Leader or Follower?

"Do you want to be a leader, or do you want to be a follower?" A provocative question, that I am sure was designed to elicit a resounding, "LEADER!" But, the reality is that we are called to be both. The reason is quite simple, we're not perfect. Perfection is an illusion. So if we can concede that we're not perfect, that we don't have all the answers, then we must concede too, that at times we are in fact followers.

Leadership Qualities According to 3rd Graders

For the past year and a half, I have been immersed in discussion and reflection around educational leadership, and leadership styles. I've looked at the role of teacher leaders, building leaders, and district leaders. I've read amazing blog posts, articles and books. I feel like I've learned a lot. But I think one of the experiences that is really going to stick with me, is an experience that I had in my own classroom this week.

It just so happened that one of the follow up questions in our anthology (HMH Journeys) asked students to reflect on the qualities that are important in a leader. So out of the mouths of babes (3rd graders), a list of some important leadership qualities:

• Leaders need to be honest. They need to tell the truth and not lie to people.
• Leaders need to be kind.
• Leaders need to do the right thing.
• Leaders need to sacrifice.
• Leaders need to share with others.
• Leaders need to care about others.
• Leaders shouldn't yell.
• Leaders need to be confident.
• Leaders need to be prepared for anything.
• Leaders need to have a lot of skills.
• Leaders need to be able to give good advice.
• Leaders can't be all about themselves.
• Leaders need to be good sports.

Yeah, I kind of think they nailed it. Next time you're wondering what it takes or means to be a leader, ask your students - they have incredible insight.

Embracing "The Not Perfect Hat Club"

A little while back I had a really interesting conversation with Jena Ball (@JenaiaMorane). She shared a new project that she, and her Critterkin crew were working on. The project she described is The Not Perfect Hat Club. More than a club, in the traditional sense, to me it seems more of an adoption of an attitude or a way of thinking and being. It is something that will assist both children and adults in addressing what is becoming an over-emphasis on achievement and attainment, and quite frankly the perpetuation of perfectionism. It will help individuals focus on the journey rather than the outcome, to recognize and value their talents and the talents of others, and to embrace the often uncomfortable feelings associated with challenge. 

 

I am excited to see this project unfold both as an educator, and as a mom. I want our children to know that learning is messy, and that while striving to do one's best is important, perfection is not. I want our children to appreciate the journey, to revel in the process, rather than limit their focus to the outcome or product. I want our children to grow up with curiosity and wonder, and to understand that creativity is within all of us, and can be expressed in a multitude of ways. As adults, I hope that this project will help us develop the courage to take risks, to try something new and to be vulnerable. Together, we are "perfectly, not perfect."

To learn more about this project, and to join The Not Perfect Hat Club check out:

http://notperfecthatclub.com/

#NotPerfectHatClub

Agape

I have been out of school for a few days. It was unexpected. Some say that it was the Lord's way of telling me I needed to slow down. Perhaps, they are right. I haven't done much in the past few days but lay in bed or on the couch, watch my fill of movies and nap. I've also had time to think, and to reflect. 

I may have watched the movie "Love Actually" a few times, well, more than a few truthfully. It's my weakness, and I'm happy to admit it. One of my absolute favorite parts of the movie is the monologue at the beginning of the film. Well done, Richard Curtis, Hugh Grant and those unsuspecting travelers and loved ones! This very poignant beginning of the film highlights the one very important truth, "love actually is, all around."

The question is, do we take the time to recognize it, in all its myriad of forms on a daily basis? Over the course of the day, where do you see evidence of love? Agape is described throughout the New Testament as the fatherly love of God for us, and our reciprocal love for God. The term also extends to the love that we share for one another. Some of my favorite verses come from 1 Corinthians. Dust off your bible, and turn to 1 Corinthians and you will find much to do about love. Here are but two:

Love never fails; 

but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away;

If there are tongues, they will cease; 

If there is knowledge, it will be done away.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Let all that you do be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

If you are wondering what on earth this has to do with education and leadership, I beg your indulgence. I believe there is a direct correlation. At our most basic level, we desire to be known by another. If we make the time in our classrooms, in our schools, in our districts to know one another, to love one another, the power of that love will be great. It will allow us to do more, and to be more than we dared to dream of.

In a world that is in constant pursuit of the best, the brightest, the most glowing achievements, we often take for granted the most powerful ingredient of all - love. Without it, I argue there is less opportunity for innovation and creativity to take hold; there is far less risk-taking and sharing of ideas. What I propose then, is this - we slow down. Take the time, indeed make the time to build relationships, to care, to nurture, to really love one another, and see where it takes us. I have a sneaking suspicion that it will take us farther than we dared to imagine.

The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you.

And be gracious to you,

The Lord lift up His countenance,

And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Pride and Prejudice - Lessons for Leadership

I love the novel Pride and Prejudice, and I love the 2005 movie adaptation of it equally which rarely happens for me. So you can imagine my excitement, when our unexpected snow day yielded the opportunity to watch it on HBO. I felt a little bit guilty at first because there were plenty of other things that I could be doing, but I just couldn't pull myself away. As I sat there watching, I also couldn't help but make some connections between the movie, teaching, learning and leading.

1) Perception may not be reality. First impressions can, and often are, misleading.
2) Try to view things from multiple perspectives. 
3) Take the time to get to know others, and to build relationships. 
4) Humility.
5) Open communication.
6) Learn from the challenges that come your way.

Going Deeper at NYSCATE14

Over the past few days I had the privilege of attending the NYSCATE Annual Conference in Rochester, NY.  It was something that I had been looking forward to for quite a while. Conferences like these provide the opportunity to meet face-to-face with many colleagues that I regularly engage with in online spaces, but rarely get to "see." They also provide the occasion to make new connections, forge new professional relationships, and learn about current trends in the application of technology in the education setting. As I sit back and reflect on the learning that happened over those three days, I wonder how many people would be surprised by my take-aways. In short, if you are looking for a list of the 20 best apps for use in the elementary classroom, or the newest tool that promises to change the lives of our students, this isn't that blog.

My personal learning intentions/objectives were different this year. I wasn't as interested in the latest and greatest apps or gadgets (though there were plenty of those to be sure, and I did win a pretty cool gadget from NYSDLC), I was more interested in the processes, the systems, the connections, the thinking and the discussions. Some of the most interesting conversations, and thoughtful discussions took place in the hallways, outside the session rooms on the way to the next session, or over breakfast, lunch or dinner. Conversations about the driving forces in education, the power of connections, the necessity of differentiation in many aspects of education, choosing the appropriate tools for a variety of environments, the skills that we anticipate students will need for an unknown future, and student voice. By the time my head hit the pillow each night, my mind was absolutely buzzing. The processing of these discussions, the information, advice, and suggestions will continue for some time to come. Certainly, as I write this, I find myself being pulled back into the curated content, to revisit and to continue to reflect, and push my thinking. For now, I leave you with the following take-aways, and hope that you will consider adding some of your own in the comments below.

Creativity, Innovation and Purpose
Mandela Schumacher-Hodge, Startup Weekend EDU
Sticking Point -> Know your purpose.
Key Question 1 -> Why did we start doing what we're doing in the first place?
Key Question 2 -> Are my actions aligned to this purpose?

Wonder
Jason Latimer, http://www.jasonlatimer.com/
Sticking Point 1 -> See beyond the illusion of knowledge.
(We don't know it all. Knowledge is a continuous pursuit of understanding.)
Sticking Point 2 -> The right question changes everything.
(We need to help teach each other, and teach our students about the importance of asking good questions.)
Sticking Point 3 -> Bring back wonder.
(We need to stop thwarting it in our young people, and we need to rediscover it in ourselves.)

Ask...and LISTEN
Students of Brighton High School
Sticking Point 1 -> Ask, and perhaps more importantly listen to your students.
Sticking Point 2 -> Encourage authentic partnerships with students in your schools and districts.
Sticking Point 3 -> Empower students, and give them decision making power.

Google For Education: Vision and Future
Stephen Fang, Sales Manager Google Apps for Education
Sticking Point 1 -> 10x Thinking. See the video.
Sticking Point 2 -> Find your passion and make things happen.
Sticking Point 3 -> Have the courage to try to do audacious things where you are!
Sticking Point 4 -> Teaching students to use a particular device, app, piece of software isn't going to get us anywhere, they change, and change quickly. The skills (creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, persistence, risk-taking and other soft skills) on the other hand are interchangeable and the skills will always be necessary.

Being a Relevant Educator in the 21st Century
Tom Whitby and Peter M. DeWitt, Connected Educator Book Series by Corwin Press
Sticking Point 1 -> Everyone has a voice.
(This includes students, families and faculty.)
Sticking Point 2 -> The worst advocates for connected education can be connected educators.
(Those who are connected can quickly overwhelm those who are not, we must be mindful, and meet people where they are. Start slow. Toss a stone into the pond and see it ripple.)
Sticking Point 3 -> The collective power of the group.
(We must engage, empower, and inspire all of our stakeholders.)

Moving from Administrator to Lead Learner
Lisa Meade and Victoria Day
Sticking Point 1 -> Excuses hold us back.
(That and fear. But the primary excuse will always be time and the lack of it.)
Sticking Point 2 -> Connections and learning beyond our classrooms, schools, districts, regions.
(We are better together.)
Sticking Point 3 ->  "Lead Learners" model and shape the conditions for all to learn. Read Vicki's post on what it means here.
("Lead learner" it is more than just a clever new name. It requires actions that back it up.)

Job Embedded PD
LHRIC Model Schools & Irvington UFSD
Sticking Point 1 -> Good instructional tech coaches are hard to find.
(Hard to find the balance of tech expertise and strong instructional practice.)
Sticking Point 2 -> The right model is job embedded.
(The why is clear, the how requires creativity. This is why getting a comprehensive peer coaching program in place is critical.)

Just a few pics from this year's conference. Be sure to check out #NYSCATE14 for curated content on Twitter, and Course Resources from Schoology

Where You Invest Your Love...Lessons in Leadership Week 7

I am a fan of Mumford and Sons, and I love the line from “Awake My Soul” that says,"Where you invest your love, you invest your life." I come back to that song and quote over, and over. As well as the parable shared in the Gospel of Luke 12:48 (NRSV) "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." We are called to love one another, and to serve one another. It is a demanding and fulfilling thing. So what does this have to do with education, teaching and learning? Plenty, my friends! If you are called to instruct others, to lead learning, to participate in the education of others, then you have been given a great responsibility. You have been entrusted with much, and even more will be demanded of you. If you are a teacher think of the children in front of you each day. If you are a building or district leader think not only of the students you serve, but the staff you serve as well. It can be daunting at times. There are just so many needs. And yet, in these needs, and in this serving you will find that as you invest your love, and your life, the rewards that result will both be great, and unexpected.