Grateful To Be A Connected Educator

This past Sunday, I was contacted by a good friend, colleague, and member of my PLN, stating that he was nominating me for the Middle School Principal #bammyawards http://www.bammyawards.org/nominations/index.php/component/content/article/57-middle-school-leader/1668-glenn-robbins.html  The person who went out of his way on a beautiful Sunday afternoon to nominate me was none other than Steve Santilli (@SPSantilli). 

I am very much humbled and honored by his nomination as he a remarkable Lead Learner and Bammy award recipient that I am proud to call him my friend. 

Being a connected educator has opened my eyes to innovative ways to improve my school that I never knew were possible. It allowed me to connect with outstanding educators who were willing to share their success stories as well as their failures, all in hopes that someone would build off of it to make their school communities better. 

You would think that in our highly competitive society, individuals would not be willing to "share their secrets" to success without compensation in return. Yet, I believe I speak for many of us that it's about bettering each other, our teachers, our schools, and most importantly our students! No egos are needed if you want to make an impact in a student's life. 

There are so many amazing educators in our country and they all deserve to be nominated. All you need to do is simply go to www.bammyawards.org and provide a voice for someone who deserves it. If you're still unsure as to who to nominate, you can still vote for others. Stand up and let someone know what they mean to you. 

Personally, my "award" is seeing the dramatic transformation that my school has gone through in my three years there. To have staff and students smiling each day as they enter the building means everything to me. As with any new position this was a challenge at first, but the hard work was certainly worth it.  The process of placing people before programs through trust, respect, empathy, encouragement of autonomy, and transparency has been an "award" for all at our school. Students and staff are given a voice, which resulted in outstanding ideas. They are trusted and respected to utilize a BYOD program when many schools in our area still collect electronics from students and staff are written up for having their devices out. The cultural transformation, while developing a 21st century learning environment that strives on teacher pedagogy of risk taking, and not being micromanaged or yelled at has been an "award." Everyone is as good as those around us. I am grateful for the team of teachers, students, families, and all community stakeholders who make OUR school better. 

Nothing makes me more proud than having our ambassadors (staff and students) bragging to their familes and friends about how incredible their school is. No piece of hardware could ever triumph the joy of teachers and students learning in an educational environment that strives to be better each day. 

Lastly, I am whole heartedly grateful for the votes being submitted to me. The words being shared about me to the Bammy community has been one of the most powerful, emotional forces to ever "hit me." The words, thank you, cannot be said enough! Those votes/statements are the best "award" that I could ever receive. As I mentioned earlier, everything that I do, is to enhance the lives of all of those around me. 

I can certainly promise everyone that I will work harder than ever to ensure that I will not let anyone of your words go to waste. 

My vision and goals each day are to provide an educational environment that truly prepares our students for their future and not ours. 

Are We There Yet?

After having a half day scheduled, I waited for all my students to leave the school yard and then proceeded to head home to begin Spring Break. When I quickly arrived home, I switched my outfit, double checked the house, and then began our drive to Florida. My amazing wife, my son Henry (just turned 3 years old), and I could not have been in the car for more than 30 minutes when he asked us the dreaded question. "Are we there yet?"  I quickly looked at my wife as she did to me and instantly we asked at the same time, "did you teach him that?"  Turns out, neither of us had ever stated it before, so he must had picked it from somewhere. As we continued our 16 hour ride down to Florida, Henry must had asked that question at least seven more times. Yet, as I drove through the night, "are we there yet" stuck in my head.

As we continued to drive, I recalled an outstanding opportunity that I was invited to: Digital Learning Day, in Washington DC, thanks to Tom Murray (@thomasmurray). During my short time there, I had dinner with some of the finest minds in education today: Eric Sheninger, Tom Murray, Rich Kiker, Erin Klein, Tony Sinanis, Joe Sanfelippo, Kyle Pace, Amber Teamann, Angela Watsen, and Steven Anderson. I even used Uber for the first time with Rich Kiker, Eric Sheninger and Joe Sanfelippo. That as you could imagine was a hilarious ride. The following day was filled with workshops focused on celebrating Digital Learning Day, which featured speeches by Governor Bob Wise, Secretary of Edcuation Arne Duncan, and CEO of the National Board, Ronald Thorpe. The day also consisted of "#FutureReady" workshops lead by my dinner companions. 

When we crossed into South Carolina, I began to think of the Common Core State Standards and its push to make schools/students to be leaders in "college and career readiness." 

I thought of my time at the Executive Summit at FETC this past December where professionals shared stories about their schools, and my new superintendent looking over at me saying, "you already do all of this. We are ahead of the game." Yet, my response was "Thank you as we worked hard to get where we are, but my new challenge is finding new innovative ways for our students to stay ahead."

I love the idea of moving our students, staff, and school communities forward to be Future Ready and College and Career Readiness. My vision and goals since arriving at my amazing school have been to prepare the students for their future and not ours. 

We increased instructional time, created/implementation of BYOD, revamped classroom furniture, created a culture that focuses on PBL, genius hour, e-portfolios, created a hallway makerspace during passing, flipped lessons/faculty meetings, provided educational learning advancements for staff by sharing resources, and 20% time to name just a few reforms. 

The main focus was to create an educational setting where students and staff know that they are trusted, respected, allowed to take risk, becoming more empathetic and increasing autonomy. 

As one of my newly hired teacher's stated to me during a reflective discussion about our time at #EdcampSoJersey, "you know I feel like you are leading us as if we are all participating in a school genius hour project. We follow a curriculum and have the freedom to choose how to teach it with your support to take risk, be innovative, and not being micromanaged." 

Yet, as I thought about all of this and more driving through the night, I could help to wonder if "are we there yet?"

With all the mandated reforms, laws, and policies that have been occurring in our educational profession, the question shouldn't be "are we there yet," as I wonder if "will we ever be there?" 

We have an outstanding school that is constantly trying to push staff and students to be Future Ready and College and Career ready, but will we ever get there? After attending several conferences in the last few months, I wondered how many schools are still trying to "get there" by continuing with traditional methods?

When Henry asked one last time before falling asleep for the night, I responded, "not yet buddy, but Daddy is working hard to get us there!"

So I ask you- Are we there yet, and will we ever be there? When we get there is it enough, or will we want/need to go further? 

Driving break 

After driving 16 straight hours we had to catch a lizard at 6:30am. 

Abby and Henry enjoying the beautiful weather at the inlet.

Is That In Your Job Description?

We must become the change we want to see in the world.— Mahatma Gandhi

This past week, while I was shoveling snow at our middle school entrance I had several parents and staff walk by me and ask, "is that in your job description?"

Of course, without losing a step in my shoveling duty, I replied, "Yes, I'm responsible for the safety and well being of all the students and staff." (Little did they know at the time that our dedicated superintendent was doing the same thing on the other side of the building.)

Yet, to my unbeknownst, when I asked one of our well known veterans why everyone reacted that way, she stated that they had never seen an administrator get their hands dirty, let alone shovel snow. 

As the week concluded, that question, "is that in your job description" was still lingering in my head.  I also could not help to wonder why is it that some parts of our society still has a fixed mindset as to what a principal (Lead Learners) does during the day?

Below is just a small sample of this past week:

-Privileged and honored to speak to Dr. Michael Curran's class of pre-service student teachers at Rider University. Being that the course title was Social Media in Education, I couldn't resist the urge to share how being a connected educator has helped my staff, students and I to create an amazing passionate learning culture in our building. It was also an opportunity to discuss methods and ideas with an passionate professor and a group of future educational minds. (Follow them at @mgcjusa and  #tec207)

-Attended a board of education meeting for 3 1/2 hours and developed ideas as to district and school goals to become more rigorous in our academics. Many thanks to a presentation by a representative from the NJ School Boards Association. 

-Sent out numerous email blasts with an abundance of resources to not only improve teachers' daily lessons to strengthen our students skills, but also to create a growth mindset that we are role models of life long learners. These resources ranged from curriculum improvement, technology apps/websites to improve their instructional lessons, and blog post from various educators from across the globe who were willing to share their stories.  Those who work in my school know that these are all suggestions as I empower them with trust, respect, and empathy to create a future ready school. 

-Improving my craft as a Lead Learner by going for my doctorate degree.  Each night I take time to read or produce required assignment per class.  I also take the time to utilize Twitter to share and grow with my PLN.  As a Lead Learner in my building, it is my responsibility to improve my personal craft so that I can be a role model while assisting my staff and students. 

-Setting up (yes, manual labor) for standardized testing and working with an outstanding team of individuals (testing coordinator, school coordinator, IT, secretary, and custodial) to be ready for day one of testing.  

-Oh yea, don't forget about: staff observations, student/parent communications, curriculum revisions, lunch duty, school security meetings, celebrating a 90th birthday of a beloved cafeteria lady, overseeing our spelling bee, meeting with vendors, announcing students of the month, union leadership collaborative meetings, counseling/cheerleading students/staff, setting up a class trip, and questioning students about what they were working on each day.  

Yes,  I know I left out so many more details as to what takes place in a day/week, but I wanted to reinforce the point of this post. 

When it comes to being a Lead Learner - EVERYTHING IS IN OUR JOB DESCRIPTION BECAUSE WE CARE AND WANT TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE! 

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.— Nelson Mandela

The Ones Who See Things Differently (NCMS Makerspace)

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… The ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs

In the field of education, so many of our brightest students fit the very definition provided by Steve Jobs. We are not asking that students break the rules and cause total chaos, but we are asking them to use their creativity and imagination that they have within them to provide us with something that makes a difference for others.  

A Night at the Roxbury, is definitely not one of my favorite movies, and some of you may be laughing that I even considered listing this movie, but it had one line that forever stuck with me, "What if the outside of the club looked like the inside?" 

Take a moment to think of a school hallway and the actions that take place while students switch classes at passing time. (Yes, I know some of you at this very moment are smiling and reliving old high school glory days.) Besides students stopping at their lockers and chatting with friends, it's also a time where various activities occur, ranging from leaning on walls or tapping on lockers to bigger discipline issues. 

As I researched many articles, partook in social media chats and had various discussions with other educators about Makerspaces, it always seemed to promote the same idea, makerspace areas need to be in a classroom or media center. 

Once again, I decided that my students deserved the best, but why should it be limited to a select classroom area. 

Our makerspace was placed in the hallway! 

Yes, we placed robotic Legos and had Aleng, our IT Coordinator (@Alengman) place a disassembled computer with a monitor on a table for our students to utilize during passing.

Computer Assembled

Yes it's in a hallway for students to use during passing! 

A sign was placed on the monitor and stated that whoever could fix the computer to work would recieve a prize. What took place the following morning brought joy to many of the teachers who observed an amazing situation occurring, which was students wasted little time at their locker and went directly to the table. Some designed the Lego robotics while others tried to assist each other in trying to assemble a computer to work again. Instead of talking about the football game the day before or leaning against their locker, they worked collaboratively in a positive manner that had not been witnessed before. 

By the following morning, a sign was placed on the computer by a student who claimed he fixed it. Upon calling the student down to demonstrate to Aleng, Andrew (our other IT specialist) and I, we couldn't help to think of Good Will Hunting, as this student took it upon himself to fix the computer after school hours. When he arrived, he demonstrated what he did, and then powered it up with a huge smile on his face. He was so proud as to what he had done, that he didn't even ask for the prize.  (Yes, I did remind him that he was getting a prize when I called his parents to tell them how proud we were of him).

Later on in the morning, other students started to line up and noticed a sign announcing that someone assembled the computer correctly. Then to my delighted surprise, I was hit with numerous questions:

-Could we have a software challenge next time?

-Could we have a section for just girls, as we want to show the boys up?

-Could we have another chance at that computer? 

-Could we create our own computer from scratch?

Their passionate questions continued for several minutes and all I could respond was, YES!

The best part of it all was that the students understood that they are given responsibility, trust and respect from us and in return they are rewarding us with trust and respect back. They didn't need to be watched over and told what to do. They just needed a chance to use their creative imaginations to make something. 

Onward to 2015

Albert Einstein once stated, “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

Self reflection is one of the most simple and basic habits for one to complete, yet it is also one of the most daunting and challenging traits to honestly do. Educational leaders face a daily influx of mandates, reforms and initiatives from state and federal governments on top of their other strenuous job responsibilities.  In a society that is constantly demanding student data, test score increases, and teacher observation perfection, it could be very easy for one to not to reflect as they are overwhelmed.  Yet, self reflection is so vital to a leader's vision, professional, and personal life.

As leaders, it is imperative to take time each day to look at what was achieved, what was not, and what could you improve on.  It doesn't matter if you are an educational leader or a coach in the NFL, you must reflect if you intend to become a stronger, successful leader that your team will follow.

Many leaders claim to reflect for their betterment, yet the true question to ask is, how can one become a stronger leader if they do not have higher goals and aspirations, or simply think that they are fine the way they are with a fixed mindset? All to often arrogance, ego and time are the enemies of reflection, which usually wins over.  

As I mentioned before, leaders must be willing to make a choice of either being brave or comfortable, as they can not be both.  Are you willing to make a difference, or are you simply willing to accept life as it is and not move forward? 

Self reflection allows a leader the opportunity to create new solutions for all that occurred.  It provides a sense of hope and positivity that one can overcome obstacles for higher quality results regardless of the situation.  Reflection can take place through various avenues, such as, talking face to face, blogging, professional learning networks on social media or voxer, emailing, chats in educational courses, or simply writing out items in a daily journal.  Reflection if used properly can be a powerful tool that can unlock many great ideas for one to embrace a life that he and/or she envisioned when they were younger.

Jon Gordon, recently stated "9 of 10 people will fail with their resolutions. 1/2 will fail by end of January. Pick #oneword instead and let it inspire you all year." 

As I look onward to 2015, I have several words that will be my focus:

Balance: Being the best husband, father, and lead learner possible. This will continue to be my biggest challenge as I hold myself to such high expectations in each category. 

Serving: Continue to assist my staff, students, parents, and the stakeholders of the school community to improve on a daily basis. My ultimate goal is to create an extraordinary learning environment that strives on culture, technology, and safety. 

Network: Continue to interact with my amazing PLN and making new connections along the way. This past year, I was able to connect with so many dedicated, passionate educators from across the country who helped me to grow as a lead learner and most importantly, a better person. I'm looking forward to attending the Executive Summit at FETC, NJASA Techspo, EdCampSoJersey, EdCampLdr, NJPAECET2, ISTE and other opportunities that present themselves throughout the year. 

Vision: Continue to look towards the future, as the jobs of tomorrow are still not there. Create Makerspaces, promote risk taking, revamping curriculum, setting up partnerships with outside resources, and creating student tech squads. I want our students ready to solve current and future problems of everyday society. 

Positive: The power of positivity is a dynamic ingredient that can greatly influence one's reflection. Without positivity and hope, one's reflection may not provide the ideas that one needs to grow or be more successful.

What word or words will you select? Share your word(s) for 2015 and inspire others to move onward! 

Here are just some of the events of 2014: 

Ms. America Visit

Duct Tape the Principal

Top 40 Under 40 in Atlantic City Weekly

EdCampUSA with Arne Duncan

Presented at EdCampUSA in DC with Dr. Joe Mazza

Assisted in organizing and presented at EdCampLdr at UPENN

TED Talk at NJPAECET2

NCMS Entry Way Today- 3 years ago this wall was blank!

Won The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest- $20,000 of tech for our students!

Henry and I with new spirit wear! #NCSPRIDE

Always charging for our BYOD program

Donated News desk from Fox 29 News

My Daily Inspirations 

Best Friends

Henry already a "connected" student at the age of 2.

Flipped Mindset

When I decided it was time to flip my faculty meeting, I didn't mean to videotape myself delivering administrivia upside down.   

However, that faux pas, that willingness to take a risk and embrace change as the principal of the Northfield Community Middle School, might have been the best mistake I ever made. Because, it showed my staff I was open to new ideas, valued their time, and would ask of them only what I was willing to do.

I've never forgotten what it was like to be a teacher because I still am one. My pupils are just adults, but they need to be lifelong learners because this is what we want our students to be. As a connected educator, I love to share and acquire ideas to better my staff, students, and school, even if my connection is shown upside down on someone's monitor. This allows me to grow teacher-leaders who are empowered by my trust, and pass that on to the students. I don't need to micro-manage. If I did, what was I thinking when I hired the staff members in the first place?

At two recent conferences, I had an opportunity to connect with teachers in districts throughout NJ and PA. I heard from a number of disheartened teachers who feel they are asked to differentiate instruction, infuse technology, and more. Yet, when they come to a faculty meeting or receive pullout training, their administrators teach to the middle of the group. Most of the training is done in lecture format. Some of it even makes the teachers feel talked down to. It makes me wonder, what would a fellow administrator say if they observed a teacher teaching to the middle, lecturing for an hour, or talking down to a student. I don't think they'd get a four on the Danielson rubric.

Why not take a risk to flip the faculty meeting, tape yourself on video, and allow staff to see it firsthand instead of telling them what to do.  Have your teachers share their strengths that you have observed in their classrooms to your other teachers.  Ask teachers to bring one positive and one need of improvement about the current school culture to a one-on-one meeting where all is open to discuss.  Lastly, take a step outside your comfort zone and challenge each teacher to take a risk with a new lesson/project idea. Promise them that you are not out to get them, that you'll actually make sure to include it as a positive in the summative evaluation, and that working together as a team can only enhance the school for the better.  

Did I mention that to enhance the school culture and climate I was ducted taped to the wall by my students who maintained A's and B's while remaining discipline free over several months?  The result was A LOT of tape as 95% of the student body participated in this wacky fun day. Who knows what this year's challenge will be as I asked my students and staff to think of some ideas.  Maybe pies to the face on National Pi day?

Perhaps if we allow our staff to grow, then student growth would increase as well.  It's no secret that some of the best schools in the country model and demonstrate this daily.  Over the past several years my PLN, family, staff, students and co-workers have all inspired me to reflect daily and truly analyze who I was as an administrator and who I want to become as an administrator.  By flipping your own mindset away from what you had always seen to what we can envision, should be motivation enough each day to improve onescraft for the betterment of staff and students. 

A big thank you to the following for making a difference in my leadership style!

Joe Mazza - @Joe_Mazza

Jeff Zoul - @Jeff_Zoul

Jimmy Casas - @Casas_Jimmy

Todd Whitaker - @ToddWhitaker

Patrick Larkin - @patrickmlarkin

Barry Saide - @Barrykid1

Aleng Phommathep - @Alengman

Michael Curran - @mgcjusa

Spike Cook - @Drspikecook

Kevin Jarrett - @KJarrett

Thomas Murray - @Thomascmurray

Tony Sinanis - @TonySinanis

Joe Sanfelippo -@Joesanfelippofc

Jay Eitnor - @Isupereit

Tom Whitby - @Tomwhitby

Stephen Santilli - @Spsantilli

Jennifer Scheffer - @Jlscheffer

Scott Rocco -  @Scottrrocco

Brad Currie - @Bradmcurrie

Ben Gilpin - @benjamingilpin

AND THE REST OF MY PLN TEAM!

What Does Your School Do For Veterans Day?

Ronald Reagan once stated, "We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.”  

Thank you to all the brave men and women who dedicated their lives to allow us to live in this great country of ours! I am also especially grateful for having two wonderful grandfathers who both served during World War 2.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to meet up with my wife's aunt and uncle at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Rio Grande, New Jersey. During our time there, my two year old son who is fascinated with airplanes, ran to every plane or helicopter that he could get his hands on and even sit in. 

As we all laughed and smiled watching my son have the time of his life, my wife's uncle who is a retired military police officer and local police officer in NJ asked me a question that I could not answer with more pride then I did. "What does your school do for Veterans Day?" 

"I can honestly say with much pride that our school's Veterans Day program is the best in the state of New Jersey. We are the only school in the state of New Jersey to be selected by the Veterans Day National Committee and the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Veterans Day Regional Site. Our students interview a veteran from their family or one from town, write about them, speak in front of the entire student and staff population with the veteran by his or her side, make large poster board displays that go to local buisnesses, play Taps, have the students in choir sing and the band even plays for them. We had over 20 veterans attend, one flew in from San Diego to surprise his nephew and we even had a great grandfather who was 100 years old.   

The entire student body in the audience sat for two hours waving small American flags and homemade banners for each veteran present, with no misbehavior. They demonstrated respect, honor and dignaty throughly the entire assembly.  How could I not be more proud?

We also collected food, supplies and old cell phones, batteries and chargers that were sent oversees to active troops.  

There is also the "Post Crashers" initiative, which is students, parents, staff and community stakeholders who give up a few Saturdays to help restore the local Veterans Hall. These individuals embraced this service learning project that requires them to paint walls, ceilings, replace light fixtures, rip up and replace flooring as well as landscape a yard that hasn't been touched in years. Yes, they do this voluntary out of the goodness of their hearts and not for grades!  They even made up their own theme song and dances as well.  

Once this hall is finished, I can only imagine what they will do next.  How they do not have their own HGTV or DIY network show amazes me. To see students from 5th, 6th,7th and 8th grade working so hard for veterans who served our great country is tear jerking."

After my reply, I asked my wife's uncle, who now works in a school district in another region of the state the same question that he presented to me.  He stated he was so upset that the building doesn't really do anything and that he went out of his way to place a Veterans Day bulletin board in the front of the building for all to see. His response left me upset, shocked, and wondering how many other schools who are open on Veterans Day partake in any events.  I know in my heart that he will continue to work hard at trying to make a change for the better within his new school and help everyone see as to why it is so important to honor our veterans.

As I made the long drive back home I could only wonder, "What does your school do for Veterans Day?" 

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/gallery/veterans-day-celebration-at-northfield-community-middle-school/collection_c367af08-6914-11e4-ae2a-07d257293bd8.html