TIPPS » Parents

What You Focus on Grows

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:40:00 +0000

I have found such wisdom in the website that this article came from. The Jorgensen Learning Center has mentored me in my leadership. Check out the website and articles such as the one listed below at http://www.gojlc.com Whether you are a parents, teacher, or student, this principle of “What You Focus on Grows” is valuable for everyone.

By Liz Garavuso

Some of the most meaningful conversational leadership work I have ever done involved sitting for three days staring at the walls in order to come up with one simple provocation to guide a 2 hour employee discussion.

Weeks ago, I was planning for an annual workshop day that occurs every year on election day. I had clarity on the issue I wanted to tackle – I wanted to increase the effectiveness of the weekly grade level meetings. Those meetings were designed as the result of embracing the concept of professional learning communities. I had manipulated resources, much to my supervisor’s dismay, in order to ensure an opportunity for staff members to talk about their practice and ways to improve it. Unfortunately, the topic of those meetings often digressed into complaining sessions or opportunities to do the “administrivia” work required of the job: complete forms, purchase items, plan field trips, etc.

Last year, I addressed this issue, convincing myself that it was an issue of me not being clear about what I wanted. So, I explicitly detailed my wishes. Needless to say, nothing changed.

To make the complicated even more confusing, I was trying to plan this year’s workshop on the heels of having to deal with the aftermath of a much deserved disciplinary action for an employee which resulted in the building’s other employees focusing on “evil bosses” instead of meaningful instruction. Ripe with anger at the attempt of others to insinuate themselves into the work I needed to do to manage a difficult worker, I began planning a meeting that was destined to chastise and focus on the very things that would be counter productive to the more noble goal – more effective, account table teacher talk.

Fortunately, I turned to a colleague who shared a phrase that I have heard a many times, “What you focus on grows.” I was literally stunned by the power and intent of that phrase and knew immediately that I had to find a way to center the upcoming workshop around this notion of nurturing more accountable teacher talk.

So what was the three days of staring about? It took that long for this leader to get out of her own way. I had to recognize my feelings, accept my anger, let it go, focus on what I truly wanted as the outcome and the evidence I would need to collect to ensure its fruition, surface my mental models, envision a picture of success…in other words I had to practice the disciplines of conversational leadership that I knew would lead me to develop an effective approach to the workshop. The resulting provocation – “What might you do to make the grade level meetings more productive?” More importantly, the outcome of the workshop was not only a comprehensive list of actions that were generated by the staff members, but truly improved grade level meetings.

Once again, I was reminded that the work of a leader is not the work of doing stuff. It is not the work of demanding or mandating stuff. It is not the work of coercing around stuff. Instead, the work of a leader is to facilitate the process of learning of others relative to a clear mission or purpose of the organization. And that facilitation of learning means one thing – that all in the organization talk, in an environment of honest inquiry, about the very work that needs to be done together to ensure the success of the institution’s goals.

It’s a lesson I am sure I will need to relearn over an over again.

Intelligent Without Knowing It

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 01:12:00 +0000

A student that needed to repeat their grade was recently tested for Special Education services. After the test, the school psychologist came and shared with me that the student did not meet the requirements for Special Education; matter of fact, the student scored in the above average category. The student even scored close to the Gifted levels.

When I shared the test findings with the student and told them that we were going to promote them two grades, he smiled beyond belief, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Dr. Z, I always thought I was stupid….are you sure the test was right?” This student was amazed that he was actually intelligent.

Way too many times in school, kids learn that they are not intelligent from their classmates, adults, and even teachers. As parents and educators, we need to invest in children by building their academic and intelligent confidence. We must encourage children to believe that they are intelligent. Howard Gardner, Professor at Harvard University, shares that kids have eight intelligences:

Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”):
Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”)
Spatial intelligence (“picture smart”)
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”)
Musical intelligence (“music smart”)
Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”)
Intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”)
Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”)

Check out this website for descriptions of each intelligence: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/education/ed_mi_overview.html

Heroes for Today

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:39:00 +0000

I see heroes as people that devote their entire lives to helping other people. I see heroes as people who overcome insurmountable odds to inspire others to do the same. I see heroes as people who are willing to sacrifice their own lives to save another. True heroes are missing in today’s youth culture and schools. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, the Dr. Ben Carson story is an inspiring story of how a young man overcame the pressures of gangs and boyhood, to become one of America’s greatest doctors. Take time today to watch this inspiring video with your children and students. Plus, Dr. Carson is a strong man of the faith, and he is a great role model to inspire students to do their best in school. This video is perfectly safe to show in your classroom or to students to motivate them to achieve and succeed.

God can use the story of “Gifted Hands,” the Ben Carson story to change the lives of young people.

God Bless,

Bill

What is Your Life Story?

admin — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:44:00 +0000

I love this video clip from one of my favorite shows. The reason that I think it is such a great video is not just because it is funny, but because it makes you think about what! When I watched it, I thought about, “What is my life story?” What did Jesus do for me. This is a great video to share with your teen or child and then ask them “What did Jesus do for you?” Today’s youth relate through video and this is a super discussion starter. Just like this video, youth ask every day, “What?” Now it is time to harness that curiosity and to encourage them to talk about their story of how God changed their life. I think of Pastor Rick Warren when he shared at Barak Obama’s inaugeration by praying, “in the name of the one who changed my life…Jesus.” How did Jesus change your life? This is what we need to share with our youth of today, the life changing story of how Jesus changed our lives.

God of This City! God of our Schools!

admin — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:51:00 +0000

God is the God of our Cities! God is also the God of our Schools! Listen to this song and dream about what God can do in our public schools. Many people think that prayer was taken out of public schools in the 1960’s, prayer is alive and well in our public schools today. Christians are serving as teachers, paraeducators, principals, custodians, volunteers, secretaries, Superintendents, and many othe positions to serve the young people of this great nation.

I hope that you will join me in praying for our public schools and in legally living out your faith in our schools. God calls us to be salt and light; light in a dark world. Christian Educators Association International is equipped to help you to live out your faith in our schools and to encourage you to be the salt and light in your classroom.

God Bless you for what you do! Whether your a mom, dad, educator, or student, God wants to encourage you to live with hope and purpose.

Blessings,

Bill

admin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:20:00 +0000

Take time today to view this powerful video with your child and talk about the importance of standing for the right for life with all babies. Thank goodness that Elliott’s parents decided on Life. Even though Elliott only lived 99 days, it was an eternity to his parents.

God Bless you and your child as you watch this video together. Get a box of tissues:)

Do You Believe In ME?

admin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:15:00 +0000

Dalton Sherman, a 10 year old elementary student, in Texas gave the opening speech to over 20,000 Texas teachers. When Dalton walked out on the stage, he said, I believe in me, Do you believe in me? He said to the teachers, because you believe in me, I can do anything, be anything, create anything, dream anything, become anything because you believe in me.

What child knows that you believe that you believe in them? Or who believed in you as a child? Was it a teacher, mom, dad, or a coach? Whoever it was, send them this powerful video of Dalton Sherman’s speech, do you believe in me?
Dalton Sherman – The funniest movie is here. Find it

Erik’s Story

admin — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 18:55:00 +0000

“A child is not a vessel to be filled, but a lamp to be lit”.

This quote reminds me of one of my former students, Erik Bortz. In the ninth grade, Erik was a troubled student getting into trouble, earning failing grades, and hanging around the wrong friends. Through the unconditional love of his mother, the guidance of teachers, and the prayers of so many, Erik turned his life around. By twelfth grade, Erik turned his failing grades into A’s, had a clean discipline record, found a positive peer group, and became the president of the Student Government. Now, Erik is attending Syracuse university on a full scholarship and currently has a 4.0 grade point average. Do you know someone like Erik? Someone that struggled but now has turned their life around. If so, would you please email me and share your story.

Connecting with Youth

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:24:00 +0000

Are you vulnerable enough to connect with your kids? I was talking to some teens about one of our pastors when they shared that they connect the most with someone who makes themselves vulnerable. All the teens agreed that it was a pastor, teacher, or parent that talked about their own life experiences, shared their struggles in life, and spoke in a practical and genuine manner. Vulnerability is a big thing for today’s generation of students, I believe this because it is vulnerability that makes us real and authentic to kids. If you want to connect with your child, look for ways to be vulnerable and share your heart, life’s struggles, and adversities. Whether in the classroom or the living room, children need to connect with adults who love them and are genuine in their walk with the Lord.

Mission Possible

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:10:00 +0000

So many times it seems that it is mission impossible leading someone to Christ; however, this summer I had the opportunity to lead over 50 people to Christ in a four day span. For me, leading someone to Christ became Mission Possible. This summer I experienced one of the most life changing events in my entire life. I went with a group of teens from my church on a missions to trip to South America. This trip to Ecuador was an evangelistic trip; one where we went door to door sharing the gospel and telling others about Christ. WE used a tool called the evangecube to share the plan of salvation. My team led 190 people to Christ in a week’s time and we trained the nationals how to share their faith with their neighbors. As a principal in a public school, I believe that a missions trip to a foreign land is one of the best lessons that your child can ever learn. Check out these photos of our team sharing the Gospel with the people of Ecuador. The group of teen boys standing together all accepted Christ after we shared Godl’s life changing, liberating message with them.