#UnitedWeLead: Principals on a Mission

This past June a team of MEMSPA board members collaborated and became solution seekers and fighter starters to ignite not only a purpose but also create a movement to support our members, educators, and students of color. This group of leaders, even in the midst of COVID, worked to find ways to collect tinder and kindling to fuel a very important fire for the year. 

Through this brainstorming and planning, an event was ignited. Following all of the safety protocols and guidelines, principals came together to learn about ourselves, our biases, and how to lead and foster courageous conversations around race. Principals from around the state brought their own courage, vulnerabilities, and passions to join the mission to be and create change--to support each other and our school communities in extinguishing injustice and cultivating equity.

Through climate adversity of the cold rain and wind, hope was built on the words of our Black colleagues who inspired us through opening, mid-day, and closing remarks. We learned to get into the good and necessary trouble as Michael Johnson inspired us with John Lewis's words. We were awaken by the words of Detra Fields as she reminded us of all of the injustices that are still present to this day. Lastly, we were moved to be change agents by Jeremy Patterson as he demonstrated you can create waves with the smallest ripple.

Ripple was my word for the day, as we started out in small, masked, and socially-distanced groups/circles under tents around the MEMSPA property. I was hoping the day would create a ripple that would take leaders back to their buildings with confidence and tools to not forget about the important work we need to do even in the midst of COVID, virtual and remote learning, and other restrictions. This work cannot wait. 

The focus of the day was to provide experiences about self exploration and give a platform for having difficult, courageous, and honest conversations. We ended our day with commitments to continue this work. The heat from what we started that day is proof that #UnitedWeLead and #TogetherWeCan. 

#MEMSPA19 Superhero Conference: Super Epic

Wow! What a conference....the best one yet. I have been so fortunate to be a part of the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association, and serve on the board for the past six years. It was thirteen years ago where I connected with now president, Michelle Allen, who took me in and truly made me feel like I didn't make the biggest career mistake by taking on the principalship. Fast forward to the present day, and the entire MEMSPA family (office staff, our amazing executive director, the board, our LM facilitators/coaches, my region leadership, and the entire amazing network of members continue to inspire me to be a better leader. I always leave the conference with ideas to put into practice to help support my staff and students. This year continued the trend. Not only did the people and experience fill my bucket, but the new knowledge and reminders were just what I needed during this challenging year.

Takeaways:

This year's theme was a great one. We have so many super principals, and the themes that I am taking away this year include relationships, whole child, and self care.

Sanfelippo reminded us how important it is to making the "awe" moments visible to others. His examples and practices are one of the most crucial elements to helping change the story in education. Throughout all the sessions, relationships were a common theme. Positivity Project leaders discussed how their work has transformed their schools and relationships with and among all stakeholder groups.

Also the theme of the whole child was evident in several of the sessions. John Maxwell's quote: "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" is even a greater reality now. We need to start with important basic skills that students are lacking before even tackling the curriculum. Ben and his amazing team from Warner shared their practices to be champions for kids and how PBIS earnings that involve time with adults is so valuable (and free!). We need to have positive interactions with students (and staff) every single day. In the last 30+years, empathy has decreased 40% while narcissism has increased 30%. What are we going to do about this? I learned from Domagalski, Weldon, and Swegles that empathy has to be a part of every curriculum. It's a must have for a better school culture--and for a better world! It's not one more thing on the plate. It is the plate. I also learned from Allen that we need to work to flip our tier support triangle and ways to do just that.

Trust with students and staff is so vital. Dr. Anthony Muhammad reminded us of this in his keynote. He also reviewed the change process and making sure that we have a rational system that includes the Communication: why (cognitive), Trust: who (emotional), Support/Capacity: how (functional), and the Accountability: do (return). Healthy cultures are a mutual relationship which includes a balance of support and accountability. He reminds us that ordering people to change doesn't work, but neither was leaving them alone.

Self care and teacher care were also hot topics, and several ideas are swarming in my head on how to better support our staff and selves in addition to our students. Our infamous Dr. Debbie McFalcone reminds us of our own self-awareness and the impact of our emotions as well as the importance of feedback.  Dr. Marcia Tate shared research on the order of change (along with some amazing presentation protocols). We need to be better about our attitudes as leaders and educators, but our behaviors are even more crucial. Order of change: leader/teacher behaviors, student outcomes, then in time leader/teacher attitudes. Interesting order of change: BOA: Behaviors, outcomes, attitudes. We start by changing our own behavior. She also reminded us that laughter will add 10 years to our lives. I need to laugh more!

I was excited to present on my leadership vision of #LeadPositive, and I feel very honored being recognized this year by region 2. My success comes from the wonderful professionals on my team. I am very fortunate to have caring and dedicated professionals with me--supporting our kids.

Shout Outs:

Region 2 principals, especially those in Washtenaw County who serve on the regional board, have been amazing supports and partners in our efforts to bring the benefits of MEMSPA to our region. You all are my forever friends, and I love you immensely.

Several principals were honored during the conference, and I am very excited to see Amie McCaw recognized as our Michigan Principal of the Year. She leads by example in not only her amazing school but also the state as a whole. She has worked the last several years to secure and offer meaningful, thought-provoking PD for MEMSPA principals. Congrats, Amie!

In addition, I am honored to call Madame President, Michelle Allen, my mentor and friend. She did an amazing job this week leading and celebrating principals. Thank you, Michelle! Thanks for all of our past presidents as well. We have a long line of mentors and MEMSPA supporters.

Thank you to our lovely Leadership Matters facilitators, Debbie and Derek! Your love, passion, enthusiasm, and care for our members is like no other. We are all better leaders because of you.

Other faces of MEMSPA include Allyson Aspey, David Simpson,  Jon Wennstrom, Ben Gilpin, Jeremy Patterson, and our very own rockstar, Mike Domagalski. Your leadership, advocacy, support of others and our growth in the profession are unmatched. Thank you for your leadership and most of all friendship. The entire board and region representatives are truly assets to not only the organization but the profession as a whole. Thank you!

Lastly, the MEMSPA office needs recognized for the countless hours, thought, and details that went into making this conference EPIC! Thank you Annette for your 30+ years of service and making sure that everyone and everything are perfect. Taryn--thank you for your tech superpowers, details, and unflagging support of MEMSPA and principals. Syndee--you have been an amazing addition to our organization. Your contacts, drive, vision, and most of all, your caring, loving personality for all of our members have been evident. Last but not least, Paul. Your mentorship, vision, care, and connections have been the face and heart of MEMSPA. Thank you for putting so much time, and most importantly, love, into our association.

Reflect, Refresh, Forgive, Repeat

I know that I am not alone. As an educator and school leader, April, May, and June are a whirlwind of long 14-16 hour days, increased discipline, and work to finish a year strong but also plan for the year to come. It gets mentally, physically, and emotionally draining. I am lucky that after 12 years of opening and closing school years I know it is only a temporary state of craziness. I am even more fortunate to have a life partner who knows this as well and reminds me of it when I start to fall apart; I usually have several days of crying due to exhaustion and not knowing how to keep up with the demands. He always has a way of reminding me that I get through it; I always do. I also remind myself that even in these times, I always want to get up and go to school/work. Everyone is not fortunate enough to have a career that they love, and other than the occasional snow day dance or end-of-the year blues, I love what I do and the people (big and small) who learn and serve with me.

It is during these times of exhaustion, stress, and sometimes hurt that we tend to resort to negatively. This is easy to do when we are in this state. I found myself slipping after some hard to hear feedback, during reviewing data portfolios and completing teacher evaluation meetings, and dealing with escalating student discipline or upset parents. My coping skills are not always the best. I stress eat and revert to unhealthy meals and binging on chocolate. I start to miss a day or two of workouts, but I always forgive myself, lean on the people who are my trusted advisers and friends, and remind myself to snap out of it. We have to allow ourselves time to reflect, to let us feel what we are feeling, but also remember the choice to live and be positive: reflect, refresh, forgive, and repeat.

Positivity is a lifestyle change. Life has its ups and downs. How we choose to keep going during the down times matters. I have learned that it is OK to reflect and allow myself to feel what I am. The key is not allowing myself to stay there long. Reflect and learn, refresh the mind, body, and spirit, and most importantly forgive ourselves, so we can move on.  Positive reminders, healthy habits, the people in my life are all tools that I use to get me back on the path to positivity. The power of positivity lives inside me! Being positive not only promotes happiness, it leads to better health. In addition, we become a part of helping and reminding others to be positive. More positive people can only help make the world a better place.

Educating for a Better Tomorrow

As I read the book, Innovator's Mindset, for the second time, I reflect on the introduction and try to answer the question, "What is the purpose of education?" as well as explain why innovation is so important to education. This quest makes me think back to Simon Sinek's Ted Talk and "Start with the Why" approach. (shortened video link)

Why do we educate youth? Why do teachers, leaders, and other educators dedicate so much of their time to the profession of educating students? While many people internalize their own reasoning, I believe the BIGGEST "why" we have centers around the desire to inspire and have an impact on creating a better tomorrow. This is usually articulated in the phrase, "to make a difference" by many educators and leaders.

At the moment, it is more challenging and demanding than it has ever been to make education relevant and engaging by personalizing learning and creating authentic learning experiences. Traditional practices and teaching to the middle no longer prepare students with what they need to know for what they need to do and become.

To create a better tomorrow, we need to connect with students, teach to the whole child, and instill the drive and courage to take risks to become the best versions ourselves (both educators and students). The need exists to continue to evolve our communities, countries, and world to be better for the next generation.

While this is a more challenging time in education and extremely demanding on educators, we have more tools, practices, access and reach to create engaging, meaningful, and personalized experiences for our students. Shifting our practices to offer more student choice and direction is helping to foster not only the knowledge required but also developing the skills demanded for tomorrow's world.

This brings us to why innovation is so crucial--to Simon Sinek's "How" circle. Innovation is creating change that transforms education, learning, and outcomes. We can only expect our students to be as innovative and creative and passionate about education as their teachers are. Furthermore, we can only expect our educators to be as innovative, creative, and passionate about teaching and learning as their leaders are.

In doing this, we need to be more thoughtful about restricting technology and come up with ways to teach appropriate use, make teaching and learning more efficient and personal, as well as prepare students for a world that doesn't even exist--a better world. We need to practice and model the skills we are asking students to develop. We need to take risks, learning from each other and our students. It will be a collective and collaborative approach to educate for a better tomorrow. 

Positive Approaches to the Networked Principal

In the middle of my second year of administration, my husband was deployed to Afghanistan. I was left with two young children, working on a specialist degree in education leadership, continuing a fairly new principalship, and the honeymoon was over. I had my first grievance; I was wearing many district hats in addition to leading a building. Although I tried not to show it, I really didn’t think I would make it. To be perfectly honest, I probably would not have made it through that year or the nine other years of serving and leading others if it were not for my strong network of colleagues through my professional associations of Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) and National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

The principalship no longer needs to be a lonely, isolated island. With several opportunities to connect, engage, and contribute, the role of instructional leader can be more rewarding than ever before. No matter the location, level, or culture, similar people and resources are only a click away. It is essential to the vitality of the career to keep a close network of people to support, encourage, mentor, and challenge.  Staying connected means participating in professional associations and organizations, using social media, and committing to giving back to the profession. These are just a few ways to stay both connected and positive.  

Professional Organizations

Many state and national organizations and associations make it easy for people to connect. Conferences and workshops add in time to collaborate, network, and connect with other professionals. Many offer professional learning offerings that are sustained over time with opportunities to collaborate.  Many groups and regional subgroups have face-to-face and virtual meetings, making it even easier to connect with other principals. It is important that leaders utilize these supports and connect with others in the profession. Participation can keep members positive in times of difficulty. Taking an active part in NAESP or other professional associations is a BONUS to its membership.

NAESP is a BONUS to you!

B	Bucket Filler: Participating in regional, state, and national activities and networking can fill your bucket emotionally, educationally, and professionally.
O	Opportunity to give back: Get involved. Share your knowledge and skills. Mentor your teacher leaders; assist aspiring, new, and veteran leaders.
N	Networking: Make connections and use them to help support, assist, and encourage you. Connections can help you build your own capacity.
U	Understanding/Learning: The professional learning that these organizations provide is outstanding: up-to-date legislative updates, news, and PLNs.
S	Support: The membership comes with many additional supports and perks: legal advice, liability insurance, PD, expert colleagues, and many resources.

In addition to the membership benefits of an organization, social media can break down barriers to connecting with others in the profession. A networked, 21st-Century leader is using these outlets and tools.

Social Media

Many professional memberships, such as MEMSPA, are using social media to further the reach and support to principals. #MEMSPA chat Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m EST is a great way to collaborate with other principals on important, timely, and relevant topics. Following hashtags of these key organizations opens up resources, information, and professional learning. Applications like Voxer, Blogger, and Twitter can extend a leader’s reach and support. Social media is great for school and district branding; moreover, it serves as a well for leaders and educators to connect, dialogue, reflect, communicate, collaborate, be creative and think critically. These 21st-Century skills are not just for the students. All stakeholder groups need to practice, model, and develop these skills. However, it does not just stop there. Networking is a start. Mentoring, sharing, and supporting are a ways to give back to the profession.

Pay It Forward

It is critical to the success of education to share the knowledge gained from participating in networked, collaborative ways to others in the profession. Not only will leaders become more reflective in their own practices, but they can also support others at the same time. Growing from participating in a Twitter chat to moderating one is a start. Taking risks and blogging about successes (even after failure) can both inspire and encourage other leaders. Presenting at conferences, joining leadership positions at regional, state, and national levels, mentoring aspiring and new leaders, and even writing articles in leadership publications is a way to contribute.

 #LeadPositive

The most important aspect of a networked principal is to be positive and lead by example. Students, teachers and staff, parents, and the community need to hear and see all of the good school leaders and educators are doing. The quote, “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." by Dr Wayne Dyer is evidence that a person’s outlook can make or break his or her day and the climate of the buildings. If principals lead with more positivity, their teachers and students will be more positive. It is contagious. It needs to be the networked principal’s mission to lead positively. Negativity can only be stopped with strong positive connections, behaviors, and attitudes. It is the duty of an instructional leader to be contagious with positivity.

Being an instructional leader can be an exhausting career; however, for a networked principal, it may be challenging and difficult, but it is the best, most rewarding profession there is. #LeadPositive

Web Resources:

http://georgecouros.ca/blog/presentation-resources/social-media-for-administrators

George Couros is an amazing speaker, blogger, and author. In this Principal of Change: Stories of Leading and Learning blog, he writes the post “Social Media for Administrators.” This is a great place to get started.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246691

“Millennials Have Rediscovered the Benefits of Joining a Professional Organization”

http://mentoring-works.com/paying-it-forward-pays-back-25000-reasons-to-mentor-others/

Mentoring is beneficial to all.

http://sspickard.blogspot.com/

Positivity Can Be Contagiously Rewarding: Negativity, Destroying blog with a positive, education focus.

Embracing Change with Positivity

"Change is an opportunity to do something amazing" (#InnovatorsMindset @gcouros). 

I used to teach the book Who Moved My Cheese? to my seniors. The book spoke to me since I was a newer teacher and had visions of doing things differently. While some of the staff were excited and the principal supported my vision, others hemmed and hawed like the mouse characters in the book. 

Now as an instructional leader, I want to embrace and support change, especially change that is going to foster the skills our students need for their futures. I try to #LeadPositive by also modeling this type of change for my staff. I read Innovators Mindset over the summer and was both hooked and inspired. 

My opening building PD used modules from ASCD's Teaching Innovation and Creativity series. I even had staff use Schoology to have their discussions that day and will continue this practice throughout our journey this year. What sparked the most passion was the relevant and fun team building activity that we opened our day with: Chopped for Educators.

#PowerUpMMS Team Building "Chopped for Educators"

Our building has a former home economics room that we know use for our life skills class, but it served as the perfect place to have our opening team building activity.

Challenge  Rubric

The teams had a mystery box challenge (see link above) and the winning team won a great goodie bag of school supplies for each team member. The staff loved the hats and aprons, and only had 30 minutes to complete their task. The assistant superintendent, secretary, and custodian judged the dishes created.

After the competition, we talked about all of the 21st Century (#Milan21, our Modern Teacher branding) skills this competition needed: Creativity & Innovation, Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication & Collaboration, Flexibility & Adaptability, Initiative & Self Direction, Social & Cross Cultural Skills, Productivity & Accountability, and Leadership & Responsibility. In addition, we discussed how just this one exercise not only hits all of these skills, but all content areas could think of standards their students could learn and demonstrate with minor tweaks. 

I took a risk using up some of my building PD this way, but it paid off. I was positive and enthusiastic about the day and activities. The teachers had fun; team building happened; it was relevant; and it modeled what I have been preaching:

• Risk Taking is key for staff and students.
• Some of the best ideas are out of the box.
• Learning can happen in many ways.
• Failing is necessary for growth.
• Learning should be interactive and fun.
• Transforming practices are key to being more student-centered. 

I am totally behind the change that needs to take place for our students. We have to support and guide our teachers on all levels of readiness. The #IMMOOC network is going to help and support me to better do just that! How about you?

My First, Tenth Year: Opportunites to Grow

I am excited that this year has been one of the most rewarding years of my career so far. I have had several opportunities to grow professionally. It has been far from easy, but I have had the opportunity to work with a fantastic group of dedicated and talented teachers. In addition, I have completed my year as MEMSPA President and have benefited tremendously from the support, professional learning, and networking the organization has given me. Lastly, I have made my way back into the classroom, teaching graduate classes in educational leadership with Concordia University.

There are years that I find it hard to believe that principals are leaving the profession after 3-5 years, and to be perfectly honest, I have had a year or two where I wondered if I were going to make it. In my entire ten years as a middle school principal, I have learned that is mostly outside influences that make it the most difficult. For me, it has never been about the students and rarely about upset parents or staff. The most difficult years have been when legislature makes decisions that project hardships on stakeholders. Those effects were even more difficult than leading a building through my husband's deployment. Negativity can really affect the morale and building climate. 

However, "mind over matter," "...make lemonade," and most importantly, "#leadpositive" got me through even the most difficult of times. Taking a positive mindset and combining that with the personal passion to grow and help others do the same combats adversity.

Starting a new year or a first year especially, is never easy. Learning about all the stakeholders takes more than a year. An education profession is never ending, but it is even more difficult when you are learning a new culture, establishing climate, and figuring out your own identity within the organization. Building trust is vital and takes time. Fostering collaboration is essential to growing as professionals. Most importantly, establishing ways to build achievement and growth within your staff and students as well as yourself takes a collective mix of perspective, honesty, and open-mindedness.

I have learned a great deal from my new position and district. While bringing in my own skillset, I have also learned a great deal from my staff. This has been my first year with standard-based grading and PBIS--two initiatives that have such a tremendous influence on educating students. I have been a part of team collaboration. It is so amazing what groups of teachers can do together, and everyone benefits from that work. My administrative colleagues have been supportive, provided coaching, and made me feel a part of this amazing team that is founded on tradition and focused on excellent. To top it all off, the students are at the heart. The smiling faces, the willingness to learn from mistakes, the innovative, caring application put into their education is truly the fuel to my passion. Serving my new school has been rewarding, and I am fortunate enough to have that compounded with serving my professional organization.

My loyalty to and admiration for MEMSPA started ten years ago when I took on my first principalship. Four years ago, getting involved at the state level confirmed all that the association has to offer. This has been a great year, spreading the #LeadPositive message and encouraging principals to not only stay and lead positive but to also share the positive word, happenings, and accomplishments within their buildings. Serving and representing principals around the state has been a truly rewarding experience. MEMSPA is a huge support to me and my profession. It has been equally rewarding by stepping back into the classroom.

I have broadened my skillset as well as gained an increased appreciation for teaching in the present times. Doing both an online and face-to-face class this year has diversified my pedagogy. In addition, I am driven to stay current on the topics of my classes: leadership, professional development, evaluation, and supervision.

I have been truly blessed this year with all of the opportunities I have had and the people with which I have had the pleasure to meet and work. None of this would be possible if it weren't for my supportive and encouraging husband and understanding children. The 2015-16 school year has been a rewarding year. I can't wait to see what 2016-17 has in store! 

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.

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! 

Staying Positive

An outlook on school, work, or life in general can really make or break an experience. A friend sent me a picture today that included the saying, "Don't let negative and toxic people rent space in your head. Raise the rent and kick them out."  This is good advice. As a teacher and administrator, I have made decisions that cannot make all parties happy.

When it comes down to the final test, it is trying to keep the student's best interest at heart (sometimes within the financial limitations). For me, it is not about answering the question of who will I make happy, angry, or not effect at all; it's all about answering back to myself and being able to live with the choices that I make.  I would by lying if I said that people's onions didn't matter. People in my line of work have hurt my spirit from time to time. A student who makes a sometimes life-changing mistake, a parent that speaks ill out in the community, or even a staff member that disagrees with every initiative are all hurtful to me even after almost 20 years in the profession. However, it's not about me.

What I do is try and help students obtain the skills and experiences to make them the most successful for the next step in their lives. That means pushing not only them but also their teachers to make
sure that the students are having the best educational experience possible. This is always a work in progress and listening to and receiving feedback are essential. With this, however, is going to come some negatively--some valid and some not-so valid, but it is my job to sift through that to help guide my decisions and practices.

I am passionate and a fighter for what I believe is right. I care about the students and staff I serve. I am not perfect and have a lot of work cut out for me, but I lead with love, respect, and positvity. While negativity may come and visit from time to time like unwelcome company, there is not room for rent. Being an educator and leader is difficult in this age. The profession has lost a great deal of the prestige and respect that it once came with; however, the payoff in a student's face or assisting him or her with a successful future is the best fuel for any endeavor.

Keep trying, lead by example. The profession needs to be vaccinated with positivity.