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

The Power of Expectations and Attitude

"High Achievement Always Takes Place In The Framework Of High Expectations"

Charles Kettering

I am very fortunate to work with some wonderful teachers who do amazing work with kids.  My interactions with these teachers always leave me with the following questions.  

1. Why is it that you can put any student in a particular teacher's room and you know that the child will be successful?  
2. Why is it that certain behaviors will vanish as soon as the student steps foot in a certain classroom?  
3. What factors do these unbelievable teachers have in common?
4. How can I replicate these factors in others?

The two common factors that are present in every classroom like this are expectations and attitude.  The expectations in these classrooms transcend subgroups, standardized tests, and where a student resides academically.  The expectation is that every child is successful every day.  Why would we come to school with a different expectation?  The attitude is that I'm going to do whatever it takes to make sure every child is successful.  Why would we come to school with a different attitude?  How do we replicate these traits in other people?  I believe it begins by involving them in projects that they are passionate about. B

"Often Attitude Is The Only Difference Between Success And Failure"

John Maxwell

  

Where Are You Going?

Follow what you are genuinely passionate about and let that guide you to your destination. 

- Diane Sawyer

"Where are you going?" is a question that I often ask people in my daily role as a school principal.  The answers I get vary depending on the person and their interpretation of that very question.  Most people often tell me their destination without much hesitation.  Students tell me that they are going to the cafeteria, bathroom, classroom, etc.  Staff members tell me that they are going home, to a training, or back to their classroom.

Today a student asked me that same question.  My answer was that I'm not sure where I'm going but I'll definitely know when I get there.  The polite student just kept going and is probably still wondering what in the world I was talking about.

I do believe that by following your passions you will end up right where you were supposed to be.  I know for me it is currently in a place that very few thought was ever possible.

I'm very passionate about dispelling myths and proving people wrong in regards to the student achievement of  high poverty students.  I believe strongly that the amount of money in my pocket and the color of my skin have never determined how much I could learn or what I could do in this life.  I'm really not sure where I'm going but I plan of following my passion wherever it leads me.  The journey for me has always been far more exciting than the destination.

What are you passionate about and where is it leading you?

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.

I'm Possible - Critical Transformations

I am heading to ASCD's Annual Conference in less than a week. The theme for this year's conference is "Critical Transformations". We can all look back at our life and identify the critical transformations that brought us to the point we are at today. This is especially true for me since I owe everything I have to an educator who believed in me when no one else did.

Critical transformations for me have always been about overcoming adversity and doing things that others say is impossible. This has certainly carried over into my daily journey in education.  There are people that doubt the students I serve on a daily basis. Many overcome amazing obstacles and do remarkable things. That is why our theme this year is a play on words.

We took the word "Impossible" added an apostrophe and a space to make "I'm Possible". It is the first thing my students see when they enter the building each morning.

You can also view our opening video with the theme and one of my amazing students here.

My students need to know that everything that they want to do in this world is possible. It is up to us to establish an environment where critical transformations can occur by igniting their passion and offering opportunities for all kids.

There are several keys to igniting a student's passion and watching their critical transformation unfold. Here are three that we put into our daily practice and have made a world of difference.

1. Develop a culture of risk taking and forward failure by students and staff members

2. Create opportunities for students to be involved in leadership activities and groups based on interest. Interest ignites passion and increases engagement. Our students are involved in a wide array of activities including chess, recycling, drama, mentoring, and video production

3.Develop a whole child approach to support the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, and challenged

This approach has not only allowed us to exceed academic benchmarks but more importantly facilitate critical transformations in our kids.

Passion is the key to transformation.  What kinds of things are you doing to ignite passion and encourage critical transformations where you are?

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