Positive Brand Advocates for Education

As instructional leaders, principals, teachers, and school employees, we must be positive, "net promoters" of our schools and professional organizations. Public education has been the dumping ground for far too many people. As professionals, it is our duty to deflect detractors and negativity being said. People are quick to be critical of education, our schools, and our professional organizations. It is our duty as ambassadors to our students and advocates for our schools to bring to light all the amazing practices that are taking place in our schools.

We are in the business of human beings, and for most of us, these are our little human beings. In addition to teaching them content, standards, and skills needed in the modern world, we are also modeling and teaching them how to be good, empathic, contributing citizens. Furthermore, we are dealing with more trauma, mental health, and social/emotional well-being than ever before. This is no easy task, but as professionals, we face and accept this challenge. Educators work unflaggingly to accomplish these important tasks by combining and intertwining content standards and expectations, individualizing and creating authentic, relevant, and meaningful experiences. On top of this, we are working to learn about and understand each child while providing care, understanding, challenge, and holding them to high expectations. Educators wear more hats and love more people in a day than most people do in an entire year.

We cannot allow people to continue to pass judgement and taint the climate and culture of education. We all need to work to be a part of the solution and not add to the problem. Are there ineffective teachers and leaders? Just as there are incompetent professionals and parents, it is the same for people working in the field of education. We don't categorize all doctors or parents as unqualified because of a few. The majority of educators does not fall into the classification of ineffective. We want to grow, develop, better ourselves and our students. What does this all mean?

We have to STOP being negative about our schools, our teachers, our leaders. We need to build bridges, not walls and support one another. We need to not give others permission to speak badly about education by adding to the negative dialogue. We need to cheer  out for our students, our staff, our teachers, and our districts. We need to bombard meetings, social media, inboxes with all of the amazing teaching and learning that is happening. We need to promote the amazing, collaborative professional learning we are experiencing and how we are applying it in our districts. Being a neutral or passive promoter is no longer enough to combat the negativity.

Speak up; share. Be an upstander for education, our professional organizations, our schools, and our teachers. Yell it, tweet it, snap it, post it. A great deal of love, care, innovation, and dedication is present in education. People are only going to know what they see and hear. What type of message are you sharing?

Positivity in Trying Political Times: Exercising my Voice

What kind of role model would I be if I didn't advocate for my students, staff, and my and others' livelihoods? While I try to stay positive and hopeful, I cannot stay quiet or passive. This is why I use my voice; this is why I advocate. This is why I march, speak up, and contact/visit legislatures. Others need to step up--stand up for right. Don't expect someone else to do it. We need make progress, be unified and grow, not isolate, hate, or teach fear.

If I want to grow and make decisions that are in the best interest of my students, my staff, and the surrounding community, I have to be aware off all stakeholders. I cannot refuse to meet with someone because they disagree with me. I can't ban people from information and decisions.

I ask our President, his cabinet, and staff to abide by these same standards. I ask our President to make educated, well-thought-out decisions. I ask that he surround himself with leaders who share diverse and expert knowledge. Why can he decide who has access to important information? Why can the secretary of education refuse to meet with people and organizations who opposed her confirmation? This is unacceptable!

Our President and his staff are making decisions that effect my and others' livelihoods. Decisions that could send my husband to war should not be made so irresponsibly. Decisions to band people from our county set us back and teach fear and hate. This goes against the very foundation of America. Decisions that put inexperienced people in important education positions, effect the numerous supports for America's students and the climate of the very important educators who give that care, knowledge, and support to our youth.

I once thought I could stay positive; that our system would not allow one man to undo all we have done. However, I see hate, power, and money guiding our destiny. This means that I cannot stand by silently. I will continue to advocate. I will continue to have a voice. I will continue to be an up-stander. This is what we teach our children. Don't stand back and allow others to be mean, hateful, or bully others. As adults, we should not sit back either. This charge cannot be done alone. We cannot stand by hoping things will get better.

If they won't listen, we need to speak louder. If they will not meet with us, we keep requesting. If they hate, we love. This is not about Democrats or Republicans. It's so much more than that. This is about truly representing our Nation, our people--all of our people. This is about making America better. That cannot be done with the current climate. Let's change that. Be an up-stander for American, education, and our children. Keep contacting your legislatures. #LeadPositive

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! 

What a Great Start to the New School Year!

Staying positive is easier when you focus on positive people, positive situations, and positive outcomes. For this blog, I want to focus on some of the positive influences and practices in our district.

First, it is exciting to have many of our initiatives and leadership roles being streamlined. For the first time in years, it feels like we are working smarter and not harder. Our main district initiatives are focused on student achievement through technology integration, curriculum mapping, and data to drive instruction which are all a part of the teacher evaluation systems AND supported by thoughtful professional development. This sets the framework for a successful year.

Second, the right, qualified staff members are falling into place. Starting the year out with three staff members down was a challenge, but I am very excited about the people we have to fill those positions. The building feels ready to tackle the new school year and make the best of it.

Third, staff and students are back with smiling faces. Being happy, having fun, and laughing are all key to being positive and in turn having a successful, rewarding school year. I will continue several initiatives and create new ones to continue to foster a culture of happy, positive employees and students.

• We will continue our "Caught Being Good" student program where teachers submit student names for being good. We recognize them on the PA system and give students a prize.
• We will continue our "Golden Apple Award" for staff who are team players and go above expectations for our students.
• We will continue our "Successory Program" where students submit slips for staff who have helped make them more successful.
• I will pass out positivity cards with personal notes of appreciation.
• I will send home postcards to students who stand out.
• I will encourage staff and students to laugh, enjoy education, and have fun.
• I will model positivity to all.

Here's hoping all those in the field of education have a positive and successful 2014-15 school year! 

A Handwritten Thank You Note Can Go a Long Way

I must say that today I was worried when I received an envelop from a teacher. Her student gave it to her to give to me.  There are a few things: a red blinking light on the phone, certain email alerts, and interoffice mail packages that make you hold your breath. However, I was pleasantly surprised to open the envelop to expose a handwritten thank you note.

I was thanked for doing my job. Actually, the way this parent has handled getting her child to learn from his mistakes is quite remarkable. I love it when a student can see the light go off and know why he or she shouldn't have done what he/she did, and most importantly that he or she take responsibility.

The note thanked me for "all" off my help and communication. She expressed her appreciation for my time, kindness, and guidance. She told me that she feels reassured knowing her son has me as his principal and mentor "as its obvious the kids, their welfare and learning is your first priority."  While this is the case, my decisions somethings make students, parents, and even my own staff question that. Not everyone can be happy with all decisions. I will eventually come to terms with this.

However, this note triggered the many tidbits of appreciation I have received: successory slips from the students, emails from parents on how I handled a situation, a text from a peer thanking me for helping out with something, and even a boss's day card with the most reassuring comment are all pick-me-ups. It's sad how much we have lost our ability to write a quick note of appreciation. As I think how helpful they have been to me, I realize that I need to write more. I have several stakeholders that deserve the same courtesy.

We all know that education isn't about the thank you notes, but it is about the smiles, the light bulbs, and the progress made in the lives of the youth we service, but a little thank you note CAN go a long way. It is teacher appreciation week, so don't forget to thank someone in education for all he or she does.  I am going to stop blogging, so I can write a few notes myself.........