Problem Solver?

We hear the term problem solver all the time. When we discuss 21st century skills it is one of the first things we mention. Are we preparing students to be problem solvers? I hope so. Being a problem solver is one of Dr. Davis' core values. He expects us to come to him with ideas not just complaints and I do my best to model that core value. It was also one of the expectations I shared with you in our opening staff meetings the past two years. I also explained the need for adults to be problem solvers if we are going to continue to grow as a staff and as a school. Are you a problem solver? During these tough economic times it is more important than ever to be creative and to think outside the box. As I watch the staff, interact with you and observe things throughout the day, I have come to the conclusion that the staff is made of two types of people. Those that solve their own problems and those that wait for someone else to solve their problems. This week I was talking to two teachers about tutoring and they explained they were planning a "Lunch Bunch" for extra math support. That is the definition of problem solving in action. If we all looked at situations like this, the sky would be the limit as to what we can accomplish at Antioch. When you come across challenges or frustrations do something about it. The challenge I have for you is simple, BE A PROBLEM SOLVER.

Underdogs

Last year I shared this message with you all during the NCAA tournament and I am doing it again this year. I know some of you think I refer to sports too often, but this week I can't help it. I look forward to March Madness all year and today a huge underdog ruined my bracket in the first round. Today, 13 seeded Moorehead St. upset Louisville handing the 4 seed a first round loss.This only happens if the players and coaches believe it can happen. When we talk about meeting our students where they are that includes believing in them. We must believe they can succeed and they need to know that we believe in them. It will not be easy to overcome the baggage many carry with them, but we need to convince them that they can overcome any obstacle if they believe in themselves. Take the time to build them up and to convince them that they can be the underdog that beats the odds. It is easy to coach a team loaded with talent, but any coach will tell you the most rewarding years are those that their team outperforms expectations and overcomes challenges. Take the time to "coach" them up and beat the expectations that were set this fall.

In the words of the late John Wooden "Acquire peace of mind by making the effort to become the best of which you are capable". This goes for you as a teacher, parent, spouse and person. It also is the message we should instill in our students.

Make a Difference

As we enter the second semester I want you to think about what you do? Why you became a teacher? and why you work so hard for the little pay you receive. I think the short story below is a great example of why we do what we do.

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.

He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life

was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:

'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To emphasize his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Ned.

Be honest. What do you make?'

Ned, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied,

'You want to know what I make? (He paused for a second, then began...)

'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

'I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. 'I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 minutes without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.

'You want to know what I make?'

(he paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

'I make kids wonder. 'I make them question.

'I make them apologize and mean it.

'I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

'I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.

'I make them read, read, read.

'I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.

'I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

'I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

'I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.

'I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'

(He paused one last time, then continued.)

Thanks for all you do and for making a difference.

'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant...

You want to know what I make?

' I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

What do you make, Mr. CEO? '

His jaw dropped, he went silent.

What do you think?

This week I have decided not to share my thoughts, but those of someone else.
I want to know what you all think about the video at the link below. Please watch the video and I will send out an email Monday to use as a discussion board.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

Keep Perspective

As you know the John Wooden book I read over break was an eye opening read for me. It reinforced many things I knew and helped me realize why I struggle with many things in my life. Last week, I wrote to you all about the importance in making each day your masterpiece. Mr. Wooden also shared a story about a life changing moment he had. One day his father shared a card with him that has shaped his entire life: his marriage, his work, his goals, and his entire philosophy of life. In the card was a verse by reverend Henry Van Dyke that read:

Four things a man must learn to do if he would make his life true: To think without confusion clearly, To love his fellow-man sincerely, to act from honest motives, to trust in god and heaven securely.

How profound, think clearly, have love in your heart, be honest, and trust in god. That sounds like a great blueprint for success. The other side of the card had his fathers creed:

1. Be true to yourself.
2. Help others.
3. Make each day your masterpiece.
4. Drink deeply from good books, especially the bible.
5. Make friendship a fine art.
6. Build a shelter against a rainy day.
7. Pray for guidance and count and give thanks for your blessings every day.

If we all try to live up to the above verse and his fathers creed we will all be successful in life. As we have struggled through this tough first week think about these things, give thanks, make a difference and be a success. Keep Perspective.

Make Today Your Masterpiece

Over break, I spent some time reading books for enjoyment (Imagine that not a text book). One of my favorite books was given to me by Kerry. It was a book that focused on observations and reflections by John Wooden. For those of you that don’t know who John Wooden is, he is viewed as being the most successful college basketball coach of all time, winning 10 national championships in a 12 year span at UCLA. His observations were on the court and off the court observations that can help us all to be successful. Coach Wooden defines success as doing the absolute best you can do with your abilities. He is not concerned with what others do, finals scores, or reaching specific targets. If we all do our absolute best the rest will take care of itself.

Coach Wooden talked about making each day your masterpiece. He shared the following story. “When I was teaching basketball, I urged my players to try their hardest to improve on each and every day, to make that practice a masterpiece.” Too often we get distracted by what is outside our control. You can’t do anything about yesterday. The door to the past is closed and the key has been tossed in the trash. You can’t do anything about tomorrow either, it hasn’t come yet. However, tomorrow in large is determined by what you do today. So make today a masterpiece. You have control over that. Don’t worry about the education our students received in years past, the lack of parental guidance they may be getting, or their past EOG scores. We do not control those things, all you control is your effort.

This rule is extremely important in life. If we all apply ourselves to become a little better each day, then over time we will become a lot better. This begins with making each day count and knowing you can never make up for a lost day. If a player appeared to be taking it easy in practice coach Wooden would say, “Don’t think you can make up for it by working twice as hard tomorrow. If you have it within your power to work twice as hard, why aren’t you doing that now?”

Think about our jobs. We have to deal with so many things we have no control over. Take responsibility for what we do have control over, our effort. Do not take a day off, teach with a sense of urgency and do not become complacent. Just because we reached our goal last year does not mean we will reach it again this year. Great effort from each one of us will be needed. If we all improve a little each day then the results will be incredible. Win or lose all I ask of you is do your best every day, make each day you walk into this building your masterpiece. Welcome back now go paint your masterpiece.

Holiday Season

As we enter the holiday season I want you to take a minute to think about how lucky we all are. You all know about Lisa and the pain her family is feeling this week and I also had the misfortune of dealing with being notified we have a 7 year old student that has been diagnosed with Leukemia. This family was going along happy and healthy just a few days ago and a "well" visit led to a terrible diagnosis. We never know when or how our lives will be turned upside down so take time over this break to spend quality time with your loved ones. I am challenging each of you to make three commitments for the holiday break. I will be committing to do the following:
1. Put away my graduate work do take the new puppy and the kids to the park at least twice over break.
2. Put away the laptop and stop answering e-mails for at least two nights that I will spend doing quality family stuff (great descriptor I know).
3. Do at least two kind things for strangers without looking for a thank you or recognition.

That is what I plan to do between all of my homework and my Antioch work, what will you do? I hope you all enjoy the well deserved break and you get to see family and friends. Tell them you love them (even the ones that are hard to love) because you never know when life will throw you a curve-ball. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all:)

PS Come back well rested and ready for the stretch run.

Give Thanks To Those That Make This Possible

Today is a special day that we should all take a moment to honor American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines that have served our county, and allowed us to have the freedoms we experience each day. The courage and commitment these veterans, past and present reflect perfectly the fundamental values of our great country. We can live without a lot of things, but we cannot live the lives we currently have without the American Military who sacrifice everything in their lives so we can have the freedom all deserve. I ask that you all take a minute today or some day soon to thank a veteran for their service. This year I think about my 90 year old grandfather who served in WW II, my 84 year old father-law who also served in WW II, my older brother who served years ago, my nephew who is getting ready to deploy again this time to Afghanistan, and my other older brother who just took a job contracting with the Army to bring his "Bomb Dog" to Afghanistan to help keep the soldiers safe. I can't help, but think about what they are doing or have done for us. Take a minute to thank those that made our wonderful lives possible. And remember we may be stressed, but our jobs are not putting us in a life and death situation every day.

The "Little" Things Matter Most

As we go through the school day or the school year it is easy to lose focus on what really matters. Each year the state asks us to do more than we did the previous year and we may even get less support to accomplish it. Some stress and lose focus on the important things, while others step up and get it done. Dr. Davis has five core expectations for all UCPS employees and I have told you these are also my expectations. We need to strive for excellence, work as a team, be professional, try to be a problem solver and most importantly maintain a positive attitude. This year as the budget talks kick in I am seeing the stress level higher than ever. Keep your focus on the "little things".

Why are you here? not for the extremely high salary although that is great too. You are here for the little things, the students. Keep that in mind when you are clocking in at 7:00, or when the angry parent e-mails you at 9:00 at night. Do what is best for the students and in the long run you will feel great about yourself and the students will be able to benefit from all you have to give them.

This weekend I was able to see and experience the benefits of doing what is right for the "Little Ones". I coach, or try to coach a 3 and 4 year old soccer team. It has been a long year with many frustrating moments, but this Sunday I experienced a sense of pride I never knew youth soccer could provide (I am a baseball guy. I hate soccer). I watched the team excel for the first time all year. We had no crying and every child actually chased and kicked the ball (baby steps). Then I saw my little girl Sam take the ball the length of the field and score her first goal of the season. It was amazing especially because she threw a small elbow to keep the bigger girl away. Watching those "little ones" made me realize all the time I have spent frustrated at practice and prior games was worth it. Do what is right for the kids and remember we are here for them. Hopefully we are giving them the skills they will need to score in the game of life (very corny I know).

Inspect What You Expect!

As I walk the building it is easy to see the great things we have going on at Antioch, But I must look deeper to inspect what is driving instruction. I need to step back and take a "30,000 ft view" to better understand where we are struggling and why? I can't assume because things went well last year that they will again be great. There is no time for complacency and we must assess what we are assessing. I would challenge you to do the same. Look at your classroom and make sure you are seeing exactly what is happening. Ask yourself what you intended to teach. Then ask if the students actually learned what you intended. How do you know? If not, what could you do differently to ensure the desired outcome is reached?


Often we make assumptions about what the students are learning, or why they are not learning. Be careful that you are not too close to the situation to see what is actually causing the issues. How observant are you when you enter your classroom? Do you really know what is happening? Be sure you are stepping back and assessing what is happening in your classroom and be sure you don't miss the signs that are all around you. The following link is a great example of not being able to see what is going on if you aren't looking for the right thing. http://http//www.bing.com/search?q=awareness+test+moonwalking+bear&FORM=Z7FD

Why Do We Do What We Do?

This week my message to you will be quick and to the point. As we are winding down the first grading period, I wanted to remind you why we are all here. We are here for the kids and this weekend was a perfect example. Watching the parents, teachers, and staff working together to make GatorFest a huge success is proof that you care. I was so impressed with the event, but more impressed with the number of staff members that came out to support the PTO and to interact with the students outside of the school day. Please watch the following video about Tyler. It will only take 11 minutes, but I promise it will be worth it. It starts out slow, but it will remind you all why we do what we do everyday. http://www.imtyler.org

Overwhelmed?

Over the past week or so I have felt a stress I can't explain, but I am sure you can understand. As we have jumped into the year head first and raised the level of expectations I understand you all are feeling the stress. We have asked you to deal with technology issues, become familiar with "the new Moodle", raise your expectations for students, include LLI in your instructional plan, and develop a clear set of goals that will guide what we do throughout the year on top of all the regular teaching duties. Although that is a lot to ask it is all done with the best interest of students in mind.



I want to remind you all why we are here and what we are doing. This is not a job that we do for the paycheck, but for a much bigger cause. Think about the students in your classroom and make sure you are doing what you can to provide them with the opportunity to be successful in life. Unfortunately it is hard for us to see the fruits of our labor, but I assure you, you are making a difference and the students appreciate it (or they will one day). I have watched my own son gain back the love for school this year. He is eager to go and learn and this is a direct result of a teachers impact. Be that teacher, don't let the little things fog your vision of what we do. We change lives, shape the direction our students go and provide the love and support all children deserve.



And remember every year starts this way and after the first 6 weeks things settle down and you will get in your groove of teaching and the incredible impact you have on students will become much more evident. Keep up the good work!!

Welcome Back!!

As we begin another year, let's take a minute to reflect on what we accomplished last year. Over the past few years, I have encouraged you all to have "180 days of purpose". I have expressed that we have to maintain high expectations for ourselves and for our students. I have asked you to "Take Ownership" and to teach with "Urgency". Well, you stepped up and exceeded my expectations. I want to thank you for being the hard working, professional staff that you are. Each day I walk in the doors of Antioch I feel blessed to lead such an incredible group of professionals. You all make me look so good (and that is not easy to do), but more importantly you give our students the best you have.
As a young boy who made many bad choices, I learned one lesson very early in life. When I would have a great day, week or report card (???) my mother would say, "Now I know you can do it." The problem with excellence is that it does not come easy. I am challenging you all to be better teachers this year than you were last year. I can promise you all that Karen and I are going to do our part to be better supporters, coachers and leaders for you. Now that we set the bar, we cannot become complacent. My motto for the year is going to be exactly that, "NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY". Just because something was ok in the past does not mean it is ok this year. Each day come prepared, reach your little gators at their level, integrate technology and inspire each and every child that walks into your room to learn. Give them opportunitites to THINK, CREATE, PROBLEM SOLVE AND COLLABORATE. These are the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century and it is our job to provide them opportunities to practice them. If you are not skilled at small group instruction or you struggle with technology, do what you have to so you can meet the needs of your students. Do not let your pride get in the way with what is best for students. Remember we are already 10 years into the 21st century and some of us still struggle with the 21st century skills we are trying to teach.

We all need to grow. Remember there is NO TIME FOR COMPLACENCY!

No Growth in the Comfort Zone

As we enter the final 8 days of school I want to take a minute to thank you all for the hard work you put into this school year. As we began this journey we set goals and designed a plan of action we felt would help us to achieve them. From the first grade level meeting we tried to become more results oriented. Karen led you through a goal setting activity and we discussed the three focus areas for the year.

This process began last year as we identified areas of need, with your input. As the summer months slipped by Fran designed the staff development plan. Throughout the year we maintained the focus on integrating technology into instruction, improving the quality of small group instruction and becoming more culturally proficient. Each of these areas is a key reason our EOG scores are looking so strong.

With these three focuses we plan to improve even more next year. I want you all to take a minute to reflect on the year and identify where you can continue to grow. As the title of this post states "there is no growth in the comfort zone". I challenge you all to take some time this summer to think about where you can improve. Don't pick IGP goals that are easy to accomplish. Challenge yourself and grow as a professional.

I feel blessed to have the opportunity to lead such an incredible staff of professionals. The results we are seeing are not happening by mistake. They are a result of the hard work you all have put in and the focus we have maintained on continuous improvement. Keep up the good work and enjoy the long weekend, you deserve it.

Team Spirit

Well for three years you have heard me speak about being a team player. I have used countless sports analogies that some of you still don't even understand, but it was all in the name of team spirit. I try to lead by example doing everything I ask you all to do. If I see trash on the grounds I pick it up, in the morning I am out front with the TAs on car line duty, and I have tried to teach as many lessons as possible this year (still not enough). I try to be the best team player I can be.

Who knew all I had to do was start a little contest to help build team spirit. This past week I saw a competitive spirit in some of you that I never knew existed. It was so much fun to see you all let loose and enjoy yourselves. Catherine "Kung Fu Fighting" on the table is just one great example of team spirit. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at work. Maybe never.

The team spirit I saw last week is exactly what I want to see throughout the year. I saw colleagues doing good deeds for each other. I witnessed team members picking up the slack for those that could not get to a specific task and I received some great suggestions for improvements (and some ridiculous ones). It should not take a contest to motive you to do nice things for your peers or to open up the line of communication from the staff to principal. I hope this activity was just the jumping off point for our growth in team spirit and collaboration. I am hoping to begin the school year with a low ropes team-building activity in August and possibly another more challenging one later in the year. Those of you that know me well understand that everything is about competition and being the best you can be. As we approach the end of the year stay motivated and use every minute you can to push our students to be the best they can be. Go Team Antioch!!!

The final stretch

Can you believe we have 37 school days left? Yes, I said 37 school days left. As we begin the final push we need to take a minute and reflect on where we have come from and where we are trying to go. Wednesday we talked about the cultural proficiency training and we discussed meeting our kids where they are. As we push forward don't ever lose focus on that.

As you reflect on the year I hope you keep coming back to the reason we are here. The picture to the right shows you why. The kids should be the 1st thing that comes to mind when you ask yourself why you are here. The students we work with need us and we need to use ever minute we have left over the next few weeks to prepare them for their future. This begins in kindergarten and we need to be sure when they leave us after completing 5th grade they have the skills to succeed in this ever changing world.

Throughout this year I have seen you all stepping outside your comfort zones to meet your students and I thank you for that. I have all the confidence in the world that we are doing a great job of preparing our students for success. Keep pushing yourself and your students to grow and to reach new heights. I have been in education for 13 years now and the classroom looks very different today then it did when I first began teaching. When I went to college I did not have a computer and next year we are looking at all 6th and 9th graders in Union County having laptops to help them discover the world around them. These are just a couple of examples of how quickly things are changing and we need to be sure we are changing with the times. Think about the year and what you did with your students. Would you do it all the same again if you had a second chance? If not plan ahead and make the necessary changes for the future. Remember we must continue to grow ourselves if we are going to meet the needs of our students. You can do anything for 37 days, so raise the bar for your students and yourself for the stretch run.

Spring Reflection

Spring Break is here!!! I want you all to take the well deserved break next week to reenergize for the stretch run. Throughout this year I have tried to challenge you to grow as teachers. We all have different strengths that we bring to the table and areas that we can definitely grow in. This year we have focused on three main areas: integrating technology, increasing the amount of small group instruction and becoming more culturally proficient.

Take some time over break to think about these three areas. Have you grown in these areas and if so how much? Just as I say with the students "it is all about growth". We all began this year at different places in each of these focus areas. take some time and reflect on your starting point and the growth you have made. This will be the same focus areas we will have next year, but we should be further down the path than we were this fall.

I want you all to know that I have spent some time reflecting on what I have been seeing this year and I am happy to say it has been impressive. I see technology bringing the classrooms alive. I see small groups from kindergarten to 5th grade. I see teachers trying to "meet students where they are". All of these make me proud and al confident we will see the results this May. When we return we only have 25 school days until the testing season begins and we need to stay focused. As I keep telling Ryan at baseball practice "keep your eye on the ball". We are in the home stretch of the year, but we can not relax yet. When we return come back prepared, focused and ready to push through the end of the year, our kids deserve it.

I am proud of what I am seeing and you all deserve the break. I hope you all have time to relax, rest and enjoy yourself and your loved ones. The picture is just to remind you how wonderful you job will be in July:) and because I am excited about opening the pool this week.

Never Underestimate an Underdog

I know some of you think I refer to sports too often, but this week I can't help it. I look forward to March Madness all year and today a huge underdog almost ruined my bracket in the first round while another made me look brilliant. Today, Robert Morris a 15 seed took Villanova a 2 seed to overtime before losing a heartbreaker. Shortly after that a 13 seed Murray State handed a 4 seed Vanderbilt a first round loss. Then later in the evening my heart was stepped on when Ohio (14 seed) dominated Georgetown (3 seed).

This only happens if the players and coaches believe it can happen. When we talk about meeting our students where they are that includes believing in them. We must believe they can succeed and they need to know that we believe in them. It will not be easy to overcome the baggage many carry with them, but we need to convince them that they can overcome any obstacle if they believe in themselves. Take the time to build them up and to convince them that they can be the underdog that beats the odds.

It is easy to coach a team loaded with talent, but any coach will tell you the most rewarding years are those that their team outperforms expectations and overcomes challenges. Take the time to "coach" them up and beat the expectations that were set this fall.

Get Ready, Get Set, Go

I know you all have heard me say "180 Days of Purpose" so many times it probably makes you sick. That is fine, but I believe it and we must live it each and every day we come to work. It is our job to shape the young minds we work with and we don't have any time to waste.

A coupe of weeks ago I had the privilege to sit down with the superintendent of CMS, Dr. Peter Gorman to discuss leadership. He spoke to my class one Saturday morning. He said many great things that I hope to model for you all about leading a school or a school system. One comment that he made jumped out at me as another way to stress the importance of utilizing every moment.

He spoke of the school year as a 180 lap race. Then he discussed the students that run 20 or 30 laps over the summer with their parents. These are the students that read with the parents every night, someone reads to them, and they most likely gained some great experiences over the summer to help improve their schema. Then he talked about the students that don't even have the track shoes to run the race. This took me back to our cultural proficiency training from a weeks ago. What are we doing to help these students, so they can successfully complete the race? Please remember what we talked about in our training session. Equal treatment does not necessarily mean fair treatment. Meet your students where they are and help them to run the best race possible.

Stay Out of the Way

The past few weeks have been amazing to watch. Not only have I witnessed amazing instruction in practice, but I am seeing teachers step outside of the SCOS to teach our students about being quality citizens.

Earlier this fall our 3rd grade students helped to raise money for UNICEF and over the past few months many others have also stepped up. Our TAs raised money to help Anita's family. Our students have helped to "Stuff the Bus". Our 4th graders conducted a coin drive to help those affected by the earthquake in Haiti and our 5th graders had the opportunity to show our support to a 20 year old soldier who put his life on the line so we can all lead the wonderful lives we lead. The 4th grade teachers have spent time teaching their students about segregation and equal treatment. This unit has been amazing to see and hear about. The students have been pushed into uncomfortable situations and forced to discuss and reflect on the feelings they encountered (sound familiar).

I am so happy to see that you all are not only teaching the SCOS, but you are also helping to mold better citizens. Never lose sight of the fact that we must jump on teachable moments and run with them. The SCOS is important, but the most important thing you do is reaching a child where they are and pulling them forward. Help them grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Keep up the good work!!