Call to Leadership

When I first joined the ranks of administration, I worked with an administrator that reminded me of the difficulties I was about to face. He told me, “If you accept the call to leadership, you must be willing to be misunderstood, criticized, opposed, accused, and even rejected.” Funny thing was, that didn’t deter me, but inspired me. I believe that through communication and building positive professional relationships, we can bridge those gaps in understanding. The same can be said for students in the classroom. Many times they are going to say the same types of things, albeit for different reasons. They criticize, oppose, accuse, reject, and plenty of times misunderstand the intended directive. We in turn, cannot throw our hands up and quit.  We have to bridge the understanding, or misunderstanding, with solid communication.  Though I speak of this like I am proficient, I am not.  I know I am not perfect and can improve with my communication. Even if I am perfect in a situation, I can always be better, so really, there is never an absolute perfect. Communication and understanding is a moving target that takes effort. Effort that is appreciated when it is delivered. So back to what that administrator said to me when I first entered the ranks. I am not inspired to be misunderstood, but inspired to bridge understanding. I believe that in tough conversations, we can sow seeds of success for ourselves and our students. The challenge is in communication. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  Stay warm and dry in all this weather. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Daydream Believer - The Monkees).

Until next time...

Conquer It

For some reason this week on Sirius XM 80’s on 8, there has been a large amount of Michael Jackson music.  Not that I am bothered by it because I am a bit of a fan. In the 80’s he led a charge of music greats including Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, not to forget the great bands like the Police, Genesis, Van Halen, or Guns-n-Roses.  The decade was filled with great music that was played by now-aging artists that are entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Understanding this, Michael Jackson, had a string of hits that spanned several albums.  Every time I hear one of his songs, I am immediately transported back to the past.  I was lucky enough to see him in concert three times, once with his brothers.  Every time was a unique experience that left me wanting to see another.  Though I have my favorites from him, there is one song and lyric that always draws my attention when I hear it.  In Human Nature, he sings “If this town is just an apple, then let me take a bite”. I always interpreted that as the ultimate go-getter attitude. I like the frame of mind that you are going to take a bite out of a big city like New York. It's the attitude! It is a modern version of the quote by Julius Caesar from antiquity when he said,”Veni Vidi Vici”. Again, it is all about the attitude. I understand it as not simply about the conquer but the confidence to do so.  Just think if we could instill that kind of confidence in our math students. The attitude that no matter what is thrown at me, I will not only conquer it, but have an enjoyable time doing so.  What a mindset! With that, enjoy your 3-day weekend. Conquer it with pleasure. Have an exceptional weekend! Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Michael Jackson - Human Nature). 

Until next time...

Reflection

This morning during my time of reflection, I began to ponder the power of reminiscing. Not so much getting lost in the past, but simply recollecting past events that were enjoyable and provided a rewarding experience. The moments may have been happy, or difficult, but the outcome became much more than expected. To avoid too much pontification about my mental state, I can simply say reminiscing is powerful. I find it boosts my mood and overall sense of well-being. I know it is because when we think about positive experiences from the past, we are reminded of the good times and the people involved. This helps to counterbalance all the negativity in the world we all experience. We all know this to be true, but many times fail to take the time for ourselves. Not that I am making another statement about self care, but the act of reminiscing can help us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our personal growth. When we think about our past experiences, we are able to see how we have changed and grown as individuals. This can be especially important for people who are going through difficult times, as it can help to provide a sense of perspective and hope for the future.  As we reflect on our past experiences, we can begin to see patterns and connections that we may have missed before. This can help us to gain a deeper understanding of our lives and the choices we have made. Indulging in enjoyable recollections or just thoughts of any kind can be completely beneficial because it is all about taking the time to slow down just for a moment. It truly is valuable. With that thought in mind, take a moment this weekend to reflect on the good memories and be grateful for them. Have an exceptional weekend! Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Greenday - Time of My Life). 

Until next time...