Love as a Leadership Trait

Life sometimes just doesn't go the way we want it to. Our Head of School is leaving, and I am still in a state of denial. For most of the time we worked together, he served as the upper school principal AND HoS. I have only had one other administrator that comes anywhere close to being the kind of leader that this man is. The reason I admire him may surprise you.

DW, as I will refer to him, has many leadership traits that I want to emulate. The one thing that really stands out to me, though, is love. I cannot think of a single decision that he made that was not done through a lens of love: love for the school, love for the teachers, and love for the kids. This love was genuine and evident. Love may not be high on your list of leadership traits; I beg to differ.

When DW had to discipline a student, it was never about punishment. He wanted the child to realize his mistake and leave his office a better person. They usually did. He was fair and would give appropriate punishment, but that wasn't his primary focus. Punishment was not the primary way he communicated with students; he always took time to get to know the kids. Even though he was very busy, he still wanted to teach the seniors so he could pour into them before they left the sanctuary of high school. Do I try to really get to know my students? Do my students know that I too try to make every decision out of love? I hope so, but I probably need to try harder.

As a teacher, we never had to question if he loved the staff. Even when he made a decision I didn't agree with, I knew his basic reasoning. DW wanted to do the right thing. What made a bigger impression on me is that he went above and beyond his duties.  I will never forgot having horrible morning sickness and DW keeping me stocked in saltine crackers. When we were on a field trip while I was pregnant in NY, he constantly checked on me and made sure I had water. He also made sure my pregnant back had a cushy chair for graduation. He did things like this for others, too. Sometimes little things make a huge impact.

Parents were able to witness DW's love in action, too. One thing he is famous for is walking students in the school under an umbrella when it rained. If a parent had a complaint, he always took time to really listen to them, and they usually left happy just by talking to him. He really cared and valued their opinion. They knew it.

DW is the very definition of servant leadership. Everyone has their flaws, but he is definitely an example to follow in all areas of my life. He will truly be missed.

How Technology Changed Our School

This semester was one that I had been dreaming about for years. Literally. We finally implemented a 1:1 Chromebook initiative in our high school. Some teachers, parents, and students, however, were not as thrilled as I obviously was about the new devices.

Teachers were reluctant because it seemed like something else they HAD to do. Another task had been put on their already full plate. By the end of the semester, I think they all realized that it was a tool to help make their classroom more interactive, the learning more personalized, and their job easier. Yes, it took time to learn the new tool, but it was worth it. I'm actually toying with the idea of calling the Chromebooks screwdrivers next year so everyone remembers that it is just that - a tool. "Students, get out your screwdrivers." "Teachers, let me know if I can help you with your screwdriver."

Parents were reluctant because it was another gadget that gave their kids more screen time. Our goal in using instructional technology is to make that screen time more productive and not simply mindless entertainment. We are preparing students for a world in which technology permeates EVERYTHING. Heart surgeons use technology in the operating room. Mechanics use technology to tell them what is wrong with a car. You can even find a website that discusses the latest technology for chefs! Many of our students will have jobs that do not even exist today. As educators, we have the responsibility to prepare them this ever changing future.

Students' reluctant attitude caught me by surprise. I expected all of them to be as excited as I was, but we had a few that wanted no part in getting a screwdriver, er, Chromebook. They did not want the responsibility that came with the device or an increase in workload. Some of the most wary students, though, seemed to benefit from day 1. We had students who rarely turned in assignments turning in assignments regularly via the Chromebooks. Students began to carry fewer books and notebooks, and they felt more organized. Everything they needed was in one place.

We still learn math, science, literature, and history. Teachers still direct, encourage, motivate, and inspire their students. What has changed in our school is that students are genuinely engaged in lessons, they are more organized, and they are being sufficiently prepared for college and careers. I am not saying that things are perfect, but the school culture has shifted. Zion Christian Academy is leading the charge in preparing students for tomorrow while still focusing on preparing their hearts and minds for the glory of God.

New Year, New You!

It is now 2017! This is a huge year for me personally because I will have my oldest graduate from high school, my second oldest will start driving, my third child will start kindergarten, and my fourth child will continue growing and turn one! All these changes are scary and overwhelming, and I feel so many different emotions. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time.

It is also a huge year professionally because our school launched Chromebooks for all our high school students yesterday! I am so excited to be a part of this and able to help teachers use this to prepare their students for the future. The challenge now is to not just use this amazing technology to replace activities like typing papers and printing them and doing research in the library, but we need to push them to be CREATORS and not just consumers.

Changing how we teach can be very scary, but just like children grow, we must grow as educators. It wouldn't be fair to my own boys if I were to freeze time and not let them experience new things like college, driving, and kindergarten. I keep moving forward for them, and I will continue moving forward for my students!

Three of my four boys enjoying a rare snow day!

How teaching is better than working at Disney World!

Recently my husband read an article outlining why people should quit their job to work at Disney World (http://www.disneyfanatic.com/7-reasons-you-should-quit-your-job-and-become-a-character-at-disney-world/). When he finished, I replied, "That sounds a lot like my job!" He snorted, and I went on to explain to him why my job is even better!

7. I get paid to smile. And I do. Often. I try to make my classroom fun and engaging. I want the kids to look forward to coming back and learning something new.

6. I get paid to dress up. Maybe I don't get to wear a costume EVERYDAY, but I choose to often. After reading A Christmas Carol, we have a Dickens Christmas Day in which my students and I don period costumes, drink wassail, and eat mince pie (it is pretty good). When introducing Greek mythology, I channel my inner goddess and pull out my toga. This year I am teaching The Great Gatsby, and we most definitely are having a lawn party in 1920s attire. I also keep a variety of hats in my closet to pull out as needed. Yes, I teach middle school and high school. Yes, they love it as much as elementary students.

5. Every day is different. Anyone who works with children knows this is true! You never know what a kid might say or do. I also try to make my classroom different each day by using a variety of teaching methods.

4. No office to work in. I have a classroom that I can make my own, and it is rather homey. I have
area rugs, lamps, a rocking chair, an oversized chair, reading pillows, etc. This relaxed environment makes me a better teacher, and hopefully it relaxes the students.

3. I work at the happiest place on earth. To the current students, this may not always be true. But their laughter fills the hallways between classes, and they are making memories that will last them a lifetime. One day they will look back and realize how special this time in their life really was.

2. Discounts and free passes. Absolutely! I get to go support my students at all sorts of athletic events and after-school activities. They love having teachers there to support them and cheer them on!

1. The ability to bring joy to guests. I help students gain the skills they need to make their dreams come true, and I have the ability to make it a great experience or a terrible one. I choose to work hard to make it great!

What about you? How is your job like working at Disney World?


Http://www.disneyfanatic.com/author/kristina/. "7 Reasons You Should Quit Your Job and Become A Character at Disney World." DisneyFanaticcom. N.p., 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.

How do you plan to get better?

I recently got to sit in on some interviews at our school. One question that I made sure to ask was, "What do you plan to do to get better at your craft?" Too many teachers are complacent with their methods and lessons. I want a teacher that wants to change, grow, and get better!

I am far from perfect; I have months and even years when I feel like survival is my goal. For the most part, the last half of this past school year had me in survival mode. I pledge here that I will do better this year! The start has been reading a new PD book called Kids Deserve It and participating in the summer challenges that are on their blog.

My question to you is the same. How do YOU plan to get better?

How do you feel about summer?

If you live in the South, you are feeling my pain today. Summer is more than half over; teachers come back to school on July 27. Where has the time gone? I am especially nervous about this school year because I will miss the entire first quarter for maternity leave. While this is a special time, I will be very anxious about what is going on in my classroom and excited to get back. I think of this as a positive thing; I must love my job! This is definitely the right profession for me.

So how do you know if teaching is right for you? Are YOU in the right profession? Here are some questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you get excited about the upcoming school year or do you dread it? I know we will all miss our summer break, but some part of you should relish the excitement of a new year. What other profession gets a fresh start every year?

2. Did you go into teaching because you didn't know what else to do? When you made your decision to teach, I hope it wasn't because you weren't sure what else to do. "I've always loved -------, so I guess I will be a ------- teacher." "I'd like to be off when my children are, so I guess I will be a teacher." These are not viable reasons for going into a career that profoundly affects so many lives.

3. Do you want to be better? Do you constantly look for ways to improve? Does the thought of new methods, technologies, ideas, etc., get you excited about how you could be better in the classroom or do you roll your eyes when someone mentions learning something new?

These are just some things to think about as you prepare for the rapidly approaching school year! After all, we require our students to work in the summer (via summer reading at our school), shouldn't we be doing the same?

Eeek....I'm behind!

If you scroll and see my last post, you can see it was in April 2015! Eeek! I have definitely fallen off the wagon. In my defense, it was a crazy, busy year. I started coaching the Varsity Cheerleaders (in addition to Student Council, being a part-time assistant administrator, mom, teacher, etc.) and found out in November that we are expecting baby #4.

I want to start fresh, and I am doing so as part of a summer learning challenge series. I did this series a couple of years ago and it was very beneficial to my personal growth as a teacher. I challenge you to do the same!

The first challenge this summer is to post about our favorite classroom activity of this past year. I have to pick just one? That is tough! My students love Plickers, so that is always fun. Just reading with them in class and seeing them GET it and discuss is fun. I have to say that my favorite activity was using our new TouchJet TouchPond projectors. They are like smart boards, only cheaper. Actually, they are more like smart phones that project on the wall. The students were amazed and wanted to participate every time I used it. I love to see them get engaged, and this little device helped with that.

If you are interested in joining the summer learning challenge, you can find out more here: https://youtu.be/Uese-Dc-YJI.