Friday Thought : Teachers, not gimmicks. A reminder for the AI era.

Recently, Seth Godin published a thought:

When architects show off their work or propose a bold new building complex, the public sees the external photos. The tall spire, the innovative use of glass, the weird hole in the center of the building.

And when a car company shows off a new model at a press conference, it’s the headlights or the door handles that catch our attention.

But the thing is, most of the time the building serves its function for the people working inside of it. The owner of the car can’t see the headlights . . .

Gimmicks are memorable. But they’re gimmicks.

The other day, while sitting in a brainstorming session about AI, its role in education, and the responsibilities educators have to embrace it, Mr Godin's words came to mind. 

AI is going to disrupt education, no doubt. And as educators, we must embrace it and teach our students how to use and avoid it. But at the end of the day, as far as education is concerned, it is still just a glorified gimmick.  Schools that are trying to replace teachers with AI, all in the name of innovation, will fail because AI cannot duplicate or replace the impact of a powerful and purposeful teacher. 

The public may oohh and aahh at all that AI has to offer, maybe even remember a cool lesson or two taught with the next innovative technological gadget, but it is the teacher that will speak to their heart and inspire their future. It is a teacher that will encourage their humanity. 

Gimmicks are memorable. Teachers are eternal. 

That's what I've been thinking about this week.

#doGREATthings!

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Friday Thoughts : Blog

Friday Thought : Bucket by Bucket

Last night, while hauling concrete out of a basement, the young man working with me dropped his buckets and said through exhaustion, "I feel like this pile isn't getting any smaller. " 

And it reminded me of education. Of parenting. Of life. 

At times, the task at hand seems insurmountable. At other times, it feels like we aren't making a bit of difference, making any progress. Minus the blisters on our hands, what is there to show for all that we've done? 

But if we stop and look at where we've come from, we CAN see progress. It just takes time, dozens (if not hundreds) of conversations, and continuous and methodical acts, done over and over again before we can see all that has been accomplished. 

Large and seemingly impossible tasks are rarely completed quickly or with a sudden wave of action. More often than not, they conclude slowly, methodically, one small bucket load at a time. 

Luckily, just like the task of hauling shattered concrete, as educators, parents, and people, we are not asked to do this alone. Others with buckets and sweat on their brow remind us of how far we've come, encourage us to take a break when needed, and inspire us to keep hauling. 

Because the pile is getting smaller. Our dreams are getting closer, our debts getting smaller, our children are growing in character. Bucket by every friggen bucket. 

Just because it doesn't feel like it, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

A basement half-cleared of debris is proof. 

That's what I've been thinking about this week.

#doGREATthings!

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Friday Thought : "Liar!" And the shield that protects us.

Yesterday, one of my teachers and I were involved in a phone conversation with a woman who believed something inaccurate about our school and norms. Each time I tried to explain or clarify, the woman on the other end would interrupt by yelling, "LIAR!" 

The conversation ended without much reconciliation or agreement.

Later in the day, my teacher texted me, "I know I shouldn't be, but I'm mad." 

"Don't be:)" I texted back, "Integrity is doing the right thing . . . which we (especially you) have done. False accusations sting, but they are merely that . . . false. Because we (know) we have done the right thing." 

Fortunately for us, we also have documentation.

I share this because, as educators and people who work with people, who experience the valleys and peaks of humanity, and who are required to engage in hard and honest conversations, we are an easy target for false or misleading accusations. And that can be extremely frustrating. Even hurtful.

Integrity, however, is our shield. Not against false accusations, but against fear and uneasiness. Against it ruining our day and the opportunities to impact the people around us. 

We can be mad at false accusations because they hurt, of course they do! (I know I get mad when falsely accused . . . so maybe I need to edit my response to Mrs. Miller:) but we can also be confident. Confident that we have done the right thing, that their accusations will find loose footing, and that we can continue loving and caring and enjoying the people around us. Because that, too, is acting with integrity. 

And that, for me at least, is an encouraging - as well as convicting - reminder.

That’s what I’ve been thinking about this week.

#doGREATthings!

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Friday Thought: Speaking Truth : Don't Hold Your Tongue or Close Your Ears

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had several hard conversations. As a boss, with my boss, with parents, as a parent, and with my wife. Surrounding these conversations, two quotes from my morning readings have stood out.

The first:

"For a truth to be heard, it must be spoken with kindness. Truth is kind only when it is spoken through your heart with sincerity. You should know that when a message you convey to another person is not understood by him {or her}, at least one of the following things are true: what you have said is not true, or you have conveyed it without kindness." - A Calendar of Wisdom, Leo Tolstoy

And:

“A word from you is twice as severe because it comes from you.” - Too Late the Phalarope

We all play so many roles. We are husbands and wives, friends and colleagues, bosses and mentors, mothers and fathers. Each role carries with it the weight of responsibility and power, for when we speak, it isn’t just the words that people hear, it is who we are that people hear. A word from us is twice as severe - or inspiring - because it comes from us!

Which means three things:

1. When a wrong must be made right, don’t hold your tongue. We have been placed in our various positions for such a time as this, and it is not to remain silent. We must speak up and speak out! But when we speak, our words and intentions must be filtered through the following:

   1. Is it true? Have I investigated the situation and given benefit of the doubt? Am I going to the source, or acting on hearsay? Is what I am doing right?

   2. Are my intentions kind? Is my goal to improve the situation and the person? Or do I hope, in some small or large way, to destroy? Am I defending myself or caring for another?

   3. How will my role impact my message? Will my position cause fear or anxiety? And if so, how can I soften the message? How can I ensure my position is not overwhelming or overbearing? And if needed, should someone else be the messenger?
      

2. When a wrong must be made right, don’t close your ears. When WE are on the receiving end of uncomfortable or even unjustified criticism it is easy to get defensive, to conjure up excuses, or worse, destroy the messenger. Instead of listening, we belittle the person bringing the criticism. Instead of listening, we attack the person and ignore the message. Which, as leaders, has two devastating consequences:

   1. First and foremost, if we fall into the trap of attacking the messenger rather than hearing the message, we don’t learn or grow as a person. Even when we feel - even when we know - the accusations or criticisms are wrong, we must continually try our best to look past the words and hear the message. We can do better, always. Even when we don’t feel like it.

      “To grow in confidence, connectedness, and success, you have to admit for all to hear that you are a failure” - Leading with a Limp
      

   2. The second devastating consequence of closing our ears to criticism is that we lead by example. And if we are unable to hear how we can do better, if we defend ourselves or flex our authoritative muscles, not only will we stunt our ability to grow and develop as a leader, we will severely cripple the growth of those around us. Be it our families, our circle of friends, or our schools, if we - the leaders - are unable to make right that which is wrong, why would anyone else?

      ”To the degree you face and name and deal with your failure as a leader, to that same extent you will create an environment conducive to growing and retaining productive and committed colleagues” - Leading with a Limp

3. When a wrong HAS BEEN MADE right, celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! This is always a conviction of mine and where I desperately need to do better. I don’t think of the tires on my vehicles until they are flat, I don’t consider my internet until it doesn’t work, and I often overlook the joys and blessing and GREAT things of those around me until they are gone. Celebrating others, their actions and reactions, their person and their influence not only encourages them to keep doing GREAT things, it can often build a foundation of trust for those hard conversations. I’ve been reminded of this lately, and it is something I most definitely need to improve on.

“In the deserted harbour there is yet water that laps against the quays. In the dark and silent forest there is a leaf that falls. Behind the polished panelling the white ant eats away the wood. Nothing is ever quiet, except for fools.” - Cry, the Beloved Country

In whatever role you find yourself in, don’t be silent. Speak up, encourage those around you to be better, and be the example of how to be better!

And when you speak, speak in truth, with kindness, and be quick to celebrate, celebrate, celebrate!!!

This is what has been on my heart lately.

Happy Friday!!!

#doGREATthings!!!

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Friday Thoughts : Celebrating : Blog

Friday Thought : Why We Thank Our Crossing Guards

A few days ago one of my teachers emailed me, asking if we could recognize our crossing guard because, “We have had him for several years” she wrote, “and he is so good with the kids and always waves at everyone.”

So today, we celebrated him (you can see the full video here).

And as Kevin entered the foyer, students and staff cheered, and a few tears began to role down his cheeks.

When asked, “Raise your hands if Mr Kevin has ever made you feel safe,” a sea of hands rose and waved in the air. Students and staff alike.

And when it was over, the hearts of all who were present were filled and encouraged.

Later that afternoon, I wrote my staff this email:

Thank you for taking the time to come and celebrate Kevin.

I don't know about you, but moments like these are powerful reminders of how important it is to reach out and acknowledge those who do GREAT things.

It's also a great learning opportunity for our kiddos! For them to see the POWER of gratitude and thankfulness is so important. Even at a young age, they have the ability to make a difference in someone's life.

Thank you for providing them this opportunity.

In a time where educators are exhausted and in need of encouragement, there is no greater gift than to celebrate another.

As you consider ways to encourage, support, and inspire your staff, instead of reaching for the checkbook, fancy food trays, or handwritten notes (all of which do matter and definitely help), consider sending a few emails, gathering a few gifts, and spending a few short minutes intentionally and personally celebrating the individuals around you who make a difference.

Receiving gifts is nice. Giving someone a memory they will never forget is even better. For them, and for ourselves.

Happy Friday!!!

#doGREATthings!!!

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Friday Thoughts : The importance of Giving : Blog

Friday Thought : Ownership

I've mentioned before that, at times, themes seem to present themselves. As of late, I've concluded that these themes are largely the making of my own subconscious, much like the experience you've had after buying a new car or truck. Soon after your purchase you realize, suddenly, all the other automobiles that look exactly like yours. That thing that has been there all along but never seen is suddenly visible. That thing suddenly matters because it now matters to you.

My perceived "themes", I believe, come and go in much the same way.Here is my most recent one: Ownership. And it has manifested itself in three quotes:

1. "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove you showed up for it." - Unknown

2. “In our schools and in our classrooms, every interaction matters . . . A single interaction can change a person’s life forever” (pg 30) Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences That Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray

3. “We must own our actions. We must own our mindsets. We must own the opportunities that we take and those we pass on. We must own our roles in creating the cultures our kids need to thrive” (pg 30). Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences That Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray

For me, these have been encouraging and inspiring. They are reminders to be radically intentional - with everything - to take on and absorb blame and responsibility for the things I've done wrong, but then and always to get up and try again because, as the old faithful saying goes, "Chicks dig scars." And so do our students.

Friday Thought : Success Begets Success

Our extra-curricular programs are killing it! Football, volleyball, SDD, wrestling, and now basketball, it doesn’t matter. We’re finding consistent success, and it isn’t all that surprising. I do think it is interesting, though.

We see this happen quite often, even at the professional or higher Ed levels. When one team finds success, the Patriots for example, it isn’t uncommon for other teams from the same city to find similar or equal success. 

This also happens in families. Take, for example, the Manning family. Archie Manning, the father, found success in football and played a few seasons in the NFL. He then had three sons, two of which won two Super Bowls. Is it because that family has just been blessed with an unidentifiable football gene? Maybe. But I’m guessing not. Rather, I would argue that success begets success. (Shaw, if I’m wrong on this, say nothing . . . I like my little theory;)

We for sure have a talented young group of kids who have supportive families, excellent coaches, and an encouraging school that backs and cares for them. But they are also experiencing success begetting success. 

That's inspiring to me, a reminder to me, and an affirmation to surround myself with "successful" (whatever that means) people. Be it in relationships, goals, work ethic, or mindset, people who get after it, who attack setbacks and maintain positive attitudes and healthy perspectives, those are the type of people I want to surround myself with, whom I want to listen to and hear from because their success can and will beget not only my success, but our success.

Because success begets success. 

Friday Thought : Happy Valentines Day!

Below are a few quotes I've been considering this week. They're from the book Personal and Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray. I've recently finished it, so if you're interested, stop on in and I'd be glad to pass it along!

Success is a "fail-forward mindset, intertwined with perseverance and resilience during the difficult times, and humility in the best of times."

"It is your display of humility in the best of times and your fail-forward mindset and perseverance during the difficult times that will make those around you want to follow."

"Every time we fail is an opportunity to model how to get up and keep trying to those who look to us for direction."

"The educators who make the largest impact talk about and focus on opportunities. Less effective educators talk about and focus on obstacles."

Friday Thought : Why we Serve

Roxie, our secretary, received a phone call today from a lady in town, asking if we could send some students to her neighbor's house sometime today. There are branches left over from the past weekend’s storm and she is concerned that her elderly neighbor won't be able to pick them up. So she called us. 

And now, we are sending our 9th and 10th graders during 8th period today.

Think about what that means. Someone in our community saw a need, wanted to help, then stepped out and did so, by calling OUR SCHOOL!!! They felt the best place to call for help was us! How cool is that?!?!?

By our community, we are seen as a place that will help, that will use its resources (which is often just many hands), and will get things done!!! We are recognized by our service, which in turn, provides us more opportunities to serve!

And I just love that.