in what I do each day, in every single interaction, and in every single moment.  

I’ve found out that this is increasingly challenging for folks in roles like mine — Apparently people pay close attention to every word, mannerism, body language and expression I exhibit! But I am not letting that deter me because I know that getting this right is a personal mission worth investing in.

As we gear up for the remaining months at school — and the energy level from the kids that comes with it — I challenge each of us to reflect on two thoughts.  

First, how do the big moments that have happened to you this year resonated with you? How have they changed you?

Second, what is it you believe is right for kids and how you are going about making that happen?  How are you bringing others along? Are your actions pushing others away? 

Is what you believe and what you have reflected on happening within you?

Have a GREAT week back from break!  Let's do this!

-Herb

Articles Worth Reading

Eight Big Ideas Behind the Constructionist Learning Lab -- http://stager.org/articles/8bigideas.pdf?utm_content=buffere8a1c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Learning Before You Innovate http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/6154 via @gcouros -- This one is worth reading closely!

 'Average' gets his ire up http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/03/average-gets-his-ire-up/ via @harvard  --

A quote from this article:

“I care a lot about people finding their own path, and I think the world’s a better place if we let people figure out their passions and what they’re good at and give them the knowledge and skills to do that, but our education system isn’t designed to do that — it rounds you out and makes you interchangeable with everyone else.”

This is why we are doing what we are doing!  Because passion and interests matters for kids; because "rounding" kids out is not an education system built on personalization.


Funny Video from this Weekend --

I love the theatre of politics, and this year has been a blockbuster in that regard!  If you haven't seen this moment yet, check it out! (This is not an endorsement; it's just something I appreciated):

In case you can't find it, I'm going to pin this #BirdieSanders video on the top of my profile. Just makes me happy!https://t.co/n6N9sbPD6p

— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) March 26, 2016

And of course, the Internet reacted:

It's quite clear who Mother Nature endorses for president (#BirdieSanders) pic.twitter.com/byuVaidUUO

— Chris Merle (@clmerle) March 26, 2016

Only in America!



Upcoming Dates --

Mar 31 — Staff Olympic Trials - Throughout the day; more details to come

Mar 31 — Kindergarten Parent Workshop, 6-8PM

Apr 1 — Class Pictures in Gym; Staff Picture, 8:40AM, Location TBD

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 19 — 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

“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) http://wpo.st/TYdL1 

Why Every Student Needs a Teacher Champion http://ow.ly/ZmZL2 -- THIS IS A VIDEO I WATCH AND RE-WATCH TIME AND TIME AGAIN!!!

Middle School Maker Journey: The Making of a Mantra by @kjarrett: http://edut.to/1TPpwWS 

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!

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

 

Melodies without Lyrics

Update for Feb 29-Mar 4

Ideas are like melodies looking for lyrics.  

When we have ideas, we have a clear picture of it in our mind, even if it's just for the flash of a moment.  Trying to explain your idea to someone for the first time often leads the person with the idea to frustration and leads the person who is listening to the idea to confusion.  The melody is there, but no one knows what the song is about.

Paul McCartney has talked about getting the melody to "Yesterday".  He had a piano is his bedroom and one morning, he woke up with the melody in his head and started plugging away at the piano.  He knew he was onto something, but he had no lyrics.

Instead of singing "Yesterday", he just sang "Scrambled eggs, oh my baby how I love your legs..." since he hadn't landed on the lyrics yet.  However, McCartney shaped his idea and eventually found the lyrics to go with the melody.  Fast forward to today and "Yesterday" holds the Guinness World Record for being the most covered song at over 3,000 cover versions.

This story makes me think about how challenging it can be to develop an idea.  Many times we say no to ourselves before we share with others, but that's a whole other topic.  

Most times, we aren't committed enough to our idea and the first "No" becomes the end of the road.  We toss the idea aside instead of reworking it until we are able to help others see the same thing we do in our mind's eye.

Flushing out an idea is challenging, but the challenge is what it's really all about - The process.  That's where we do the most growth; where we have the fondest memories when we look back.  

Ideas are beautiful opportunities to discover what life is really about -- It's up to us to commit to the good ones.

Have a GREAT week!

-Herb


Articles Worth Reading

Instead http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2016/02/instead.html

The New Dream Jobs http://nyti.ms/1TAKneD

How to Teach the Standards Without Becoming Standardized http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/03/12/how-to-teach-the-standards-without-becoming-standardized/

8 Requisites of A Great Teacher http://bit.ly/1WR0dRM

Upcoming Dates

Mar 1 -- BIT Meeting, 8am at DCR

Mar 1 -- Connection Time w/ Herb -- Schedule is wide open! Stop by for a chat!  

Mar 1 -- Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 at DCR

Mar 2 -- ADE Staff Meeting: Terri to give us the essentials before next week's concert.

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

Mar 10 -- PD Series w/ Dr. Donna: "Discovery Approach", 3:45 at DCR

Mar 15 -- Professional Development Day -- No SCHOOL (Students)

Mar 18 -- Elementary Student Transfer Request Forms Due

Mar 18-24 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL

Mar 25 -- Holiday -- NO SCHOOL

“Exercise the Option”

Update for Feb 22-26

It’s a given: The only thing constant is change.

I think about change often.  I think about how I need to respond to change.  I realized during year 5 of being an educator that each year will be different.  

I have also come to understand that it doesn’t get easier if you want to get better.

There is a gap between good and great.  

Good is comfortable.  Good is relying on your talents to get you by,

Getting to Great is hard work.  Great is knowing that talent alone won’t help you grow.  Great is knowing that being on autopilot, resistant and impulsive doesn’t work with change.

Great is knowing how to press pause, reflect and get your mind right, stepping up and owning the reality around you.  Great is knowing that it takes intentional practice and a growth mindset to get better.  That is how successful people respond to change.

When we aren’t flexible and responsive to change, our life and our work gets harder.  Think about it -- Change is hard.  Not changing is harder.  Life will eventually catch up, pass you by and win.  

We have the opportunity to invent tomorrow with our students.  That will take consistent reflection, consistent mental stamina, and consistent practice at getting better and growing.

As we’ve learned from R-Factor training and “Above the Line”:

"Change is inevitable.  Growth is optional. The smart thing to do is exercise the option."

The Performance Pathway: Leaders create the #culture that drives the #behavior that produces #results. pic.twitter.com/U3FhnMMLYE

— Focus 3 (@Focus3Culture) December 29, 2015

Articles Worth Reading --

STEAM + Project-Based Learning: Real Solutions From Driving Questions http://edut.to/1nlKCxu

Mattel Unveils ThingMaker, A $300 3D Printer That Lets Kids Make Their Own Toys http://tcrn.ch/214Ga5o via @techcrunch

Future-Focused Leadership http://esheninger.blogspot.com/2016/02/future-focused-leadership.html 


I love this thought --

A boat sinks when the water gets inside the boat. Otherwise it uses the water to float.
Keep the negative outside! pic.twitter.com/wowvVUzBRZ

— Dr. Mike Goddard (@drmike_goddard) February 20, 2016

Upcoming Dates --

Feb 23 -- KG Data Team mtg AM, 1st Grade Data Team mtg PM
Feb 24 -- 2nd Grade Data Team mtg AM, 3rd Grade Data Team mtg PM
Feb 25 -- 5th Grade Data Team mtg AM, 4th Grade Data Team mtg PM   
Feb 24 -- ADDC Staff Meeting, 3:40 at ADE

Feb 26 -- End of K-5 Grading Period *See emails from Joanne and updates on TAC about Progress Report Timeline.

Mar 1 -- BIT Meeting, 8am

Mar 1 -- Connection Time w/ Herb -- Schedule is wide open! Stop by for a chat!  I don't know what you're thinking if you don't share with me.

Mar 1 -- Steering Committee Meeting, 3:45 at DCR

Mar 2 -- ADE Staff Meeting

Mar 7 -- ADE PTO Meeting, 7pm

Mar 7-11 -- OLSAT (Gifted), Grades 1 to 5 by recommendation

Mar 9 -- Spring Concert, 7pm, Bradley HS

Mar 10 -- PD Series w/ Dr. Donna: "Discovery Approach", 3:45 at DCR

Mar 15 -- Professional Development Day -- No SCHOOL (Students)

Mar 18 -- Elementary Student Transfer Request Forms Due

Mar 18-24 -- Spring Break -- NO SCHOOL

Mar 25 -- Holiday -- NO SCHOOL