Happy “NO” Year!

Up until a few weeks ago, I was still struggling on my decision of what my focus would be for my one word for 2018. Three years ago I selected the word “vulnerable” because I felt compelled to embrace my vulnerability in order to continue to mature and evolve in my role as a school principal.  Then a couple of years ago I chose two words in my desire to continue to grow as a leader by eliminating the word “gotcha” from my vocabulary and behavior and replacing it with “forgiveness.” By doing so, I could begin to forgive myself for some of my mistakes and poor choices I made early on in my career when my intentions may have been good, but the results were not what I had hoped for. It also served me well by allowing me to forgive others whose words or actions may have hurt me in some way. Moreover, it gave me permission to ask for forgiveness from those who I had wronged in the past.  And finally last year, I took a completely different approach and rather than choose one word, I chose to strive to meet the following mantra:

Stop sleeping when I am a little tired

Stop eating when I am a little hungry

Stop talking when I still have something left to say

This past month I attended my daughters Academic Letter ceremony and afterwards a parent of one of my former students approached me and we started chatting. After a few moments I asked how her son Tam was doing. “Great she said, but he is home sick right now. I am worried about him because he just keeps taking more and more on and saying yes to everything anyone asks him to do.  He was up late last night working on a paper that was due and has been working so many hours lately at his bartending job and coaching varsity basketball that I hardly ever see him. And he just agreed to start working one on one with a young boy, coaching him on his basketball fundamentals and skills.”  Then what she said next caught me a bit by surprise.  She asked, “Can you talk to him and tell him it’s okay to say no to people?” I couldn’t help but smile. I quickly responded, “I can talk to him. It definitely can be challenging, but he has to learn that it is okay to say no to people without worrying they are going to be mad at him. I will give him a call this week and chat with him.”

On my drive home that night I couldn’t stop thinking about my interaction with Tam’s mom.  She was right to worry.  After all, what she described was no different than what I have witnessed hundreds of times over my career when it comes to our work as educators.  How often have we found ourselves in similar situations; going and going until we find ourselves completely exhausted.  So exhausted in fact that we don’t leave much for those closest to us, in many cases, our spouses and children. Yes, our families often find themselves on the back burner, waiting on us as we stay committed to our passion of serving others, sometimes giving more to other people’s children than we give our own. I am not saying it’s right or wrong, I am just saying that it feels like sometimes we can’t help ourselves because we care so darn much. It’s like it is in our DNA.

Even today, after almost three decades of serving in this wonderful profession we call teaching and learning, I find myself conflicted, just like many of you do I am sure.

So this year I am committing to the word, NO.  I know I need to get better at this as the demand on my time grows exponentially. I am not immune from exhaustion any more than you are. We are all human with physical, mental and emotional limits and it’s okay to admit that and realize that it’s okay to say no. We are not superhuman nor are we superheroes. We are educators who love what we do and who want to make a difference in the lives of others. So why are we so afraid to say no? People will understand. They will not be mad. They will not judge us. They will support our decision. They will still talk to us. They will still believe in us.

More importantly, they will still reach out to me and you again, understanding that it is hard to say no, but knowing that next time, we will say yes. We are educators, a gift to our children and our humanity. That is who we are and that is what we do. Believe that in your heart that there is no greater gift that you can give to others than the gift of your own personal time and commitment, never forgetting that others will give you permission to say “No” when you are genuine and sincere in your word. You just need to give yourself permission and not feel guilty for giving yourself a pass.

Happy 2018 everyone!  May your year be filled with blessings of both YES….and NO.

 

“You can do anything, but not everything.” #Culturize

 

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11 Things to Be Instead of Comfortable

As I reflect on 2017, one of the things that's been on my mind this past year more than just about anything else is the importance of risk taking. I am on a mission to crush apathy, in my own practice, in our school, and for our students. 

And why is that so important to me? I can't think of anything that is more detrimental to the pursuit of excellence than complacency and apathy. 

In the first few years of an educator's career, it's tough to be apathetic. You are in survival mode. There is so much to learn. But for many, once there is kind of an equilibrium, it's easy to just settle into a comfortable groove and start coasting a little. The initial passion can wear off, and the easy thing to do is to get a little stale.

For students, as the years wear on, engagement in school tends to decline. Far too many students are going through the motions, playing the game of school, and just getting by. The focus is often on getting a certain grade or achieving whatever level of success is acceptable to self and to parents, but the idea of passionate learning or the pursuit of self-mastery is completely lost on most.

The chart below demonstrates just how students view their own engagement, as reported by Gallup. There is a consistent decline in engagement from 5th grade late into high school. These numbers are unacceptable to me. 

And even more concerning is my suspicion that apathy is possibly worse than even this data reveals. Many of our best students would report they are engaged, but if you really listen to the things they say about school, they primarily see it as a means to an end. They would likely report themselves as engaged, but not because they are enthusiastic learners so much as because they are willing to jump through the right hoops to get where they want to be.

So I am on a mission to pursue excellence and crush apathy. And it starts with me. I need to examine the ways I am taking risks and how I'm pursuing excellence in my personal and professional life. I want to push out of my comfort zone to do the things that will accelerate my growth. As John Maxwell writes, "There is no growth in your comfort zone and no comfort in your growth zone."

I'm not interested in playing the game of school. I want to see high impact, meaningful experiences in everything we do. 

So in 2018, let's step out of the comfort zone and embrace the challenge of growth and excellence. 

Here are 11 things I want to be to push beyond what's comfortable:

1. Passionate-A passionate, caring educator makes all the difference. Imagine what your school would be like if every person brought great passion every day. Craig Groeschel (@craiggroeschel) writes that apathy makes excuses, while passion finds a way. 

2. Desperate-That word may seem surprising, but we need a sense of urgency about the work we are doing. Be desperate to see every student succeed. Bring that type of energy.

3. Daring-Be bold. Be audacious. Don't retreat from a chance to make a difference.

4. Determined-Nothing worthwhile is easy. It's a struggle. There will be challenges and obstacles. It's an uphill climb. Crushing apathy will take our deepest resolve.

5. Committed-We hear a lot about accountability in education. But apathy just hides from accountability. It does just enough. What we really need is more commitment, not more accountability.

6. Brokenhearted-It's possible to become hardened and even cynical as an educator. The challenges are immense. But I never want to lose a soft heart, a broken heart for students, colleagues, for all others. I want to exhibit empathy in each day.

7. Significant-I want to live a life of consequence. I want to make a difference. And I'm pretty sure you do too. The search for significance is shared by everyone. We want our lives to matter. But it won't happen if your own comfort is your priority.

8. Creative-Don't ever say you aren't creative. Everyone is creative. Every thought we have is a creation of our mind. You have ideas that the world needs. But you have to push them out there. Don't hide your creative light.

9. Extraordinary-The difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is that little extra. 

10. Courageous-Fear is one of the greatest things holding us back. We are born with only two fears, the fear of heights and the fear of loud noises. But we learn to fear so much more because we want to feel safe and comfortable. But it's not the way to crush apathy or pursue excellence. You have to be willing to put aside fear and pursue risk.

11. Curious-Start with questions. Question everything. Asking the right questions will push you out of your comfort zone as quick as anything. Growth is fueled when curiosity is flourishing in a learner.

Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone in the coming year? What else would you add to the list? I want to hear from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter. 

        

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The Importance of “Sales” in Education

I am embarrassed to admit it, but I do like the clickbaity type titles more often than I should.  When I saw the title, “The 1 Interview Question All Great Bosses Ask to Hire for Potential (Hint: Mark Cuban Says It’s the Secret to Success),” I was interested in reading it just because I thought it would be something that was either common sense or ridiculous.  Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with the “one question”:

“Do you like sales?”

Huh?

As the article states, when we think “sales” we often think used cars, but this quote stuck out to me:

Well, because sales is a very strong indicator of someone’s social intelligence. Anybody can be well-liked and get along with others when nothing is at stake, but sales require one to explain the value, virtues, and benefits of a product, service, or project when someone may not be on your side.

Do the last eight words sound familiar in education, whether in the classroom or leadership positions?  Early in my career, I am guilty of answering the question, “Why do we have to learn this?” with, “because I said so.”  Yes, the answer came off as sarcastic, but part of the reality of some of the things that I taught was not because I believed in them or saw their long-term benefit,  but because they were part of the curriculum which I had to teach.  I answered that way because I didn’t know what else to say.

This article connected directly to this piece by AJ Juliani, “Is It the End of Math Homework?” In it, AJ explains the PhotoMath app, and how it would do math problems for students:

She would pick up her iPhone (or maybe it was an Android) and open up an app. Then flicking over to a clear screen, she would hover the phone over a specific problem in her textbook.

It was nothing short of magic. If by chance, someone had been transported here from even 20 years ago they might not have believed it was possible.

The phone immediately (I mean it was quick!) overlayed the problem, multiple steps, and a solution all in a row on her screen. She jotted down the answers on her piece of paper and went on to the next problem.

In my conversation with AJ, we talked about his post and how it made teachers think differently about how they assigned work in class, but what I wanted to challenge was that now more than ever, students need to know why something is important to learn in the first place.  If an app will do the work for me, and I see no value in learning the process in the first place, why would I spend my time doing this?  It might be an App or Google now, but when I went to school, it was the answers in the back of the book that was my way out of doing the work needed for class.  As a teacher, you could argue with me all you wanted that if I copied the answers out of the back of the book that it would hurt me by the time the test came around, but if I saw the class and the learning to be irrelevant, do you think I cared if I passed the test?

All of this reminded me of Daniel Pink’s book, “To Sell is Human”:

Years ago, I started refusing to do workshops or sessions that were focused solely on a new tool or idea. There had to be time provided where I could explain why what I was talking about was crucial to education or people personally in the context of their work. This meant not only sharing “why” but taking questions and understanding where people were starting from to help them move forward, instead of solely focusing on where I believed they needed to go. If you didn’t do that, teachers would often ask “why,” and instead of creating a compelling case in the first place, it was arguments the entire time anyway. The ultimate is when you are teaching something new, and the why is so compelling that by the time you are finished making your case, people are anxious to get going. That takes work, a clear vision, and persistence.

If you connect the Pink quote to this work, the “resource” that we often ask our students or colleagues to part with is their time, and time is the most precious of resources we have in this world. Once given away, you will never get it back. Spending time to show why what you are doing is not only going to be important to who you serve now and in the future, is not in addition to the work of education, it is simply part of it. And if you don’t understand “why” and/or have the ability to articulate a compelling vision, the people you serve will probably not buy what you are selling in the first place.

• August 5, 2016 10 Reasons to Try Genius Hour This School Year
• January 8, 2017 3 Areas Where Having “The Innovator’s Mindset” is Crucial
• July 2, 2017 Preparing Learners For Anything #EmpowerBook
• April 6, 2015 8 Things to Look for in Today’s Professional Learning (Part 1)
• April 4, 2015 Inquiry Based Professional Learning

Source: George Couros

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My Top Ten Reads of 2017: I Even Surprised Myself

I never have an easy time picking my top ten.  I usually have a few in mind that I know without a doubt will be on the list. Others sneak up on me when I'm looking at my list and remembering how I felt about the books after I'd read them.  So even books that got a better rating than others may not show up on the list, merely because I'm contrary and might pick something with a lower rating that had a greater impact on me in the long run.  

This year I'm including a short list of honorable mentions.  Books that I really enjoyed, but didn't quite make the top ten because it's a top ten and not a top fifteen or twenty.  I have to stop myself somewhere!

Here are the honorable mentions, in no particular order:

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.  Great historical fiction about leprosy and Hawaii.

The Lies She Told by Cate Holohan.  A story within a story, with plenty of plot twists to keep you turning the pages. 

Nutshell by Ian McEwan.  A novel told from the perspective of an unborn baby who hears his mother and her lover plotting the murder of his father.  Brilliant.  

The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston.  A non-fiction adventure into the jungles of Honduras looking for a legendary lost city.  

Notwithstanding: Stories from an English Village by Louis de Bernieres.  Each chapter is a story about the folks who live in an English village.  Funny, moving, and hard to put down. 

The Book of Polly by Kathy Hepinstall.  An elderly mother raises her daughter by herself, whipping up margaritas and being sassy.  A look at mother-daughter relationships.  You'll get a kick out of Polly.

The Last to See Me by M. Dressler.  An unusual ghost story.  

Caroline:  Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller. A retelling of Little House on the Prairie from Caroline's point of view.  It was refreshing to be inside Ma's head.  At first I had trouble getting into it, but by the end I was tearing up as they left their little house in Kansas Territory. She was one tough lady!

And Now...The Top Ten of 2017

This was hard!  Although I think it's a very good thing when there are too many fantastic books to pick from each year.  There are books that would have surely made my list (and made my choices more difficult) if I'd gotten to them this year; so I guess that means I'll face the same difficult decisions next December. Here we go:

10.  Life Reimagined: The Science, Art, and Opportunity of Midlife by Barbara Bradley Hagerty
I listened to this on audio and wow, it really hit home. I'm in a time of my life where opportunities still abound, changes can be made, and there's plenty of life left to conquer.  I bought the paperback to keep in my home library.  

9.  The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

I read this novel early in the year, and I just loved it. I'm a big fan of Civil War novels, and this was one of my favorites.  It's short, but powerful. 

8.  A Column of Fire by Ken Follett

I still haven't read World Without End, the second in his series of Kingsbridge, but that didn't stop me (and it shouldn't stop you) from diving into this big book set during Elizabeth I's reign.  Follett explains history in a readable way that will send you searching for more information at your local library or bookstore.  He's such a good writer.  

7.  Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

I read this for a book group, and I am so glad I did. A very good novel about immigrants in modern day New York City; their desire for a better life, and the choices they must make to create that better life.  Is is better to be an immigrant in America, or to go home and change the life you left?

6.  The Fortune Teller by Gwendolyn Womack

This novel was a total impulse buy at the bookstore, then sat in my TBR stack for a while.  When I did finally read it, I was enthralled.  Ancient history, the great Library of Alexandria, magic, and a bit of a thriller.  All ingredients for a novel I will enjoy.  

5.  See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt

Oh, Lizzie Borden.  How you fascinate me.  This novel was high on the creep factor, but so damn good.  Just read it.  

4.  The Lost Book of the Grail by Charlie Lovett

I'm a fan of Charlie Lovett.  His novels reflect his love of books, libraries, and the knowledge they protect and pass down.  A novel set in England and about the Holy Grail?  Count me in.  This made me yearn to travel to England again.  

3.  The Last Neanderthal by Claire Cameron

Oh, this book was one that I hadn't planned on reading, but I decided to push myself to try something different and I am so glad I did!  I still get teary-eyed thinking about Girl, and her struggle to survive.  What an amazing character.  What an amazing tale. 

2.  The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

It's no secret that Alice Hoffman is one of my favorite authors.  I pretty much dropped everything to read an advanced copy of this novel, which is a prequel to Practical Magic.  I adored everything about it, and if you haven't read Alice Hoffman, get to it.  She's amazing.  

And My Number One Book of 2017 is...

1. Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore

This novel had me eagerly anticipating its release for months, and I gladly bought the hardcover as soon as it was available.  The tale of Milo, a soul that has lived 9,995 lives is nothing less than amazing. I loved it. Maybe that's because of where I am in life, or my philosophy on souls and life purpose. But whatever the reason, Milo's quest to get it right with his remaining 5 lives--before he ends up in the nothingness, takes you on a journey through some of the lives Milo has lived over the centuries, and even on other planets and as various life forms.  An imaginative and interesting look at what it means to live with purpose, and what happens when we die. As soon as I turned the last page I knew it would be my favorite read of 2017.  

So there it is.  My life in books for the year of 2017.  I can look at these titles, and remember where I was in my life this year.  That always shapes what I read, and when I read it.  I can't wait to see where my reading life takes me in 2018.  What were your favorite reads this year?  Let me know!  I'm always fascinated by what other folks read, and why.  

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

Love, 

The Bookalicious Babe 

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The Importance of “Sales” in Education

I am embarrassed to admit it, but I do like the clickbaity type titles more often than I should.  When I saw the title, “The 1 Interview Question All Great Bosses Ask to Hire for Potential (Hint: Mark Cuban Says It’s the Secret to Success),” I was interested in reading it just because I thought it would be something that was either common sense or ridiculous.  Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with the “one question”:

“Do you like sales?”

Huh?

As the article states, when we think “sales” we often think used cars, but this quote stuck out to me:

Well, because sales is a very strong indicator of someone’s social intelligence. Anybody can be well-liked and get along with others when nothing is at stake, but sales require one to explain the value, virtues, and benefits of a product, service, or project when someone may not be on your side.

Do the last eight words sound familiar in education, whether in the classroom or leadership positions?  Early in my career, I am guilty of answering the question, “Why do we have to learn this?” with, “because I said so.”  Yes, the answer came off as sarcastic, but part of the reality of some of the things that I taught was not because I believed in them or saw their long-term benefit,  but because they were part of the curriculum which I had to teach.  I answered that way because I didn’t know what else to say.

This article connected directly to this piece by AJ Juliani, “Is It the End of Math Homework?” In it, AJ explains the PhotoMath app, and how it would do math problems for students:

She would pick up her iPhone (or maybe it was an Android) and open up an app. Then flicking over to a clear screen, she would hover the phone over a specific problem in her textbook.

It was nothing short of magic. If by chance, someone had been transported here from even 20 years ago they might not have believed it was possible.

The phone immediately (I mean it was quick!) overlayed the problem, multiple steps, and a solution all in a row on her screen. She jotted down the answers on her piece of paper and went on to the next problem.

In my conversation with AJ, we talked about his post and how it made teachers think differently about how they assigned work in class, but what I wanted to challenge was that now more than ever, students need to know why something is important to learn in the first place.  If an app will do the work for me, and I see no value in learning the process in the first place, why would I spend my time doing this?  It might be an App or Google now, but when I went to school, it was the answers in the back of the book that was my way out of doing the work needed for class.  As a teacher, you could argue with me all you wanted that if I copied the answers out of the back of the book that it would hurt me by the time the test came around, but if I saw the class and the learning to be irrelevant, do you think I cared if I passed the test?

All of this reminded me of Daniel Pink’s book, “To Sell is Human”:

Years ago, I started refusing to do workshops or sessions that were focused solely on a new tool or idea. There had to be time provided where I could explain why what I was talking about was crucial to education or people personally in the context of their work. This meant not only sharing “why” but taking questions and understanding where people were starting from to help them move forward, instead of solely focusing on where I believed they needed to go. If you didn’t do that, teachers would often ask “why,” and instead of creating a compelling case in the first place, it was arguments the entire time anyway. The ultimate is when you are teaching something new, and the why is so compelling that by the time you are finished making your case, people are anxious to get going. That takes work, a clear vision, and persistence.

If you connect the Pink quote to this work, the “resource” that we often ask our students or colleagues to part with is their time, and time is the most precious of resources we have in this world. Once given away, you will never get it back. Spending time to show why what you are doing is not only going to be important to who you serve now and in the future, is not in addition to the work of education, it is simply part of it. And if you don’t understand “why” and/or have the ability to articulate a compelling vision, the people you serve will probably not buy what you are selling in the first place.

• August 5, 2016 10 Reasons to Try Genius Hour This School Year
• January 8, 2017 3 Areas Where Having “The Innovator’s Mindset” is Crucial
• July 2, 2017 Preparing Learners For Anything #EmpowerBook
• April 6, 2015 8 Things to Look for in Today’s Professional Learning (Part 1)
• April 4, 2015 Inquiry Based Professional Learning

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People Shape Culture

I am struggling with an idea here, so I have decided to blog it out…Let’s see where it goes.

I used to believe that culture trumped everything.  If you were good at your job as a leader, and you built the right culture, once you left, the culture would sustain.

I am not sure that I believe that anymore.

As I have connected with many educators around the world, they have often confided in me how different their school or organization has become because of that one person in that one new position.  Sometimes it is a superintendent, principal, curriculum director, or a myriad of other administrative roles.  Once in a while, that person makes it better, but more often than should be acceptable, one person in a short time can change the trajectory of a culture negatively.

You see, “culture” is made up of people, and people shape the culture, not necessarily the other way around. 

The notion of “addition by subtraction” is sometimes the right decision, and it goes back to the Jim Collins notion (Author of “Good to Great”), that we need to put, “the right people in the right seats on the bus.”

Let’s just get something clear…I do not believe that people go in trying to destroy a culture, but they just aren’t a fit for what has been created in the past and what is needed to move forward.  There is a great story (I cannot remember where I read it, so if you do know where it is from, please share in the comments below), about a company looking at their culture and deciding to fire their top salesperson.  On the surface, it doesn’t make much sense to remove the person who is doing the best at the job that they are expected to do, but once they were let go, sales for the company went up as a whole.  The reasoning behind it was that the person who was let go from their position was so competitive with their colleagues that they would not only hide their secrets, they would seemingly sabotage people to ensure that they were always the best.  If they were focused on collaboration leading to higher sales, the people in that culture would have to exemplify that.

Earlier in my career, I remember interviewing for a job that I really wanted in a school.  From what I had observed from the interview, I had done extremely well, so I was disappointed when they contacted me and told me that although my interview was great, they were not ready to hire me at that time.  What they had shared at the time didn’t make sense then, but does more now.  They communicated that they loved my vision for education, but it was so far ahead of where many of their staff would be, that they were nervous that I would intimidate some of the team members and I would quickly become ostracized. Hiring me, as they saw, would not be the best use of my talents, and not the best fit in their culture at that time.  What I admire now is that they were not only looking out for their school, but they also wanted to help my career as well. You see, it is not always about hiring the best person for the job, but hiring the best person for the culture that you want to create.  They are not always the same thing.

The scary reality is that it is often easier for a new person to do damage than to make something incredible.  It is why when you hire someone, it is not about just thinking of their qualifications, but looking at where they fit and how they will build on what has been done, while also leaving positive fingerprints on the organization as they move forward.

As I said earlier, people make the culture, whereas culture doesn’t necessarily shape people.  I know people who have had their career rejuvenated by a fantastic leader (I am one of those people), and unfortunately, I know people in the opposite position. One person can make the most significant difference on the whole.  Find the best person for where you have been and where you need to go.

• September 20, 2011 Do we ever accept great?
• January 16, 2017 Innovation is a process, not a product.
• January 27, 2017 A World that is Asking for Continuous Creation
• March 12, 2014 3 Things That Should Never Change in Schools
• December 4, 2015 How do you tell your story?

Source: George Couros

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A Year in Review: My Top 5 Posts from 2017

2017 is almost in the books, and I'm taking some time to reflect on what's past and certainly looking ahead to what is to come. Blogging has continued to be a personal and professional outlet for me. I appreciate my PLN for your support and for pushing me to be my best.

Here's a quick look back at my top 5 posts from 2017. It's interesting every post is a list. I guess I'm kind of into organizing my thoughts that way, but not all of my posts are structured in this format. In fact, some of my favorite posts weren't lists at all. But, note to self, it seems that posts with lists are really popular with the audience.

1. 21 Phrases to Use in Dealing with Difficult Behaviors, October 12th.

21 Phrases to Use in Dealing With Difficult Behaviors

The first priority in creating a positive classroom environment and limiting problem behaviors is to develop positive relationships. That's absolutely essential. Kids can't here this enough. It's important to establish positive intentions.This is another one of my favorite questions. I often will use this to hold kids accountable if they do something disrespectful to me or someone else.

2. 9 Essential #EdTech Ideas to Share with Your Team, February 5th.

9 Essential #EdTech Ideas to Share With Your Team

Technology is playing a bigger role in classrooms and schools in this country and around the world. Here are a few thoughts to keep technology in perspective. Share them with your team and discuss how to best implement technology in your learning culture.

3. 17 Signs You're a Future Driven Educator, September 26th

17 Signs You're a Future Driven Educator

In writing my new book Future Driven , I shared many of the great things I see educators doing that are changing education for the better and helping to prepare students for the world they are facing. And we all know it's a challenging, complex world out there.

4. 11 Things You Might Be Unintentionally Be Communicating to Your Students, November 14th

11 Things You Might Unintentionally Be Communicating to Your Students

Some things we communicate intentionally. And sometimes when we fail to communicate intentionally, we send a message that we didn't mean to send. Here are 11 things you might unintentionally be communicating to your students. 1.

5. 9 Mistakes That Sabotage Your Classroom Management, October 27th

9 Mistakes That Sabotage Your Classroom Management

If you've followed my blog, you might know I really like to refer to Always remember you're This one encompasses so much. It's easy to jump to conclusions or make assumptions in the course of a day working with students. Teachers make so many decisions.

        

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People Shape Culture

I am struggling with an idea here, so I have decided to blog it out…Let’s see where it goes.

I used to believe that culture trumped everything.  If you were good at your job as a leader, and you built the right culture, once you left, the culture would sustain.

I am not sure that I believe that anymore.

As I have connected with many educators around the world, they have often confided in me how different their school or organization has become because of that one person in that one new position.  Sometimes it is a superintendent, principal, curriculum director, or a myriad of other administrative roles.  Once in a while, that person makes it better, but more often than should be acceptable, one person in a short time can change the trajectory of a culture negatively.

You see, “culture” is made up of people, and people shape the culture, not necessarily the other way around. 

The notion of “addition by subtraction” is sometimes the right decision, and it goes back to the Jim Collins notion (Author of “Good to Great”), that we need to put, “the right people in the right seats on the bus.”

Let’s just get something clear…I do not believe that people go in trying to destroy a culture, but they just aren’t a fit for what has been created in the past and what is needed to move forward.  There is a great story (I cannot remember where I read it, so if you do know where it is from, please share in the comments below), about a company looking at their culture and deciding to fire their top salesperson.  On the surface, it doesn’t make much sense to remove the person who is doing the best at the job that they are expected to do, but once they were let go, sales for the company went up as a whole.  The reasoning behind it was that the person who was let go from their position was so competitive with their colleagues that they would not only hide their secrets, they would seemingly sabotage people to ensure that they were always the best.  If they were focused on collaboration leading to higher sales, the people in that culture would have to exemplify that.

Earlier in my career, I remember interviewing for a job that I really wanted in a school.  From what I had observed from the interview, I had done extremely well, so I was disappointed when they contacted me and told me that although my interview was great, they were not ready to hire me at that time.  What they had shared at the time didn’t make sense then, but does more now.  They communicated that they loved my vision for education, but it was so far ahead of where many of their staff would be, that they were nervous that I would intimidate some of the team members and I would quickly become ostracized. Hiring me, as they saw, would not be the best use of my talents, and not the best fit in their culture at that time.  What I admire now is that they were not only looking out for their school, but they also wanted to help my career as well. You see, it is not always about hiring the best person for the job, but hiring the best person for the culture that you want to create.  They are not always the same thing.

The scary reality is that it is often easier for a new person to do damage than to make something incredible.  It is why when you hire someone, it is not about just thinking of their qualifications, but looking at where they fit and how they will build on what has been done, while also leaving positive fingerprints on the organization as they move forward.

As I said earlier, people make the culture, whereas culture doesn’t necessarily shape people.  I know people who have their career rejuvenated by a fantastic leader (I am one of those people), and unfortunately, I know people in the opposite position. One person can make the most significant difference on the whole.  Find the best person for where you have been and where you need to go.

• September 20, 2011 Do we ever accept great?
• January 16, 2017 Innovation is a process, not a product.
• January 27, 2017 A World that is Asking for Continuous Creation
• March 12, 2014 3 Things That Should Never Change in Schools
• December 4, 2015 How do you tell your story?

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Christmas at Two Love Lane by Kieran Kramer and I'm Done With Christmas Reads!

I've made a pretty good dent in my month of Christmas reads, but I decided today that I just can't read anymore holiday themed novels.  I'm ready to get back to my regular reading.  So much so that I've already put so many books on my mental January reads list that it's impossible for me to read them all.  I'm afraid to sit and actually write down what I'm planning on reading for January. The bone chilling cold that has visited Iowa in the past few days (and not leaving any time soon) has me yearning (and yes, I do mean yearning) to plant my tush on the couch and read for days.  Those are my plans for this coming weekend, so I hope they become reality.

I bought this novel last month while perusing the holiday reads at B&N.  I hadn't read a holiday romance since last year, and when I read the back cover, I had to buy it. Anything that is set in Charleston has me won over.  I've never been to Charleston, but it's on my travel list as a must see. I'm halfway in serious like with a city I've never been to, but someday I'll get there.

After my unhappy reading experience with Christmas in London, I was ready for a romance with some heat, and Deacon Banks, hailing from New York City, was just the ticket.  He's in Charleston for the month of December to help his Aunt Fran settle into her winter condo and make her entrance into Charleston society.  A famous talk show host, she's retired and wanted to make a change, so Charleston was her change.  She wants Deacon to settle down, so he's reluctantly promised her he'll date a few women while he's in Charleston, just to make his Aunt happy.  Enter Two Love Lane, where Macy Frost and her two friends run a matchmaking service.  They've got the magic touch, and are well known as matchmakers who help folks find their true love.  Deacon just wants a few dates with no strings attached, but the first time he lays eyes on Macy, it's lust.  Macy tries to keep it professional, but she feels the pull of attraction, too.  

Macy is a matchmaker who believes in love, but not for herself.  That, and Deacon's unwillingness to admit that it's more than lust with Macy make the road to happily ever after a bit bumpy. As they spend the December social scene  together, and get to know one another, it's clear this is a love match.  Clear to everyone but the two of them.  I got a little lost in some of the finer details as to why they just couldn't admit to their deeper feelings; it seemed to take way too long, even after they did sleep together.  I think the story could have been shortened by about 50 pages by cutting out some of that dragging plot.  But, that was about all I had to complain about.  The sparks between Macy and Deacon were hot, they were cute and funny together, and the secondary characters were delightful.  I can't imagine that Charleston is as small town as it appears to be in this novel--everyone knows everyone, and everything is in walking distance--but that is part of the charm of the setting. I'm willing to overlook it. 

There is a sequel coming out next week, called Wedding at Two Love Lane.  It is the story of one of Macy's partners, and it looks like fun, too.  I'll probably be reading it just to see how things turn out.  I suspect there will be a third, to round out the trio of ladies who own Two Love Lane.  

So, I am ending my Christmas reads with this novel.  I have a few that I didn't get to, or gave up on, and I'll have a roundup of those in a later post. I'll say goodbye until next year to my holiday reads.  I'll be ready to tackle another pile of them come December 1, 2018.  

Rating:  3/6 for an entertaining romance set in Charleston in December.  The chemistry between the two main characters is palpable, and the secondary characters are pretty fantastic. Available in mass market, and ebook. I'll read the sequel coming out next week.   

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3 Ideas for Staying Positive

As we come to the end of 2017 and go into the new year, I am doing a bit of self-reflection on my own personal learning. I have put a focus on these three things, and they have made a particular difference to me:

1. Focused on my health, both mentally and physically. I feel that in the last few years, I have ignored these things and it has caught up with me where I either do something now, or the damage caused will be irreversible.  I have spent more time listening to music just to enjoy it, more time pushing myself when I exercise (not just going to the gym, but using that time wisely), and taking time to meditate and clear my mind.  It has helped.  I have started using the Aaptiv app, and it is by far my favourite app of 2017. It has made the most significant difference on me as it is like having a coach in my ear, pushing me to push myself. One other thing that I have done is be thoughtful of my first things I hear or see in the morning. I love to watch motivational videos on YouTube and it really sparks my mind and sets a tone for the day.  Another thing I have done is watch a funny show on the elliptical before I start lifting weights or running.  It is much easier to hit a hard workout if you are laughing and smiling before you start. I am not where I want to be, but I am growing, and that is the goal.  If I am not feeling okay mentally and physically, I feel I am not able to give my best to others.
2. Focused on who I surround myself with, and what I spend my time doing. The adage of “you are the average of the five people you spend your time with” is something that I believe.  I am also more thoughtful of my time on social media. I still think that it is amazingly powerful, but I also know it is not everything.  The struggle, push and pull that I have with social media, is something good for me as an educator, because it helps me understand it in a more profound sense for the students I serve. One of the things that I read this year that made a significant impact on me was the difference between a “discussion” and an “argument.”  From what I remember, an argument is about having a “winner,” whereas a discussion is about figuring out the best idea. I have done my best to identify the difference, and only take part in discussions on social media.  That has helped me with number one as well and reminded me that the more important word in “Personal Learning Network” is “Personal.” I shape the way that I spend my time since time is the most finite resource we have.  Once time is spent, you can’t get it back, so I am much more thoughtful about how I use it.A constant reminder…
3. Go easier on myself. We are our own harshest critics, and that can be crippling. I have made so many mistakes in my life and will continue to do so.  I am trying to focus more on getting better for the future, and less on dwelling on the past.  The weird thing about this is that it has made me somewhat more understanding of others, and this quote pops into my head daily; “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” I am working on finding the balance of having high expectations while not being too hard on myself. I don’t know if that last sentence makes any sense to you, but in my head it does.

I have a long way to go in my personal development, but these things have been on my mind as of late.

This space has been a place of reflection for almost eight years now and has highlighted not only my educational thinking but personal aspects of my life. I have written about my father passing away, losing my dogs, and some of my struggles. I just wanted to take the time to write something that I could look back on in the future and see my progress, and hopefully, some of the things that I have written might help others.

In any sense, I appreciate all of the people around the world who have taken time to read this blog. I hope that no matter where you are, you know that I appreciate all of the educators around the world who spend their extra time to get better for the students they serve.

All the best for the end of 2017 and I wish you a great 2018!

• December 16, 2014 Sometimes it’s you…
• December 28, 2012 Me in Review
• September 8, 2013 3 Years
• June 16, 2014 Goodbye My Sweet Girl
• January 1, 2011 People Business

Source: George Couros

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Christmas in London by Anita Hughes

I got up early this morning to write my review and get moving on my to do list for Christmas Eve.  Mostly, I plan on "to-doing" this morning, so I can spend the afternoon blissfully relaxing on my couch with a book and a fake fire crackling on my TV.  Christmas and books are linked together for me, and I can't imagine anything else making me happier today than reading for a bit and taking a deep breath.  

My boyfriend told me I've been a bit crabby this month, and he's right.  I haven't been able to spend much time relaxing and reading, which is always the one thing that chills me out and brings me back to a happy mood! A very sore muscle strain in my shoulder has made me very uncomfortable, and is slow to heal. So yes, I've been crabby. I did, however, manage to finish Christmas in London late last night!

This is how I feel about Anita Hughes novels:  I like them, but they annoy me.  Why then, do I read them?  They are pure escapism; the characters in her novels are so perfect even in their moments of unhappiness that I can't feel bad for them at all.  In this novel, Louisa Graham is an up and coming baker in New York City.  She's working hard to have enough money to open her own bakery in the next year.  She's famous for her cinnamon rolls, and those rolls give her a random, out of the ordinary chance to travel to London and be on a show called Christmas Dinner at Claridge's.  She's being flown to London, staying at the glamorous Claridge's hotel, and will be making a croquembouche for the show. It's a once in a lifetime chance to put her face out there for the world to see.  Noah, the production assistant to producer Kate, is attractive and a bit bossy, and at first Louisa's attraction isn't super strong.  She's too dazzled by London at Christmas, the elegance of the hotel, and all the running around she's required to do for the show.  And, she's meeting handsome and famous super chef Digby Bunting.  

Kate's story was unexpected and quite honestly, more interesting than Louisa's. She runs into a friend from college-Trevor, a brilliant mathematician who is in a failing marriage to a minor royal family member.  Their story is interesting, until the bump at the end, where Trevor decides he can't take the chance at being hurt again by Kate, just as she's ready to finally take a chance with him.  Ugh.  

So, this novel is pure make believe, never could happen in real life stuff.  Louisa is beautiful, but isn't aware of it; Kate is stunning, classy, and ambitious--but with a heart of gold.  Noah, I felt, was not very well developed and I didn't feel any spark between him and Louisa, even though their romance is a big part of the novel.  Trevor, while an interesting character, seemed a bit weak at times.  And Digby is just a one dimensional dufus.  The star of the novel is, of course, London.  It's pretty dazzling at Christmas time. I would consider this a foodie novel, since there's much made of the food, drinks, and atmosphere at Claridge's, and most of the characters are involved in the high-end food industry.  

I wasn't terribly impressed with this novel; it just didn't have that magic I was looking for, and the problems the characters face are very minor and easily solved.  Louisa made some dumb choices and seemed very immature to me.  

I will read more of Anita Hughes, if only for the armchair travel.  She writes of glamorous places and people with minor blimps along the way towards love and happiness.  

Rating:  3/6 for the setting in London, and the food.  I thought the characters were one dimensional and the plot kind of lame.  A novel to read for pure enjoyment and escape from reality. 

Available in paperback and ebook. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  

via GIPHY




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3 Ideas for Staying Positive

As we come to the end of 2017 and go into the new year, I am just doing a bit of self-reflection on my own personal learning. I have put a focus on these three things, and they have made a particular difference to me:

1. Focused on my health, both mentally and physically. I feel that in the last few years, I have ignored these things and it has caught up with me where I either do something now, or the damage caused will be irreversible.  I have spent more time listening to music just to enjoy it, more time pushing myself when I exercise (not just going to the gym, but using that time wisely), and taking time to meditate and clear my mind.  It has helped.  I have started using the Aaptiv app, and it is by far my favourite app of 2017. It has made the most significant difference on me as it is like having a coach in my ear, pushing me to push myself.One other thing that I have done is be thoughtful of my first things I hear or see in the morning. I love to watch motivational videos on YouTube and it really sparks my mind and sets a tone for the day.  Another thing I have done is watch a funny show on the elliptical before I start lifting weights or running.  It is much easier to hit a hard workout if you are laughing and smiling before you start.I am not where I want to be, but I am growing, and that is the goal.  If I am not feeling okay mentally and physically, I feel I am not able to give my best to others.
2. Focused on who I surround myself with, and what I spend my time doing. The adage of “you are the average of the five people you spend your time with” is something that I believe.  I am also more thoughtful of my time on social media. I still think that it is amazingly powerful, but I also know it is not everything.  The struggle, push and pull that I have with social media, is something good for me as an educator, because it helps me understand it in a more profound sense for the students I serve.One of the things that I have read this year that made a significant impact on me was the difference between a “discussion” and an “argument.”  From what I remember, an argument is about having a “winner,” whereas a discussion is about figuring out the best idea. I have done my best to identify the difference, and only take part in discussions on social media.  That has helped me with number one as well and reminded me that the more important word in “Personal Learning Network” is “Personal.” I shape the way that I spend my time since time is the most finite resource we have.  Once time is spent, you can’t get it back, so I am much more thoughtful about how I use it.

   A constant reminder…

3. Go easier on myself. We are own harshest critics, and that can be crippling. I have made so many mistakes in my life and will continue to do so.  I am trying to focus more on getting better for the future, and less on dwelling on the past.  The weird thing about this is that it has made me somewhat more understanding of others, and this quote pops into my head daily;“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”I am working on finding the balance of having high expectations while not being too hard on myself. I don’t know if that last sentence makes any sense to you, but in my head it does

I have a long way to go in my personal development, but these things have been on my mind as of late.

This space has been a place of reflection for almost eight years now and has highlighted not only my educational thinking but personal aspects of my life. I have written about my father passing away, losing my dogs, and some of my struggles. I just wanted to take the time to write something that I could look back on in the future and see my progress, and hopefully, some of the things that I have written might help others.

In any sense, I appreciate all of the people around the world who have taken time to read this blog. I hope that no matter where you are, you know that I appreciate all of the educators around the world who spend their extra time to get better for the students they serve.

All the best for the end of 2017 and I wish you a great 2018!

• December 16, 2014 Sometimes it’s you…
• December 28, 2012 Me in Review
• September 8, 2013 3 Years
• June 16, 2014 Goodbye My Sweet Girl
• January 1, 2011 People Business

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Stocking Stuffers for the Baker

This post is sponsored by eBay. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

It’s here! The biggest shopping season of the year, the time to shower your friends and family with gifts you know they’ll love.

For the baker in your life, baking tools, gadgets and fun pans can be the best gifts. They’ll get used all year long and each time the item gets used, they’ll think of you!

Kitchen tools can be used for years, making them the gifts that keep on giving. And as a baker myself, I know that sometimes, I really can’t justify buying a second, (or third) set of measuring cups, or spoons for myself – but if my bestie gets them for me? BEST GIFT EVER.

So don’t be afraid to buy them something they already have. Every baker knows that having multiples of a tool makes it easy to batch bake. And then everybody wins, because HELLO, COOKIES!

I’ve teamed up with my friends at eBay and their Fill Your Cart with Color campaign to share some of my absolute favorite stocking stuffers for anyone that loves to bake.

These are some of my absolute favorite gifts that just so happen to fit perfectly into stockings!

1. Sure, you could use a bag of dry black beans, but I received a set of proper pie weights years ago in a Secret Santa gift exchange and I still love them to this day.

If you’ve never used pie weights, they help keep pie crust from bubbling up and shrinking during the process of blind baking. Which really just means pre-baking the bottom crust. Any pie baker on your list will love a set!

2. Sure an instant read digital thermometer comes in handy when you’re cooking different types of meats, but I also love mine for candy making and baking with yeast.

They’re simple to use and easy to read, so you get the perfect temperature every single time.

3. Does someone on your list love to make cupcakes, cookies, or cakes?

Homemade gorgeous swirls of buttercream, and beautifully frosted sugar cookies are totally achievable with the help of a piping tips.

I love the Wilton 1M for beginners, it’s definite must-have for any cupcake baker. However, these Russian Piping Tips are some of my new favorites and are so fun to use!

4. What baker doesn’t love sprinkles? From custom blends to simple sparkling sugar, any baker is sure love a few bottles of colorful sprinkles tucked into their stocking!

5. I think every baker should have a couple of sets of measuring cups and spoons. Sure you can get along fine with just one, but having a couple on hand make holiday baking and cooking a lot easier.

Colorful ones with fun prints and details are the perfect stocking stuffer!

6. An offset spatula is perfect for slathering dreamy buttercream onto cake layers and cupcakes.

They’re also great spreading ganache, icing and just about anything else you can whip up. I recommend purchasing a couple of sizes, so your has the perfect tool for any task.

7. One ingredient that I’m never run out of is pure vanilla extract. From cakes and cookies to ice cream and buttercream frosting, good quality vanilla extract is a must for anyone that loves to bake.

If your baker is well-stocked with vanilla, I also recommend lemon, almond, chocolate and peppermint extracts.

8. If you could see the inside of my baking tool drawer, you’d quickly realize that I am mildly obsessed with cookie scoops. Let’s just say I have a pretty decent collection going on.

If the baker in your life is cookie lover, I definitely recommend a medium size scoop. It will allow them to create perfectly portioned and even cookies with ease.

If you love baking cupcakes, go with a large scoop for perfectly portioned cupcakes every single time you bake! These are a definite must-have for any baker.

9. The OXO Good Grips Liquid Measuring Cups are one of my favorite things in the kitchen. Instead of one measuring cup, I have 7, each with a non-slip base and clear, bold measurements that are easy to read. I can measure out all my liquid ingredients in advance, and just pour as I go. They’re super easy to clean, because they’re dishwasher safe!

10. Trust me when I say that you can never have enough rubber spatulas – especially if they’re in bright and cheery hues! From scraping the sides of your mixing bowls to folding chocolate chips into brownie batter, rubber spatulas are a must have in any kitchen. And they just so happen to the perfect size for just about any stocking.

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