WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT????

In the town I live in, there's been a public awareness campain on our local radio station regarding the issue of meth use in our community.  At one point, a man with a deep, intimidating voice says, "Meth is killing our community.  WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT????"

Last week, I had the privilege of hearing Eric Jensen speak about the effects of poverty on the brain of a child and how we can better help those students in our classrooms.  I've heard Eric once before and like last time, he was excellent! 

One of the central themes that he brought out was that teachers matter!  In fact, they matter more than any other single factor, especially for our students from poverty, which where I live is about 50% of our students. 

The issue is, they matter the most...that's good news, and bad news.  The good news is, if we're doing our job well, it's a good thing.  The bad news is, if we're not, it's a bad thing.  The session was excellent.  Here were a few comments from staff posted via Twitter:

I sat at a table of administrators.  As Eric Jensen was highlighting the importance of students having great teachers and how we need make sure all teachers are doing what's best for students, I found myself thinking things like, "Man I wish "so and so" were here...they really need to hear this!"  Or, "I wish I could get "so and so" to hear this because they just don't get it."

All of a sudden it hit me...I was so focused on the wrong thing!  I was thinking about what other people needed to do instead of thinking about myself, and how I can do better.   Someone needed to ask me, "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT????"  I was perpetuating a problem, rather than helping things get better.  I was selfish and proud.  I felt convicted.  It was kind of like when you're in church and you're thinking  more about your spouse needing to apply the sermon than your own issues!  It's wasn't good! 

I got to thinking later about how natural it is for us to do what I did.  We naturally don't really like looking at our own issues, reflecting on them and considering "what we're going to do about it."  It's especially hard when we need to ask others for help. 

I would venture to say part of what needs to be "reformed" in education is this mindset.  We spend so much time looking outward; only thinking about what others need to do better.  We only consider what students, parents, administrators, teachers, politicians need to do better, instead of asking what we're going to do about the problem?  How am I going to make it better?! 

Anyway, it was a kick in the pants I needed.  Today, I'm focused on what I can do better in the position that I'm in to make things better.  No matter what your role is in education, let's spend our energies on what we can control; ourselves!  If we each do this well, things get better....

ASCD 2015--Challenging Convention

I have the privilege of spending the weekend in Houston, TX taking in my first ever ASCD conference.  I've always heard great things about this annual conference and I have to tell you I've been blown away!  I've been particularly impressed with the acute keenness of addressing timely issues in education.

Yesterday, we were blessed to hear Dr. Sarah Lewis speak about creativity, the gift of failure, and the role of grit.  One of the key takeaways was that the most successful people are almost obsessed with the "near win."  In other words, what could they have done better to "win."  We often see this with the person on the silver podium at the Olympics, but the most successful individuals are always analyzing what they could have done better even when they've won "gold."

As educators, I believe we have a moral imperative to be constantly reflecting about how we can be better.  This morning, I heard from an administrator from Mexico City speaking about the mindset we bring into our interactions with those we serve; whether students if we're teachers, or teachers if we're administrators.  This quote struck me,

"If I want my staff to change in any way, I have to change...it can't happen without relationship."  

This one hit me!  How often do I as an educator expect things out of people that I don't expect out of myself?  What about as a spouse?  Or as a parent?  Yikes! 

We're ALL leaders!  No matter what our role is within our organization, we're leaders in our arena.  If we want to be the best, and I know I do, we have to lead by example!  A great reminder of how I can be better as an educational leader...

Dave

Bad Leadership

This past week I saw something on Twitter that made me think.  It was posted by the Barna Group (@BarnaGroup).  They do a lot of research on trends in our country and specifically on how the different generations look at issues like leadership, religion, ethics, etc.  I had the opportunity to hear George Barna speak a few years ago and it was very informative and fascinating.  Anyway this week I saw this on Barna Group's twitter feed:

These stats really struck me.  First, I felt personally convicted.  How many times have I lack vision and direction as a leader?  How many times have I been the most stressful part of the job for those I work with?  Hopefully I've never made people feel controlled or manipulated, but we never know how our actions are perceived.

Then I got to thinking about the classroom.  If superintendents and chief officers are the leaders of administrators, and if principals are leaders of teachers, then teachers are the leaders in the classroom.  If employees have these types of feelings about their bosses, could it be that some of our students feel this way about us as teachers?  And if so, what does it mean for them?  If 3 in 10 of our students feel this way, how would it effect student acheivement?

I was reminded of how important it is to have a moral imperative for our leadership.  As classroom teachers, we set the tone for our classrooms.  We are the leaders.  Do we create a learning environment that is nurturing?  Does it promote curiousity and excitement to learn?  Or do we create an enviroment that lacks vision and direction?  Is it stressful?  Do our kids feel manipulated?  We know that the most basic need for an effective classroom, school, corporation, is for students to feel safe and supported. 

Educators typically got into education to make a difference in the lives of kids.  Our leadership is probably the best way to make that difference!

A Call to Indiana's Educators

Here in the state of Indiana, it certainly has been an interesting week when it comes to the world of education.  Just in case you hadn't heard,  this week State Superintendent of Education, Glenda Ritz, and Governor Mike Pence and the GOP controlled Legislature found themselves facing each other off on the the issue of testing and accountability which has become their latest battlefield.  Debates on educational policy and practice are so tough because they are so complex.  The world is changing around us and the needs of students are changing with it.  We all went to school and so we come with some level of knowledge about education. So the ongoing struggle for power in education in this state continues.

We could spend all day hashing out the details and debating whose fault all this is.  That's not what I want to do here.  All I'll say about that is this, I once hear a counselor speaking to a group of church leaders about how to help couples that are facing divorce.  He said, "Two people don't get to the point of divorce without there being fault with both parties...." 

So what are Indiana educators to do? 

The calls and texts from friends in education started pouring in this week.  Friends from here in Indiana where curious about what I was hearing.  "Are we going to have IREAD testing?"  "How much do you think they're going to shorten the test?"  You get the idea.  Friends from out of state sent me messages more like this, "What is going on with your state???"  It was kind of embarassing! 

This week many of our schools here at Warsaw Community Schools celebrated Be Excited About Reading week, or better known as BEAR week.  I had lots of opportunities to read to students as part of this week.  This morning, I spent about 30 minutes reading to 1st graders at Harrison Elementary School.  I have to tell you, this was one of the highlights of my week.  Looking into all the excited faces of those 6 year olds as we read fun stories like Scaredy Squirrel and A Bad Case of the Stripes was so touching.  As I was driving back to the office, I had some time to reflect on the time I had with those kids.  I loved that time, and you know why?  Because they're why I went into education to begin with. 

As educators, it's so easy to get caught up in the political upheaval that we've faced over the last few years.  It's natural to want to watch with baited breath as people make decisions that effect our daily lives.  Not only do the details of our lives often get effected by political decisions, but now often our pay is effected by them.  But what I realized this morning was that stuff doesn't really matter.  Those 6 year olds I was with today don't know anything about state boards of education or executive orders.  All they care about is having someone who loves them and wants what's best for them teaching them what they're curious about in a way that is relevant to them.  That's the job our incredible teachers do! 

So my call to educators is this; take time this weekend to go back and remember why you got into education.  If you're like most, it's because you want to be the difference in a kid's life.  You want to be a positive impact in his/her life.  Take time to count the blessings of education and think about how you can be even better for your kids.  And when the going gets tough, or continues to be tough, go back to those things you love about education.  There will always be politicians making decisions that either help or hurt us as educators.  We can either choose to be upset, become disillusioned, and become negative, or we can focus on the real difference that we make every day and be true to our life's calling.  I look forward to continuing to watch the great things that happen in our classrooms every day!

Reminicing with Remnants

Over the weekend, I had the chance to visit my grandparents' farm in Central Indiana.  For years, my grandfather; Doyal, has farmed an 80-acre family farm.  The farm was established in 1941 and for 30 years, my grandfather worked full time in a local steel mill and farmed the 80 acres in the evenings and on the weekends.  He couldn't have done it without a faithful, dedicated, hardworking and loving wife; my grandmother Patsy. 

I always love our visits to the farm.  Now that I have my own kids; aged 7, 5, and 2, it's even more fun because they get to enjoy a way of life that we just don't get to experience much any more.  My grandpa is getting out of farming and for the last two seasons, he's rented the land to a local farmer who has done the farming.  Last spring he sold most of his equipment at a sale.  It was hard to hear about some of the implements and tractors that were sold.  Many of these items had been in the family for quite some time.  He still holds on to the equipment that has his heart!  A Farmall M from 1945 still rests in the shed and a 1979 Chevy C10, that is in immaculate shape also still calls the farm home.  Other than that, most of the old equipment is gone....it's kind of sad.

The highlight of the day for my kids is always when we get the tractors out for a ride.  As I was bringing the M back in with my son, I felt overwhelmed with a sad, reminiscent feeling. 

The reality is, small family farms like my grandparents' are fading away.  Slowly a way of life is becoming extinct.  Gone are the days when Dad works in the factory full time and farms evening and weekends.  Gone are the days when Mom and children get up early to do chores and get ready for school.  Today most farmland is cultivated by large operations that can maximize yields based on their resources.

In many ways we're experiencing the same phenomenon in education.  Over the last 50 years, education has changed drastically.  Now more than ever we are facing the reality that "life" as we know it in education is changing, whether we want it to or not.  As professional farmers had to adapt to stay in business, so we also must make changes to be successful.

Just like how I felt on that tractor ride this weekend, there is a part of me that feels sad about the fact that life as we know it in education will never be the same.  However, as we move forward we continue to maintain the values of our past; the values we stand for, yet embrace the changes we need to make in order to be successful...for our students!

Writing Fix

Now that I don't have an elementary building to write a weekly newsletter to write to my staff I need to find a "writing fix."  I'll be posting more to this blog...hope it works out.

Dave

A Change of Screnery

A Change of Scenery

                There are times in life when unique opportunities present themselves and the path of our lives take an unexpected turn.  These can often be difficult times as they typically bring about changes that can be painful.  This past summer I accepted a position as Chief Academic Officer with my school corporation.  When I started in education, central office administration was something I thought I'd never do...yet here I am!

                  While I am excited about this opportunity and the path I believe God is leading me on as a school leader, the change has been tough.  I loved being an elementary principal.  The four years as an elementary principal will be four of my best.

                  The decision to move to this position was not an easy one.  It was made with much prayer, counsel and thought.  This was a hard move because I absolutely loved by job. I love leading an incredible group of teachers. I loved the kids at my school.  I loved serving the local community and parents. 

So why did I make this move?  I shared with you a while back about how I felt the call of God in my life to serve Him through public education.  I was working at Von Humboldt Elementary School in Chicago and although I had never thought about being a teacher, I knew the Lord was calling me to education.  As a classroom teacher I was blessed to be able to minister to and make a positive difference in the lives of my class of 25-30 students every school year. 

                  As classroom teacher, I never considered being a building principal.  However, as I began the next step in my own education, the Lord led through circumstances with a Master’s Degree.  In the course of my studies at Ball State, I felt His call to serve as a building leader.  As a principal, I was blessed to be able to minister to and make a positive difference in the lives of 530 students every school year.

                  When I started as a principal, I never considered working in a central office administrative role.  While I love many aspects of my job, I began to realize that not only do I love working with the children, I love working with teachers, working with curriculum, figuring out what works for struggling students, and the challenges that collaborative teams face every day.  I began to realize that if there were to be a job where I would focus my efforts on those areas in a way that helps others I would be interested and so when the position of Chief Academic Officer opened up, I was interested. 

                 It hasn't been easy.  I love kids!  I love the interactions I have with them every day.  I often joke with many of my teachers that I’m kind of like grandma and grandpa; I get to mess around/joke/”rile up” the kids and then they go back to them for class!  I believe the Lord is again leading in my life, taking me into a new role where my influence and ability to serve broadens to a whole school corporation.  I am able to serve 7,200 students and their families.  I am able to serve hundreds of teachers and staff members.  I believe this new position for me is the ultimate “support staff” position.  I am happy that although I won’t be serving you as your building principal, I will still be working with you, and serving you as your Chief Academic Officer. 

                  I am excited about this new chapter in my life.  I am excited to work under Dr. Hoffert’s leadership.  I am excited to be used by God to serve our school corporation.  I believe in our mission here at Warsaw Community Schools…to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.  So often those dreams change and that change is hard, but when we spend our dreams enriching others, life is full.