Emily Post's Netiquette - Who's the next Emily?

Last night at Chili's I watched the elementary student at the table next to me play on his iPad throughout dinner. He was perfectly quiet and completely engaged - but never interacted with his family. I was intrigued until I was  distracted by the older lady having a conversation on her cell phone with one of her grandbabies.  We'd call her a loud-talker! I couldn't see the faces of her table mates. They were mostly looking down, and I think one was actually crawling under the table!

In a great conversation this morning with other district administrators, the potential for declining social skills because of the intense technology focus arose. I've actually thought about this; I'm not completely afraid.

I have horrible phone etiquette. I know I do, but I daily continue to misbehave with my phone. No, I'm not sexting or bullying; I'm not visiting inappropriate sites or even texting and driving. Instead, I answer the phone in a public place, talk while I am checking out, text at the table, look at my phone at a red light, text my kids upstairs rather than go up there, check my twitter feed while I should be listening to a friend… you get the picture. Now, here's what is funny. I don't wear white after Labor Day or before Easter. I wait to eat until everyone is served. I put my napkin in my lap. I even use the correct fork and say "Yes, ma'am" and "No, ma'am.
So, why don't I have appropriate digital etiquette?
Well, the digital age is new to me. I am learning constantly. It's difficult to familiarize yourself with a device AND with the appropriate social expectations - especially when we don't know them! I believe that as our digital native children grow, they will develop and respect expectations. They will raise their children to monitor their time online, say "Yes, ma'am," put the phone away at times, open the door for others, never text and drive, check social media periodically… They will have seen the err of our ways, and they will raise socially appropriate natives.
We didn't because the rules are being developed around us - as we speak. How could I have taught my kids about twitter or Facebook when I was just figuring them out myself?!
My children will not be social sloths. They'll be fine.
Emily Post may not be around, but someone out there is taking her legacy into the 21st Century. Once netiquette is known and expected, like other adults, I'll get it too!
Until then, this guest speaker sounds like he's finishing up, and I need to check my email!

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Finding that OneWORD - BALANCE

Balance. That's hard for educators. Because we accept responsibilities that actually require 24/7/365 attention, balance is often unattainable. Juggling your own family and the responsibilities of parenting your own children can be overwhelming in itself. Now, add 22 smiling faces (or many, many more for some grades.) Add the baggage of those students, the personalities or their parents, the stress of state testing, the burden of differentiating curriculum for each child, the fact that many go home to empty homes, some come with empty stomachs, and don't forget the key to success is building relationships with each of these children. Oh, and remember, you need to become a 21st century teacher, grade papers for every child in every subject area in a timely manner, prepare for the next day's lesson, post grades and respond to every email within 24 hours. Meanwhile, you pull teeth, apply band-aids, wipe tears, find lost jackets, open milk cartons and check for lice. I could go on, but that isn't the point.
See, balance. I've already lost it.
Balance. It's hard for educators. As a principal, (who is kinda wound tightly and thrives on innovation and spontaneity) I see the most amazing staff taking risks and really integrating te
chnology seamlessly while embedding digital citizenship and encouraging creative, collaborative thinking. However, I haven't "mandated" anything new this year. We need to move forward with PLC's. We need to train in PBL.
But, they (my awesome staff) are so happy. They are thriving. They are getting out of their boxes and exploring. The kids are learning. They are happy.  They are engaged. They are learning.
This is the first point in my career as a principal where I have not been "pushing" something down on them. We've juggled balanced literacy, thinking maps, a plethora of math programs, all kinds of technology competencies, miscellaneous grants, a complete renovation, clubs for every student, a building-wide mentoring program, required community service for every child, data, a multitude of state standards changing, and a complete transformation in education - ouch, forgot that balance.
Bottom line, right now, I am just asking that they teach - and teach well. And, they are.
My struggle with balance though is making sure we are never stagnant, that we are moving forward and growing, but we also take time to actually teach, and teach well. We have to have time to look at what we are doing and reflect on how we can continue to improve. Sometimes, we just have to breathe.
Of course, it probably needs to be a short breath. We have a ton to do and an enormous task at hand to accomplish.
Hmmm, juggling while trying to balance, yep, that makes me a clown. I guess that's okay - as long as this clown makes everyone smile and doesn't drop anything. Of course, clowns have to breathe too.

Day 1 - My First Day at Central

I survived! I'm exhausted.
It was a wonderful day, but I'm tired. I think I found my way around the school pretty well. I didn't get too lost. It was funny though: the school is so huge, there were others that didn't know their way around too - and they work there!
Everyone made me feel super welcome. We started the morning greeting the kids. The counselors (and others) welcomed the kids in the main entrance with big smiles, hugs and a pleasant "buenos dias!"
I hadn't really thought about my expectations of the kids; I think I was more concerned with getting lost! I was so surprised to watch the boys and girls parade into the school decked to the nine in coats and gloves and scarves. They were precious. ( I say parade because literally, they are welcomed with such enthusiasm that it reminded me of a parade!)
I'm still trying to find the right words, but the children came in so incredibly respectful. Maybe that's the right word. They didn't seem frazzled or hurried. Their hair was perfectly braided, donned with bows, gelled into the most perfect faux hawk or maybe just combed meticulously. Regardless, these children could have been walking into church on Christmas and looked appropriate. I was so impressed. Breakfast was served by the kindest, sweetest ladies. They wheeled breakfast door to door, room to room and served the boys and girls with love and smiles. I was awed. I couldn't understand their exact words, but I could understand the love and affection clearly.
I found the intermediate cafeteria, along with half of the school, and enjoyed a program - Nana Puddin'. It was great, and the children loved it! They really would've laughed if they had seen me fall out of my chair! I did! I had the walkie talkie, my iPad, my phone, multiple copies of the map, and no telling what else in my arms and well, just missed the chair. Gosh, I was horrified.
I was fine. I tweeted it, and somehow, that made it all better.
Lunch was another funny time. I ate with two 1st grade classes, and they watched every bite I took. I enjoyed a corn dog, tater tots, green beans and a whole banana! Apparently, I didn't open my grape juice correctly, but they coached me up. The food is always a big topic of discussion during the Ambassador Exchange. I have to say, the food was very good. I'm curious about the cafeteria grant that Central was awarded a few years ago. I think I'll test the food again tomorrow!
The day was really great. Dismissal was exciting. They are incredibly organized and the Central staff and students are wonderful.
I'm excited to get into the classes more tomorrow and get to know more of the kids and staff. There's so much to process, so much disillusionment and so many similarities AND differences. What a day!  

Trading Spaces - Tomorrow's the Big Day!

There’s some internal, deep seeded clock that works in teachers. It’s like a biological educator clock. Before the calendar changes to August, my body starts waking in the night, jotting down odd ideas, random thoughts, and urgent epiphanies that I cannot fathom how I just thought of them. Then, just like I was 7, I pick out my first day of school clothes, go to bed early, and lay awake for hours anticipating the new year.

It’s weird to have that first day of school excitement in November. I haven’t even chosen my first day outfit, and I already have butterflies in my tummy. Tomorrow, I “trade spaces” with my friend and colleague Cynthia Jaird at Central Elementary in Lewisville. Our schools are not terribly far apart; however, they are very different in many ways.

I have never worked on a Title One campus. The extent of diversity on my campus, sadly, is how new your Justice outfit is. My campus, McAuliffe Elementary, has 471 students. Central has almost 1,000 students. Their campus is very new; our campus is 27 years old. Most of my students walk. We have 2 buses. I have no idea how many buses they have. The Central staff is double the size of mine.

For the past two years, 5^th grade students from Central and McAuliffe have participated in a student exchange program. Just like students travel around the world to study abroad, we travel across town – for a week. Hey, it’s elementary school.

This year, we decided that it would be a good experience for us to exchange first and model some of the ways to use the blog and the website created to follow our adventures. It sounded great initially, and we committed to 3 days. (Our students exchange for 4 to 5 days.)  I think we both panicked and decided 2 would be better. So, I start at Central Elementary tomorrow as the principal.

Cynthia gave me the heads up that they might all talk Spanish to me just to freak me out. Little do they know that my 13 year old has been teaching me Spanish phrases; hey, at least I can find food and the bathroom!

I am really excited about seeing different classrooms. I have wonderful teachers, but it will be fun to see a new set of faces! I’ve heard great things about the staff, and I know the kids will be precious. Our schools may be different in a lot of ways, but kids are kids – and I love the kids.

I am super excited about tomorrow. I think I have narrowed my outfit down to something with boots: I want to be able to walk around the whole building all day! Plus, suits are stuffy, and heels make my feet hurt.

I am going to learn so much! I just hope I don’t mess anything up too terribly! I hope they like me. What if no one talks to me and I feel completely ridiculous all day?! It’s only two days; I’ll be fine. I know they’re nice. What if I lose a child? I don’t even know their names! I need to get a map. Pockets. I can put the map in my pocket just in case I get lost, or better, I could take a picture of it with my phone! I wonder what they’ll have for lunch. Maybe I should take mine. What if I can’t find the restroom? Wow, this could be a very long night.

#Marcusdrought2k13

It has been two days since #marcusdrought2k13 and I'm still giggling. I wasn't there for the drought, but I followed it on twitter. Actually, it wasn't even a drought. Basically, the water went out for a few hours at a high school of 3,000+. Good gracious, one would've thought they were all dying over there.
Reflecting back on the experience, I've gathered that our students really aren't uninspired & mindless; they're brilliant! They make amazing, and even ridiculous hyperbolic, connections with history. They create satirical quips about building leaders, and they can manipulate pictures using various apps to create hilarious visuals. They do this all in less than 140 characters- and typically when the teacher thinks they're working on something else!
So, the real reflection now is how as educators can we get students to have this level of engagement and use these same skills in their own personal learning!
What does twitter provide that creates an atmosphere for creative thinking? How does it readily host safe banter and insights to souls?
Well, it's not face to face - but most know each other or at least pass periodically in hallways or at football games! The audience is limitless and your place in twitterdom hierarchy is noted by your number of followers, retweets, and favorites! The feedback is immediate. The dings on their mobile devices provide confidence and encouragement quickly. Their minds race to top their last thought! They connect quickly with people all around the world - getting feedback, gaining confidence.
Hard to imagine why students lack creativity in class when they're receiving a grade for their reflections and thoughts. After all, the reader is well-educated and has the power to affect students class ranking or at least whether they're are grounded for the weekend.
So, a teen doesn't get the feedback he/she had hoped to get when sharing their 140 character bon mot? Delete it. Try again -and it's not even considered a failure. Immediately, teens move on to their next attempt at twitter fame, conjuring up creativity and blessings from the twitter gods!
Bottom line, I had a hard time getting much done during #marcusdrought2k13 - not because I was thirsty (even though I drank more water & visited the restroom more just following the saga) but because it was funny and engaging. Our students are brilliant minds. They never cease to amaze me. I want to see this same creative urgency in classrooms.
So, while I'd never wish a waterless day for any school, I have to say that I miss the updates to #marcusdrought2k13 and kinda look forward to the next epic teen tragedy.

First Week of School

So, I've almost survived the first week of school, and I figured that exhaustion might fuel creativity - or delirium, not sure which. Needless to say, I am super excited about the new school year, and I am immediately reinvigorated when I think about the possibilities that a new school year brings. One possibility is that I might just try to keep up with my blog. Daunting, I know, I want to at least make a better effort.
What better way to start the year than to tell you about our theme for the school year. ONE! In a nutshell, that's it, ONE! While at the Chickfila Bowl, one of the coaches shared Jon Gordon's new book, One Word That Will Change Your Life with me. I fell in love with it and immediately knew I wanted to use it with my staff. After the SuperHero them we had last year, I really struggled with how I could possibly top or even equal that. Time passed and I doubted my choice of ONE!
I have an amazing former parent who walked into my office one day and handed me a children's book. She said, "This should be your theme for next year!" I told her that I already had an idea but I would look at it. I took the book - ONE, by Kathryn Otoshi. It was God saying, "I told you! Listen!"
I just laughed.
As the summer progressed, the theme evolved. Of course, every great event (and I absolutely think school is like the biggest event of the year!) has a t-shirt. I think our school t-shirt this year really explains it all.

OneLife: we only have OneLife. Live it to the fullest and take care of yourself. Make good choices that will open amazing doors.
OneTeam: together we can accomplish anything. We have an amazing group of students and teachers and together, we know that we can take on any task. United as OneTeam, our potential is limitless.
OneVoice: there are times when we have to take the difficult stand and be the One to say, "no" or "stop." Even OneVoice can make a difference.
All in all, it's about OneWord: a word that personifies everything we want this school year to be. Gordon, along with co-authors Dan Britton and Jimmy Page, say "One Word can create clarity, power, passion and life-change."

Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God's masterpiece, created for good works. Wow! That's my word, Masterpiece. I have the amazing opportunity to work with little pieces of God's handiwork, masterpieces, everyday - in teachers and students! And, my mission is to create, every day, a masterpiece for my students and staff. Afterall, a masterpiece is unique, exciting work of art, and school is definitely unique and to me, it's a work of art - personalities, strengths, and struggles all flowing together to make perfection. That's a masterpiece. Also, I hope that every one of my students will realize what a masterpiece he or she really is!

I hope to reflect more on my word this year, and I hope I will have the chance to share how ONE evolves. Regardless, I have no doubt that this will be an exciting and amazing year - a Masterpiece!
One Word Website  

Here I am in my new
What Your One? t-shirt!

My Active Right Brain

..."the role of the right side of the brain, which primarily handles pattern analysis, problem solving, big picture thinking, intuition, creativity, connecting the dots, synthesis, emotional expression, context, and putting the big picture together to create meaning by resolving contradiction in order to make sense of situations and to determine significance, has long been undervalued, under appreciated, and misunderstood in our predominantly left-brained society." p.23  Understanding the Digital Generation, Jukes, McCain & Crockett

This quote completely made me laugh. I would love to send it to all of my teachers from when I was a child and say, "See! I'm not hyper! I'm not wild! The right side of my brain just works better than yours does!" Obviously, this quote hit home for me. :) 

i love the picture of a little red headed girl who is pulling her hair out because no one understands that she is completely on task - just a more important task than the one assigned!