source: I tried to find the original source but was unable. Please let me know so I can give proper credit

I saw this infographic the other day on twitter. Then I saw it in my literacy coach’s office, and then I saw it on facebook. I think the universe was sending me a message… make this a blog post! Ok, universe, you got it!

Although this infographic is simple, it is so correct.

You don’t try to be right; you try to be clear: As a leader, I have learned that I do not have to be right. There are so many different perceptions on what is right. Perceptions are reality, and there are some people that no matter how hard I try, I can not share their reality. So, I just have to be clear.

You try not to have the last word: Having the last word is something that I learned early on in life… I think anyone who is married, or grew up in a big family can attest, it does not really matter who has the last word.

You no longer try to show that it was your idea. You empower other people to own the idea: I have learned from many great leaders who taught me that it is better to be a king maker then a king. Most of us struggle with this one. We want our credit! We want to be recognized and acknowledged! Yet, if we take a step back and empower others, then as Jim Collins (Good to Great) we achieve a level 5 leadership. So no matter when we leave, the organization will continue to perform at a high rate.

I suggest to take this infographic and place it somewhere you can see it everyday. Reflect on it. Embody it.

I recently came across a video posted by Principal Kafele for aspiring administrators. In the video, he talks about the importance of a morning message and how it can breath life into your school. It seems, as I have learned recently, that not everyone is greeting students as they arrive or even doing morning announcements. I think this is a lost opportunity to connect with the school community. As the school leader, it is crucial that you deliver the message of your school each and everyday.

Hopefully, you will learn from Principal Kafele as he has become one of the most sought after educational leaders in the country.

Want more information on Principal Kafele? Check out his blog

Student and Teacher use of technology as measured over 4 years and 1300 walkthroughs

As I was preparing my monthly newsletter (yes we still do a paper newsletter and I think it is still important) I came across some data that I needed to share with our community. I looked at the technology use from both students and teacher as captured by the McREL Walkthroughs, and wow have we grown!

Each walkthrough is from 3 – 5 minutes, and using the McREL system, creates a mosaic of the academic climate of our building. One of the areas we have focused on the past few years has been technology use. Teachers are supporting each other through Professional Learning Communities, informal conversations, and the infamous “ed camp” style professional development known as Tech Friday.

This data is based on over 1300 walkthroughs in our building. As you can see, our technology use has grown!

source: ikea.com

When I first started as a principal here at RM Bacon, I used a theme with the students and staff, “Your image is our Image.” This theme is still on the marquee (that is not in service anymore and will eventually be taken down) on the parking lot side above the door. I still look at it everyday I walk in. My image, I say, is the image of this school.

I would like you to reflect on your image…

What is your image?

Who do you represent?

How do your represent yourself? Your school? Community?

Think about this…

As educators, every time you post, like, tweet, and podcast just remember… Your Image is Our Image….

Click on this icon for more information from Matt

During the recent Principalcast Podcast, we hosted author, principal, dad, husband and over all awesome guy… Matt Renwick! He taught us about Digital Student Portfolios and how they can help capture the learning for the 21st century. Later this spring he will be publishing a book on the subject titled Digital Student Portfolios: A Whole School Approach to Continuous Assessment. This e-book will be available online through Powerful Learning Practice.

The time we spent with Matt was quality. He talked about a range of topics beyond his upcoming books such as:

– Importance of becoming a connected educator

– Using twitter for professional development

– Sledding during recess

Check out the podcast and connect with Matt!

Dr. Moore and Ashanti preparing for the podcast

Students in 5th grade at RM Bacon utilized 21st century technology for their culminating activity for African American History. The 5th graders selected and researched a true role model, Dr. Pamm Moore, Assistant Superintendent.

The podcast was an excellent opportunity for the students to display their learning. The host, Ashanti, was very calm and made everyone feel at ease. The producer, Xavier, learned Google+ hangouts, recording and embedding in one afternoon. He even let the students give a few shout-outs before the podcasting began.

The 5th grade shout outs…

During the podcast with Dr. Moore, the students asked excellent questions. According to Dr. Moore, she was impressed by their questions, and was a little nervous before everything began. After the podcast was completed, the students showed her their African American History projects. She was very impressed by the students efforts.

Since I am a co-host of a weekly podcast, I feel it is my duty to expose the students of my school this wonderful tool. I am hoping to expand to 4th grade next month for Women’s History Month. Stay tuned!

Our Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Pamm Moore, experiencing an AR app

At a recent administrative meeting, we discussed Augmented Reality. Well, we discussed the concept of Augmented Reality and how we haven’t observed it during our walkthroughs. When I talked with my staff about the absence of Augmented Reality, I had one teacher decide that I would soon observe it in his classroom. True to form, I was invited to his classroom that Friday to experience Augmented Reality.

When I arrived at the class, there were AR codes all over the class. The teacher made sure that I was taught by a student how to find and utilize the AR codes. The 5th grade kids were prepping for later that day when they would teach 1st graders an app that integrated Augmented Reality. Mind blowing! As I solved the problems, and scanned the AR codes with an ipad, I “experienced” the answer. I could see it but I couldn’t touch it.

Simply coloring? Not anymore, that page comes to life through AR

Later that day, I went back to the class and he had his 5th graders paired up with 1st graders. They were walking around the class, solving problems, scanning AR codes, and experiencing Augmented Realty. Honestly, the kids were less impressed then I was about the Augmented Realty. To them, they are often exposed to Augmented Reality outside of school. Drats! They have done it again… We are so behind the times!

Want to learn more about Augmented Reality? Check out these resources…..

Edutopia 

Engage their minds 

On twitter, follow the hashtag #ar4edu

Brad Gustafstason’s AR at his school

Source: dwightcarter.edublogs.org

Want to be connected? Chances are if you are reading this blog, you are connected…. But the purpose of this post is to reconnect…

How is this week any different then last week? Well, for many in the Northern Hemisphere, the snow is melting, days are getting a little longer… there is hope!  This is the perfect time to improve your mental outlook after this bitter winter!

Here are 3 things to do this week: 

1. Call a friend (yes, call not text, facebook etc.) and spend 10 minutes catching up and listening!
2. Take a walk before, during or after work with someone. Yes, don’t go at it alone… choose someone to take a walk with to catch up on things and marvel in the conversation.
3. Write a letter or send a card to someone in your  your profession. Hand write the note and tell them how much you appreciate what they do!

Let me know how it goes…

source: onsophiastreet.com

One of the reasons I find science fiction movies so appealing is the opportunity to provide social commentary. Whether it is the latest Super Heroes, a new world or just a future version of our world, science fiction movies tend to focus more on our current problems then the future problems.

For instance, last night I watched Elysium. Elysium is a movie set in 2154 and throughout the movie you can clearly see the struggles of futuristic living. The United States (and the rest of the world) has become over populated and there are pockets of extreme poverty. Most of the rich have moved into space to a place called Elysium where they enjoy peace and tranquility, endless healthcare and everything is just right. Citizens of Elysium and Earth rarely see each other or for that matter understand each other. Two different cultures, with different values and access to different resources. These futuristic inhabitants clearly live in two different worlds – comfort and security or survival and ingenuity. Sound familiar?

A few posts ago I mentioned a resource for flipping staff meetings (screenr). I find that the ability to do a screen cast is very beneficial. First, just by doing a screen cast, you are showing the staff a new tool that they could use to connect with parents, other staff or students. Secondly, you are able to convey a message. If you are required to do walkthroughs with the staff, how do you share that information? For our school, we use the walkthroughs to measure the academic climate of the building (so we take these very serious). After we look at the data, we all begin to identify areas we want to improve.

Here is the screenr that I shared with the staff (and now, you)