A few days ago I typed my woes for all to read. That huge knot of unease stayed in my stomach for dozens of hours with no end on the horizon. And then, I went into the cafeteria and just sat with students and talked. I laughed with them, told jokes with them, talked to them about what they should do because they didn't like the new pizza sticks. Guess what? Before I knew it the knot was gone!
"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man." ~Rabindranath Tagore
Even though I may be discouraged by the politics of the job, the insanity of the job, the conflicts that arise, the children are the reason I am there. That will never change and I can not, will not forget it.............
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Sometimes Leadership Is Like Stepping On a Bug, and I Am the Bug!
Today was one of those days....................meeting about a parent complaint, politics, meeting about curriculum, more politics, conferencing with a frustrated teacher. The best part of my day was at the end when I was talking to a teacher and making plans to work with her while she formulated her lesson plans for next week. That got me excited because it has a direct impact on children!
When I became a principal 5 years ago I envisioned how I would make an impact in the lives of children. Many days, however, I don't feel like I make an impact at all. Many days, leadership feels like I am a roach, hiding from the bug guy, only coming out when the lights are out. Leadership feels like someone is always out to get you.
When you are in charge people feel like it is OK to talk about you. They think it is OK to believe the absolute worst about you. People think it is OK to make things up about you so that they can get their way. I don't believe any of this was in the job description. Am I strong enough to endure the insanities of the job?
I work with an awesome group of staff members and the children bring so much joy in my life. As the teachers try and improve their practice, I have been pushing them and challenging them. For many, this creates stress. Yes, I know the old saying that you know you are changing if you feel uncomfortable. I realize this, but instead I feel more like:
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something". ~Woodrow Wilson
I don't want to create stress in the lives of overworked, overstressed teachers, but at the same time, I know that we must continue to reach every student, every parent. Our job is too important. I am the one that needs to constantly shout the vision. I am the one that needs to challenge and create better opportunities for staff, students and parents. I hope that when I push others to learn something new, that it doesn't feel like a giant shove off of a cliff. But, if I'm not pushing, no gain is made and we are still at the status quo. Status quo is not good enough.
I know that when I make decisions, it is what I think is best for the children. Why can't that be what people see? Why does it have to be the worst? Why can't people realize that I am a human being and make mistakes.
Please forgive me when I make them...............
Being a Christian, I pray for guidance, strength, and courage. Is this the plan that God has for me?
When I became a principal 5 years ago I envisioned how I would make an impact in the lives of children. Many days, however, I don't feel like I make an impact at all. Many days, leadership feels like I am a roach, hiding from the bug guy, only coming out when the lights are out. Leadership feels like someone is always out to get you.
When you are in charge people feel like it is OK to talk about you. They think it is OK to believe the absolute worst about you. People think it is OK to make things up about you so that they can get their way. I don't believe any of this was in the job description. Am I strong enough to endure the insanities of the job?
I work with an awesome group of staff members and the children bring so much joy in my life. As the teachers try and improve their practice, I have been pushing them and challenging them. For many, this creates stress. Yes, I know the old saying that you know you are changing if you feel uncomfortable. I realize this, but instead I feel more like:
"If you want to make enemies, try to change something". ~Woodrow Wilson
I don't want to create stress in the lives of overworked, overstressed teachers, but at the same time, I know that we must continue to reach every student, every parent. Our job is too important. I am the one that needs to constantly shout the vision. I am the one that needs to challenge and create better opportunities for staff, students and parents. I hope that when I push others to learn something new, that it doesn't feel like a giant shove off of a cliff. But, if I'm not pushing, no gain is made and we are still at the status quo. Status quo is not good enough.
I know that when I make decisions, it is what I think is best for the children. Why can't that be what people see? Why does it have to be the worst? Why can't people realize that I am a human being and make mistakes.
Please forgive me when I make them...............
Being a Christian, I pray for guidance, strength, and courage. Is this the plan that God has for me?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Response To "Sharing: The Moral Imperative"
It's 1:30 pm on a Saturday and I've just finished watching the video "Sharing: The Moral Imperative." Those of you reading this that are on Twitter and have a widespread PLN have probably already viewed this video. If you haven't, I encourage you to take 25 minutes out of your busy schedule to watch it: http://dotsub.com/view/027a4da1-8be2-4ea7-85e9-2e3be140db1a . This video came out a few months ago as part of an online conference. It took me 2 months to make the time to watch it - how can I get my staff to?
Sharing is an important part of how we can enhance best practices and good teaching. Since becoming principal I have encouraged and supported it. One of the most talented teachers I know, Krissy Venosdale, took it upon herself to create a moodle for our school so that teachers can share great examples of lessons to do in the classroom. When the moodle was established I envisioned great things happening and that teachers would line up to add things onto the site for others to see. Instead, after 4 years, I have to challenge, bribe, and spoon feed some staff to access and post on this great site: http://greatdaytolearn.com/hillsboroelementary/. What is the reluctance? Why isn't it happening?
I've asked staff about it. Responses vary: "We share - there is a bulletin board in the copy room and things are posted there." "I email all of the teachers if I find a great site." "I don't have time." "I don't like the moodle." "I can never remember my password." "I don't know how to post on the moodle."
As I hear these responses I try to help: I have had training on the moodle, people can access their passwords through Krissy or myself, we have written directions on how to use the moodle. Still, four years later, I have to pull teeth to get anything posted. What am I doing wrong?
After watching the video, I've discovered that it isn't just time that is keeping teachers from sharing. Dean Shareski was right when he stated that it is a moral imperative to share. Some of my teachers don't believe that. In their mind they might agree, but I don't think it is in their soul. I haven't done enough to convince them why it is important to share. I need to make sure they understand that times have changed. They've heard my words but haven't felt them in their soul...............
It is my goal that I will find a way to get them to understand that we must be sharing online and that I'm not talking about sharing a worksheet. They need to feel as connected to the outside world as their students do. That is my moral imperative. Thanks Dean Shareski for helping me find my way and giving me inspiration to help others find their way.
Sharing is an important part of how we can enhance best practices and good teaching. Since becoming principal I have encouraged and supported it. One of the most talented teachers I know, Krissy Venosdale, took it upon herself to create a moodle for our school so that teachers can share great examples of lessons to do in the classroom. When the moodle was established I envisioned great things happening and that teachers would line up to add things onto the site for others to see. Instead, after 4 years, I have to challenge, bribe, and spoon feed some staff to access and post on this great site: http://greatdaytolearn.com/hillsboroelementary/. What is the reluctance? Why isn't it happening?
I've asked staff about it. Responses vary: "We share - there is a bulletin board in the copy room and things are posted there." "I email all of the teachers if I find a great site." "I don't have time." "I don't like the moodle." "I can never remember my password." "I don't know how to post on the moodle."
As I hear these responses I try to help: I have had training on the moodle, people can access their passwords through Krissy or myself, we have written directions on how to use the moodle. Still, four years later, I have to pull teeth to get anything posted. What am I doing wrong?
After watching the video, I've discovered that it isn't just time that is keeping teachers from sharing. Dean Shareski was right when he stated that it is a moral imperative to share. Some of my teachers don't believe that. In their mind they might agree, but I don't think it is in their soul. I haven't done enough to convince them why it is important to share. I need to make sure they understand that times have changed. They've heard my words but haven't felt them in their soul...............
It is my goal that I will find a way to get them to understand that we must be sharing online and that I'm not talking about sharing a worksheet. They need to feel as connected to the outside world as their students do. That is my moral imperative. Thanks Dean Shareski for helping me find my way and giving me inspiration to help others find their way.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Think? We Don't Have Time To Think - We Have To Finish Our Assignment!
Those that work with me know that I'm not a fan of the worksheet. Every time I can, I slam the worksheet:
"Boring." "Let's go green." "The copy machine is broken." "Quick, look over there (as I hide the stack of papers)."
As I hunt through the school and pass by classrooms, I see students hiding papers and teachers shoving piles into the recycle bins. I know my quest to get rid of the black on white is still not finished. This year I've decided that I need to find a better way to persuade the staff. And so, I've been examining and researching those pesky, thin strips of tree.
Guess what I found? In all of these worksheets, there is a rise in expectation between K-grade 2, but after that there is virtually no change in what we are having our students do. It does not get harder as students progress from 3rd grade to 6th grade. Also, the worksheets provided by our reading series does not provide instruction to the depth of knowledge it is supposed to, according to Missouri's Grade Level Expectations. BUT, the most alarming thing that I found (although I knew this all along) is that these pieces of paper do not allow our children to THINK!
When did our schools turn into paper pushing machines? How did we let this happen? As we all talk about school reform, let us be advocates for our students. We all share on Twitter, but are we talking to those that are making these insane decisions about our schools?
The foundation of our country has always been free speech. Well, we have the speech thing right, we are all talk. Now, we need some action. I'm going to start by proving to the staff, once and for all, that worksheets are not the answer for our children. I'm also going to write my legislature, giving my opinion about what will improve what students need. I'm going to inform teachers and parents, and persuade them to be advocates for school reform.
What will you do?
"Boring." "Let's go green." "The copy machine is broken." "Quick, look over there (as I hide the stack of papers)."
As I hunt through the school and pass by classrooms, I see students hiding papers and teachers shoving piles into the recycle bins. I know my quest to get rid of the black on white is still not finished. This year I've decided that I need to find a better way to persuade the staff. And so, I've been examining and researching those pesky, thin strips of tree.
Guess what I found? In all of these worksheets, there is a rise in expectation between K-grade 2, but after that there is virtually no change in what we are having our students do. It does not get harder as students progress from 3rd grade to 6th grade. Also, the worksheets provided by our reading series does not provide instruction to the depth of knowledge it is supposed to, according to Missouri's Grade Level Expectations. BUT, the most alarming thing that I found (although I knew this all along) is that these pieces of paper do not allow our children to THINK!
When did our schools turn into paper pushing machines? How did we let this happen? As we all talk about school reform, let us be advocates for our students. We all share on Twitter, but are we talking to those that are making these insane decisions about our schools?
The foundation of our country has always been free speech. Well, we have the speech thing right, we are all talk. Now, we need some action. I'm going to start by proving to the staff, once and for all, that worksheets are not the answer for our children. I'm also going to write my legislature, giving my opinion about what will improve what students need. I'm going to inform teachers and parents, and persuade them to be advocates for school reform.
What will you do?
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