Development of a Motto

The development of a personal motto to me is very important.  It embodies the personality of the individual and the goal all in one catchphrase. For years in the classroom I used the motto, “Be a Good Human” to end all of my classes.  Students were so used to hearing me say it, they wouldn’t leave my classroom until they heard it.  At times, during the chaos of class exchanges and ringing bells, I would forget to say it.  My students would make sure to remind me...Dr. Pickle…Be a Good Human!

When I moved from the classroom and into administration, my motto still applied yet things were now different.  I found my new position to be different from the classroom.  Since I was now working more with teachers than students, the daily use of ‘Be a Good Human” faded.  It seemed the teachers didn’t need to hear ‘Be Good Humans’ as much as the students.  Though I still used the phrase when dealing with students, I was on a personal quest to find a new tag line.

My first position in administration was at Sierra High School as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director and it was in this capacity that my new motto found me…which is exactly what I mean.  The motto found me.

In a district struggling with massive declining enrollment, Sierra High was a school in transition.  I was hired to not only lead the transition of the athletic program, but to also work to improve student behavior and support teachers.  I worked very hard with the hope that my impact at the school would be positive for the students. At our first home football game, I was standing on the sideline with my back to the stands, when I heard a parent ask another parent, “Who is the new Assistant Principal?”  The other parent responded with, “Right there...Pickle…He’s the one!”  As I heard this exchange, I smiled.  That’s right, I am the one, I said to myself. 

I am the one wanting to affect education at a different level.  I am the one that was told by my father that becoming an educator doesn’t end when the day is over.  Educators will always be seen by students as their teacher, counselor, or principal.  That doesn’t change whether in the grocery store, gas station, or theater.  Being an educator is a life choice to advise and mentor students.  I wanted to be the one.  My challenge is for everyone to ‘Be the One’ to make a difference, because positive change starts with one.

Until next time...

The Impact of Teachers

A vast amount of literature can be found that presents a compelling case that powerful relationship connections between teachers and students are the building blocks to academic achievement for all students. Students need teachers who care about them and have an authentic belief in them, motivating their work ethic. Teachers can make a difference by affecting the attitudes of students and studies found that when students hold a sense of futility toward school, academic achievement is diminished. It is also believed that learning occurs more frequently when teachers are actively engaged in interaction with students. The research reports inspiring evidence that authentic teacher-student relationships positively impact the school culture that can affect the academic achievement of students.

Professional connections between teachers and their students are too important to be disregarded by anyone. In the classroom, teachers that make connections with students can contribute to their success. In a school, the connection with managers and teachers is also critically important however, the student to teacher connection is one of the most important relationships that can be developed. Though student/teacher connections are an often studied area, there is plenty of room for development in this arena as much of the information is based on older data and focus on just the teacher viewpoint. The lack of data from the student perspective begs the question of future inquiry. Researchers believe that students in secondary programs will take a class because they know a certain individual is the teacher. This phenomenon exists at every high school across the country. Much of this can be attributed to reputation. Reputation however, is developed by the knowledge gained from other students in the course.  That reputation can be either positive or negative.

The bottom line is the impact of teachers and the professional connections they build are incredibly important to student success.

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Doctors Orders

Another Patriot Day is here and it is hard to believe that the attack on the World Trade Centers was 19 years ago. That was one of those moments in all our lives where we can remember exactly what we were doing when we found out. Terrifying time. I remember the overwhelming desire to help somehow. Fast forward to today and here we are in the middle of a worldwide crisis. People in our communities are challenged physically and emotionally for a multitude of reasons and they need help. If you are anything like me, you also have the desire to help and just don’t know how. My suggestion is to start with kindness. It can warm the soul, thaw a frozen heart, and make a difference in someone’s life. At this point in all our lives, kindness among fellow humans could be just what the doctor ordered. That being said, take some time to enjoy the outdoors this weekend. The temperature is better and the air is improved. I wish you all a great weekend…Go PUPS! (cue Bon Jovi - I’ll Be There For You).

Didasko

Education is summed up in one word, “didasko”.  This is an ancient Greek word that is translated as “to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses.”  It is my philosophy that as an educator, I must not only teach but I must also learn.  If I do not continually learn then I cannot effectively teach.  One cannot exist without the other. 

Didasko is being a reflective educator.  I should learn from my lessons just as my students are learning.  The information I am learning as I teach may be different than the information that the students are learning, but I am learning nonetheless.  As I learn, my skills as an educator are improved and my ability to effectively reach my students is enhanced.  

Didasko applied to the administrator means that I am obligated to learn everyday from my situations and surroundings so I may effectively lead.  Most of the greatest leaders in history were great educators and I believe, in turn, to be a great educator it is a necessity to be a leader.  Administrative leaders are educators and learners in the purest sense.  It is the duty of an administrator to take in a situation; reflect; make a decision; educate those around and involved; then draw on the experience for future reference.  Didasko is being a reflective administrator.  

The last part of my philosophy involves the attitude and personality of the subject presentation.  There is no such thing as a boring subject, there are simply boring presentations of the subject.  Learning is fun and exciting.  The American Heritage College Dictionary defines education as not only “knowledge obtained through a learning process,” but an “instructive and enlightening experience.”  As an educator, I am merely a custodian bestowed with the task of turning on the light bulbs in the minds of my students.  That task is neither boring nor dull, but exhilarating beyond belief.

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The Importance of Parent Involvement

Schools across the nation struggle with parent involvement and engagement. As students climb in age, the parent involvement diminishes. This is counter intuitive to what should be happening. As students get older and climb in grades that is when parental support is the most needed. Schools that can develop an engagement strategy to involve families are seen as more equitable, culturally responsive, and collaborative. The most effective approach to increasing family engagement is to seamlessly integrate the approach as a basic component of the school program. Successful strategies include decision-making, collaborating with the community, volunteering, communicating, and learning at home. Parental involvement in learning, which necessitates school-home communication and parental engagement is a vital component in student academic success. The goal should be to develop a trusting, welcoming environment for parents to become involved. When schools build this type of environment, parents are much more involved.

In the current climate of education today, with technology readily available and accessible, it is not acceptable to proceed without parental involvement. The driving question should not be whether a parent was contacted but instead, whether a conversation was held. Educators have the professional obligation to pursue family involvement and a moral commitment to make certain the follow through is completed. According to the comprehensive supports for student learning theory, external barriers, such as societal, familial, neighborhood conditions can lead to active disengagement. In order to combat the barriers, the complementary learning theory suggests learning supports from the parents, family, and community can overcome significant external barriers.

The bottom line in all the research is family engagement in the school is a vital component to increasing student achievement.

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Brand New Day

September has arrived and with it comes Labor Day.  Often thought of as the official end of summer, Labor Day has another meaning for educators.  It symbolizes the beginning of the grind. The orientations that come with the start of school are past and a large calendar of days lay before us. The difference this year is we are in the midst of a pandemic. Our ability to connect with our students is greatly diminished, not to mention our interaction with colleagues.  This distance and isolation can be a cause for concern and we should all be vigilant with our attention. It is important to note that September is also Suicide Prevention Month. Take the time to reach out to someone and ask them how they are doing. If you are having a difficult time, know that it is never as bad as it seems. Never make a permanent decision for a temporary situation.  Seek help and if you don’t know how, find me.  I will listen. I will help. Believe it or not, no matter how dark the night is, the sun is on it’s way. That being said, have a great Labor Day weekend. I wish you all a most wonderful weekend…Go PUPS! (cue Josh Radin - Brand New Day).

Failing Forward

The times are certainly trying. There are plenty of things in the world today that can lead us to think negative however, I choose something different.  I see people around me showing resilience and innovation as they address some of the greatest challenges of our generation. Many are taking risks, failing from their attempt, learning from their mistakes, and evolving as they prepare to take on the next challenge.  We in education are always a mirror image of the communities we serve so therefore, it is not a reach to say the same exists in education. 

Since schools have closed because of this pandemic, I have experienced some amazing transformations in classrooms.  Teachers, in a very short period of time, completely renovated what they were doing so they could deliver lessons in a virtual environment.  Fast forward to the fall and opening of schools, I see teachers utilizing digital tools in creative ways. Though I am impressed with all classes that have ‘tooled up’, I am humbled by the elective areas.  To watch art class, PE classes, and the shops operate in the digital world simply amazes me.

Though this transformation in education continues daily across the country, educators were not always so skilled.  They were forced into the environment and had to learn on the job.  Many struggled, many attempts failed, however an incredible thing happened.  In order to bridge the understanding of technology, sometimes students became the teachers and teachers became the students.  Students were able to help the teachers with their technology challenges and all made it through.   

The most difficult part of this whole process wasn’t the planning or the lessons, it was failure. When the most anxiety-provoking feeling was confronted, learning happened.  Educators learned from failure and didn’t quit. They pressed on as they tell their students to do everyday.  They failed forward.  They learned. They improved.  I believe some of these changes will remain long after the pandemic is over making us better and prepared to take on the next great challenge. 

Until next time...