MEMSPA Conference 2015 Takeaways

Conference leadership, networking, learning, and fun! 

The 90th MEMSPA (2015) Annual Conference was a huge success: learning enhanced and relationships and networking expanded. 

The conference was opened with my welcome and reminder to be grateful and #LeadPositive. In addition, suggestions were made to help participants to maximize their conference experience: Grow Your Network; Get Smarter. Repeat.; Curate and Create Content; Share the Smarts: Knowledge Transfer With Your Team; and Optimize the Value (Lee Odden: online marketing blog).
Our first general session keynote, Dr. John Draper, spoke about America's schools and reminded us that "Teachers are the solution to the problem," and "Miracles happen every day in public schools." Draper was inspiring and passionate about our work in public education.

The afternoon general session with State Superintendent Whiston demonstrated his openness, support, and collaboration with Michigan Schools and stakeholders. Whiston reminds us that our voice needs to be heard. Our executive director Paul Liabenow, was supported through a surprise flash mob to "We are Family." Principals from around the state learned the routine to honor him and all of his advocacy for us, our schools, and our students. My day ended with visiting with new principals to the association at dinner and greeting conference attendees.

Thursday was the best day: full of great speakers, breakout sessions, time to network, recognize leaders, do official association business, and end with some social time to unwind. Keynote speaker, George Couros, reminds us to be innovative and help children find their passion. We learned that it is more than making better students; it's making better people. Other great sessions that I attended included "Connected Pedagogy" and Twitter for Professional Learning. I lead the delegate assembly, met with vendors, spoke to retirees and past presidents of the association, and socialized with the membership. My favorite part of the night was recognizing our regional principals of the year and our Michigan Outstanding Practicing Principal at the Leadership Banquet. I am always inspired by these fantastic leaders. Congratulations Michigan's 2015 Outstanding Practicing Principal, Nicole Airgood.

Friday, we ended our day with Dr. Nancy Coleflesh who proves to us that we can make a difference even in the most difficult of times. I value this time with my colleagues. I hope, if you attended, you did too. Keep networking, use your connections and resources, and don't forget to continue your learning on #MEMSPAchat, Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. It's been a great year!

Remember: #LeadPositive, have gratitude, share the wonderful happenings, be innovative, let students loose, learn and grow, share with your colleagues, and repeat. Have a great holiday season and a fantastic New Year!

Serving you,
Shanna

Character Does Count: Teaching and Modeling Positive Character

Students of Character based on the Six Pillars from Character Counts! Life the hallway.

This year it was a unanimous building decision, which was supported by community and parent stakeholders, to bring back the Character Counts! program and the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. For the first two weeks of school students learned what the six pillars were, and each week since we have dedicated at least one day a week during enrichment to support these traits with themes and lessons. October's theme was school and personal safety. In November, we focused on the theme of gratitude and empathy. Upcoming themes include tolerance and respect, new beginnings, citizenship and community service, leadership, and standing up for change. 

In addition to adding character education to our enrichment period, we have added student government. Our student council group supports our efforts by recognizing students who are nominated for student of the month based on the positive character traits they have demonstrated in and out of school. In addition, the group has already planned and executed our first community service food drive and support for Ele's Place.

Student Council T-Shirts highlight the importance of character. 

 In addition to enrichment lessons and student council, our PBIS committee rewards good character with our token reward system and signature cards. Learning about good character doesn't stop there. It is integrated into our lessons whenever possible.

Character Counts! language integrated in lessons and teaching.

The biggest factor in children having exceptional character is learning it from it being both taught and modeled. We cannot expect our children to act a certain way unless we have taught them not only what to do but also what not to do. As they grow older it means giving them skills and experience to help them make good decisions and learn from their mistakes. Included in the way we educate them is the way we carry ourselves and what we model on a daily basis, most importantly under pressure.We all know that we remember best what we see and do, so surrounding our youth with positive experiences around trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship will foster and help them develop outstanding character. 

Character does count at Milan Middle School and beyond. 

Change: The Outcome Depends on the Outlook

I have always felt that I have embraced change. I loved teaching the short book Who Moved My Cheese? to seniors in high school. A lot of what I tried to encourage students fits with the growth mindset: taking risks, knowing failure is OK when it's used to grow, learning that we can improve with a strong work ethic and commitment, etc. I took a risk to move out of state, try something new, and most recently leave a job and people that I really cared about to try and challenge myself for both personal and professional growth in a new place.

As educational leaders, it is important that we continue to grow, model taking risks, learning from failure, and above all support our staff and students to do the same. In my career I have seen a lot of educators faced with change. A great deal of these changes are sometimes placed upon us verses a choice. However, I have learned that regardless of it being chosen or directed, ones outlook and reaction (as with Hem and Haw from Who Moved My Cheese), can be the difference in reaching ones cheese or goal.

Resistance to, refusal of, and/or fighting the sometimes inevitable, can consume someone with hate, anger, or even fear. Sometimes, it is best to understand that every change is an opportunity to grow, heal, or help others.

Next time you are faced with a difficult decision, challenge, or change, try to embrace it, view it as an opportunity, and try to get something out of it. Know that with the right attitude, support, and work ethic, things will have a much better chance of working out for you.

Being Positive Starts with Having Gratitude

I am so very thankful for the opportunity that I had this year by taking on a new leadership position. The people I work with and serve are incredible professionals with so much dedication and care. I have been inspired by all of their work and innovation. The culture is contagious with care and a common goal of helping students become better students and people.

I have found that when I remember all that I have to be grateful for in life, it helps keep me on the road to positivity. It doesn't matter what people do for a living; hardships (personal, professional, or even both) always exists. Some careers can be very demanding especially when roadblocks are put up to prevent you from doing what you feel is best (especially for our youth). However, the best thing we can do for others is to model healthy ways to overcome adversity. Here are just a few strategies I use to stay on the positive tracks and keep from running out of gas.

1) Gratitude: Count your blessings. Appreciate all you have. Share with others for whom you are grateful. Let people know you appreciate them; they will do the same. Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself all you have to be grateful for in work and life.

2) Fill Your Bucket: This notion has two parts. First, your perception to keep it half or more full. Don't focus on half empty, only half full. Second, find ways to fill your bucket. This is different for everyone: family time, exercise, hobby, church/organizations, volunteer work, etc. Find something that makes you happy, and make time for it.

3) Network and Collaborate: Do not create an island of negativity or sit still with an empty tank. In this day and age, others are out there to help you through it--either in person and/or virtually. My best professional support this past year has come from association (MEMSPA) contacts and an out-of-state collaboration buddy who was also a middle level principal. We supported one another through difficult climate issues, book studies, and inspired each other to not settle--to keep growing. If you are a principal and need a collaborative buddy, let me know. It is a goal of MEMSPA this year to keep you connected for mentoring,  coaching, or even just a little support.

You can't be positive or stay positive without having gratitude. Thank someone today!

Being and Modeling Positivity: Making the World a Better Place

“Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou

Hate is a strong emotion, and hating takes up way too much energy. People make mistakes; it is how we grow, get better, and make the world better. However, some people want to hold on to that poison of hate or failure. When one holds on to such emotions, it can take over our mood, reasoning, purpose, and actions. It is not healthy to hold on to so much negative energy. When we do, many times it has nothing to do with the other person or incident. So much of it has to do with ourselves. Establishing healthy ways to let go of negativity is the best way to stay on the positivity journey. It is never too late to begin the path of a positive outlook and approach. Whether we need a reminder or help getting started, it all starts with loving ourselves enough to realize we are worth happiness and can create happiness in others. We must surround ourselves with opportunities to cancel out the negative in the world. As educators, we need to model kindness, love, acceptance, and overcoming difficult situations. Children learn from our actions more than our words. 

“The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking.” – Robert H Schuller
1) Outlook: do not be the person who finds a problem for every solution. Realize that things happen for a reason. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but dwelling on it or letting pain or sadness hold a permanent spot in your heart is not the answer. Decide now that you will not let negative thoughts or people get you down. 

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." -- Oprah Winfrey   

2) People: Surround yourself with people who support you and your outlook on life. Negative people are downers and will only bring you down. Find people who lift your spirits, appreciate you and your talents, and help you though the difficult times. Work to see the good in people. Work even harder to demonstrate your own goodness. 

“The past has no power over the present moment.” – Eckhart Tolle
3) Letting Go: The past is the past. Let it go. If someone did something or something bad happened, why give it the power to consume you? Put an end to the sadness, revenge, hate, etc. by deciding that the energy it is taking is not worth it. It is not worth your attention or life. Focus on new beginnings and a better purpose. 

“If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining.” – Guy Finley
4) Fuel the Spark: Find methods that keep you on the positive path. Take care of your spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental self. Keep your bucket full. Find something you enjoy, and do it daily to help replenish your mind, body, and spirit.  

There are always going to be people who are hurtful and negative. If you can help them change their path, great. However, the healing needs to begin from within. You will be surprised how much better it feels to deciding to live a more positive life and refusing to let others define your existence. Stay positive, continue to feed your life with positivity, and have a positive influence on those you surround. Let's all do our parts to keep the world a better place. #BeHappy #LeadPositive #NoPlace4Hate

New Beginnings: Capitalizing on a Fresh Start

Here we all are starting a new school year. For most, this is an anxious time even for educators. We need to work together to help make this anxious time an exciting and rewarding time for students.

1) The key is to build positive relationships. Greet students. Get to know their interests and who they are.

2) Create a warm and safe environment. Spend a couple of weeks building a safe social domain which encourages students to take risks.

3) Establish routines. Spend some time not only explaining routines and expectations but also teaching and modeling what they look like.

4) Each day is a fresh start. If students do act up/out, focus on the cause of the behavior and not the behavior. Help students reset and learn from mistakes.

5) Teach that failure is on the journey to success. Help students learn that failure is OK.

6) Praise the process and work ethic; not if the answer is right or wrong.

7) Model meta cognition and how you work through both decision making and problem solving.

8) Develop students' 21st Century Skills: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.

Lastly but most importantly, two of the most influential things we can do as educators:

9) Make each and every child feel special.

10) Smile and be contagious with positivity.

Have a great year and #LeadPositive!

MEMSPA: Lead Positive and Use the Membership

Lead Positive!

This month I undertake the role of Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association President. I am so honored to be serving principals in the state of Michigan. MEMSPA has been a huge support to me over the past nine years. The connections, networking, professional learning, and opportunities have been extremely beneficial to me both personally and professionally. My goal in this year of both leadership and service is to remind you throughout the year to focus on positivity. As the leader of our buildings, students, and staff, we must bring back validation to the profession, teaching, and education. We can do that by being positive ambassadors for education. This year, I will use the theme "Lead Positive" as a reminder to be positive and model positivity.

The quote, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." by Dr Wayne Dyer is evidence that our outlook can make or break our day and the climate of our building. I will add to this. If we lead with more positivity, our teachers and students will be more positive. It is contagious. This year, I encourage you all to try to find a means to stay positive. Many benefits exist for people who are positive thinkers. Mayo Clinic reports that benefits include increased life span, lower rates of depression, greater resistance to illness, and better coping skills during hardships and times of stress. Use something or someone to help remind you to stay positive; you might use a piece of jewelry as a reminder, daily meditation, a secretary to keep you on track, or even a rubber band to help stop negative thoughts or comments and to try and change that negative thought, feeling, or comment into a more positive outlook. Smile more, have fun, laugh, and connect with staff and students. In addition to being positive this year, use the resources MEMSPA offers.

Use the value of your MEMSPA membership and connections to assist you in having a successful year. The MEMSPA membership is such a "BONUS" to us. Please use it.

Don't underestimate the people you will meet at MEMSPA events. I have learned a great deal from all my MEMSPA colleagues. I am so grateful to principals who give back to the profession and others. While countless principals give back, I would like to give special appreciation and validation to several individuals who have given back to MEMSPA and the profession.

Mike Domagalski: Thank you for initiating and leading MEMSPAchat! I have enjoyed sharing and learning with colleague not only around the state but also across the country.

Ben Gilpin: Thank you for all your sharing about school branding and technology integration at the regional, state, and national levels.

Jonathon Wennstrom: Thank you for your blogging and providing insights on taking risks in leadership.

You do not need to be on the Board to give back. Get involved and help be a part of the solution.

I look forward to serving you all this year. We have been working to put together a great summer institute. It is not too late to bring an administrative team to learn, network, do some strategic planning, and rejuvenate before the students are back. We also have a great line up for the state conference this December in Kalamazoo. Take time to read your MEMSPA news and updates. Follow @MEMSPA on Twitter or do a #MEMSPAchat, and get involved. I guarantee you that you will only grow and benefit more from it.

Lead Positive,

Shanna

Positive Takeaways Today: People Are Not Bad

Today at #NAESP15 I have connected with many great educators and had the pleasure to hear some great speakers including @ErikWahl, @ToddWhitaker, and @AnnnetteBreaux. The thing that resonates the most with me today is to continue to use my passion for education, students, and teachers and try my best to make this world a better place. We have so much power as educators to model, practice, and encourage kindness, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication. Helping students learn to be innovative and establish a good digital footprint is so critical in this world of ever-advancing technology.

Today the words of Erik Wahl speak to me: social media is not bad; it can be used for good or bad. TV is not bad; it can be used for good or bad. Credit cards are not bad; they can be used for good or bad. I add to that: people are not bad; they can do good or bad.

I continue my efforts and mission in life to use these devices, vehicles, and people for the better--for the good--for the greatness that they all can be.  Our students have so much potential, and it is the job of the home and school to develop that. I feel it is my duty to continue to find the good in all. Students would hear from me and will continue to hear from me if they make a bad choice, "You are not a bad person; you made a mistake. I make mistakes. We all make bad choices from time to time, and it's if we choose to learn from that mistake what matters the most."

People are not bad. All of us have the potential to bring greatness in the world. It's our choice to choose good or bad, positive or negative. Sometimes this is a difficult choice, but for me, it's the only choice. Thinking outside of the box, loving people for who they are, helping myself and others to become better people are all objectives in choosing to do and be good. This is no easy task in this world.

Today the quote, "We cannot help a kid by being negative in his life" by Annette Breaux confirms my mission and passion. We cannot help the profession by being negative or submitting to negativity. While it may be difficult to ignore it, it's all a part of the profession.  It's not always easy being positive, but it's our job--it's what education needs. Negativity lives in the world and in some people's minds and hearts. Positivity is the light to this darkness. I am proud to use this light to guide myself, my building, my district, and my state on a professional level and myself, friends, and my children on a personal level. Everyone can choose to do this. Help me share the light.  Be and spread positivity. May the force of the light be with you!

With Todd Whitaker and Annette Breaux who spread their light on me today!

Positive Outcomes of the 2014-15 School Year

After a great deal of reflection, analysis, and assessment of this past school year, I am quite pleased at all of the gains our staff and students have made. It has not been easy. We have had our fair share of challenges especially those placed on us by legislative mandates, but we have worked together as a team to overcome those challenges and show outstanding growth in so many areas.

Teachers have been working for four years on aligning curriculum to career and college readiness standards, and for the last two years, they have been putting this curriculum in maps to pace the content, develop activities and assessments to secure the needed skills, differentiate to the needs of all students, and incorporate 21st Century Skills: collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking. All of our teachers made gains on transforming their instruction. 

The outcome of all this work is our students excelling in their NWEA map testing. Our student averages are above grade level and the majority of our students are proficient across all subjects.

On top of assessment data, we have 19 students who maintained high honors all 4 years of middle school. This speaks to the work-ethic and determination of these students. 

All staff have worked to understand and participate in our new safety protocols, including A.L.I.C.E drills, the required state safety drills, first response drills, and health-related awareness training. 

Families have worked hard to keep their students in attendance during the school year, and our daily average attendance has increased in all grades to an outstanding 98% in 5th grade; 96% in grades 6 and 7; and 95% in 8th grade with a building average of 96%. We even had four 8th grade students receive four years of exceptional attendance awards. Attendance does matter and is directly related to student achievement, and our families and students are working hard to establish this strong foundation. 

We continued our efforts with Olweus bully prevention by having weekly classroom meetings. Our students reported a decrease by 50% in being afraid of bullying at school, and our 2nd year data reports that now 7% of students fear of being bullied at school. We had six confirmed cases of bullying and consequences included parent contact, reflection forms, detentions, and two cases of suspension. In addition to our classroom meetings, the staff and students worked on service projects to help teach empathy to students. The middle school developed strong connections and supported our Manchester community, other local communities, and even venues across the world. 

Along with student council, Manchester Voices, FUPT60, and Buildings Club we continued to work with the community to build student leaders. This year we had students win state, national, and international awards and recognition. We are so proud of our students.

The 2014-15 school year has been a success. We have enjoyed our students, pushing them to be their best, and hope they have made you as proud as they have us. I appreciate the staff--all of the staff involved in supporting our students and helping them be successful this year. From the very first smile on the bus by the driver, to the support staff and teachers bonding on a daily basis, to the help with lockers from the custodian, and serving the lunches with a smile and the comment "enjoy," the MMS staff care,  and I am sure they are as proud as I am in all the accomplishments they have had this year. Have a great summer! 

School Administrators: Filling Your Vitality Bucket

Whether you are a school leader, teacher, or parent, you are on a mission to take care of people and help them learn to take care of themselves. At the school level, trying to get our students exposed to and proficient  at 21st Century skills is time consuming and exhausting. To be responsible for any type of leading takes energy and passion. Here are some things I use to keep filling my bucket:

• Family and Friends: Surround yourself with people you love and who love you. 

Spending time with my husband and children keeps me centered. My parents and other family members do the same. From traveling around the world to playing board games by the fireplace, they fill my bucket. Surrounding myself with people who I care about and care about me gets me through even the most challenging times. Filling each others' buckets is rewarding as well.

• Colleagues: Connect with people locally, nationally, or globally to collaborate. 

In this day, they do not need to be people in your building or district.Working with people we can relate to and learn from has been key to helping me through trying times. Their support and collaboration fills my bucket. I am lucky that I work with a great admin team. I have networks through Twitter and professional organizations that keep me moving forward to better myself and my building.

• The Kids: Focusing on the ones we do it all for is instrumental to filling our buckets. 

Students are the reason we do it. Focusing on their best interests. Letting their learning and accomplishments become our recognition and reward is what it is all about. When I see a student take pride in his or her work, earn a grade that they have been striving for, or even seeing a light bulb go off as they understand something new for the first time is priceless.

• Professional Organization(s): Find an organization whose mission speaks to you.  

This way you can not only get the support you need, but you can take a leadership role to support others.MEMSPA has been a resource to keep my bucket full.  MEMSPA has been a great avenue to helping me feel I am a value to others and the profession. I have also been able to establish networks of support, engage in activities and excellent professional learning.

• Good Health: You must take care of yourself before you can take care of others. 

No matter who you are, exercise and taking care of yourself helps re-energize you and fill your bucket. Also, a part of taking care of yourself includes getting enough rest and eating right.

• Mindset: Make the decision to be positive. 

Postivity and the decision to keep your bucket filled and filling others' buckets can keep you on the right track. This mindset has been vital to helping me through a great deal of professional and personally adversity. Mindset is everything.

5 Tips for Positive Student Outcomes

While it is not an easy, one-size-fits-all formula, several factors are positively related to middle school student success. 

1) Manners can go a long way.

Education is no different than business, retail, customer service, etc. The kinder you are, the more people will gladly help. Educators are exhausted personalizing curriculum, formative and summarize assessing, planning engaging and challenging curriculum to match state expectations, and trying to get to know sometimes over 150 students personally when only seeing them for 50 minutes a day. Students who use their pleases and thank yous, smile and greet their teachers, and offer to help clean up at the end of a lesson get noticed. It is only natural for well-mannered and kind people to get that back in return. When students respect their teachers and use such manners, it is easier to establish a bond.

2) Strong work ethic pays off. 

Students who exercise and demonstrate strong work ethic get both noticed and the benefit of the doubt more. Doing all assignments with pride and doing them well has several advantages: 1) it demonstrates to the teacher that the student is a hard worker and cares about his or her work and grade; 2) it proves to the student his or her ability and skills; and 3) it usually has a direct and positive effect on the grade for the class. 

3) Organization is key. 

This is difficult for some people, and learning how to do and/or improve it is a life skill that is needed to be successful. Organization includes prioritizing, time management, and categorizing. If students are struggling here, it is important to try out several systems to find one that fits their learning and doing style. My middle school children use two completely different systems than I, but they both have found great success. It is key that the student own the method. 

4) Commitment must be personalized. 

Incentives work for many kids, but when the desire to do well comes from within, success comes easier and tends to be more rewarding. When teachers and parents want it more than the students, they often get frustrated. Helping students see the benefits and success and sharing with them your own struggles and accomplishments is setting up a good foundation for them. 

5) Home support increases student chances of success.  Students need to be held accountable both at school and at home. Regular attendance is directly related to better academics. Just 10 absences has a statistically significant negative impact on a students' academics. The more a student is out of the classroom, the more opportunities for learning are missed. Parents who check grades once a week can catch issues before it's too late. Setting daily routines of a homework time and place is instrumental. Even studying with your students has both academic benefits and even connects the parent with his or her child during adolescence which can be quite challenging for students. 

All of these habits can become life-long skills for our students as they grow into adults. Our world can be a much better place with organized, hard-working, well-mannered people who are committed to doing well. 

21st Century Skills: Positive Direction for Students

MCS teachers are on year 3 with student 1:1 iPads and are becoming strong experts in teaching and developing the 21st Century skills. Traditional teaching is not preparing our students for their best options in this journey of life. With students walking around with computers in their hands, having access to just about any and all information, memorization of facts is an-outdated, unneeded practice. Knowing what to do with information, how to communicate it, how to work with others and problem-solve, and doing it all with creativity is what students need the most.

Road blocks, however, exist. People become confused or worried when change occurs especially when it is not the way it has always been done or is not an experience that matches their own. Teachers are trying to make shifts in practice that is based on better practice, but it someones is not always greeted with acceptance. I have witnessed this with both CCSS and standards-based grading.

The CCSS is about a shift in practice; it is about a common set of standards for students. I am not so sure why so much political controversy should exist over having set knowledge expectations for our students to learn. That could be an entirely different blog post. However, the notion behind the instructional practice of the standards is to encourage students to think for themselves and dig to a deeper understanding of information and analysis.

Standards-based grading is measuring student proficiency on a set of objectives. This method is extremely informative, individualized, and fits the shifts needed to teach 21st Century skills, but it too is not widely accepted because parents pressure educators to give letter grades--they way our learning was measured and the way we were compared.

Traditional practices are no longer preparing our children. What was good enough for us, is no longer good enough for our children. We need to evolve.

My favorite understanding of the student-centered verses teacher-centered approach stems from the paradigm descriptors by Huba and Freed (2000). While their research was based at the post-secondary level, these descriptors and student-centered practice is becoming widely used in both elementary and secondary classrooms. These practices fit the instructional shifts of the CCSS and the individualized and personalized instruction that more teachers are delivering to their students. In my dissertation, student-centered instructional practice (SCIP) is defined using Huba and Freed (2000) descriptors which were factored together in a quantitative study. SCIP involves 1)  giving students continuous feedback; 2) training and treating students as sophisticated learners; 3) making learning interpersonal; 4) using teacher-to-student and student-to-student coaching; 5) having students understand, produce, and identify quality work; 6) having students being able to apply what they have learned; 7) continuously include teaching and assessing; and 8) applying both general and subject skills. SCIP differs greater from the traditional approach of where the teacher is the giver of the information and the students passively obtain it.

Stakeholders, however, sometimes see SCIP, where the teacher is the facilitator of information, as the teacher being "lazy" or not doing his or her job. As one can see from the descriptors, this instructional practice is quite intensive to plan, implement, and assess. It is this method which fosters the 4Cs.

Here you can find the National Education Association's (NEA) Guide to the 4Cs which highlights the importance of teaching them, resources, and definitions.

Our educators are working harder than they have ever done before. They are preparing our children for jobs that we have no idea of their existence yet. Our educators are making learning more engaging, interactive, personalized, self-driven WHILE being evaluated, judged, dragged through social media for taking risks to prepare our children for the new world ahead of them, ahead of all of us.

21st Century skills are the new foundation--the new 3Rs--to make our students successful. Teaching, fostering, and facilitating communication skills, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking are all a solid foundation for this journey, and MCS educators and students are paving the way. This is a positive direction for our students. Be a part of the journey.

Positive Outlook on Today's Students

I'd like to think that my husband and I are raising our children right. They are good people. They know about work ethic, respect, and high expectations. They also, like all of today's youth, have never lived a life without technology. They have become accustomed to instant feedback, answers, and entertainment right at their figure tips. I have worried about my kids, both biological and students, when it comes to this sense of entitlement that seems present; however, during #thegreatkindnesschallenge, I have seen this a lot differently.

While our kids are entertained and used to us as parents socializing them, running them to countless activities, hovering over them, and keeping them as safe as we possibly can, they are learning about love, kindness, and connection.

The students and staff at MMS have been given a challenge this week. Builders Club and Manchester Voices have teamed up to encourage them to be kind to others. Students have embraced this challenge! In addition to all their kind deeds this week, they are working on service projects with their advisory teachers, and they spent last week participating in a CRC drive sponsored by PTSA. Our students are connected, kind, and want to help others. We have several student groups who do for others. Student Council sponsors our "Successory Program," which thanks staff members, and student incentive programs, which recognizes students. FUTP60 promotes student health. Builders Club does several charitable projects, including Kids Against Hunger. Manchester Voices sponsors our Diversity Day on MLK Day and our Variety Show in addition to countless other activities. This is just to name a few of our groups in our school community. I am seeing our students' greatness through caring for others, and this is a trait that will be valuable for the rest of their lives.

Now that's positive news for us all! We need caring and kind people leading us in the future.

Positive Power Perseveres

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” - Dr. Wayne Dyer

I have decided that I want more positivity in my life. Just by making that decision, positivity perseveres. As Dr. Dyer's quote suggests, we have the power to change our outlook and view of people, places, and things. One cannot do away with negativity completely. Being in education, I am faced with it trying to enter my positive bubble force on a daily basis, but choosing not to let it consume me has made both my professional and personal life better. Being an administrator means that I cannot make everyone happy. My mother, one of the most selfless, caring, and supportive human beings on this earth, reminded me when I first took the principalship to remember that if I made everyone happy that I wouldn't be doing my job or a good one at that. 

Staying positive means being grounded in something important. While many grounding features keep my life in check, my professional grounding comes from the students. Working with adolescents with one foot in the child world and the other in the adult word is a fascinating time of watching them learn more about who they are and what they want to become. Modeling positive attitudes and perseverance is important for their successful and happy lives as well. Deflecting negativity is not as difficult when I have student interests grounded in decision making.

Here are words of encouragement to make sure you stay positive:

1) Make a conscious decision to focus on positivity. Share that decision with others. If others around you are being negative, tell them that you choose to stay positive. Change or leave the conversation. Too many parts of our day are uncontrollable. We can only control what we do and how we respond to others.

2) Ground yourself. Whether it is spiritual, personal, or even justification on why you are doing what you do, have something that keeps you focused on what is important. It is easier to stay positive when you are fighting for what you believe is essential.

3) Count your blessings. It is easier to stay positive when you take each day to remember for what you are grateful. Try a gratitude journal and document five things each day that you have in your life.

4) Be contagious. Get others to join you in being positive. It only takes a matter of seconds for someone to bring your mood down. Do not let that happen. Make it your mission to change their attitude. If you can't change their mind, get out before their virus of negativity spreads.

5) Laugh More. It's easier to stay positive when you are happy. Surround yourself with funny people. Participate in fun events. Create fun meetings or activities for those around you. Laughing lowers stress and keeps your happy. Read the comics, follow funny Twitter quotes, etc. Try one of these:15 Funniest People on Twitter that Keep It Clean." Surround yourself with happiness. 

Make the decision now. You have the power to make sure positivity perseveres in and around you!