Home Sick

It's hard to be away from work. Just the thought of items and issues piling up is nearly enough to force me out of bed, into something other than old sweatpants and a tee shirt (that I am currently wearing), and off to the office. As much as I know that I will not be much help to anyone if I did, in fact, go in, I still feel a real sense of guilt as I saturate myself with hot tea and self pity, as I reluctantly take a break from doing some article and video searches for work, and write this before trying to get some sleep.

 

We've been embarking on a PBL journey at my school. Focussing on improving the quality of tasks (re: Elizabeth City's work out of Harvard on Instructional Rounds) that are happening in the classroom has really provided a clear focus for improvement. And we're seeing real improvement. Teachers are working hard to teach 21st Century Skills to students while immersing them in rich inquiry work; the goal of which is to increase the intellectual engagement of our kids. To have them enjoy learning again, as they once did on elementary (by the way, hats off to elementary teachers...I think we could all learn a lot from them). A great study by the Canadian Education Association (www.cea-ace.org) titled What Did You Do In School Today really helps guide our work. To have 45,000 students across our country surveyed, and to see that only 42% of middle-school-aged students are intellectually engaged in their studies is alarming (compared to 70% being socially engaged). It's a moral imperative that educators do a better job with what we do with kids every day in the classroom. And as much as how social/emotional connection to school is important, the study shows that schools are already doing a good job there; it's the lack of engaging lessons, and poor teaching pedagogy that is boring the heck out of our students, and putting their learning at risk.

Anyway, I better rest up if I am going to get back, doing good work, in my school. And on a side note, if you haven't read the CEA study above, I can't recommend it highly enough.

 

Posted with Blogsy

The 'And' Not The 'Or'

I've been down at the BCPVPA (BC Principals and Vice-Principals Association) annual Short Course at UBC all week. For many reasons, it's been the best professional development experience I've taken part in. Sure, I've been to the odd speaker or conference here or there who has challenged my paradigms, or who has entertained me, or who has caused me to mull obsessively over a fact or two, but this experience was far richer.




I always forget when I'm trapped in my office plugging away at whatever task I'm doing, that there are others out there sometimes. Others who are sharing the same experience; those who have the joy of moving schools forward, but those who also share the same frustrations and challenges. Here at the Short Course, I feel very fortunate to connect and grow with new people for a change. It's different than being with my day-to-day colleagues where I feel (possibly wrongly) that I have to "be on" and always make a good impression. This week, I was able to let my guard down, have some fun, and just be myself. And it feels good for a change. It was reaffirming.

 

 

Anyway, my biggest takeaway was something that has taken a while to come to fruition for me. I've had people speak of it before, but I've (for whatever reason) been dismissive - or have been to thick to understand what they've been trying to tell me. It's the very simple concept of the 'and' not the 'or' in what administrators do every single day. As academics, I think we've been hardwired to find dichotomy in nearly everything. Either something is something or it isn't. You are or you aren't. I have always struggled with this in my day to day tasks; I feel the pressure to be an instructional leader, but the vast majority of what I get bogged down seems to be managerial administrivia. And I've struggled with that. I always feel the pull to be doing something else that is more important, or somehow more meaningful. My 'ah ha' moment this week was this: If I change how I view some of what I do, and find the inherent leadership embedded (how people see you approach your tasks, how you dedicate yourself to these tasks, and how you take selfless pride in them), it will allow people to see me for who I am as a Vice-Principal far more than if I brood and grumble to myself.

It's all about synthesis I guess. It's about the 'and', not the 'or'. It's about looking beyond yourself and making meaning out of what you do for your school and for others.

Posted with Blogsy

The People I Work With

This will be a short post. Really, what is there to say? The year is nearly done, and as much as how I want to drift off into the summer, I am sitting in the Calgary airport realizing that I will truly miss their professionalism, spirit, and varied personalities.

We just got back from an amazing professional development session in California, and the nine of us really had a great time. And what a diverse group of people. What learning and growth. And that being said, one of our nine will be moving to a new school next year; this experience won't ever happen again the same way.

Soon I will be plugging away at a timetable, working out the kinks, and will be thinking back to this evening. We're tired but happy, and are invigorated to do the best we can for kids in the classroom.

I can't think of a better place to work, or people to work with.

Henry Rollins and Education

A colleague of mine and I went to go see Henry Rollins speak on Monday night. The audience was eclectic to say the least: young people, hipsters, punks, metal heads, people with their kids, older people, and a few greyhairs. And of course at least three educators (that I knew personally), including myself. I wish there had been more.

Henry was in fine form. Sweat beading as he spouted off articulate and satirical commentary, he spoke of growing old, the importance of doing the right things, fighting the good fight, working with National Geographic, his punk rock background, and inspiring youth to invoke positive change. Without taking as much as a water break for the entire two hours and forty-five minutes he spoke, he captivated me.

I am always moved by people who are passionate about their calling in life. Being in education, I've heard many speakers who commented on why they do what they do; few have inspired me as Henry Rollins has. And he's not an educator... At least in what people would think of in the traditional sense. He has a grade twelve education, dresses like a punk Johnny Cash (ie. all in black), and has had a colourful background involving drugs, music, and murder (well, at least witnessing one close hand). But in the sense of being someone who, for the past 30 years, has had youth look up to him and find true guidance and inspiration, he's an educator in the highest degree.

Henry spoke mostly of doing good things with your life. He spoke passionately about trying to make a positive difference. And he spoke about the importance of doing this with young people.

As I sit here, a few days later, this has really resonated with me. Henry told stories, the kind of stories that I can relate to as a previous alternative ed teacher - stories of suicidal kids, of depressed kids, of vulnerable kids. He stressed the need for adults (read: educators) to give honest and direct advice to really help. To honestly help. Not the kind of tripe that people want to hear, or the kind of advice that we think we should say given a set of circumstances. When kids come to us, often it's because they don't have anyone else they trust. It matters what we say and do. It can make the difference.

Anyway, I wish Henry Rollins could keynote my next District professional development summer institute. It would ruffle a few feathers, but I guarantee it would cause some meaningful reflection and would bring about change. Isn't that what Mr. Rollins has always done?

 

First Post - The Life Aquatic

Well, it's my first blog post. It's been the kind of month where there has been so much to reflect on, some real opportunities for growth, and some real frustrations. Now, that's no different than any school administrator that I know - but I have the luxury of working with a team that I value and deeply respect. I feel like we're part of a caring but dysfunctional family who tries way too hard sometimes.

I watched The Life Aquatic (a really under-appreciated Wes Anderson film) tonight. Odd segue, I know. I can really relate to the film's tortured, yet likable, protagonist, Steve Zissou. Bill Murray's genius aside, his character is conflicted on many levels, and he's someone you just want to cheer for, if you can see the good in him. Despite suffering tragedy, the death of his best friend, a broken marriage, a man who may-or-may-not be his son arriving on his doorstep, having to deal with porates, and chronic underfunding for his deep-sea-adventure films, he holds it together. He really is the epitome of resilience. He has his vices and flaws too, but I tend to overlook these and choose to see the best in him.

"Remind me. We'll send him a red cap and a speedo."

Steve tends to look to the best in his team too. His crew is a real bizarre group of musicians, journalists, biologists, interns, and friends with no discernable, useful skillset at all. At least for an oceanic voyage. Despite this, his crew just works... And he never gives up on them.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go on an overnight drunk, and in ten days I'm going to set out to find the shark that ate my friend and destroy it."

I guess that's what I like about Steve. No matter how much of a disaster he is, he believes in his crew and they trust him, no matter the situation. The desire (at least at first...) to kill the elusive, friend-eating shark aside, I kind of want to be more like Steve. Spoiler alert - he doesn't actually kill the shark.. In case that was something that people were worried about.

This all fits with the Appreciative Leadership model that I try to follow in my school. Although it can be hard sometimes, seeing the best in people (and in artsy movie protagonists) is the only way to foster growth. Like with many people who disliked The Life Aquatic, who wrote it off because Steve seemed to be such a despicable character, many people write off their co-workers and judge them by what they superficially dislike, rather than choosing to seek out the positive qualities that exist. It just takes a little looking. To see the best in the people I work with every day is something I take pride in, and although no one would want me in a speedo and a toque, I feel a little like a member of Team Zissou every time I do it.

All I need is the matching, limited-edition Adidas.