Pirate Fun!

My brain has been on OVERDRIVE these last few weeks, as I try to wrap my head around the new job. One thing that is crazy important to me is building positive relationships with everyone in my building.

As I've been brainstorming ideas for how to do that--reading a ton of books--reading a ton of blogs--connecting with other principals on FB and Twitter--I really want this next year to be FUN and engaging! Since a big word in my new building is "crew" (based on a critical phrase in EL Education: We are crew, not passengers), I am going with the nautical/pirate theme this year.

First crew members: KIDS! I have 630+ of them, and I can't wait to meet them. To help me get to know them better, I want to see every one of my students on their birthdays. So, my "pirate designing" began!

My hope is they will either come see me that day, or for my littlest learners, I will hunt them down on their special day to give them a card. This gives me face time with each kid in my building. With so many of them, it will take me a little while to know all of their names. Every little bit helps! 

In addition to the birthday card, I wanted to give them a little something else. Enter Stephanie McConnell. She is an awesome Principal/Speaker/Designer that always has wonderful ideas on her blog Principal Principles. She made some AWESOME scratch-off tickets for her staff and for kids. I decided to borrow this idea and make my own pirate-themed ones!

I came up with rewards for them like: a pencil (pirate-themed, of course), lunch with me, picking out of my "treasure chest" (filled with dollar store goodies), and more! The stickers were super affordable on Amazon (they come in silver, gold, and rainbow!!) 

My next crew members: STAFF! I loved the scratch-off idea so much, I'm going to use them with the staff, too. I'm struggling with a few ideas for them, but so far I've come up with: $5 gift cards (to coffee shops/delis in the school vicinity), no recess duty (I'd take their duty for them on a mutually decided day), 30 minutes of prep (again, on a mutually decided day to ensure I'm available), and.....? What else? Do any of you have other great ideas to add to that list? I'm not sure the staff would want a prize out of my treasure chest or lunch with me ;) I'm hoping to use them as birthday "rewards" and as special "thank you's" for going above and beyond. I am joining an incredibly hard-working staff, and I want to make sure they know how much I appreciate all the extra effort they put in.

Another summer "created" item was a generic "observation" notepad. 

(Our staff logo will go under the P3 symbol) These are "on order" from Office Max and will about 4.25" x 5.5" in size. My staff is not accustomed to their principal being in their classrooms often. There is not a "formal" walk-through process/tool. The staff did make it clear that they definitely WANT an instructional leader, and they WANT me to see them in action--that being said, it can still feel a little uncomfortable at first. Many times, teachers fear/feel that if their principal is in their room, it MUST be evaluative. I want to take that stigma away. This notepad allows me to write something positive I saw every time I'm there. Similarly to the kid birthday cards, it gives me face-time with each staff member, and will hopefully support building those critical positive relationships.

What things are you working on this summer? Any fun staff/student reward ideas to share? I'd love to learn with you!

Feeling Inspired,

Angela

Summer Reading List

I don't know about you, but my summer reading list is ridiculously long! Some I WANT to read, and some I HAVE to read! But no matter what...I'm reading...A LOT! :) Good thing it is one of my favorite things to do.

The stack above represents my first round of "professional reads." While it is by no means extensive, it is where I'm starting! I am determined to also make time to read for fun here and there.

Here is a formal list of the titles above and associated links (if interested):

• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Speed of Trust--I love me ANYTHING by Stephen Covey! These have been on my "to read list" for a long time...the time is NOW!
• The Power of Positive Leadership--This was given to me as a going away gift from a former colleague. She took the time to mark passages and quotes she felt were valuable in my new principal adventure. It was seriously one of the most thoughtful gifts I have ever received as an educator! My old school did a book study on one of Jon Gordon's books this last school year (The Energy Bus), and it was amazing! He has a number of books I'd love to work through. Always with a theme of positivity! We all could use more of that in our lives!
• Leaders of their Own Learning and Management in the Active Classroom--my new school is an EL school (formally Expeditionary Learning). These books are MUST READS to wrap my head around this amazing work. They will really help me support my staff on their implementation journeys. I'm also heading to the EL Leadership Induction Conference in Washington, DC in a few weeks (EEK!)
• O Great One!--Recommended to me by my old superintendent. He said it was one of the best reads he had had in a while. That automatically put it at the top of my list!
• Switch and Most Likely to Succeed--both recommended to me by my new superintendent. So, yep, gotta read those this summer, too! I had heard about Switch during my grad program a number of years ago, but hadn't had the chance to read it. Excited for both of these.
• Love Works--I learned about this book from Jay Posick (A MUST FOLLOW on Twitter!) He was in a mutual session at the Elmbrook EdCamp this spring. Another one about the importance of relationships and positive work culture.
• Innovators Mindset--What can I say about George?? I have followed his blog for years, and it continues to be one of my all-time favorites. He is someone that everyone should follow. He, too, is super active on Twitter! His perspective and clear communication style really speak to me. Another book that I have had for quite some time, but just diving in to. I'm about halfway through this one right now, and I must say, I recommend it to every educator and leader out there that hopes to "do school" differently.

And finally, the book that I most recently finished...

(Click for link)

Seriously, friends...THIS. BOOK! I loved it from cover to cover. It was such a fun, invigorating read. Every chapter of my copy is loaded with notes, highlights, hearts, and stars. Shelley and Beth did such a great job taking Shelley's husband's work (Dave Burgess: Teach Like a Pirate and P is for Pirate) and expanding it to the leadership realm. So many great stories, examples, video links, and reflective questions. Plus, they are SUPER active on Twitter (fan-girling over here...) and host wonderful Twitter chats (#LeadLAP). 

My mind has been swimming "pirate things" since I read it. In EL Education, each class hosts a daily "crew meeting", so I am totally going to go with the Nautical/Pirate theme this year! I'm also hoping to do a building book club (optional) surrounding Teach Like a Pirate.

So, what is on your reading lists this summer? Anything to add to my "pile"? Would love any suggestions!

Voraciously Reading,

Angela

Welcome to the Show

Welcome to the "Show", the "Big Leagues", the "Office", or as many have told me since I made the decision to leave the classroom--the "Dark Side!" 

After 16 years of teaching, I begin my journey as an elementary principal in this beautiful building next week. I will walk through these doors and hope to make a difference in the lives of many. I will build relationships with staff, students, and families. I will learn. I will make mistakes. I will grow. And my ultimate hope is to support teachers and students in creating and implementing authentic learning experiences.

Right now...I'm feeling excited, thankful, sad, a little overwhelmed, and scared. I think we are often afraid of the "unknown." Afraid of "failure." Afraid of letting those we care about down. It certainly is an odd feeling going from the "top of your game" to "newbie." We don't ever really know what we don't know. And I couldn't be more grateful to this amazing district for believing in me. Much of this job will be new to me. Truth be told, not all of it excites me. I don't think anyones goes into this career saying "Gee, I can't wait to deal with angry parents!" or "Wow, managing a building budget is super exciting!"

That being said, there are parts of this job that make me giddy inside. I cannot wait to greet kids in the morning. I cannot wait to visit classrooms each and every day, watching the lightbulbs go on, and learning alongside them. I cannot wait to work through authentic learning experiences with amazing staff members--challenging them--pushing them--supporting them on their own learning journeys. I cannot wait to meet parents and hear about the gift that is their child. I cannot wait for school concerts and picnics and recess and lunch and all of the other interactions when I can hear laughter, see smiles, and experience learning memories together. The support I have already received from my new administration has warmed my heart. The kind notes I have already read from my new staff have filled my soul.

But, I know I will make mistakes. It is inevitable. These mistakes will shape me, guide me, and move me forward on my own learning journey. I welcome that personal growth.

So, let the game begin. Welcome to the "Show." Nothing left to do, but to do it! Thanks for following along on this adventure with me.

Ready to Learn,

~Angela