Seriously, can you believe we are in December? It really is hard to believe. It's been almost a year for me since this journey began for me when I was name principal of our school. What a ride! It hasn't come without its bumps and bruises, but isn't that what growing and learning is all about?
As, I continue giving highlights of the Innovator's Mindset, I do hope that at some point, you, too will read this book cover to cover. I promise it will inspire you. What I am giving at points that speak to me. You may get totally different ideas to share and I hope you will!
*****************Innovator's Mindset - Chapter 4*********************
Part II Laying the Groundwork
Chapter 4: Relationships, Relationships, Relationships
Just by the nature of my "blueness", I am a relational being. I do not struggle with forming relationships or building culture to those around me. However, using that superpower to push my goals and vision for the campus is key!
George Couros noted that his principal taught him a lesson early in his career as an administrator. The principal greeted students every day. Therefore, staff members stood outside their classrooms, connecting with students in hallways and creating relationships with kids and one another. Hmmm... sound like a familiar place? This has always been important to me and I believe it has become important to you as you see the benefits for your classroom and our students at large. This was just an affirmation that, yes, we are doing what's right for kids from the minute they walk into our doors.
Just about EVERY SINGLE DAY, I have a parent gush over how much this school means to them. There are stories of kids hating school before and they can't wait to get to KGJ now. Parents say how they feel they are being heard and listened to as partners in their kids' education. There is just an overall attitude of gratitude from our parents. This didn't happen by accident. It was purposeful on each and every one of our parts. Continue that mission!!
An eye opener for me as I read on was posing the question to why we have blanket PD for staff members? Of course as we start out, we are all more or less on the same page, just learning how to be innovative and learning to think differently. We all have questions to better our students. While, as a leader, I ask you to seek ways to reach every child where they are. That should be my goal as your leader and reaching our campus goals. I have said from the beginning that I want our iTeam meetings to be more "make and take" and less "sit and get". This is where I want to focus on for 2018 and beyond. The goal is that this style will create regular opportunities for human interaction that help build relationships and spur innovation.
I love this message he added at the end of this chapter to drive home his point, "Fifty years ago, relationships were the most important think in our schools, and fifty years from now, it will be no different! YES! YES!! and YES!!!
The question I would ask you to respond to this week is: What would you like to learn? We all have areas we want to learn and grow and I want to be in tune to what directions you want to go to make your classroom as innovative as possible!
*********************WEEK AT A GLANCE*********************
Monday, Dec 4th - Classroom 12 days of Christmas begins
Tuesday, Dec 5th -(60 days until my birthday- holla!) STAFF 12 days of Christmas begins, KONA ICE from 1-3 p.m. (schedule to come in email), Gingerbread night from 6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec 6th - Principal's Meeting 9-12, I'll be off campus.
Thursday, Dec 7th - T-PESS orientation for me from 1-3. I will be off campus but back after. - Lesson Plans due
Friday, Dec 8th - Fuel Store (schedule to come in email), 3/4 grade Master's Tournament 1-3 p.m. - BLOG response due
**Keep your instruction strong to help with student discipline issues as we move into the weeks before our winter break**
Thanks for being awesome! I'm thankful for each of you and the relationships you build with our school community!
