Finding the Good Problems

Working with a group of administrators in a workshop, the participants seemed to be evenly split into districts that were either “1 to 1″ (1 laptop/tablet per students) and those that weren’t.  I was asked by one of the administrators from a “1 to 1″ district, “How do you address educators that believe they do not have enough professional learning to effectively use these devices?”

Before I answered the question, I stopped and asked the group without a device per child, what was the most common complaint amongst educators in their district regarding technology. Their response?  That those teachers didn’t have devices.

So in one district with the devices, they didn’t have the professional learning, and in the other district, they wanted the devices.  No matter what side you are on, there is something to complain about.

There are a few things that are important here.  First of all, how we look at the world really matters.

But sometimes we have to call this out publicly.  I didn’t go back and answer the question to the first group, because they knew that they were blessed to have this opportunity and that this was a good problem to have, one that many wish they had.  What about the group without the devices?  The way I would look at it is that there is a tremendous opportunity to provide the professional learning where educators REALLY want those devices in the hands of the kids, and can see the power in using them to do something new and better for kids.

The other thing is that I think great leaders look for both the opportunities and obstacles in each opportunity, to try to understand how to move forward.  For example, I am very comfortable with technology and if I was to lead this with my staff, people might say, “Well that is a ‘George thing’ because he is really good with tech.”  That might not help them move forward. Maybe they need someone who is not as far as long so that they feel more comfortable going on their own journey.  Nothing is only positive or negative, but leaders need to try and understand both sides.

But here is what I truly believe and has been pushing my thinking a lot lately.

If you see obstacles, you will surely find them in front of you. Same goes for opportunities. What do you choose to see?

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Top 4 Spring Break Safety Tips

Since a safety mindset should be applied to every part of your vacation, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Protect Yourself and Your Home

Sharing updates about your family’s trip on social media can be fun, but dangerous. Do not state that your home is vacant during your trip. Instead, tell trustworthy friends and family that you’ll be traveling, and ask them to visit your house once or twice to ensure there is no suspicious activity. Ask the trusted person to pick up your mail, spend some time with the lights on in the house, and to be sure all windows and doors are locked. Source: FamilyVacationCritic

Protect Your Assets

Make copies of your credit cards, ID, and passport (if traveling abroad), and keep one of each in the hotel safe at all times. Leave your flashy jewelry at home: Not only can it be tough to keep track of those things when traveling, but you also don’t want to draw any unnecessary attention to yourself. Spring break destinations can be a pick-pocketer’s paradise, so be extra vigilant of your belongings. When you’re out and about, keep your money, camera, and ID as concealed as possible — make sure you have a purse that zips shut, and keep it on you at all times. If you want to be extra safe, consider something like this bra pouch for discreetly and securely carrying your hotel key, ID, and money, or a small lock for your backpack zipper. Source: TeenVogue

Book a Hotel in a Central Location

The closer your hotel is to the beach, downtown or other areas where you plan to spend most of your time, the less likely you’ll be to get lost or to be involved in a car crash. Avoid unlicensed taxi cabs by asking your hotel, restaurant or club to summon a ride for you, and if in doubt, pass up the car and wait for another one. Source: MNN

Don’t Drink and Drive

This saying has been said so much that it may seem like a cliché. Still, many students get behind the wheel of a car, or get into a car with someone who has been drinking. Each year millions of students drive while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, this according to College Drinking Prevention. Just as serious is texting while driving. It is vitally important that when out driving, whether in a town you are not familiar with on spring break, or at home, that you are alert and free from distractions. Source: FastWeb

We hope these give you guidelines to remember to be aware of your safety and the safety of your friends.

If you want more information, please contact us.

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In the Light of What We See by Sarah Painter

I am lucky to have found another author who writes in a genre that is one of my favorites: magical reality.  Sarah Painter has written three novels, and I have them all on my Nook.  An opportunity to read and review this, her third book, had me hitting "Buy Now" to grab her first two: The Secret of Ghosts  and The Language of Spells (there is also a novella available as a 'prequel').  

This novel has two stories and two female characters living in different times, but bound by a place and a nagging sense of danger.  Grace, in 1938, has begun work as a nurse at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, England.  She has disgraced her family by getting pregnant.  Unfortunately for Grace, the pregnancy was a result of a rape by a family friend.  Telling her parents about the pregnancy sent her father into a rage against the humiliation his family faced having such a bad girl, and he kicked and punched her until she lost the baby.  With no happy life ahead of her staying with her family, she fled to Brighton for a second chance.  Quiet and reserved, she struggles to be a nurse in a place where long, difficult days on her feet exhaust her, and a fear of being dismissed keeps her on her toes.  

In present day, Mina works at the Royal Sussex Hospital as a radiologist.  She's not a terribly happy person, and is in a relationship with her boss, Mark,  but is trying to end it.  Mina ends up in the hospital as a patient after a bad car wreck.  She's had head injuries, a damaged knee, and burns on her leg.  She can't remember what happened, and Mark soon arrives, telling everyone he's her boyfriend.  Mina has a sense of uneasiness around him, but without her memory, is hard pressed to understand why.  

As Mina spends weeks in the hospital, she sees a nurse standing near her bed and soon realizes the nurse is not one of the nurses that work on the floor, but rather an apparition.  Who is the nurse, and why is she there?  What is she trying to tell Mina?

Grace struggles to feel at home as a nurse in the hospital, and shares a room with Evie, who is fun, flirty, and full of life.  Friendship is there, if only Grace will reach out.  Meanwhile, she is slowly becoming aware that Dr. Palmer has his eye on her, and he terrifies Grace with his demeanor; catching her alone, saying inappropriate things to her.  She doesn't know what to do, and is afraid history will repeat itself.  

Mina's memory slowly starts to come back, and flashes of memories with Mark and her estranged family have her questioning her life, and how the accident happened.  What connection does Grace and Mina have, and will it save Mina?

I enjoyed this novel very much.  Mina isn't a very nice person, but her time in the hospital begins to change her.  Not remembering who she was gives her an opportunity to become a Mina that is kinder, more thoughtful, and capable of sharing her feelings with others.  Grace is super reserved, and you can't blame her after being shunned by her family, and told over and over that she wasn't a good girl.  When all is said and done, this is a novel about women in dangerous relationships, and how sometimes others need to intercede before something horrible happens.  It's about women looking out for each other, and creating family out of those who care about us the most.  A ghostly nurse, apparitions of birds, and foreshadowing add a touch of magic to an entertaining tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sarah Painter for a chance to read and review this novel.  

Available in paperback, e-book, and audio.

Rating:  7/10




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3 Creative Places to Hide Your Home Security Cameras

Hiding your security cameras in unique and creative places may give you the extra protection needed to help protect your home and family from theft. Here are 3 creative places to hide your home security cameras.

 

In a Potted Plant
Get creative! Your camera will not be so easily spotted if you hide it inside a nondescript household object. Make sure to use something that you would usually keep in your room or office; an out-of-place object may arouse suspicion.
Consider hiding the camera in the leaves of a potted plant or deep in the recesses of a bookshelf–anywhere that someone will be unlikely to look closely. Make sure that the camera lens is pointing where you need it to point. Source: wikiHow

In a Bird Box
An ordinary bird nesting box can make a fantastic disguise for a camera. Choose a style that is completely enclosed, with just a small hole in the front for birds to enter and exit. The lens of a small bullet camera can sit just behind this hole, capturing everything that happens outside your property without being seen. If you are using a wired camera security system, then you will need to drill a hole in the rear of the box for the cables. A wireless security camera can simply be placed inside the box and connected wirelessly to the home security network. You can then mount the box on the side of your house or on a garden wall or fence. The advantage of using a bird box as a disguise, rather than a garden ornament or rock, is that you can use a high vantage point, which could give you a better view of intruders’ faces. Source: eBay

Under a Light Switch
We learned that it worked perfectly well with the iCam software and their tech support was familiar with this unit. It took all of 15 minutes to set it up via a web browser while being wired to our computer.
We made the square cut using an X-acto knife and got the power from our friendly AC outlet, snaked the wires through the opening and started working with the blank light switch plate template for the lens and status light’s openings.
This took a little bit of trial and error, but we finally found the perfect location. We used a regular hot glue gun to attach the camera (which we stripped from its pedestal base to minimize footprint) to the switch plate.  Source: ApartmentTherapy

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How Great Teacher Candidates Interview Differently

One principal’s interview mindset:

If you are a candidate interviewing for a teaching position, I want to take a genuine moment to explicitly share what you are up against. As a principal, I am looking for a candidate, who demonstrates a love for kids; who articulates a clear picture of what their classroom will look, sound, and feel like; who reveals incredible content knowledge; who takes ownership in their own professional learning; and the most important obstacle you are up against is this internal question, “Would I want my own child in this teacher’s classroom?”

Click here for interview questions I use to reveal much more about a candidate than just how skilled he/she is at interviewing.

As a principal, my goal is to find the best of the best.  It’s simply impossible to improve a school by hiring average people. Average is officially over.  If you desire to make it to a final interview, then be sure to consider the following tips.

“I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it.” Denzel Washington

Take the time to research and know the school in which you are interviewing. As a principal, I no longer begin an interview with the question, “Tell me a little about yourself professionally.” If I’ve done my homework (and believe me… I have), I will find out everything I need to know within your application, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts. It’s important to use every minute purposefully. A better question may be, “Tell me about how you prepared for this interview? What do you now know about our school?” If a candidate can’t answer this question, then maybe they’re not enthusiastic about being a part of our school. In fact, if you were to interview for a position at my particular school, a simple Google search would quickly pull up the following on the first page of Google.

Over 100 short videos that provide a window into our classrooms, activities, events, and the overall feeling of our school culture can be accessed with the click of a button.

Our school’s blog includes student projects and even ‘articles worth sharing.’ What an excellent opportunity to learn the type of instruction that we value.

Believe it or not, you could easily come across this exact article that provides not only the type of candidate we are striving for, but also specific interview questions that may be asked. How beneficial could that be?

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” ― Carl Sagan

If you say it, back it up with evidence. If you say you differentiate your instruction, showing me a lesson plan is not enough. The best candidates present multiple student outcomes that represent different ability levels related to the same learning goal.

If you say you provide specific feedback at the time of the learning… show me. The best candidates present artifacts that demonstrate feedback from the beginning to the end. The final product reflects the feedback.

If you say that your classroom is highly engaged with simultaneous interactions taking place among your students… I need to see it! The very best candidates bring a 30-45 second video highlighting what their classroom looks and feels like. It’s important I know you are enthusiastic and passionate about your subject matter, therefore, show me by providing a digital window into your classroom.

“Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.” – John Keats

Answer questions by providing a story or a real experience (or if you are a new teacher, describe the experience you will create.) For instance, if you are asked, “How will you integrate technology?”

Candidates without real experiences usually respond, “I use technology to go beyond my classroom walls and tap into outside expertise to elevate the learning experience for every student.

Candidates who truly integrate technology effectively may respond, “I do not want to limit my students to what one teacher knows and is able to do. Recently, my students worked alongside engineers, facility managers, and scientists to design and create a parabolic trough to capture solar energy. I had a detailed discussion with each expert before Skyping with them. I wanted to make sure the material and information they contributed related to the curriculum and the activities were appropriate. The students were so excited from the beginning to the end….. We donated the finished product to our local bank.

Which candidate do you think is wired, plugged in, and connected?

“Better to Remain Silent and Be Thought a Fool than to Speak and Remove All Doubt” – Abraham Lincoln

It’s ok if you do not know the answer… I am more interested if you know how to find the answer. If you find yourself confronted with a tough question that you are not for sure about, tell me. If you try and wing it, believe me, I will know. The best candidates simply respond, “I’m not familiar with this (tech tool, instructional strategy, specific textbook, etc.), however, if you contact me tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., I will be able to tell you everything you need to know. Now, as a candidate, you better do your homework.  “I haven’t had time… or I wasn’t able to find much information… is not good enough. Great candidates are not only prepared, but demonstrate the drive and ability to find answers. There’s nothing more impressive than a follow-up phone call and the candidate shares with you how they found the answer. The best candidate spends hours researching, contacting colleagues, or even tinkering with the idea to gain firsthand knowledge. Can you imagine what they would do for a student?

“Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instead of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event.” – Heidi-Hayes Jacobs

In this day and age, you can count on a question focused on technology integration. In this day and age, using technology to create a slideshow or to conduct research is no longer good enough. The best schools are only interested in how you will use technology as a catalyst for learning. Great candidates describe in detail how their students have used technology to raise awareness, start conversations, change minds, drive change, or make a difference?

“The Only Stupid Question is the One You Don’t Ask”

Do you have any questions for us? As a candidate, you cannot only count on this question, you better prepare for it. “I do not have any questions at this time” or “I think you answered all of my questions” sends the signal that you are not interested or enthusiastic about this position. The best candidates will many times cause YOU to think by asking questions such as, “What are YOU looking for in a candidate for this position? I’ve found that the best candidates are interviewing us as well. They want to make sure they are in a place to grow and reach their full potential.

My favorite advice for any candidate was stated best by Lyn Hilt:  “Passion is necessary.  Don’t make me request your emotions – provide them, in every word, every response, every example of why you want to teach in my school.”  

Something to think about, Shawn

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Teachers criticizing colleagues in online environments – how should we respond?

It happens. Frustration regarding a particular issue in a school or between colleagues spills over into open criticism in an online environment. This can lead to significant distress to members of that school community who are on the receiving end of that criticism. The fault-finding voice may choose to remain anonymous or they may choose to put their name to their claims, either way this will prompt reaction from those affected.

So, how do we deal with these matters, as a school, so that we strengthen ourselves as a learning community and resolve our differences?

Schools can develop a social media policy or a professional code of conduct with a set of guiding principles that include behaviour expectations in response to provocative situations.

While a school may put policies and principles in place to guide behaviour, the hardest thing to do is not react to what is posted online and respond  directly to the criticism. This reflects badly both on us, our colleagues and the school as a whole. Even if you feel the matter is personal, we are still representatives of our schools and we should talk it through with a supervisor.

If it is clear who made the comment or post, then it is important to find time to talk it out in person. This is easier said than done and may require a school leader, counselor or staff representative to help facilitate the conversation. One could, of course, sweep it under the carpet, which could possibly lead to frustration, anger and resentment in the long-term that is not helpful to all involved.

If is is unclear who posted the comment, then we may be itching to speculate who is behind it, which we then discuss with friends and colleagues. While it is important to talk about it, there is the possibility that our colleagues, as well us ourselves, may become even more worked-up about the criticism and we may not be able control any decision of others to respond. This may exacerbate the situation. Again, it is best to discuss the best course of action with a school leader that you know can be calm, rational and supportive. It is likely that they will find a way to speak with those affected and advise on how to respond.

When anonymous comments are posted online and specifically aim to criticize us, it is important that we remember the following:

1. If we respond, we may not present ourselves and our schools in the best light.
2. We have to keep working hard to build a school culture where people feel able to voice concern or opinion respectfully without fear of repercussion. Even if we work in a school or lead a team where we think that this may be the case, there will still be people who will not be able to have difficult conversations in person despite our very best efforts – we must accept this as part of life.
3. Comments in online forums are often generalized and may be unsupported, without evidence to support the view presented. In fact, an online comment may be made about a particular situation or event that does not fit in with a broader pattern or picture and, therefore, detracts from the good things we do in our schools.
4. An online post may be simply one person’s opinion and, more often than not, do not support the views of others. This opinion may be based upon something very personal to the individual who posted the comment about a decision that they did not take kindly to, for instance. Remember, school leaders cannot please everybody. Often, provocative comments about school matters raised in an online forum say more about the the person posting the comment, than they do about those on the receiving end. Most sensible people will know this.

Let me clarify, however, that I am not dismissing comments about a school and its staff that may be posted online as being absolute garbage. There could be an element of truth in their comments that make us pause and reflect on our own actions in asking hard questions of ourselves to improve what we do. In the end, we will only grow and improve our school and working relationships, if everyone understands that conversations matter most and this means face-to-face or side-by-side conversations.

If you are an educator that works hard, openly seeks feedback and leads with integrity, you will know if you have the backing of those you lead without having to worry too much about what one person may say in an online environment, as personal as the criticism may feel.

 

Connect with me @richard_bruford

Originally posted on the Ed Leader blog

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Blueberry Coffee Cake

Blueberry coffee cake with streusel topping tastes just like a blueberry muffin. With a gluten-free option.

Berry season is my favorite time of year. It doesn’t start for another two months where I live, but with spring here, I just can’t resist throwing berries into almost everything I bake.

I rarely make anything with berries without adding some lemon flavor. The lemon just seems to brighten up whatever it’s added to, like this blueberry cream cheese pie. So in this blueberry coffee cake, I’ve added lemon juice, zest and extract.

(more…)

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