Beating the Odds with Positive School Climate

Should we really be concerned with raising our test scores or should we be more concerned with our students having a positive, caring, and safe environment? My vote is the latter, and research is supporting that too! 

Blum (2007) states that a positive school environment "creates an optimal setting for teaching and learning.... [and includes] four of its major components: 1) caring relationships, 2) academic environment, 3) structure and safety, and 4) participatory learning." 

Voight and Hanson's (2013) study on schools that beat the odds learned that the "pockets of excellence" that successful "beat the odds" schools had in common were a positive school climate. Their research "implies that things like high expectations for students, caring relationships between teachers and students, and feeling safe at school are more associated with success than teacher or administrator experience or student support services staff ratios.”

Therefore, raising student test scores should be the product of the goal, not the goal itself. The goal is creating a positive school environment. Every educator wants to establish high expectations in an academic environment that is safe for all students. These are sometimes easier to foster than what is even a more important factor: caring relationships.

Students (and staff) need to know that we care. Students are more invested in their learning in caring and positive environments. To achieve and maintain these types of environments, it takes dedication, enthusiasm, and passion.

Dedication: We must be committed to keeping our learning environment, our staff, and our students on a positive track. Setting goals and inspiring them by modeling and demonstrating day in and day out that we care about them should be our main focus. We need to prevent as much outside negativity as possible from entering our schools, and more importantly, we need to brand and advertise all of the positivity our schools create to the outside community. We can only expect our staff and students to be as positive and dedicated as we are as leaders.

Enthusiasm: We can only expect our students to be as enthusiastic and have the desire to learn as our teachers/staff are enthusiastic and have the desire to teach and learn. Moreover, we can only expect our teachers and staff to be as enthusiastic to teach and learn as we are to lead, teach, and learn.

Passion: We have to realize that few people are passionate about testing. We are passionate about people and ideas that are meaningful to us. We are passionate about people and places that we care about in our lives. We have to create enough passion to cultivate the caring environment and caring relationships that will promote success in all other measures of achievement.

This is only the starting point, but it is the foundation that can support everything else.
We must support one another, our staff, and our students. Stay positive (#LeadPositive), model your dedication, enthusiasm, and passion. Everything else becomes easier with this foundation.


Links to these studies are included at the bottom of this blog for a better understanding of their studies, results, and implications. The positive, motivational blog is just an awakening, there is much more to be done.

Blum, Robert, Best Practices: Building Blocks for Enhancing School Environment. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 2007.

Voight, A., Austin, G., and Hanson, T. (2013). A climate for academic success: How school climate distinguishes schools that are beating the achievement odds (Full Report). San Francisco: WestEd.

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!