Conversations with the Prince

Conversations with the Prince

Grandparents Week

In sticking with tradition I wanted to write this week about my Grandfather. Why you ask? Every school year at BHESA we recognize our Grandparents by having our students bring in the grandparents for breakfast, they then visit our book fair, and visit classrooms. Today was no different. However, I did get to share with them the exciting news about our 100 year celebration, plus a newspaper from 1936 that had a photograph of the graduating class from BH in 1936. There were 19 students in that class. Anyway onward!

Labor Day weekend I went to Tonawanda, where I grew up to celebrate my father's 60th birthday with him. He was born September 3rd, 1950. This was a special trip as my father didn't know my family was coming, he was really surprised when we all jumped out of the back bedroom at my brother's house. The great thing about this trip is that there was nothing really planned. Nothing touristy for my kids, no picnics, parties, or other people to see. What happens when we have no plans are often the most special times. Our families played games, went fishing, and visited a small park not far from where I grew up. What does this have to do with my grandfather you ask?

It was on Saturday, when we went fishing that it started to click with me. I started to notice the man my father has become since he has retired and started down some new roads in his life. He is now the rock my aunts and uncles lean on to take care of grandma, he is a loving husband who looks after my Mom everyday, he is also the grandfather that I adored so much. There's a great country song titled, "I'm seeing my father in me" I'm not sure who sang it, but it is resonating with me from our weekend get away. I can't help, but see how much my Father is like my grandfather was. This weekend he taught my kids things they had never done before, a board game, how to bait your hook, how to play long and short in basketball, how to make your time with your family memorable.

My memories of my grandfather are so vivid, we shared a lot of special times together, playing games of cards, fishing, boating, eating, laughing, all of these are held close to my heart and I think about them often. The memories came flooding back this weekend and I'm proud to see the legacy he has left for this extended family of ours. I can't help, but think of my Grandfather and what he must have been thinking 60 years ago when my Dad was born. I wonder if he carefully thought out all the things he would teach his new born son. I know he is looking down from heaven and is very proud of the man my father has become. He is proud of a son that loves his family, that loves his country and loves his friends. Did he have a plan to teach him all this? I doubt it. This is who my Grandfather was as well. This is who my Dad is now, this is who I pray I will be one day. The legacy will continue.

I pray for the strength to teach my son Nick all the things that my grandfather taught my dad, and that my dad has passed down to me. I pray that he will grow up to be the man that my grandfather was, who my dad is, and who I hope to be one day. I hope one day he will show his grandson how to shoot a foul shot, and ask him those words that I so loved to hear when I was a kid, "wanna go fishin?"

Happy Birthday Dad! Miss you Gramps, and Love ya Nick!

Love Always,

Your son, Your Grandson, Your Dad,

Mike

First Day of School

The night before school in the Harvey Homestead,
Lily already sleeping, for once in her own bed.
Nick talking to mommy about third grade,
Reading, Writing and the A’s to be made.
The summer is over how quick it all went,
The beach, Peru, time with family, and lots of money spent.
Back to our routine, a 6 am start,
Breakfast on the way to school, love those pop tarts.
The book bags are packed, paper, crayons, and other supplies,
New friends to meet, and schedules to memorize.
Hard to believe that Nick’s in grade three,
And Lily in grade one, our little teacher to be!
Homework, projects, conferences and PTA
Back to the race of 180 school days.
Three short years ago our school was brand new.
In all the schools in North Carolina Rea View was number two.
The teachers at Rea View will make 2011 better than 2010,
With such dedication nothing short of excellence will happen.
Tomorrow we start, teachers get your rest
Get ready Rea View tomorrow we send you our best!

First Days

Tomorrow is the first day of school of the 2010 - 2011. There is an energy present at the beginning of each year that I wish we could bottle up and save for those days when we grow weary. Adults are motivated to take students further in their learning they have ever thought possible. We believe that our students will run through the walls for us, that they will come to school each day excited about what their teacher has to tell them and share with them.

Students will also come in tomorrow filled with curiosity. What will my teacher be like, who will be in my class, what time is lunch and what time is specials? How much homework will I get and will my teacher like me. They believe they will reach the honor roll each marking period, they will ace each test, they will be the one their teachers call on and praise for getting the answers correctly.

Parents will be excited their children are no longer telling them they are bored. They will be encouraged by the first impressions and communications this years teacher shares with them. They will encourage their children to do what the teacher tells them, do their homework, read each night.

Yes this bottle of energy would be very valuable in February and March. To save all of these things and pour it on our partners when we feel defeated, when the hours seem like days, and the days like weeks.

My wish for each of us tomorrow is that we will remember what today feels like and that each day when we come to school we have the same energy that we have tomorrow. Capture the energy, capture the excitement, and use it to engage and enrich your school year this year!

Welcome Back!

June 28, 2010

Dear Staff,

In a few short weeks we will open our doors again and welcome the 734 students that call our building their school. One day, like you and I often do, they will think back to the days that you have planned for them and remember things one of two ways. They will reminisce with smiles about the friendships they gained or wish they could relive the year with you all over again because of the inspiration you gave them to do their best and be their best no matter what the challenge is. They will remember you more than what you taught them. They will remember what you stand for and sometimes what you fell for. Most importantly they will remember that you cared for them.
On that first day, and hopefully each day after, they will walk into our rooms eager to learn, eager to please, and ready for the challenges that you put in front of them. Those first few days will set the tone of how your year will go. I know that each of you have been thinking about what has gone well for you in the past and what revisions you will make in those first few days of school this year, remember this race is not a sprint, but a marathon, be consistent in your delivery, be creative in your planning, and be caring in each one of your interactions with each student. Work hard in those first few weeks to establish that relationship with each student and create a positive home-school connection with their parents. A friend of mine said recently that parents are quick to forgive when you make a mistake if you have worked to involve them, and see you as more than their child’s teacher. Reach out and make your daily routine one that involves the parents of your students. I promise you will see great results when your students know you care about them and their parents do as well.
Last year we launched a campaign to increase the structure, consistency, while accepting no excuses. This was a great initiative and we saw great results in the performance of our students. The growth we made at each grade level was higher than I have seen in a very long time. These gains were in no doubt attributed to the hard work you put forth each and every day, the consistency you showed and the attitude that no matter how difficult the task, excuses would not be accepted. We will continue this campaign and also build on it. I am convinced that the greatest difference we can make in our school starts with the teachers, and furthermore, it starts with the first teacher each student has. Our focus will remain on early intervention, but more importantly making our K, 1st and 2nd grade teachers the best teachers our school and our system has to offer. We cannot afford for our students to come to 3rd grade unprepared to meet the challenges that current legislation puts on them. We will be working very hard in team planning sessions and professional development sessions to share the expertise and knowledge that so many of our staff members have at how to help students learn and the best pedagogy we can offer our students every day. This will be an endurance challenge, but one that I know many of you are ready for!
We will be spending our first workday together on July 20th. We will be meeting at the PDC and beginning our morning session at 8:00. There will be light refreshments served for breakfast, as well as a full lunch. Please plan to be there all day, however if we end early the building will be open for those that wish to come back and work.


We will spend a portion of our day working on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument for North Carolina Public School Teachers. We will share our test data and review our school improvement plan, we will begin to set new goals for our school as well as define the shared mission and vision we have for our school of the ARTS. This day is sure to be filled with our mantra for this year: “Engagement, Enrichment, and Excitement”. This is something I want to challenge each of you to be thinking about for this year. Since the majority of our time will be spent on the new Teacher Evaluation Instrument, Teacher Assistants will not be required to attend. We would like for all staff members to join us for lunch and fellowship at 11:30.
How can you turn up the engagement? Will you use the arts, movement, technology, more group discussion, less teacher talk, more student questions than teacher questions, more student talk than teacher talk, more of what they know and less of what you know? Why do we spend time memorizing facts when we can find it on Google, how will you teach your students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and leaders for this rapidly changing world?
How can you make each learning experience full of enrichment? Will you show your students things they have never seen before, read those things they have never heard before; will you explain to them and let them discover the wonders of numbers, words, and science? Will you put the pencil down and enrich them in the arts and challenge their thinking beyond the regurgitation of facts? These are the things that will get us the greatest results on any assessment piece. Challenge your students to be thinkers by enriching them in a classroom that ignites their imagination and creativity.
Lastly, how will you get your students excited about school? How will you keep them tuned in when they enter your room that is already 20 times slower than the world they live in? Will each day be like a field trip day, will each day be filled with an excitement of who they will meet, or who they will get to talk to on another side of the world? Will you make your classroom the exciting place where learning happens because your students race to your door to see what the day holds for them? Excitement comes from enlisting the resources that others hold. Take that lesson you have done for the past five years and ask one of our essential teachers to assist you in making it exciting, watch the difference in what your students will be able to do at the end of the year.
For now though, let your excitement be the chance to enjoy a good book, a chance to watch your son/daughter or grandson/daughter run through the sprinkler, the opportunity to tend to the garden, the peace of swinging on the front porch, walking the beach in the morning, hiking the path up the mountain, playing a game with the family. Let your engagement be nothing more than a nap on a hot day. Let your enrichment be the chance to visit a place you never have before. These are the things that will help to prepare you for the challenge of another school year. This year’s challenge is the challenge that you were chosen for, the challenge that you are here for, if there was somebody better for the job I would have asked them, you are who we need, you can provide what we need, and together all of us will continue to meet the needs of those 734 students that will run through our doors excited to meet you on that first day of school, enriched with the hope of a new school year, and engaged in the opportunity to start it all over again!

Respectfully,

Small Town USA

Dad works midnight so he can coach my games
Mom sells wallpaper so we don’t feel ashamed
Brother and I have everything we need
Food, shelter and a family with out greed
The American dream in small town USA
Like Sabrinsky says everyday is Saturday

Mom works midnights on a street by the school
Dad hasn't been around he says there are no rules
Brother sister, cousin and I work as adults throughout our day
We wonder about the kids down the street who always get to play.
Childhood lost in small town USA
Much better than where we came from yesterday to Today.

E x 3

Enrichment - Engagement - Excitement

Tomorrow I have the opportunity to share the vision and mission of our school with over 800 people. Many of these folks have never heard of me or my school. What I hope to accomplish is to challenge what they think should be happening in our schools.

Next year I plan to launch E Cubed, or E to the Third Power, or E x 3. What is this? Something that God laid on my heart of what we as educators should be focusing our attention on.

I'm challenging the crowd tomorrow to take a stance against high stakes testing. I pray that this message will spread like a runny nose in a pre - K class. I hope it goes viral, because we have the power to be the change we want to see (Maya Angelou)

It's a simple message. If we want real, long lasting, results, if we want every student to graduate from high school, if we want to make school a place that students look forward to every day we need to transform our three R's to the three E's.

The first E is Enrichment. Who are our students that typically perform poorly in our schools? I bet if you looked at any school system in our state you would remarkably find that schools that have high populations of students receiving free lunch are not performing well (according to standardized tests, and a system that is unfairly designed). What do these students lack? Enriched experiences. Enriched language, enriched opportunity, enriched exposure to people, places, or things. When these children come to school we need to enrich their lives. How can we expect a child to learn to read that has never been read to. How can they understand that this world has over 300 languages, thousands of cultures, amazing places and people, when they haven't ventured outside the walls of their home or their school. How do we do this? We create a school that creates enriched experiences. We bring the world to them through the arts and technology, we read to them as the character in the book. We get them to dramatize the poem they just read, or choreo graph a dance that depicts the water cycle or the life cycle of a butterfly. We expose them to the opportunity that enriches their little minds and makes them start to ask for more. Interest sparks curiosity ... tell me more.

The second E is Engagement. How do you spend your time? When you walk into a classroom do you see children bored to tears, do you see them as you would if they were outside of school. No! Our children live in a fast paced world. When they enter the doors of our building we slow their world down and dis engage them. We put books in front of them, which is a great learning tool, but the printed word on paper will soon be obsolete. We can not afford to put a lap top in the hands of every student at our school, but we can't afford to disengage them at the same time. At a school of the arts engagement comes through acting, singing, dancing, drawing, sculpting, our being an audience to a performer better known as what you and I might call a teacher. Engagement is accomplished by linking the learning style of each student to a learning experience that is engaging to that student.

The last E is excitement. How do we get our students excited about school? It breaks my heart to see a child that is unexcited in my building, or to here my son or daughter say they don't want to go to school. Remember your favorite teacher, or maybe even the excitement you had about something that happened at school. Mr. Gallagher read "Where the Red Fern Grows" I couldn't wait to get to school each day to see what would happen next. In high school it was sports, that got me excited. I loved school because I was a social being. I hated the classrooms that didn't allow us to speak or move away from our straight rows and our box. At a school of the arts its the excitement in knowing that I may have a professional artist come to my room today. I will get to play an instrument when we learn a concept about math today, or that I have drama club after school. As a student I'm excited because my teacher is excited to be here teaching me. My teacher is excited because she knows that I am learning each day and doesn't feel the pressure to have me pass a test that means very little to my individual success once I leave school. My success is moving on in school and moving to the ultimate goal of helping each child be prepared for a world that doesn't operate with a number two pencil and a scantron form. I will pass the test because when I operate in this type of school my learning is guaranteed.

What do I want for my school, for my students, for my own children. I want a school that enriches them academically, socially, and culturally. I want a school that engages them in meaningful and relevant activities, and doesn't merely attempt to prepare them to pass a test at the end of the year. I want my own children to jump out of bed and be excited about going to school because who knows what will happen to that character in the book their teacher is reading today or because they will get finish that science experiment today. Our goal in to prepare all students to succeed or PASS. What is success? I like John Wooden's definition. “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”

The Untold Story - Success Through Failure

The story yesterday at our Church reminded me of a situation I encountered during our trip to Ecuador that I wanted to share. This story has not been told, it's a bit of a confession, however this is one that I believe I will begin to share as now I see this as the greatest learning experience from the whole trip.

"After a week of Christmas parties in Ecuador we were treated to some site seeing and shopping in Otavala. While we were there hustling and buying gifts for our families and friends back home, I was approached by a homeless man looking for some spare change. Looking back on it I truly believe this was a test of my learning through the week. A test that I failed miserably. You see when I was on the mission trip surrounded by missionaries and organized acts of service it was easy for me to act generously. Wouldn't you know the minute I was removed from the "organization" I didn't use what I had learned throughout the whole week. All that I had come to do was lost in a matter of seconds. What I now realize is that because of this I have gained so much.

I believe our greatest learning comes from failing. I have continually reflected of this man and prayed about why I chose to handle that situation that way. It reminded me so much of the story you shared yesterday. I ignored the opportunity to pray for this man or make and equal sacrifice for his well being, and instead focused inward. God has placed this on my heart and mind, and now when I see a situation to help in whatever way I can say I honestly jump at it. I have used this tough lesson to become a better follower of Christ.

This whole incident tied with the lesson yesterday reminded me of how our lives are ordained by God. It was not by chance that I encountered this man nor will it be by chance when I see another opportunity to "impact" the community. I have learned so much through failing in this one situation. We don't have to be on a mission trip to share God's love, God's Grace, God's mercy and our personal story on how we have bent the knee to Jesus Christ. For one moment I didn't let my light shine, which has prompted a change in me that will forever help me "impact" the lives of others. "

Why?

I set a goal for myself this year to listen more before I act. I got this advice from a very special person that will go on to do great things for this school system. I have heard many times this year that we are asking a lot of you. The answer, yes, we are, I said yesterday at the faculty meeting my goal is the boyscout rule "leave it better than you found it." Don't get too excited, I'm not going anywhere.

How? Well, one thing is our focus on the arts with a fully integrated curriculum and opportunities for children to be engaged, excited and enriched in their learning. The other is of course having high expectations for students, challenging the stigmas that many of us and even more so, those outside our school hold for our population. However, I truly believe the most important factor is becoming better at what we do in the classroom. That has been our focus as you know with the development of our belief statements in literacy and mathematics (found on moodle). Our emphasis on professional development (weekly team meetings). Developing leaders in our school (grade level chairs, committee chairs,) And lastly, and probably with the most pain, is of course data collection.

I read a great quote the other day, "In God we trust, everyone else must show data" the author was not credited. This sets in a new sense of reality for me. I can't remember a time in my professional life that it has ever been more important to show evidence of the job we are doing. "Race to the Top", No Child Left Behind, New Teacher Evaluation Instrument, Response to Intervention, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Highly Qualified Teachers etc. etc. All of these initiatives will require us to show a transparency unlike ever before. It's a difficult task, but one I'm sure you can all handle, that is why you work at the greatest school in UCPS. The job is unlike it ever has been, not just a deliverer of knowledge but write prescriptive lesson on who gets what knowledge and at what level.

This week all literacy and math meetings will be postponed, so that you can get your feet under you, and catch up a little bit. Thank you, for the time, but more importantly to your commitment to our success.

See Through,

Mike

When to lead, when to follow

I am a fan of great leadership. Some of my favorites include John Wooden, Coach K, Vince Lombardi, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King. What inspires me most is how they motivated grown men and women to do extraordinary things.

John Wooden won 10 national championships all at the same school. He wasn't one to jump around. He established a solid program and stuck with it to see it grow and flourish and was rewarded for his dedication.

Coach K, (some bias here) will be considered one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time when he decides to call it quits. He too has shown amazing dedication to the program he built with his own sweat and tears.

Vince Lombardi had an amazing post season record of 9 wins and 1 loss in the NFL. Unheard of. He established this great playoff record in only 9 short seasons with the Green Bay Packers.

What do these three men have in common? None of them walked right in and started winning championships. Wooden didn't start winning national championships until the 1960's. He started coaching in the 1940's. By year three at Duke Coach K was being run out of Raleigh! He went on to win 3 national championships, a gold medal, 11 ACC championships, and several coach of the year awards. Lombardi lost his first NFL Championship Game(before it was known as the "Superbowl") after that he went on to win 5. Another common thread between these three men. None of them have been a head coach for more than two teams. Wooden - Indiana State and UCLA, Coach K - Army and Duke, Lombardi - Green Bay and Washington.

Let's look at the two historical leaders I chose. Both were despised. One when he was elected and during his tenure as the President the other while he orchestrated the Civil Rights movement across our nation. Both made monumental change in our country, one from abolishing slavery and the other to inspiring the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all the protections that it grants us. Unfortunately, both were executed before their time. However, their work is and forever will be carried on.

What does all this have to do with school, teaching, and learning. Well besides being inspired by playoff football and college basketball during this special time of year and the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, we all have so much to learn from the actions of all of these leaders.

Those that show loyalty to a program will be rewarded. The work of a good person will forever be continued. Why, because humans are first followers before they become leaders. When we choose the right person or program to follow and show loyalty to it you develop leaders at every level that carry on great acts of humanity. These new leaders inspire in new ways and hold fast to traditions that contribute to the success of our civilization. Knowing when to lead and when to follow is the most critical decision we make in our own success.

Since we have been back on break I have this overwhelming feeling that our shining moment is right around the corner. The ink on our stamp is wet. We are and will continue to do great things for the students of this school. Why.... because you, the teachers of this school, are leading our students to do great things.

No written word, no spoken plea,
Can teach our youth what they should be,
Nor all the books on all the shelves.
It's what the teachers are themselves.

Author Unknown

Yours in leading and in following,

Mike

The Year of the Dog.......

Isn't it interesting that in some cultures they name the new year after an animal? I never understood this, but I bet people from that culture don't understand why we do things the way we do.

I'm not even sure that this is the year of the dog, but after what I witnessed during intersession today I thought it was the perfect fit. Today was our final day of intersession, and yes we all looked forward to it, not because it was the last day, but because it was the opportunity for our students to show us what they learned all week. Let's hope this is a sign of things to come in the year of the dog.

Our theme this week was animals and their intelligence. We secretly disguised the wonderful world of Non-Fiction. Knowing that our EOG is 40% Non - Fiction our intersession team decided that this approach would be a great way to show our students that reading is fun beyond the titles of Captain Underpants and Junie B. Don't get me wrong these books have a place in our curriculum, but we have to find the balance to prepare our students for what is to come.

I watched our students make connections to what they have learned all week to the presentations that were shared from Discovery Place, The Riverbanks Zoo, The Dog Wizards, and the Monroe Police Department K - 9 unit.

Our students got to circulate the habitats of different animals, hold live snakes, see how K - 9 dogs are trained and learn of compassion pets, they got to touch the skull of a black bear, pet a Great Dane and guess what fur came from what animal. At one point today this place looked like a zoo, and no animals even wanted to escape.

One of our teachers told me that this was one of the greatest weeks she has had teaching. She wanted to know why we couldn't teach like this all the time. We get so caught up in assessment that sometimes we forget about how learning happens. The most profound thing she told me was that she had this anticipatory set of the students she was serving as the lowest students and that learning would be difficult for them, yet at the end of this week full of integration and hands on experiences she saw students demonstrate learning in profound ways. To say that assessment drives learning is backwards, our assessment is evidence of our learning. We forget that learning goes beyond the multiple choice, while very important, summative assessment has very little to do with success.

Every January we make resolutions, we say we are going to eat better, exercise more, go to church more often, quit this or start doing more of that etc. etc. Well in the year of the dog, let's remember that learning happens in a variety of ways. We have to erase our anticipatory sets and remember that every child can learn. Figuring out how they learn is what is most important. Remember, that your IQ only accounts for about 20% of your success in life. The same is true of school, your IQ can only account for about 20% of your success on an EOG.

In the year of the dog we have the opportunity to make the best resolution of all, "Each day I will do whatever it takes to make my students successful, I will find a way to maximize their learning through understanding their learning style"

Woof Woof,

Mike