source: www.lakelandfloridaliving.com

When I look at the student discipline for our school this year, I feel we did an outstanding job of keep discipline referrals, detentions, and suspensions to a minimum…. Then June happened. I actually do not want to look at the data yet (and compare it to the past few years) but all signs are pointing to a rise in discipline. Why does this happen?

Some theorize that students feel an anxiety about starting their summer, and others feel that teachers are busy finishing up grading, packing, and doing different assignments…. Still others feel that this winter long (with all the snow days) and extended the school year. I’m not sure how I feel, but I just know that the climate and culture of the building took a sharp turn in June…. And we still have 6 days left!

All things being equal, right? Source: sugenghome.blogspot.com

I love when Tom Whitby pushes the envelope! If you read his blog on a regular basis, then you know that he often pushes the envelope. This week, Tom wrote about the Tenure and Poverty issue facing educators across the country, specifically in California.  The long and short of the argument is that teachers who service lower socio-economic communities are being vilified for being ineffective. Lawmakers want to strip tenure from these teachers because they are “grossly ineffective.” Tom pointed out throughout the blog post how complicated this issue is, and he also points out how high the stakes are for those who can benefit from it! The shame of this is that these teachers are beginning to believe they are less effective then their counterparts in white suburbia! Little do they know that they are sometimes more innovative, caring and effective given the challenges.

The fact of the matter is that a teacher’s role in a child’s education is very significant. It is not however, the sole influence on that child’s education. Tom Whitby

Tom goes on to champion the cause of the impoverished in this country. As he says, “Poor schools are a symptom of poverty, not the other way around.” Very often (having had the opportunity of working in two different impoverished districts) teachers and administrators are brain-washed into believing there is no link, and poverty becomes something ‘out of our control’ or simply an ‘excuse.’ There are countless research studies that highlight the struggles those in poverty  face in education, with a smattering of success stories. I agree with Tom, that the answer is not to vilify these teachers in the media, label them as ‘grossly ineffective’ because this will solve the achievement gap?

It took a 6 year old about 10 minutes to create

My daughter has become very savvy with the Ipad. She has her own YouTube account and comments on various videos she watches. She uses hundreds of apps to do everything from dress her dolls to create Minecraft worlds.  She plays word searches, takes pictures, and owns her own learning. Did I mention that she is 6?

The other day she sent me a text that my WeeMee was completed. She worked on this WeeMee of me, and created it all herself. When I received it, I immediately saw that it was a non-linguistic representation of… me… She nailed it too.. Coffee, technology and a  soccer ball… I also think she wants me to bring my mustache back (lol).

Check out WeeMee and let your learning emerge….

Pre-order available now

Connected Leadership: It’s a click away is a practical guide to assist current and prospective school leaders to connect and learn from the global audience on social media. As a connected leader, I wrote the book to share with others how helpful it has been to develop a personal learning network, to tell the story of my school, and how social media has expanded my horizons as a leader. The five most important features in the book is that it is laid out in a practical manner, and each chapter has a story from a connected educator that exemplifies the purpose of the chapter and book. In this book, readers will learn what a PLN is, how blogging can help tell their school’s story, what current research says about being connected, and how this process can transform you as a leader.

“In Connected Leadership: It’s a click away, Spike Cook presents a practical, easy to understand, and more importantly easy to implement manual for becoming connected. Spike uses real life experiences from connected educators to highlight the tenets of the book. This is a must read for the connected and soon to be connected leaders!” Todd Whitaker 

Throughout this book, you will read about educators such as Brad Gustafson, an elementary principal who highlights his school in everything he does using Social Media. Then you will get a slice of what the researchers are saying as Jeff Carpenter and Daniel Krutka share their very timely research of 72 connected administrators from around the country. Chaptrer 2 also features Thad Haines, connected leader from Ohio who uses social media for professional and personal development. In chapter 3, Ben Gilpin discusses how his blog is used to display the power of reflection. Amber Teamann will show you how important a Professional Learning Network (PLN) is to your overall process of “connectedness.” In chapter 5, Theresa Stager, a first year principal from Michigan, will discuss how she has transformed in a short amount of time as a leader and connected learner. Finally, in the conclusion, trailblazer Melinda Miller will share her story of how after 8 years, she is still amazed by the role Social Media has played in her leadership.

Here is the cover of my first book to be released in fall 2014!

I realize that we only have about 8 more days of school remaining. I am not much a “count down” person (in fact I discourage it) but I can tell the last two weeks have been extremely busy with end of the year meetings with teachers, student discipline, activities, field trips, etc.

Ask anybody who works in a school and they will tell you that the end of the year boarders on insanity. Something just changes in the atmosphere. It’s as if the students know the summer is coming and they want to do anything they can to start their vacations early!!!!

With that said, I settle down to check my email (at 7:00 pm and still at work) and I see a new message from Corwin Press……It’s the cover of my new book! Wow, I SO NEEDED THIS TODAY!!!!!

Pre-order information here!

source: www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com

I know that when I rely on compliance that it is time to move on… I feel that challenging the process is so critical for organizations to be able to grow. As the leader, I feel a responsibility to always seek better ways of doing things. I often ask myself this question, “Why do we have to do things the same way as we always have?”

In order for our organizations to become world class, we need to develop a shared responsibility to avoid the “reliance on compliance” syndrome! Who is ready?

source: projectpln.com

This week the Principalcast Crew hosts Bob Dillon, Director of Technology and Innovation at Affton School District in St. Louis Missouri. His blog Principally Speaking was a finalist in the 2013 Edublogs Awards, and he has been blogging since 2010!

Bob is fresh off of participating in the first #edcampusa. He is excited to share his experiences with the Principalcast audience. In addition, Bob will be talking about the upcoming #iste2014 conference in Atlanta.

Visit Principalcast on Sunday, June 15, 2014 @ 9:30pm EST live on Teachercast.tv ….. We will be waiting for you!

Last night the Principalcast Crew hosted the Hall of Fame Principal from Ohio, Dwight Carter. During the podcast, Dwight will share his story of becoming a Connected Leader, and how it lead to the transformation of one of the most renown buildings, Clark Hall.

Be Great ……Dwight Carter

Check out the Podcast, and begin to re-frame your learning space:

source: www1.toronto.ca

Why do we scoff at the idea of making schools into learning spaces similar to google, or apple? Why do we feel it is still appropriate to require students to sit in rows in the classrooms that are painted an institutional color? Why is that such a problem?  60 years of brain research would say it is not a problem, in fact, transformation is desperately needed!

Thankfully, there are trailblazers among us who have challenged the process of what schools should or could look like. These trailblazers have worked collaboratively with the brightest architects, designers, and thinkers in order to transcend and transform learning spaces. Here are just a few who have been successful in creating 21st Century Learning Spaces:

Dwight Carter – Worked collaboratively to build a new building Clark Hall for his existing high school in Ohio. Its funny because when people visit Clark Hall, Dwight says they have 2 similar reactions. “1. this is amazing and 2. we can’t do this where I work.”

Hilliard School District- Studied Clark Hall and then implemented changes in learning spaces in their district.

Erin Klein – Has worked tirelessly to reinvent her classroom each year. She also provides multiple resources on her Pinterest page.

Cybraryman – Here are a list of excellent resources for redesigning learning spaces .

It can be done!!!

Source: www.fierceinc.com

Yesterday I wrote a blog post about the Hechinger Report regarding Gutsy leaders. The purpose of the post was to shed some light to the aspiring administrators who are charged up about applying their learning and leading a school. It can be very difficult for them to not only find a job, but more importantly, find a match. See, once on the “inside” Gutsy leaders require a lot of work, administrative support, and freedom. So let’s take a peek into a fictional, Gutsy leader named Jennifer. The attributes of Jennifer were developed from Gutsy leaders throughout the globe through Social Media.

Jennifer is considered by most to be the most innovative administrator in her district. In a relatively short amount of time (she has been a high school principal for 5 years) she has presented at local, state, and national conferences. She has a large following of educators on Twitter, and is often consulted on topics such as innovation, technology, maker spaces, PBL, and professional development. She comes to work early, stays late. She documents (or brands) her school through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Her teachers have benefited from Jennifer’s leadership as they have access to the latest technology, but more importantly a support that transcends what they have ever experienced. Her students adore Jennifer. She knows the students quite well, and has a unique ability to always view them in a positive light. Parents are extremely supportive of Jennifer because they have seen their children grow into 21st century learners as a result of her leadership. They are proud to have her on board!

Yet, life in administration for Jennifer is difficult and lonely. People often think she is a self-promoter. They criticize her student’s assessment results, and feel they should be performing better. They say she has too much fun at school. In district Professional Development workshops other teachers are tired of hearing about Jennifer and her school. These teachers feel they are doing a great job as well, but never seem to be recognized. Other administrators roll their eyes when Jennifer talks about a new technology that can help them improve their communication with staff. Some of them think she is a “show off” and makes them look bad! The superintendent is often asked why she spends so much time at Jennifer’s school, and why does she allow Jennifer to have such professional freedom. Some community members feel that the superintendent plays favorites, and attribute Jennifer’s success to her support. Jennifer’s superintendent wished that more of her administrators would follow the district vision, and be more innovative in their schools and departments. Her superintendent, under Jennifer’s lead, has become “connected” and often seeks out ways to help her district become more 21st century.

Jennifer finds solace in her Professional Learning Network. She even finds it funny that people in her own district think she is so innovative, because she has a tough time keeping up with what other administrators are doing throughout the globe…. “If they only knew,” she often says to herself. Jennifer tries not to dwell on the way others view her because she believes in only being positive. She does her best to stay humble, and focused on the students…. She knows that she is blazing trails and won’t stop because she may have stepped on other’s toes, or upset the apple cart… Jennifer is a Gutsy leader, but it is not easy!