Surviving a Leadership Undercurrent

My mother always scared me with stories of rip tides or undercurrents taking people out to sea.  I believe her purpose was to keep me safe but it was also to show me the power of something that you cannot see.  Undercurrents exist both in the ocean and in organizations of all sizes.  People who are not cognizant of the undercurrent can be taken further away from the shore without even realizing it.  Leaders who lack situational awareness can also be taken further away from the mission/vision of the organization by not understanding the signs around them.  This type of situational awareness is an essential leadership skill

It is not surprising that the concept of situational awareness has been linked to both organization effectiveness and even student achievement. The researchers at McREL identified 21 key leadership responsibilities that are significantly correlated with higher student achievement.  The leadership responsibility with the highest correlation to student achievement was situational awareness.    

Leaders must understand their staff and community members’ dispositions to the changes they are leading.  This does not mean that you have to wait until everyone is happy and on board with the change.  In truth, that moment will never occur because people naturally resist change.  The key for leaders is to tailor their practices in stakeholder accordance with disposition and changes that are occurring. 

Not every tool should be a hammer and not every problem is a nail.   Some changes are easier for people to implement while others may be in direct opposition to prevailing attitudes. Effective leaders understand how the changes they are leading will be received and understood by all stakeholders.   The most effective leaders take the understanding a step further and tailor their leadership styles to create a movement for these changes.

The following advice on undercurrents comes from Trails.com:

Undercurrents are real and you cannot always see them but you can sense and feel when they begin to take hold.  As a swimmer if you do get caught in an undercurrent, don't exhaust yourself trying to swim against it. The best method for combating undercurrent is to attempt to swim perpendicular to the direction of the undercurrent. These rip tides typically exist in patches, and if you can swim out of the patch you will be able to return to shore.

Now read the previous paragraph again and replace swimmer with leader and swim with lead.  

Does it still make sense?  This advice holds true for both leaders and swimmers.  Leaders will exhaust themselves by going directly against the undercurrent.  Think about the undercurrent during your next initiative.  Your situational awareness will be key to not only surviving but also effectively implementing a new initiative to move your organization forward.  

Groundhog Day in Education

"Anyone Who Has Never Made A Mistake Has Never Tried Anything New"

Albert Einstein

The movie "Groundhog Day" depicts the main character repeating the same day over and over until he learns from his mistakes.  Many of our classrooms today have that "Groundhog Day" feel.  They really don't feel or look much different than they did fifty years ago despite countless reform efforts. There are certainly exceptions to this observation.  Consider the following questions:

• Would you be comfortable with a business looking the same as it did fifty years ago?
• Would you be okay with being operated on using techniques from decades ago despite advances in technology?
• Would you get on a plane with a pilot that isn't constantly learning best practices in air safety?

The obvious answer would be no.  Why is it okay for it to happen in education?  

There is a revolution in education beginning in classrooms and schools across the world.  It is being led by classroom leaders, building leaders, and district leaders.  It is being led because our children deserve better.  

Start your (R)evolution in education today.  Engage in discussions both face to face and virtually with leaders and educators who are making a difference.  The power of my PLN always continues to amaze me.  You have access to the most innovative people in education at your fingertips.  Technology breaks down walls and allows you to span continents.  

Most importantly, DO SOMETHING TODAY!  

I propose that we only celebrate Groundhog Day on February 2nd.  Whether he sees his shadow or not...We continue to evolve!

Moving Mountains and Making a Way

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam 

(I'll Either Find a Way or Make One)

There are many times where it feels like you have to move mountains to get where you truly want to be.  I find that it often looks insurmountable because you are standing too close to the problem.  This happens professionally when you are working intensely on a project or just managing your daily duties.  It occurs just as often personally with relationships, decisions, etc.

The best advice is to just take a step (or two) back.  Decide what you truly want the outcome to be and relentlessly go after it.  You may still see a mountain but you will often see a path that will lead you across.  If no path appears; you just have to make one.   Either way you will find yourself on the other side.  B

New Year

July 1st brings in a new year for many organizations.  It is the beginning of the fiscal year and it is the beginning of the school year for administrators.  This new year is especially exciting to me as I transition into a new role.

I am leaving my role as Elementary Principal to become the Executive Director of Elementary Education.  In this role I will directly work with elementary school principals in my district in an effort to transform all schools.  This new role is extremely exciting and daunting.

It will certainly provide new challenges and new material to write about.  It will also be the first time that I am not in a building working with students.  I will be on the edge of the work trying to push leaders to make the changes necessary to prepare students for success.

How can you transform multiple schools at varying levels of the continuum while coaching principals?  I'll keep you posted.  B

Just Start!

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. 

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” –Goethe

I believe that we let obstacles and excuses get in the way of our dreams.  Pay close attention to conversations about change.  The focus is typically on "what could be?" or "why we cannot do things differently".    Very little time is spent on the actions that need to take place.  We can debate the change that should occur in our world, lives, education, etc.  The unfortunate thing is that nothing changes unless someone is bold enough to begin it.  I have a couple of questions to ask as we wind down the present school year and plan for the next.  

1. What are you bold enough to change?
2. What actions are you willing to take to accomplish the change?
3. How can we change conversations to focus on what truly matters?

The most important thing is that we opt to be bold, take action, and enjoy the moments that follow... B

When Nothing is Certain, Anything is Possible

“In dreams there are no impossibilities.” Janos Arany

What if nothing was certain?  What if you had unlimited possibilities and opportunities?  How would you act?  What would you do?  Who would you involve?

Things change rapidly and nothing is truly certain.  We have to stop operating from a place of "No" or "This is impossible" because it is keeping us from the truly remarkable things that are out there.

You will be amazed at the outcomes when you shift your thinking towards possibilities and away from obstacles.  Take a step towards that dream and the obstacles will begin to disappear.  Who knows....That possibility could end up being a "history in the making" moment.

How can you start operating like anything is possible? B

My Kids Can't Wait!

"If you don't like the way the world is, you change it. 

You have an obligation to change it. 

You just do it one step at a time."

 - Marian Edelman

There has been a lot of talk about reform and what needs to be done in education.  I spend a lot of time thinking about next steps in the field of education.  I'm a strong advocate for reform and I believe that we need to make some major changes in the way we approach learning, assessment, etc.  While I believe that change needs to occur; my kids can't wait for it to happen on a national level.  As a teacher and a leader I have an obligation to make it happen today.  We need to make it happen locally and grow it nationally.

We are committed to showing people what education should look like.  We will continue to aim for targets that are much higher and more rigorous than any standardized test score.  My kids deserve that today.  Don't wait for national reform.  Start a movement today! What would be your first step? B

Separate Yourself

"Don't Try To Stand Out In A Crowd; Avoid Crowds Altogether"

I've been reading a lot lately about reform efforts, innovation tactics, and fostering change.  Reform typically doesn't work because it is aimed at fixing problems in the present and not looking towards future learning .  The key to me is not about trying to keep up with the curve.  The key is to actually set a new curve altogether.  This must be an intentional, daily practice to truly be effective.  

People are talking about becoming 21st century schools a decade into the 21st century.  We should really be looking at the future and stop striving to be something we should have been ten years ago.  

The following quote by Maria Robinson best sums up my feelings on reform, change, and innovation.  

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but  anyone can start today and make a new ending." 

Today is definitely the day to make a new ending. What would that ending look like?  How would we get there? B

Building Schools in the Air

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.

Henry David Thoreau

We tell kids every day to reach for the stars and that nothing is impossible.  I've even written a previous post about the whole concept of "I'm Possible".  Thoreau's quote speaks volumes to the approach that schools should take towards educating all children.  We should be building castles in the air while providing a strong foundation for all students.

I'm willing to guarantee that not one of my students' dreams include being proficient on a standardized test or learning a skill in isolation.  Why do so many schools do exactly that and wonder why students are not engaged? This approach does not provide the type of foundation for success in my opinion.  Why would we settle for building a dwelling with no view when we can have a castle in the air?  We must move beyond minimum proficiency goals and start building our schools in the air.  The view from there will be amazing! B

CRITICAL TRANSFORMATIONS - ASCD ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

On Saturday I had the amazing honor of being named ASCD's Outstanding Young Educator.

http://www.ascd.org/news_media/Press_Room/News_Releases/2010_OYEA_Winners.aspx

I believe that any award with the word "young" in it is a great thing but this award was truly special to me.  ASCD is an amazing organization that exemplifies the philosophy and approach needed to transform educational practices across the globe.  I had the opportunity to speak at this year's conference and I've been asked many questions about the speech.  The Jay-Z quote/reference has definitely been the topic I'm asked about most.  I thought I'd post the speech in both Wordle and text form.  This way you can see that Jay-Z was always part of the plan and also see how grateful I am to have received this honor. B

The theme of this conference is “Critical Transformations”.  Critical Transformations occur in life at the fork in the road.  I believe that Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best when he stated…

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. “

As I reflect back I see that the critical transformations in my life have led me to where I am today.  I could have been led down different paths like my friends, siblings, etc.  I am the first person in my family to graduate college.  I have my master’s degree and am currently pursuing my doctorate.  Not bad for a kid whose second grade teacher said that “There must be something wrong with him”.  In the words of another hero of mine (Jay Z)….I’m not sure that’s how teachers should speak to kids…she’s on my list.

Today I stand before you as an example of what is truly possible with a whole child approach to education.  I am an example of what is possible when someone believes in you enough to see past your exterior and look inside you to see that greatness lies with.  Greatness is within all of us.  I am here because of a teacher that took an interest in a kid that others had written off.  I am here because of people like you.  I was that student sitting in your class, school, or district that is disengaged, disinterested, and determined to get out of work.  Critical transformations for 21^st century learners occur at the intersection of potential and passion.  Find out what your kids are truly passionate about and start the transformation process there.  Every person deserves to have someone that gives them the courage to be the person they are meant to be. 

Nobody is passionate about bubbling in answers.  My kids want to make a difference and save the world using the tools and technologies that excite them.  Our kids are counting on us to prepare them for their future…not ours.  Their successful transformations are going to be dependent on their abilities to communicate, collaborate, create and critically think about global problems.

I have the best opportunity in the world each and every day.  I get to make a difference in the lives of 600 of the most talented kids at Hidenwood Elementary in Newport News, VA.   Our theme at Hidenwood is that nothing is impossible because I’m possible.  To the students and staff of Hidenwood and to the students and teachers across the globe…If I can stand here before you today…anything is truly possible.

We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.” We have the power and potential in this room to change the course of educational history and transform classrooms across the world.  What will your next critical transformation be?   I read recently that schools will change more in the next ten years than they have in the past 100.  That transformation begins today…at this conference…with this group of determined people.

Thank you to ASCD for this tremendous honor.  The Outstanding Young Educator Award will certainly serve as another transformation in my life.

Forward Failure

"Failure is a detour, not a dead-end street." - Zig Ziglar

Failure is the greatest teacher that I have ever had in my life. I've learned more through my mistakes than I ever have through successes. One of the people I admire and read about often is Abraham Lincoln. Failure was a critical component to Lincoln's success. Here is a short list of the failures that helped him move forward.

• He failed as a businessman - as a storekeeper.
• He failed as a farmer - he despised this work.
• He failed in his first attempt to obtain political office.
• When elected to the legislature he failed when he sought the office of speaker.
• He failed in his first attempt to go to Congress.
• He failed when he sought the appointment to the United States Land Office.
• He failed when he ran for the United States Senate.
• He failed when friends sought for him the nomination for the vice-presidency in 1856.

Each one of these failures helped him move forward on his journey towards greatness. The most important thing I can do as a leader is to cultivate a culture of risk-taking and forward failure. This is the culture necessary to help students and teachers move outside of filling in bubbles sheets and into the world of problem solving, critical thinking, and creating new products/projects.

There are three things that we are currently doing to help cultivate a forward failing culture.

1. Provide opportunities for teachers and students to explore outside of the curriculum to find things they are passionate about and have them tie it into essential learnings.
2. Provide resources and support when presented with a new idea, approach, or plan to move the school forward.
3. Show people that forward failure is okay by supporting and assisting people when a project does not go as planned. This will lead to more risk taking and eventually a superior idea/product.

Lincoln is not the only prominent failure that exists in history. The video below shows several more. Keep in mind that Edison failed thousands of times before he revolutionized the world with his invention. Our students hold the key to the next great idea. We cannot continue to try to solve today's problems with yesterday's answers. We need to set up the environment that fosters the surfacing of that idea.

How are you cultivating a culture of "Forward Failure" in your work? Please share so that we can all move forward on this journey. B

Hello World!

Today is the day that I begin one of my new year's resolutions (better late than never). I was reminded about this resolution when I read @bhs_principal's guest post today entitled "Every Principal Needs A Blog". I agree that the best way to transform a school/education is to model the practices that you expect from your teachers. This is one way for me to accomplish that goal. The other reason is because there are quite a few ideas, thoughts, etc. that I just can't fit into 140 Characters. This is my "Hello World" post, my making good on a resolution, and more importantly a contribution towards moving education forward. We are trying to prepare students for a century that we are already a decade into. Hopefully this blog will provide some food for thought and fuel for change. B