Reflection and Reverie

Snowflake_080020 aka Dyonisis Blue Shift fwwidallonflikr

In these last days of 2009, I feel compelled to reflect on the progress of my professional world (and personal, but those thoughts find a more private venue).  Staring out at the ever-falling snow, I realize, like each snowflake, how unique each professional day of my life is and how pleased I am for that.  I have learned very strong lessons this year.  I have grown in ways I never thought possible.  I have taken yet another solid, sad, yet sequential step away from the naïveté of leadership into the reality of leading.  The parallel of my principalship is that all the same events of learning have occurred in the building I help lead.

New Year 2010 Signpost

So with my English teacher background pulling at my creative side, I think I’ll address my ideas in a somewhat acrostically poetic fashion. Adios 2009…

ScrabbleletterPby LeoReynoldsPassion:  I let it fade.  Even a little is a lot for me.  I was distracted by another p-word – politics.  Funny how passion and politics can (should) work well together but often run counter to one another.  In this era of public education, I think it is easy for a principal to let the day-to-day operations (demands from central office, appeals from teachers, issues with students) draw us away from what our TRUE NORTH should be…facilitating excellent teaching and learning.   I remember reading in Bolman and Deal’s Reframing Organizations how politics can be used for good – providing direction while tending to the needs of stakeholders.  I leave the juxtaposition behind and vow to center again.  Passionpower ON!

Letter R by chrisinplymouthRelationships:  I started my professional life in my school feeling like I married into a very, very close family.  It’s been long enough.  This is MY family.  And I need to spend more time with the relatives.  It helps us get through the tough times.  It builds trust.  This is a primary goal for me to grow in 2010.

Letter I by LeoReynoldsInquiry:  I must learn to be more focused.  I realize in my reverie (hah, get it, unfocused thinking???) that I reflect well when I am thinking aloud with many wise…folks.  This started with a group that helps set the path for teaching and learning, but perhaps I need to work on a more specific group.  I wonder if there are teachers in my building who are willing to set the pace and work with me on such a task?  There is so much to know AND learn about how our students are learning in our school.  Or not learning.  My greater fear.  I need to find this group of people.

NbychrisinplymouthNetworking:  I’ve been in my district for 12+ years.  I rarely make time to connect with the “outside.”  My building’s instructional coach, Sean Nash, has helped me begin to bridge that gap digitally with Twitter, Ning, and blogging, but I think there is so much more to work on.  I was challenged this summer by Scott McLeod to step up as a building leader in the greater on-line world.  So, in 2009 I’ve been challenged and accepted the challenge.  It’s a challenge I will keep in 2010 – but I think there is really much to be said for the f2f interaction that can NOT be missed.  I need to step up my outside connectivity.  It will make me a smarter leader.

C by chrisinplymouthConstructivist:  I have been playing with this.  I understand, that’s what all good constructivist learners do.  But I need this not to be the latest fad.  It’s not – but as a leader I am struggling with how to measure teacher implementation of this practice (which is obviously the best) as much as my teachers are struggling with how to make it happen in their classrooms.  The issue has been and continues to be “what is inspected is respected.”  (Thank you wise JROTC instructor Col Hall).  But inspecting the “PLAY” while individually learning?  That seems to be incombobulatory (take that Urban Dictionary) in my world.  This is a goal for me to address this year.  I cannot take our staff to the next level when so many parts of the plan seem to be counter-productive.  I set a goal to learn more and research widely.  I may need to start with Gary Stager.

Candy I by Timothy ValentineIntensity:  Wow.  If there is ever a time to see that word in a timely fashion, it is right before a new year.  I think people would say I am intense.  I think I can be.  I like it when it’s a good intense.  I am sad when that intensity is misperceived.  Scott McLeod recently shared with a few of our district leaders how we must build the feeling of intensity in the professionals around us.  If we don’t, the world will continue to change rapidly and our children will be unprepared for their future.  Go to CASTLE and see their work.  The research is done.  The case has been made.  For our children’s sake, we must get intense about our profession.  Time IS of the essence.  Emotive agenda:  intensity throughout.

P by chrisinplymouthPurpose:  Several times in 2009 I had to check this in my life.  I do feel I have a purpose for my professional placement.  I remember good friend and fellow educator Jincy Trotter reminding me of this when I first became a principal, “You believe God has a hand on your life?  So why stop now?”  I have to reflect on that often.  My purpose was joy.  Bring it.  Share it.  Create it.  If you get away from your purpose, you can lose your way.  Joy in 2010.

A by kjamesAccountability:  Funny, I think this is an area that I have done well in 2009.  So what in the world is it doing on my list?  Well,  I think I need to mathematically adjust this word as a sum (or amalgamation of sorts) of a few other “A” words.   My goal is to grow in how I promote accountability by mixing in more finesse and compassion.  Here’s my stab at fake math:  (ability + action + accomplish) x 2(affability + amusing) – (ambiguity + allegation) = accountability.  A great friend and former admin partner Jeremy Burright tipped me on to a great book called Crucial Conversations.  I’m half way through.  Jeremy is right.  Every principal needs to read this book!

L blue square circle by MonceauLearning:  Julie Andrews sings it best, “…I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t’ feel so bad.”  I simply love learning.  About leading. About teaching.  About technology.  About teachers.  Students. Books. Friends. Feelings.  When I am learning about something, really, I am happy.  And when I learn with other learners – well, there is NO instrument in the world created to measure that feeling except my smile.  I feel fortunate that 2009 allowed me to smile a lot.  In 2010, I hope I am smiling with you.

4 thoughts on “Reflection and Reverie

  1. I am interested in “I” for inquiry as an admin. Are you speaking specifically of an educational reform group that hones in on learner practice and works from there? If so, I am terribly excited.

    As far as “N” goes as an admininstrator… there are fewer voices speaking into the void. There are some good one for sure. But… never be afraid to be one who boldly steps out out into the unknown as an individual working for your school… and the children within.

    In terms of the “C”… keep in mind… constructivism isn’t the latest fad. We may be late to the party, but there are many ahead of us who have figured out how humans learn best. Let’s continue to focus there… and look to how we can make that happen in our little corner of the world. I see you also took your “C” into the world of accountability. I don’t think this is that tough. It may feel difficult from a practitioner’s standpoint, but that doesn’t make it less valuable. “Play” can be measured on at least some level: that is to say… is it happening?

    Yes. Let’s learn. Let’s go.

    Sean

  2. Yep, I am talking about an inquiry team for pedogogical practices. I think there is a core of folks who R3a11Y want to go here. It’s time to empower them. I think they will also be the C people.

    Thanks for your support. I am SO ready to get after this!

  3. Great post on reflection. I personally feel we are still experiencing a change in the culture of our district that calls leaders to be deeply reflective. In the true spirit of reflection, that change will continue, and continue, and…well, you get the picture.

    Contructivist assessment, sigh. That is a tough one. Let me know when you get that one figured out. I still think there is a huge mismatch between our standardized assessments and and our teaching/learning methodology. I love studying assessment and bridging this testing-learning gap is truly one of our biggest riddles to solve. For some reason though, the word “rubric” keeps flashing in my head over and over like a neon sign.

  4. I agree about the culture change – for teachers as well as administrators. I still often wonder when, if we ever truly do, move from competition to complete collaboration with the mindset to not only improve the children we serve but the community we are challenged to transform. Goes to the relationships part,eh?

    Nash is forwarding our learning on the assessment part. I do agree though, we have competing forces in education that cause a great stall. I just read dwarlick’s post for 1.1.2010, and he said, “The problem is not with education, it is education.” I must say there is a strong sense in my brain that totally gets that statement.

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