The Educational Tsunami: The Weather is Not the Only Storm Educators are Facing

Recently educators and students in our great state have been subject to unusually harsh weather, even for us. As the snow piled up and the cold set in, school districts all across the state were forced to use calamity days.  However, for the great students and great educators, the work continues.  Many districts are turning to online modules in their daily instruction, while others have turned to the use of blizzard bags.  Both of these initiatives have strong merit.  With this in mind, I cannot think of any educational professional development that does not mention that the most important component in student learning is the person standing in front of them instructing.  It is not about "making up" days, or being granted additional calamity days, it is about having time for quality instruction.  

In the last week I have spent "my calamity" days attending trainings on solidifying  the coaching aspect of the teacher evaluation system and attending PBIS, to assure that we are positively impacting and teaching our students.  I say this not in a bragging sense, but to say that in the majority of cases this is what educators do whether in or out of school.  Educators have always wanted what is best for their students, but today because of the "Educational Tsunami, with some many changes and mandates in store, they are even more aware of the high stakes their growth and improvement play.  So I decided simply to ask my teachers and others, "How are you getting better today?".  

We have all heard, you are either getting better or you are getting worse, you never stay the same.  I too believe this to be incredibly true.  Self actuation followed by self motivation is what moves you to get better.  Ultimately it is up the the individual to improve.  Others may offer advice, guide, and even provide the resources for improvement, however one will only improve if they act themselves.  I love the 6 W's as a reminder ; "Work will win when wishing won't".  You simply cannot wish for things to happen, you have to work.  Whether the weather by as the song goes "Sunny and 75" or is -20 below.  You have to work to get better.

You may now be asking what did I do to get better, what did I learn.  The first thing I would say, is that I tried to use these days as a re-newal of my passion.  The big term starting to be thrown around the world of education is "re-Purpose".  I do not know if that is new or not, but it has recently got fire.  The Educational Tsunami has led teachers and administrators to really prioritize.  We all must do a self reflection as to where we are in our teaching.  Think about it, how many of you look in the mirror to see how what you are wearing looks before stepping out to school?  We seem to have no trouble looking, seemingly time and time again, well then why are we so fearful of looking at ourselves and how we instruct?

So with that here are some of the finer points I picked up, "on my days off":

• Think of Coaching as: You may be building the framework for the house but the teacher has to step into the house and live in it, so they should want to have impact on the details (the carpet and cabinets)- eventually the teacher has to move into the house!
• Discussion during post conferencing is like being an attorney -- trying to lead them to what you want without telling them and getting evidence thrown out!
• As an educator, always look at it through the lens of the student --- make it about the student learning/growing -- their growth is your growth!
• Observations are to improve not to Remove!  Ongoing professional conversations are paramount to evaluation success along with fostering teacher and student improvement and growth!
• Like in society and our own homes, modeling must be first and foremost!! You have to inspect what you expect!!  If you wanna see it, you had best model it!
• How do you communicate?
• 7% conveyed in words
• 38% conveyed in tone
• 55% conveyed in body language
• While the words we choose make an impact it's how it is delivered that makes for lasting rapport and change. It's not what you say, it's how you say it!
• Assessments Expire too:
• Assessments are like a jug of milk and not a bottle of wine.  Milk has a relatively short shelf life.  Milk doesn't get better over time -- neither will assessments w/o change,  
• If you are using old assessments you better question yourself -- do you like spoiled milk?
• Not teaching and testing the same old thing.....students not learning same old way!

I hope you are working in advance to weather the storm as the Educational Tsunami hits land!

Doc, Sofia and Raising a Family

I’m a big self help book reading, youtube watching, big dreams, leadership lessons kind of guy. Basically anything I can read, listen to or watch, I am all about.  From the seven plus, 3 inch binders filled with a quote of the day, representing each and every day in my seventeen years of education, to a collection of well read books, I thrive on motivation and encouragement.  With that I ask, “Are you familiar with Doc McStuffins?” “How about your knowledge of Sofia the First?”   You may be thinking, what are you talking about at this point, which as adults, especially those that do not have younger children, I can perfectly understand.  To help make sense for those that are not aware, these are children’s shows on the family of Disney Networks, certainly geared towards the primary level children.  Each of these shows demonstrate different family structures, and teach valuable lessons.  Although the lessons are obviously geared towards children, there is no shortage of learning for willing adults as well.

Being the father of two daughters, and thanks to our DVR, I have virtually seen every episode conservatively no less than five times.  Once again, you may ask, what are you thinking, however I would recommend that if you are not familiar, do yourself and your family a huge favor, find these two shows and enjoy.  At the very least, you could search on the internet or listen to the songs from the shows on CD.   Doc McStuffins, with 26 songs, ringing in your ears, and Sophia the First with another 13, to go with two children singing along -- its thirty minutes is the perfect time for a short trip, yet placing emphasis on valuable lessons.  

From one episode to another over the two plus week of holiday vacation, we used lessons that we had learned as constant reminders in our daily lives.  It is amazing how as parents we were able to make references to the shows that related  to a situation that came up in our home.  And you know what may have been even more mind boggling, were the recollections and lessons our girls reminded us of.  I mean come on, have any of you been corrected by your children in such a way, that was not disrespectful, and you knew they were right when they referenced a kid’s tv cartoon!  In no shape or form am I advocating that we leave it up to tv shows or songs to raise our children, but by being in touch with our inner child, we often become better parents and role models.  

From Doc McStuffins, we see a family as one in which her mother, a pediatrician, is the primary bread winner.  We are able to see that her dad, is often the parent doing the carpooling, the breakfast and lunch making, the party planning etc.  In today’s society, sometimes  we as dads often take a backseat or defer to moms on these types of activities.  What a great role model Doc’s dad serves, demonstrating that a real dad, makes time and is willing to take on these roles.  In fact on the ALL PRO DAD blog, within the last week, articles were posted as to why every dad should have cooking skills, and to Be a Dad… Not Mom’s Assistant.  Wow!  Maybe they have been watching too!  Furthermore, lessons reinforced range from eating the right foods, drinking more water, taking naps to brushing teeth and visiting the doctor.  I can attest, there is probably not a better sight than seeing a four-year-old dressed in all her Doc gear asking you to be her patient.  As a patient, you are thoroughly poked and prodded and then diagnosed in her own Big Book of Boo-Boo’s.  The encouraging dreams of a future doctor are coming to life before our very eyes.

Within a matter of minutes, you can make the switch to Sofia the First with her lessons.  We see a young girl, trying to fit in with her new family, as her mother has recently remarried.  She has to deal with leaving the security of her home and friends to begin this new life.  Just like our children as they grow, situations change and new challenges arise.  The premise of encouraging children that they can accomplish anything they truly commit to, to listening and doing what others would like to do instead of always having your own way, to being a good sport and friend is at the heart of each show.  But the catch is, as an adult there are as many lessons for us as there are for our children.  Yes, kids make mistakes, and something I have tried to always remember, it is ok to be angry, mad or upset as these are natural emotions. However, it is how you react, respond and carry yourself during these times that possess the keen ability to make or break our families.  Yes, watching how King Roland, Sofia’s stepfather, handles a situation when her step-brother disobeys him, and she makes an attempt to cover for her sibling because she knows that if he is punished he will not get to do something he really wanted to do teaches adults.  In retrospect, the King also realizes that the siblings demonstrate that they will always be there for each other.  The lessons go on and on, episode after episode, song after song.  In the end, both of these programs demonstrate lessons that can be summed up in six words: I will not let you down.  

As adults we often hear that we are out of touch with future generations, that we don’t understand.  Well, I would disagree.  I think we can meet our kids at their level, we need to be interested in what they are learning and from who.  Often we may seem to harp, much like our parents before us, but we all want what is the very best for our children.  We are certainly facing a society that is busier than ever.  All of these challenges we face are all important and that we battle through these with our children. I have always found it great to hear it from a different voice, because after awhile our pleas fall upon deaf ears.  To quote Doc, “I have a diagnosis”, and reinforced by Sofia, "Anything can be if you try hard enough", I encourage all to take the time to watch an episode or two, or at the very least, download the songs and make all your dreams come true.   

Monthly Challenge: Take the opportunity to view and episode of either Doc McStuffins or Sofia the First.  After watching, take a few minutes to collect your thoughts and then discuss what lessons you learned, and how you can apply them to your own family.  My guess is that after doing this once,  you will want to repeat with future episodes.  

Monthly Quote: “Don’t think the worst. Don’t fear a thing. You'll get through it if you try.” –Doc McStuffins

'Tis the Season: Time spent with family can be the greatest gift

Ah yes! In case you have yet to notice, the holiday season has arrived,   As we move into the full swing of   this season, keep in mind,  it is intended to be filled with family, friends and fellowship.  During this time, I try to remind myself that isn’t this as the saying goes, “ ‘Tis the season to be jolly?”.  Unfortunately, in recent days, if you have spent any time watching the news, reading the newspaper or engaging in social media of any kind, it does not always seem to work out that way when it comes to many families, shoppers and holidays.   

Too many incidents have been gloried in recent days of really poor adult behavior when it comes to sharing the holiday spirit.  What examples and lessons have been taught to our children when we are watching footage of adults fighting over a tablet, toy or the best sale?  What character traits are we displaying as we are pushing and shoving our way through lines?  I am only hopeful that the people who have acted so irrational are able to look back and accept responsibility for their actions, and regret those actions that have unfortunately put a damper on times that should be bringing families and communities closer together.

While I watched with disgust as adults became involved in physical altercations all across America while shopping, during of all times on Thanksgiving Day, it saddened me to think that in too many cases we have apparently become a society that no longer is just thankful for the time we have together.  It appears that many  are conditioned to speed away from our family to race for retail stores in search of the must have gift, at the can’t miss price.  A phrase I often use to describe the expression “on sale” is, “junk you don’t need at a price that you cannot refuse”.   Think about it, how many times have you purchased something simply because it was on sale whether you needed or really wanted it? Just imagine, people so focused on getting that sale, that they have in many cases cost themselves far more dearly with their loss of control, respect for the fellow man and lack of character.  Furthermore, in some cases shoppers who have started their holiday season trying to save a dollar, end up with criminal charges and fines that are far more costly to their families.  This undoubtedly wasn’t what these shoppers had in mind.   However, when our vision about what the season is really about becomes blurred, our focus does not always allow us to paint a great family portrait.  

This recent display made me think back to the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Jingle All the Way.  Playing the role of Howard Langston, a salesman for a mattress company who is constantly busy at his job, and he also constantly disappoints his son, misses yet another one of his son's karate exposition;  Afterwards, he tries hard to come up with a way to make it up to him, and believes by getting his son whatever he wants for Christmas will make up for all his lost time.  Unfortunately for Howard, his son wants an immensely popular "Turbo Man" action figure. Howard, worried about other things, forgets to get it, and since it's Christmas Eve, it's sold out everywhere. Since Howard knows he has let his son down in the past, he goes on a quest to track down a "Turbo Man" action figure, and will stop at nothing to get his son the gift that he wants.  As the movie comes to an end, due to the some of the positive actions of his dad, his son realizes he does not even want or for that matter need the doll, since his father is "the real Turbo-Man".   Both father and son realize that the perfect gift is being with each other.

Although this film is filled with some humorous mishaps, and ends with a realization that ‘Tis the Season is not about gifts that are purchased, but about each of us recognizing that we are the true gifts to one another.  As many of us hit the shopping trails in the next weeks, cherish the moments.  I am hopeful that every dad embraces the opportunity to be  their child's “Turbo Man” or whatever your children want you to be.  As we are all looking forward to a fantastic holiday season, let us make sure we count our blessings and make our blessings count by sharing how fortunate we are to be with our families and friends.  I wish you the most remarkable holiday season and a Happy New Year!  

Monthly Challenge

Holidays can certainly be a stressful time.  Make some time to put these 5 tips on How to Avoid the Worst Holiday ever provided by ALL PRO DAD  into practice.

1. Agree to do something with your family.  At least one thing must be a family affair.  Whatever it is make sure you all agree, and you all agree when you will do it.

2. Do what you agreed to do. If you say you are going to help decorate, and your wife begins the process please get off the couch and help.

3. Set aside some true down time.  Make sure everyone gets a chance to just relax at some point.  Discuss it and plan it.

4. Have some holiday cheer.  Don’t be a scrooge or a grinch. Have some fun, and intentionally make a big deal out of things especially if you have children.

5. Don’t make it only about you, or your wife and kids.  Find something you and your family can do that benefits someone less fortunate.

Monthly Quote

“This is my wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!”     - D.M. Dellinger