Saturday, July 16, 2016
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Can't We All Just Get Along - One Can Only Hope
My latest post can be found on Medium by clicking on this link. https://medium.com/@Glennr1809/cant-we-all-just-get-along-one-can-only-imagine-d2ef7f29cea1?source=linkShare-8547fe4baa75-1467551205
Sunday, May 22, 2016
What If...Reverse Mentors in Edu
New post: "What if-Reverse Mentors in Edu" https://medium.com/@Glennr1809/what-if-reverse-mentors-in-edu-e8d74b67b948#.hjphc5y8c
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016
Embracing The Inner Hermenaut - #PENNSV16
Throughout this past year, I have been blessed to travel across the globe, searching for creative ideas, deep conversations, unique methodologies, and so much more, in hopes of continuing to improve my staff, students, and my family. Ultimately, it's about trying to disrupt the hedonic adaptation that consumes our lives, our schools, and those around us. I am honored that I have the opportunity to join an incredible group of educational minds on the #PennSV16 study tour, lead by Dr. Joe Mazza, as we head to San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
Here are some focus areas for the trip, as we visit multiple schools and companies:
Flexible space, brain-based design
Brain-based learning
Instructional design
Low-income devices
Student privacy
Virtual Reality
Networking internally and externally for PD
Research on audio, asynchronous, wearable tech, artificial intelligence
Be sure to follow along with our journey on Twitter at #PennSV16, starting March 20th.
"Why We Explore", by Shots of Awe
Sunday, March 6, 2016
"Nothing"
“Nothing.” Yes, that simple, yet, truthful, one word answer that every parent, and/or family member receives when they ask a student, “What did you do today at school?” Yes, “nothing” is the very powerful word that students bring home, when they aren’t engaged or empowered. In a day in age where advanced technology is available for all ages, and could fit in the palms of any hand, there are so many educators that continue to ignore, banish it, or restrict it. We have the opportunity to be connected to infinite resources, worldwide communication, and tools beyond our wildest childhood imaginations, yet we embrace fear when it comes to allowing students to use it in schools. Ultimately, as educators, we must overcome our fears, become more transparent, and establish trust, respect and student voice. When students feel valued, empowered, and can engage in honest conversations, that’s where “sparks” begin to fly.
Take a moment and think of a time in your life, that something or someone caused your mind to reach a state of rapture, which prompted you to share with everyone? As Jason Silva states “these moments are what make final cut” and create memories of a lifetime. These moments occur in school, when students are empowered by educators to take risk outside their comfort zones, utilize design thinking and/or personalized learning, without the sense of failure, as learning is the main focus, not grades. Student empowerment reawakens curiosity, wonder, and moments of awe, that is sadly missing in secondary school systems.
“Most creative, successful business leaders have tended to be expert questioners. They’re known to question the conventional wisdom of their industry, the fundamental practices of their company, even the validity of their own assumptions.” (Berger, 2014). We need to continue to question the traditional silos that have been in place for years, because “it’s always been done that way,” and realize that authentic learning can only happen if students and staff are given a chance/voice to create their own beautiful questions.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Ego, Jealousy, and Fear
Ever since NASSP bestowed me Digital Principal of The Year, I still wonder about others in education who are affected by “ego, jealousy, and fear.” As of today, my school has hosted over 30 schools from across the Tri-State area. We gladly share our story, all our resources, and make sure visitors leave with more than they came with. The biggest message we try to send them home with is what matters is what you don’t see. Our focus is always on answering the following question:
Why did you become a teacher, paraprofessional, supervisor, principal, superintendent, and/or board of education member?
Of course the most obvious answer is: to better the lives of students.
It is so important that we make sure that as a faculty, we hold true to our initial reasons for entering the field daily. It is too easy to lose sight of the obvious answer, which is why we repeat our mantra daily.
In education, there are producers and consumers. You know who the producers are: they are those who happily give whatever intellectual property they own to support the growth of others, expecting nothing more in return than the opportunity to talk education with a peer. The opportunity to potentially raise the level of pedagogy to positively impact instruction. That’s gravy.
Then, there are consumers. We know them, too. Consumers work from a place of intellectual property rights and tradition. They wear their fear, competition, and pride badges in the same place the producers wear their hearts.
We know as a building, and a school district, that it was important for us to always be producing -- for ourselves, for each other, for the field at large, and for our children. If not, our daily affirmation could be anything, and it wouldn’t matter.
As the lead learner in the building, I regularly reflect on the memorable people who’ve impacted my career in education. Were they producers or consumers? Did they hold true to "bettering students," or did they possess and demonstrate "ego, jealousy, and/or fear?" I remind myself of this because the dual dynamic ultimately creates the opposite of potential empowerment. It creates toxic environments, bringing out the worst in people instead of the best.
I often wonder why this continues to occur and why it continues to happen in some places. At Northfield, we talk of innovating, bettering our students/staff/schools, and then check our egos, jealousy, and fear to make sure we don’t sabotage ourselves on the way to success and forward thinking for our students.
As I work in the field of education, the staff of Northfield and I will continue to affirm ourselves and each other, as well as ask our daily questions in order to continually reflect on who we are, and why we do what we do. We can be part of the problem, or part of the solution, but we cannot be both.
When our visitors come, we ask them to do the same.
“Imagine what we would do if we weren’t afraid,” Dr. Spencer Johnson, from Who Moved My Cheese.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Gratitude
Over the past two months, the most popular hashtag on Twitter, in my opinion, was #Oneword. What's your one word for 2016? Last year, I had several words,
http://connectedleadlearner.blogspot.com/2014/12/onward-to-2015.html?m=1 and they were a struggle at times.
However, this year I want to remove the #oneword "idea" and place a word into action. Yes, I'm talking about not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk.
My word/action: Gratitude.
Gratitude for being named the 2016 NASSP Digital Principal of the Year alongside Winston Sakurai (@WinstonSakurai) and Bobby Dodd (@Bobby_Dodd).
I cannot even begin to tell you how honored I am to be named in the company of true game changers in education. To receive this honor is a true testament of what my school community has done, believes in, and strives for each year.
WORDS ALONE CANNOT DO JUSTICE FOR HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME. NASSP, I will represent you with immense pride!
Four years ago, I was looking to move up from being an assistant principal to principal.
Gratitude to Mr. Robert Garguilo, our interim superintendent, for empowering me to take the school to new heights. I asked him during his first week on the job, "what would you like me to do?" His response was so simple, yet so powerful, "run your school the way you want to run it." You know you have upper level support when he loves hearing our saying, "where we're going, we don't need roads!"
Gratitude to IT Director, Aleng Phommathep. Without Aleng, there is no BYOD program that sparked the change in our school. One of the brightest minds in the business, as well as, one of the best "teammates" I ever worked with. We made it a passion to bridge IT, curriculum, instruction and culture! Also, with the addition of Janice Dye, our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, it has made us even stronger!
Gratitude to all of them believing in my innovative, digital visions, when it wasn't attempted at the majority of schools, let alone middle school level.
Gratitude to Kevin Jarrett, our Digital Shop teacher/designer, who has helped to take our school to higher heights than ever imaginable. How high is up?
Gratitude to Kristen Polak, one of our ELA teachers and president of the teachers union. She represent the union with such pride and understands the direction that we are moving to better the lives of all, in OUR building. We meet daily to discuss the culture, climate, vision, and all concerns that the staff have.
Gratitude to my ENTIRE STAFF! Four years ago when I started, they will be the first to admit, I walked into a school that needed TLC, technology updates, teacher empowerment, vision, and innovation. When I sit in their studios today, I cannot stress how far they have come in growing as innovative leaders. I am proud to see how students' eyes "light up" when the staff creates interactive/digital lessons from our curriculum. They have grown so much over the past four years, that I'm not sure they realize it. As one recent visitor stated, your school is "one giant makerspace." #NCSPRIDE
Gratitude to Business Administrator, Linda Albright. Without a doubt, a leader in the field of educational finance. I cannot thank Linda and her office enough for working with me to ensure that our school can have the best products.
Gratitude to my friends, family, and PLN. Over the years, I have made so many connections thanks to Twitter, and these amazing people have helped to better me and my school. Trips to various parts of the country and the other side of the world. I plan to continue to "play it forward" to others so they too can see the positive impacts of having a PLN.
Gratitude to the 30 plus schools that have visited and are going to visit our school this year, to gain a better sense of where we are taking our students in education. We are in the business of preparing students to adjust to the shifts that come at them throughout life. *Imagine if more schools collaborated together, instead of competing against one another.*
Gratitude to the staff, students, parents, and our community for embracing all of our changes. Our culture and climate has never been higher, and I couldn't be more proud to see their smiles entering the building, instead of leaving.
Most importantly- Gratitude to my amazing wife and son for their unconditional support!
"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Dr. Albert Schweitzer
Powerful podcast "How Gratitude Can Change Your Life" - Curious Minds by Gayle Allen-
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Is Student Voice Truly Heard in Schools?
Take a moment and ask yourself: Is student voice truly heard in schools?
Many educators claim that they promote student voice into numerous activities at their schools, yet are they "hearing" what the students want? Throughout many school systems, students have had some voice in teacher assigned projects, infused ideas into student council, lead athletic/academic teams, and so much more. Yet, have we ever embraced the power of their voice in allowing them to tell us what they want to learn? In the educational community, we constantly hear the terms: school reform, best practices, and model schools. Still, are the ideas from adults truly the way to reach the "whole child" of today?
When was the last time someone actually asked the students what they wanted to learn, regardless of their age? When was the last time a schedule was designed by a student, instead of a guidance counselors or school administrators? Also, does every student that has an opportunity to select preferred electives, get their top one or two picks?
Traditional schedules still include bell times, study halls, advisory periods, innovation periods, and other educator driven instruction times. Yes, we tell the students what to learn, when to learn, and how to learn.
We often discuss the need to engage at-risk students, nonetheless, we continue to repeat what we have always done. We offer extra help before or after school, including the weekends, and somehow, we neglect to realize that it doesn't work. Instead, it's "they refuse to get extra help, refuse to do homework, and don't put much effort into their studies." Why, as educators, do we continue to allow this system of failure?
How can one focus on their studies when they are possibly taking care of a sibling or working a job to help with the bills? Perhaps, homework can not be completed because their parents don't even know how to help them on subjects that they never had? In reality, our world continues to change, yet schools don’t.
Curriculum, standards, data collection and administrator pushed programs come first, then relationships. How can relationships between students and educators blossom, when systems remain the same. Where is the empathy that so many educators stress?
Now, shift gears and think about a “game changer” for educators - EdCamp.
For many, EdCamp, has been monumental in bringing new life back to “beaten down” educators who work in similar settings listed above. They are usually held on a Saturday, they are free, provide incredible discussions, and empower others to try something new after they leave. They are so powerful, that most educators share with others, and bring more educators back with them to the next EdCamp. It’s a place where, Chief Yea But Officers (CYBO’s), do not exist, as everything and anything is possible to learn. The voices of the learners are heard!
I challenge you to make time and create a daily EdCamp period.
Create a daily EdCamp period that allows students to select what they want to learn and how they want to learn. Students design the board, and students lead the class. Teachers are off to the side as facilitators, and learn with students throughout the period. Allow the voices of the learners to be heard!
Tips successfully implement an EdCamp period
Mindset change:
*Revamp your traditional scheduling-study hall, advisory periods, once a week innovation periods. Make it happen EVERYDAY.
*Ask yourself- What is the experience you are trying to create at your school?
*Explain the concepts of EdCamp, and let the students make it their own.
*It’s ok to let students tell you what they want to learn.
*It's ok that if you don't have all the answers during the period.
*It's ok to embrace Andragogy, which is, students taking control of their learning.
*Remember to check your ego at the door.
*Innovation isn't just about technology.
*Everything does NOT have to be graded.
*Trust and respect your students.
*Trust and respect your teachers.
*Promote and support staff and student ideas.
*Culture and climate are EVERYTHING!
Reasons why:
*When is the last time you witnessed students rushing to sign up for a class?
*Students control their learning. Teachers are facilitators, who learn alongside students.
*Student and teacher relationships bloom from transparency.
*Ungraded periods spark creativity -Students demonstrate higher level thinking skills, and less anxiety, when they know they can't fail because they didn’t follow a rubric.
*It focuses on ALL students. Regardless of being advanced or at-risk, ALL students are present.
*Autonomy- Teachers develop new sense of lessons: PBL, Genius Hour Projects, 20% time, Maker, etc… to use in other courses.
*Your school will change for the better.
Short video of our EdCamp Period:
Blog posts about our EdCamp period:
Disrupting Traditional Courses with an EdCamp Model to be Life Ready
An EdCamp Period: Why Can't This Happen At Your School?
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Idea Street Welcomes Teenage Mutant Ninja NCMS Turtles
Would you be willing to allow students to paint on your school walls? Better yet, would you be willing to let Middle School students paint on your walls?
What happens when you give two amazing 6th grade students an opportunity? You tell them we trust you and believe in you. The answer is simple - MAGIC!
As we awaited the arrival of our turtles for Idea Street, we needed to make some more changes. We needed to create a habitat for them to feel at home, when hundreds of students and staff walk by them on a daily basis.
Allow the pictures to tell their story!
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| Dismantling the display case |
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| A blank canvas |
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| Isabella V. and Gracen C |
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| Overhead put to us |
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| Ready to rock! |
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| Mr. Law, Science Teacher who won a grant for the turtles watches |
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| Not a bad start |
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| Welcome Home Turtles! |
Special thanks to Mrs. Schwanzer, Mr. Law, Mr. Mease, Mrs. Woodall, and everyone else who gave our students the opportunity to make it OUR school!
#NCSPRIDE
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Sitting on Top of the World - Flying over the North Pole
Far East Tour- Home of the Dragon (Part 2)
Sitting on Top of the World - Flying over the North Pole
As our airliner crossed one of the most unique areas in the world, I couldn’t help to think of vast unexplored regions in our world. Yes, much of the North Pole is exotic, unknown, and the home of Santa Claus, but the unexplored regions that spark my interest is our educational system. Have we even "explored" all that there is in education? I'll let you decide...
As we head to China, I am so anxious to see what we can learn, acquire, and bring back to our school along with “hopefully” a Mandarin program. Multiple school and university visits are just the tip of the iceberg to pushing us forward. Yet, I cannot wait to spend multiple days with a powerful group of educational minds from New Jersey as well. Just the plane ride alone, conversing with Spike Cook and Jay Eitner, was worth the 14 hours.
As schools continue to remain in status quo, the Northfield Community Middle School is making huge strides to produce an educational system that provides staff and students with the opportunities to similar to those of Stanford University’s d. School. Yes, we are a middle school, not Stanford, but the idea of design thinking focused on empathy, personalized student learning, genius hour projects, Andragogy/Heutagogy advancing forward with higher level pedagogy, and flexible learning spaces in our studios.
What unique learning spaces, methodologies, and ideas are waiting for us on this trip?
Checking in from Santa’s house, and to all a good night.
The Emperor Who Had No Clothes - The American Tourist Version
After a 14 hour plane ride from Newark to Beijing, we were still not at our final destination. We passed through customs, retrieved our luggage, went to the ticket counter to check our bags, passed through security, and sat down to eat. We had time before our flight and we were anxious to eat our first meal in China.
Good times waiting for our first meal
Beef and Noodles were AWESOME!
We were now 13 hours ahead of when we left! Yes, we time traveled to the future, and everything was looking pretty good.
We then boarded our next flight to Changchun, and began the last leg of our travel over the last 20 hours. The flight was fast, only an 1hr and 1/2, but when we got off, that's when the next adventure came to light. Two members of our team were not on the flight and are hopefully catching the next flight in. We then proceeded to head to the baggage claim area. All was fine until the conveyor belt stopped. Everyone had retrieved their luggage, except for ME! Yes, after twenty hours of traveling, my bag did not make the last flight.
After 20 minutes of the airline checking their computer system and phone calls, Dietrich, was able to help translate for me and help me to understand that my bag had been located in Beijing.
HOPEFULLY, it will be on the next flight in and delivered to the hotel in the am as promised. Yet, as I boarded the bus, we couldn't help to laugh as Jay Eitner stated, "Glenn Robbins will officially be the emperor with no clothes tomorrow."
Thanks to Spike Cook, he will loan me some clothes for tomorrow morning's school visit.
The adventures of Big Trouble in Little China have just begun. However, in this wintery northern region of the country, I'd love to be emperor, but with clothes!
What's next?
-Will my bag arrive?
-Will I look as classy as Spike Cook in his clothes with my sneakers on?
-Will we the other two members of our team catch the next flight and join up with us?
-Breakfast?
-Our first school visit- What will it be like and how will it go?
Sincerely-The Emperor with no clothes.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
The Far East Tour- Home of the Dragon (Part 1)
“The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.” -Alain de Botton
An incredible short clip from Shots of Awe:
Why We Travel- https://youtu.be/6_SRZiU9EuI
For the past several months, I have been waiting for this day. The day, that I kiss my amazing wife, Abigail, and incredible son Henry goodbye as I take a journey to improve my own educational growth and hopes to establish networks and an additional foreign language curriculum. The day, where I'm to embark on a 14 hour plane ride to the Far East, China.
An incredible short clip from Shots of Awe:
Why We Travel- https://youtu.be/6_SRZiU9EuI
For the past several months, I have been waiting for this day. The day, that I kiss my amazing wife, Abigail, and incredible son Henry goodbye as I take a journey to improve my own educational growth and hopes to establish networks and an additional foreign language curriculum. The day, where I'm to embark on a 14 hour plane ride to the Far East, China.
I have been fortunate in my life to have traveled to many countries before such as: Italy, Croatia, Turkey, Greece, France, and Egypt. Yet this will be the first trip without Abigail, who has always been my travel companion. This will also be the first time that I am visiting school and university settings to study, and better understand their educational system.
Thanks to the gracious support of my interim superintendent, board of education, staff, students, and my school community, I am beyond thankful!
With a team of ten administrators from New Jersey, thanks in part to Rutgers University and the Confucius Institute, we are heading on a study tour of five middle/high schools and two prestigious universities. Yet, before we arrive to Beijing and Changchun, we need to fly over the NORTH POLE! That in itself is simply mind boggling.
I'm honored to have been invited on this trip and that I was given the opportunity to help select others to join. Jay Eitner, helped Dr. Dietrich Tschanz to come in contact with me and I'm blessed to have an unselfish friend like Jay, who like many in my PLN, is about helping others grow for the betterment of themselves, their students, their staff, and their schools. In playing it forward, I was able to have Spike Cook, Pam Moore, and Steve Santilli added to the team of ten.
What's ahead?
-14 hours on a flight to Beijing, then a three hour layover before taking an 1hour and 50 minute flight to Changchun.
-Visiting multiple middle/high schools.
-Visiting two prestigious universities.
-Site seeing so many historical areas and tourism sites.
-Food????
-Internet access- What will the Great Firewall of China block?
-Living 13 hours into the future. Yes, 13 hours ahead of home time.
-FaceTime with my family, staff, and students?
-New networks/relationships between their schools and mine?
-What innovative ideas will I bring back to share with my school?
-Will we be able to start a Chinese Language program at my school in the near future?
-What memories will be created during this adventure?
-What memories will be created during this adventure?
-Will I be able to blog and post photos of each day?
-So much curiosity and wonder lies ahead!
-So much curiosity and wonder lies ahead!
Stay tuned, as the adventure of a life time is just beginning!
Friday, October 30, 2015
Our Innovation Ambassadors Rocked NJSBA
"Meaningful student involvement is the process of engaging students as partners in every facet of school change for the purpose strengthening their commitment to education, community & democracy." Adam Fletcher
Earlier this week, the annual New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) convention took place in Atlantic City, NJ. It's a convention where education professionals and vendors hold workshops focusing on improving schools through multiple avenues, such as: policies, board of education PD, legislation updates, department of education employees discussing high stakes testing, and so much more. It's a convention where Board of Education members, their guest, superintendents, and other school officials attend. It's a convention where educational minds come to discuss what's best for their communities, schools, and students.
Yet, there was something different this year compared to previous years.
A HUGE Thanks to John Henry, a NJSBA STEM & Sustainable Schools Specialist, we (Northfield Community Middle School) were invited to share all of the innovations that our school is currently undertaking this year. The invitation was sent two weeks prior to the convention, which left us little time to prep. Yet, we were beyond honored by the invitation, and certainly wanted to demonstrate all that our students and staff were doing. After a short discussion with Interim Superintendent, Bob Garguilo, and Digital Shop Teacher, Kevin Jarrett, we decided that we needed to bring something that stood out from everything else. Something that TRULY REPRESENTED what school is about and what it should be.
WE NEEDED TO BRING STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AS OUR AMBASSADORS.
We selected ten students, as well as four teachers. Oh, did I mention that it was 8 girls and 2 boys! Yes, girls leading the way with our innovative projects and STEAM!
We selected ten students, as well as four teachers. Oh, did I mention that it was 8 girls and 2 boys! Yes, girls leading the way with our innovative projects and STEAM!
We set up a meeting for the students and their passion/energy helped to propel us forward. Through a Google Doc, Slides, and a portable whiteboard, our storyboard came to life.
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| Student Created and Student Voice! |
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| Student designed and written- Leave behind brochure |
Our students and staff rose to levels of excellence that I still cannot honestly describe. They talked to everyone and anyone willing to listen about our school. They scoured the convention center floor with robots and drones, handing out our brochures along the way. They spoke with immense pride and enthusiasm about our school. Some would even say there was a glow to them, that simply hypnotized each person that spoke with them. They demonstrated their abilities as young leaders and models of our "Life Ready" manifesto. They represented themselves, their parents, their school, and their community with such dignity. They seized the moment, and never looked back!
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| Day 1 Team |
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| Day 2 Team |
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| Bring Students and Staff = Crowd will come! |
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| Sharing our story with pride |
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| Getting "Bob" the drone ready before the start of Day 1 |
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| Non Stop Pride! |
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| Mr. Jarrett, Mrs. Terista, Mrs. Kennedy, and the rest of the team before the "rush" |
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| Let me tell you about our school! #NCSPRIDE |
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Stanford U + FabLearn + d. School = How High Is Up?
Several years back if you had told me that I would be on this trip, I would have laughed at you. Yet, today, I am beyond proud of what our staff and students are doing at our school.
Within 48 hours, I had the opportunity to meet and network with so many passionate educators from across the globe. The keynotes, workshops, educator panels, student panels, and food breaks were not for "comfortable" educators. It was a tsunami of information for educators who were looking for ways to move their schools to new heights. Robotics, 3D printing, more makerspace ideas, laser cutters, cross curriculum lessons, and so much more.
The opportunity to sit and mingle with some of the brightest minds in the world, was something that I will never forget. With the assistance of Kevin Jarrett, I was able to make connections that I never thought were possible. How often can you eat with Kevin Jarrett @kjarrett, Mary Cantwell @scitechyedu , Sylvia Martinez @smartinez , Tracy Rudzitis @wagongrrl , Dr. Jessica K. Parker, and Josh Weisgrau @jweisgrau. And to think, I was with David Culberhouse @DCulberhouse and LaVonna Roth @LaVonnaRoth the weekend before was AWESOME!
Thank you FabLearn for allowing us to partake. I promise, if we are invited back out next year, we will certainly be more than willing to present the AMAZING student Maker/Designer/Innovative happenings at our school.
d. School
I made it to the d. School! The moment you walked through the front doors, that were wide open, you could feel the energy, innovation to learn, share, aspire, and be free with your thoughts. When people ask me what I think future schools will look like, I often mention openness, just like the d. School.
For me, it was surreal, as the entire summer, our projects, research, and visions were based off of the d. School. When people ask, what would you like your middle school to look like, I always say, Google, Ron Clark Academy, and the d. School. Oh BTW, we now teach design thinking to our students in 5th-8th grade with a focus on empathy and human centered!
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| Threshold moment |
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| Love Maker! |
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| Where Idea Street Comes From |
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| No Traditional School Desk Here |
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| Students Design The Learning Space! |
Thanks d. School for inspiring us to strive higher each day, and to teach our students, and teachers the enormous power of design thinking.
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| Our Own Manifesto That Drives Us! |
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Walking Dead In Schools: Faculty Meetings
BEWARE!!!! ZOMBIES AND AUTHORITARIAN CULTURES ARE NEAR.
Several weeks into the new year, I am already hearing the same horror stories. The stories of destroying culture and creating zombies. Yes, it's near Halloween, but it doesn't have to be this way.
What is it?
Traditional Faculty Meetings.
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We know what they are, and we still subject our staff to it! Yes, it's where the leader lectures the staff from a piece of paper and takes an hour out of their lives that they will never get back.
Waste of time. Things to do. Yet, it's the time for the leader to stick his or her chest out, and says "now hear this."
Does your entire staff attend your meetings? Do you have part time staff, coaches, advisors, people away at PD, vacation, sick, something else? Why not share your message with all instead of most?
For those who are willing to set aside their soapboxes and egos, here are just a few ideas to make faculty meetings meaningful.
* Allow staff to present great and/or bad lessons they did with others. How many teachers work in schools for years and never share their great stories with others. This quickly opens into a great Q & A session.
* Place photos of each student in the hallway and have staff discuss what motivates them. How many times does someone know something about a student, but doesn't share it with the rest of the team?
* Place photos of each student in the hallway and have staff discuss what motivates them. How many times does someone know something about a student, but doesn't share it with the rest of the team?
* Allow staff to turn-key information they learned from any PD they recently attended.
* Talk about how genius hour projects can become Passion Projects throughout the year. They can take place in each class instead of just one.
* Back channel the meeting to allow the quietest person on your team to have a voice. Demonstrates how students and staff use this during lessons.
* EdCamp style- Need I say more? Create the board during the day and let the "rule of two feet" happen!
* 20% Time: Allow staff throughout the year several meeting dates to work on 20% time projects that they never had time for before.
* Have students present to staff. What apps/websites are they using that staff don't know about. Allow them to teach your staff. Is your culture and climate in need of a fix? Surprise staff by having students come to meeting and share what they love about their school. Have the school band, theater club, or any other club in your school perform for staff.
* Set up dates for PLC meetings.
* Scavenger hunts.
* Set up dates to analyze curriculum, data, or any other items that need to be addressed.
* Skype, GHO, FaceTime- set up meetings with other educators, schools or companies who are looking to help your staff.
* Share inspirational video clips and have a group discussion.
* Bring food! Cooking contest? Pot luck anyone?
* Hold raffles for new items such as furniture, donated items, or even a free dress down pass. Be creative.
* Have a Maker meeting, where staff get to see play, passion, and purpose first hand.
* Have design thinking sessions!
* Select a few dates throughout the year to allow staff to reflect. Yes, let them write! Give them time to sit down and write down thoughts, before they go home to family duties , head to a second job, grade papers, or anything else in their busy schedules.
* Email an agenda and DON'T hold a meeting. Let them have a meeting off or two.
* Have a Twitter chat where staff can be anywhere instead of a room. (Thanks Mark French).
*ADD YOUR OWN, AS THEY ARE NOT THE BE ALL, END ALL! NOR, AM I THE EXPERT THAT ALL MUST FOLLOW.
*ADD YOUR OWN, AS THEY ARE NOT THE BE ALL, END ALL! NOR, AM I THE EXPERT THAT ALL MUST FOLLOW.
THINK OF WHAT THE EXPERIENCE YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE WHEN IT COMES TO FACULTY MEETINGS.
If they didn't have to attend, would they? Do they come to the meetings happy, ready to see what's next or are they unhappy, geared up for bingo, papers to grade, or a device to text?
STOP BEING TRADTIONAL. Stop being a 2nd rate replica of who taught you. It DOESN'T always have to be that way.
These are times, where so many positives could come about: such as meaningful PD, collaboration, culture/climate building, and making a time where they want to get together.
If you are TRULY a 21st century school leader, then why does it still happen? Step up, rise up, and make a difference before you create zombies and destroy your culture.
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