Recently, my twelve-year-old son, Jack, and I took a long road trip from Oklahoma to West Tennessee to visit my parents. Gran and Grandaddy live in the country–so far out they receive no cell service. It was a weekend of being unplugged. It was also a weekend to be reminded that my life is more […]
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2yNjPmU
Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
The Stress of Learning
I am incredibly excited that “The Innovator’s Mindset” is now available as an Audiobook. It has been requested in this format often, and so I am glad to accommodate many people who consume their learning through this format.
A little about the process though…
Below is one of the quotes from the book:
From the moment that we confirmed we were going to do the audio version of this book, until the minute I stressed about the process. With our daughter Kallea being just over a year old, we noticed that when she is learning a new skill (crawling, walking, etc.) that she is struggling with, she gets way less sleep. The stress of new learning can become overwhelming, and I went through the same process with this book. I didn’t know how it would go or what the process would look like, and when it was suggested that I could get a “professional reader,” the stress only got higher. The process felt like it was more than simply “reading aloud.”
I have a weird issue that is the opposite for many. While several people I know get stressed speaking in front of large crowds, I get much more stressed talking in front of small groups. The way that I see it…If you tell a joke to a room full of 1000 people and half of them laugh, it sounds like they are all laughing. If you share a joke to 10 people and half laugh, I can literally pick the people out of the room who didn’t think it was funny. Not fun! So as I sat there in a room with an audio engineer going through the process, I would get stuck on individual words and sentences, that I could not seem to get through. Luckily, through the magic of editing, you don’t have to listen through that struggle, but it bothered me at the time.
What I appreciated through the process was that the people who worked with me, including the audio engineer and Dave and Shelley Burgess, were so supportive through the whole thing, that even when I messed up and struggled, they had my back. Is that not the same thing we want from our teachers? That our students feel challenged yet supported?
When I completed the book, I was pleased that I did something that was challenging for me, because I often push people to try things that are uncomfortable for themselves. But as one of my favorite speakers, Inky Johnson states:
Yes, the product matters. But the process is crucial, and I am glad that I did something that stretched my learning and pushed me out of my comfort zone. In education, the process is often the product. The ability to learn means we extend ourselves toward progress, not stand still.
(Thank you to everyone who supported me in this process, and pushed me to make it happen. If you are looking for a copy of the audio, kindle, or paper version of the book, they can all be found here.)
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2y4r8mk
10 Thoughts On Positive Attitude to Share With Your Team
A positive school is built on positive moments. It doesn't just happen by accident. Every interaction counts. It takes a concerted effort on the part of everyone to create an environment that is awesome. So what are some things everyone should know to be more positive in their own mindset and help contribute to that positive environment we all want?
Here are ten thoughts to consider:
1. Your positive attitude, more than your talent or expertise, will determine your impact.
Positive people inspire and influence others. If you want to help others be great, you have to demonstrate a positive attitude. Your ability to be joyful, hopeful, and resilient will inspire others like nothing else.
2. Positive attitude is not believing everything is okay; it's believing everything is going to be okay.
Positive people find the silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances. They learn from difficulties. They don't pretend everything is okay. That's not positive thinking. That's denial. Positive people just believe that things can get better. They expect things to get better. And they believe they might just learn something from the difficulty along the way.
3. Positive attitude is not feeling happy all the time.
Even people who are positive feel negative emotions like sadness, disappointment, and regret. But these feelings do not overwhelm them, partly because they are able to also feel positive emotions simultaneously. For example, perhaps at the same moment they grieve for a loss, they are also thankful for the blessing they had for a time. Even when things are at their worst, positive people view negative feelings as temporary and expect their emotional well-being to improve.
4. When you bring positive energy to a space, negativity leaves.
Negative energy can create a toxic culture and spread throughout your school. It's so important to create and nurture a positive environment to keep the negativity out. Scientists have found that people's brain patterns actually start to align as they spend time together. Attitudes are literally contagious it seems.
5. It takes at least 4 positive experiences to overcome a negative one.
I'm not sure this number is actually correct. But I do know we need to relish the positive moments and use them to overcome the setbacks and difficulties we face. It you do 20 things right today but make one mistake, you will be tempted to ignore all of those positives and focus only on your mistake. It takes deliberate celebration of the positives to help overcome the negatives. Relish those positive moments.
6. Sharing gratitude grows your positive reserves.
When you focus on the positive experiences in your day and share those with others, it makes you stronger and helps others too. We often start our meetings just by sharing the good things that are happening. What are three things you're thankful for in the last 24 hours? Who are you thankful for? If you want more energy and enthusiasm, focus on showing appreciation. Lift up others, and you'll be lifted up too.
7. Positive people are problem solvers.
They don't make excuses. They find solutions. When you are negative, you see only problems. In fact, negative people seem to find a problem for every solution. But positive people can open their minds more possibilities. They can see possible solutions that others might miss.
8. Positive people are playful.
"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying." I remember these words from my childhood. My mom would say it after making fun of some unfortunate circumstance. It was a way of coping, and I'm thankful we had permission to see the humor in little misfortunes. Positive people don't take themselves too seriously, and they are eager to have fun while getting the job done.
9. Resilience is built on positive thinking.
Positive thoughts give you power over your circumstances. Don't let negative thinking give your circumstances power over you. Reality does not shape you. The lens through which you view reality is what actually shapes you. Make that a positive lens. Some of the happiest people in the world have very little of what this world has to offer. But they view the world through a positive lens and make the most of whatever they have.
10. Positive people are happier, more creative, more productive, and have more energy.
We often think hard work leads to success. We just need to work harder, try harder, be more committed, sacrifice more and then we'll be happy. But that's never enough. Turns out, it's better to start with being happy and then let that drive your productivity, creativity, and success. This amazing TED Talk makes the case much better than I can.
What is your best tip for keeping a positive attitude? Share it with us all so we can learn from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.
Related Stories
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2yM79wk
10 Thoughts On Positive Attitude to Share With Your Team
A positive school is built on positive moments. It doesn't just happen by accident. Every interaction counts. It takes a concerted effort on the part of everyone to create an environment that is awesome. So what are some things everyone should know to be more positive in their own mindset and help contribute to that positive environment we all want?
Here are ten thoughts to consider:
1. Your positive attitude, more than your talent or expertise, will determine your impact.
Positive people inspire and influence others. If you want to help others be great, you have to demonstrate a positive attitude. Your ability to be joyful, hopeful, and resilient will inspire others like nothing else.
2. Positive attitude is not believing everything is okay; it's believing everything is going to be okay.
Positive people find the silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances. They learn from difficulties. They don't pretend everything is okay. That's not positive thinking. That's denial. Positive people just believe that things can get better. They expect things to get better. And they believe they might just learn something from the difficulty along the way.
3. Positive attitude is not feeling happy all the time.
Even people who are positive feel negative emotions like sadness, disappointment, and regret. But these feelings do not overwhelm them, partly because they are able to also feel positive emotions simultaneously. For example, perhaps at the same moment they grieve for a loss, they are also thankful for the blessing they had for a time. Even when things are at their worst, positive people view negative feelings as temporary and expect their emotional well-being to improve.
4. When you bring positive energy to a space, negativity leaves.
Negative energy can create a toxic culture and spread throughout your school. It's so important to create and nurture a positive environment to keep the negativity out. Scientists have found that people's brain patterns actually start to align as they spend time together. Attitudes are literally contagious it seems.
5. It takes at least 4 positive experiences to overcome a negative one.
I'm not sure this number is actually correct. But I do know we need to relish the positive moments and use them to overcome the setbacks and difficulties we face. It you do 20 things right today but make one mistake, you will be tempted to ignore all of those positives and focus only on your mistake. It takes deliberate celebration of the positives to help overcome the negatives. Relish those positive moments.
6. Sharing gratitude grows your positive reserves.
When you focus on the positive experiences in your day and share those with others, it makes you stronger and helps others too. We often start our meetings just by sharing the good things that are happening. What are three things you're thankful for in the last 24 hours? Who are you thankful for? If you want more energy and enthusiasm, focus on showing appreciation. Lift up others, and you'll be lifted up too.
7. Positive people are problem solvers.
They don't make excuses. They find solutions. When you are negative, you see only problems. In fact, negative people seem to find a problem for every solution. But positive people can open their minds more possibilities. They can see possible solutions that others might miss.
8. Positive people are playful.
"Sometimes you have to laugh to keep from crying." I remember these words from my childhood. My mom would say it after making fun of some unfortunate circumstance. It was a way of coping, and I'm thankful we had permission to see the humor in little misfortunes. Positive people don't take themselves too seriously, and they are eager to have fun while getting the job done.
9. Resilience is built on positive thinking.
Positive thoughts give you power over your circumstances. Don't let negative thinking give your circumstances power over you. Reality does not shape you. The lens through which you view reality is what actually shapes you. Make that a positive lens. Some of the happiest people in the world have very little of what this world has to offer. But they view the world through a positive lens and make the most of whatever they have.
10. Positive people are happier, more creative, more productive, and have more energy.
We often think hard work leads to success. We just need to work harder, try harder, be more committed, sacrifice more and then we'll be happy. But that's never enough. Turns out, it's better to start with being happy and then let that drive your productivity, creativity, and success. This amazing TED Talk makes the case much better than I can.
What is your best tip for keeping a positive attitude? Share it with us all so we can learn from you. Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.
Related Stories
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2yM79wk
Monday, October 23, 2017
The History of Bees by Maja Lunde
That slight awareness of bees became an interest when I stumbled upon urban beekeeping articles as I was searching for a paper topic in grad school. From then on, I was interested in bees, and horrified at the mysterious deaths that are sending our bee population into a nosedive. All of that back history drove me to pick up this book at my library.
This novel is told in three separate historical settings: William, a biologist in 1852 England, George, a beekeeper in 2007 Ohio, and Tao, a human pollinator in 2098 China. In Tao's world, the bees have disappeared; world population has plummeted due to food shortages (no bees=no food!), and she is part of a group of workers who climb fruit trees and hand pollinate in order to produce crops. It's endless work; every day, back breaking work with little pay, and very little to eat. Tao lives with her husband and young son, Wei-Wen in a little house near the fields. She hopes for a better future for her son, but has no idea how to make that happen.
William is in a deep depression. A budding biologist, his hopes of studying and research ended when he married and had children. His former mentor has dismissed William, and now he's spent months lying in bed, as the money runs out and his seed shop remains closed. One day, his son visits him, and provides a spark for William. He finally gets out of bed, determined to begin research again--and finds that bees and hives are his passion. Can he create a new, man made beehive that will revolutionize beekeeping, and provide his family with wealth?
George is the latest in his beekeeping family. A successful farmer, he's always made his own beehives from a family plan handed down through the generations. His son Tom is away at college, but George has plans to work along side his son and hand off the family beekeeping operation to the next generation. Tom, however, returns from college a changed man--one who isn't all that interested in beekeeping. It's 2007, and reports of whole bee hives mysteriously dying off has folks puzzled and afraid. Will George manage to keep his farm going?
Well. We know it doesn't go well for the bees, thanks to Tao's story. By 2098 the world is decimated--all because of The Collapse. If anything, this novel makes you aware of just how vitally important bees are to, well, EVERYTHING. It's serious stuff, and not made up fiction. Tao's world can be avoided.
While this could be a novel about hopelessness, it's actually the opposite. Tao's story is the most interesting one, because it's through a horrible tragedy involving Wei-Wen that hope is once again born in the world. You may wonder how these three characters, decades apart, could possibly be connected. Oh, they are--in such a wonderful way. I myself just had to cheer for William at the end of Tao's story. Yes, both William and George (and Tom) are vitally present in 2098 China. A perfect example of how we are all connected, and how much bees have helped sustain life over and over, and will continue to do so--if we just be mindful of them and get out of their way.
It took me a while to get through this book. I had some trouble sticking with it, but have to admit Tao's story kept pulling me back, and I'm so glad I finished the novel. It is one of those reads that resonates after you've read it and have time to think about it. I'm definitely going to do my part next Spring and plant plenty of bee-friendly flowers in my yard. This novel may just be the catalyst to your interest in bees, and how incredibly important they are to our survival. There are plenty of books and documentaries about The Collapse, the history of bees, and yes--even how to be an urban beekeeper. Get busy!
Rating: 3/6 for a good novel, but one I had to work to get through, until it clicked about 3/4 of the way through and then I raced to finish it. A fascinating look at history, how we all are connected, and the power of bees.
from Bookalicious Babe Book Reviews http://ift.tt/2yEdVoR
Are You a Historian, Reporter, or Futurist?
One of the books I recently finished reading was No Limits: Blow the CAP off your capacity by John Maxwell. Maxwell shares the perspective of his friend Paul Martinelli and how he has pursued continual improvement:
We have three options in life. We can be historians, reporters, or futurists. The historian wants to remind us of everything in the past and wants to filter everything in the future through that. The reporter is really attached to the conditions and circumstances of today, and that's just the way it is. The futurist focuses on what hasn't yet been done. He says, "There is more for us to do. We can do more. We can broaden our capacity. There is more of our potential we can take advantage of."Although this idea is aimed at growing oneself and reaching your personal potential, I thought it could be applied to education as well. In school life, where do you see yourself? How does this analogy work for educators?
The historian probably complains about kids these day, remembers fondly the past as if everything in the good ole days was problem free. The historian holds onto yesterday and doesn't see much potential in tomorrow. He sees anything new as something "we already do" or that "we tried and it didn't work." There are few new possibilities worth considering. If only we could return to a time when life was good. In my experience, the historian will blame students, parents, policymakers, or just about anyone else for the problems of today. He will overestimate the accomplishments of the previous generation while underestimating the potential in the next generation.
The reporter is working tirelessly to respond to the mandates and initiatives of today. They have their heads down with their noses to the grindstone. Sometimes they forget their larger purpose or mission, but they are busy collecting data, chasing test scores, and responding to whatever urgent needs arise. They are expending tremendous energy, but there is no long term perspective. The reporter will often burn out, feeling like they are on a hamster wheel going nowhere. It's hard not to feel bitter when you play by the rules and do what you're told, but the rules keep changing or your work is never considered good enough. The reporter doesn't dare dream of a better way or a brighter tomorrow. They are just trying to cope with the realities and do what they can to survive.
The futurist always has the long term perspective. There is a great sense of mission and purpose in how amazing school could be and how important this work is for students. There is a desire to create positive change. To be a difference maker. To prepare kids for their future and not our past. They want to push forward into new territory, take risks, and do whatever it takes to create a better learning experience for students. They see what could be possible, and they work to make it reality. They invest their energy not only in the routine work of today but also in changing the trajectory of tomorrow.
If you are a historian, you might need to find a different profession. Sorry if that offends you, but I think it's true. If you're a reporter, I invite you to become not only a doer but also a dreamer. And if you're a futurist, keep being a positive change maker. Share your passion and your vision and take steps each day to make education stronger for students.
What are your thoughts on this analogy? How would you add to it? How would you critique it? Leave a comment below or respond on Facebook or Twitter.
Related Stories
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2iprEJE
Sunday, October 22, 2017
4 Questions for Administrators to Promote a Culture of Innovation
I have had the pleasure of working with so many educators around North America and hearing about their individual journeys, as well as organizational success and struggles toward the building of a “culture of innovation.” This is not meaning that every single thing in a school or classroom is “innovative” and that there is nothing you wouldn’t see from ten years ago. It is about creating a culture where people are willing to take risks in their learning and create better learning opportunities for their students when they see a need or opportunity. It is about serving the students first, and not about what is easy for the adults.
Many places talk about the importance of innovation more than actually taking steps to create a culture where this is the norm. If administrators want this to happen, it has to be more than a statement, but an ongoing process.
So what are the things that can support educators in their pursuit of finding new and better ways to serve all of the students in front of them? Here are some questions to help inspire further action and remove barriers from the people you are trying to serve.
1. Are your professional learning opportunities mirroring what you want to see in the classroom?
Often we ask teachers to do something different in the classroom, while we continue to do the same thing in professional learning. The best way for teaching practice to change in the classroom is for professional learning to look different as well. We create what we experience. If teachers are not excited about the learning opportunities that are offered, why would we expect them to create engaging and empowering environments for students?
Model what you seek.
2. Are your policies and procedures inhibiting innovative practices?
I have noticed something about the organizations that I have worked with…The more paperwork that I have to go through to join them is often a sure sign that the district is less innovative. Here is why I believe this to be true. Those procedures and hoops that I have to jump through are usually a norm for the culture, not an exception. I am probably not the only person having to jump through these hoops. Many jobs at central office create more issues than solve, not because of the position, but the mindset. The best thing someone can do in these positions is find ways to remove barriers, not create them.
What are some things that you can remove from the plate of the people you serve to make innovation easier? There are already so many barriers in front of educators; creating superfluous ones when they are not needed will only discourage teachers, and sometimes principals, from trying new things to serve the students in front of them.
3. Is there transparency in your practice and learning?
I often ask administrators these two questions…”Have you learned anything in the last three months?” Which the answer is always “yes!” This question is followed with, “Could the people you serve tell me what you have learned in the last three months?”
It is not just about showing what you know, but showing what you are struggling with and what ideas you are wrestling with in your mind, and the people you are serving have a view of this process. This vulnerability is crucial to the learning of an administrator when we ask educators to take risks in their learning continuously. Don’t ask people to try new things if they do not see you doing the same thing.
4. Is collaboration an ongoing norm or do individuals and teams work in silos?
Have you ever seen the district that has a technology and curriculum department that work against each other, not with each other? This happens more than we like to admit and it often leads to initiatives and acronyms (so many acronyms) to implement from both departments being pushed down to teachers. It is the equivalent of every teacher assigning homework to students on the same night to justify what they teach individually, with no concern how much time that has just downloaded onto their students as a whole. Working together and finding common ground not only brings initiatives together, but it lessens the workload on teachers and gives the opportunity for depth of learning.
Focusing on working together versus working in silos is also essential for teachers. Common planning isn’t about every teacher doing the same thing, but taking advantage of learning from one another. No two classrooms should ever look the same because the students in each class are different, but there should be commonalities in practice. What is important is that we focus on bringing the best opportunities for all of our students, not just the same practices. Too often, we create equity at the lowest level for our students, where equity should be at the highest level. Learn from each other and never let ego get in the way of serving students. This is why believe competitive-collaboration is crucial in education. We need to both push and support. The balance of both in our practice as educators is crucial for growth.
We are all teachers and learners (including students), and when we work in isolation from one another, we are limited to our ideas, not the best ideas. Working in silos might lead to less work, but it doesn’t lead to better opportunities for the people we serve.
Let’s summarize the above into four areas…
- Model Learning.
- Remove barriers.
- Build a culture of competitive-collaboration.
- Inspire greatness.
These are things that are not separate from one another, but actually, fuel each other. With this focus, we move from saying we want to be innovative, to becoming so. Innovation only becomes a “buzzword” when we use the term without actually bringing it to life in education.
Source: George Couros
from Connected Principals http://ift.tt/2yHCal2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)