tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87849889864026644382024-03-05T00:28:59.143-08:00Adam WelcomeFather, husband, Director of Innovation and Technology, former Elementary Principal, NSBA '20 To Watch,' CUE Rockstar Faculty, Runner, #SAVMP mentorMr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.comBlogger445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-88597720167520454382018-01-17T20:39:00.000-08:002018-01-17T20:39:32.784-08:00I Am So Tired Of 'Nice' I've heard it for years and years and years and years.<br />
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People use it like it's some magical quality that other people have and it makes them untouchable. Like they get a free pass from having to actually be relevant and push their organization forward. In my experience and opinion it's purely used as an excuse to protect people, to shield them from the work they should be engaging in, from the people who they are actually here to serve - THE KIDS!<br />
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I am so tired of nice.<br />
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If you work in education, you work with kids, which means you work for kids - and you should be nice. Nice is a prerequisite for the job. Whatever your role is in education you have a predetermined responsibility to act in such a way that's respectful, approachable, collegial and of course nice.<br />
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Just the other day I was talking with a former colleague about someone that we both use to work with. That person has retired within the past couple of years and I was inquiring about the new person. My former colleague said the new person is smart, innovative, super approachable and great to work with.<br />
<br />I made a comment about the other person who had retired, and that it was good to hear that someone was now in the job that was actually moving the organization forward with new ideas that were relevant.<br />
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And then it happened.<br />
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"Well.....they were really nice though."<br />
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They just described the new person as being smart and relevant, and then came the excuse for the old person. Why we do make excuses?<br />
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Why do we allow people to get away with not knowing, not moving, not pushing, not thinking, not doing what's best for the students that we serve. Why is it that being 'nice' can completely supercede actually being competent in your job?<br />
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They don't integrate technology into their classroom at all. But they're nice.<br />
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They don't bring any new ideas to the team or organization. But they're nice.<br />
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They clearly aren't qualified for the job. But they're nice.<br />
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They lead in fear and are always on the defensive. But they're nice.<br />
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They don't collaborate with others, attend conferences or have they developed a worldwide PLN on social media. But they're nice.<br />
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There is a profound amount of evidence that they or their department should be doing something else that is better for kids and teachers. But they're nice.<br />
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I am so tired of nice.<br />
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We have to hold people accountable for their lack of action with their jobs. These same people hold their students accountable for their behavior or lack of educational output in the classroom, yet they're not relevant themselves.<br />
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Please put kids first. Put your organization first. Recruit and hire the best people for your organization, and don't make the 'nice' excuse for those who aren't doing what's best for kids.Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-90739648117230065512017-12-29T20:32:00.000-08:002018-01-02T10:01:05.918-08:00More - My #OneWord for 2018 <div>
Suffer.
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That was my #OneWord for 2017. I can remember the comments after publishing my blog post last December and making it public.
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“Interesting word Adam.”
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“I’m ‘excited’ to follow your progress”
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‘Hmmmmm, let’s see how this turns out”
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It turned out great. Everyone should suffer on some level on a regular basis, let me tell you why.
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My experience in 2017 and the suffering I wanted to endure and experience and share publicly has led me directly to my word for 2018 with new goals attached. The experiences I went through. The people I met. The thoughts I had in my brain. The highs and lows. It’s led me to a very profound realization.
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I have more. You have more. We all have more. It’s inside of us, but it’s completely up to you if you’re going to go find it.
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More energy. More pain. More smiles. More patience. More laughter. More races. More time for family. More time for me. One more step. One more committment. One more connection. One more minute reading. One more teacher to connect with. One more run to go on. More more more more more.
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I have more - because I don’t know what tomorrow looks like. The capitalization of every single second has me fixated on my life and maximizing the potential that’s currently being stored in my body. For my family. For friends. For colleagues. For whoever has the tenacity, grit and desire to capture it and realize it’s fruition. It is up to you.
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In 2017 when I thought I was done, I realized there was more inside me. When I was tired, exhausted, had sore muscles and wanted to sleep - I found more energy to expend.
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When I didn’t want to wake up day in and day out at 4am to train for another race, I developed the discipline to make it happen.
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When I was making dinner, doing laundry or cleaning the house and one of my kids wanted to play - I found a way to do them both,
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When there were fires nearby and the air was filled with smoke, we put on masks and got our miles in anyway. We had more.
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When I was busy at work, at home and with training. I found the time to fly across the country and surprise a friend with a visit to her school. I had more.
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When I didn’t think there was time to write another book, send another sticker, collaborate with others from around the country or just simply do one more thing - I did. I had more.
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2017 was the year of my marathon project. One marathon a month for the entire year, with December being a double back to back marathon that was an amazing experience. And a 24 hour race on New Years Eve. (happening in two days) If I can do more, you can do more too.
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I challenge you in 2018 to do more. Find more to do. Focus more on a passion or challenge you’ve been avoiding. Do more in your personal life and less in your professional. Push yourself to new levels you’ve never achieved or even thought were possible.
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If you don’t try to do more, there’s no way you ever will.
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What’s your plan?
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I’ll be doing more this year!
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Go. Do. More. </div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-36073263277622417742017-06-03T05:56:00.002-07:002017-06-03T08:55:33.058-07:00I Am So Tired Of No<div>
No. You can't talk in the computer lab while you're working on your research project.</div>
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No. We've never done it that way before so you can't - stop asking.</div>
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No. It's a science fair, you can't build an iOS app instead.</div>
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No. The assignment was due yesterday so you can't turn it in today</div>
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No. You can't code right now, we're doing this math worksheet website.</div>
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No. You can't take your class outside for that lesson, it needs to happen in the classroom.</div>
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No. You can't change the art project, this is how it's supposed to look. </div>
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No. We can't keep the Chromebooks on your desk during the day, they need to stay in the locker when they're not being used.</div>
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No. Technology is only used during 'tech' time, we're doing social studies right now.</div>
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<b>I. Am. So. Tired. Of. No.</b></div>
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As educators we need to be in the yes business, and not just with our students, with our teachers too!</div>
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Of course you can code the Sphero during math time, it's a great way to learn angles.</div>
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Why is everyone so quiet, you know I like conversation in class which tells me you're learning from each other.</div>
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This is the basic template for our project today and I really want you all to add your own flavor as you work.</div>
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When you're done reading that chapter go design and print something on the 3D printer, that would be awesome!</div>
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I love that idea, moving all of your desks outside for the day and having a robot challenge with your class sounds amazing!</div>
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You want to switch classes today with your partner teacher to get a different perspective from their class, go for it!</div>
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Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes - of course Kindergarten students can do all of those things, let me know how it goes!</div>
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How many dreams are crushed when educators say no? </div>
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How many missed opportunities cruise on by when we say no.</div>
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How many students stop thinking, tinkering, wondering, planning, collaborating, scheming, dreaming - when we say no. </div>
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How many teachers feel deflated when their Principal says they can't, won't, shouldn't, that would be too noisy, that's not part of the plan, way to big of a mess, uhhhhhh no.</div>
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What does it matter to you? What are you afraid of? Why are you so fixated on no. Why is that the default response? </div>
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Education today is almost completely different from the experience we had as kids, yet I see so many educators following down the same path with their current students/teachers and we live in a completely different world. </div>
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Who cares if kids talk while they're in the computer lab, it's called conversation. </div>
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Why can't kids go ahead during a lesson, why do they have to wait for you or the entire class. Code.org is the best example of differentiation. The teacher doesn't need to know how to code for their students to learn, and the entire class can be on a different level, it should be like that for everything!</div>
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Why can't kids keep their Chromebook on their desk during the day, it's the most important tool in the classroom and the more visible it is the more they're going to use it. My wife and I got a crockpot for our wedding and we used in once in five years. It was kept in a cupboard and I always forgot it was there. So I put it on the counter in our kitchen last winter and we used it fifteen times! The more visible the tools are the more possibility they're going to be used by kids.</div>
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Why do you tell kids 'shhhhhh' when they're walking in line, they have the right to talk with each other. The more you tell them to be quiet the more stress and management you need to deal with, it's easier if you let them talk. Why also do we make kids walk in straight lines, can we just have them 'move' to their next location as a group, try it and see what happens, it's a much more natural way to travel.</div>
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There are way too many things that happen in schools and they don't happen anywhere else in the world. You have a creative idea at work that will save your company money or make them a lot of money - the answer is yes. You have an idea that is 'outside the box' - kids are told no because it wasn't the teachers idea or it's perceived to be more or too much work, or we just don't do it that way, or that's not how we do it. That needs to change. When we say yes, we're making the attempt to connect and differentiate for all of our students, not trying to make all of our students the same and just one way.</div>
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No more no - educators need to be in the yes business. Tell kids yes and see what happens. Give them a longer leash. Give them a chance. Believe in their ideas, even though it wasn't yours. Our kids and teachers deserve it!</div>
Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-69870829703333953132017-03-21T09:48:00.002-07:002017-03-21T09:48:30.436-07:00District Leaders Should Get Out of Their Office!<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 26px; margin-bottom: 10px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The post below was published on <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2017/03/breaking_the_ivory_tower_myth_district_leaders_should_get_out_of_their_office.html?r=278809626&r=1578394550" target="_blank">EdWeek</a> the week of March 17th.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few questions for district leaders... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. How many hours per week do you spend at school sites?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. How many of those hours do you spend in classrooms when you visit school sites?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. How many teachers do you know by name?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. How many teachers know your name?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. How many kids know your name?</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even at the district office, our students should know our names...</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In July 2016, I've moved to the district office level and no longer work at a school as a principal. To make matters more complicated I work in a completely new district - most adults didn't know who I was, and certainly none of the students knew me. I've always believed that relationships come first, before solid relationships the work with curriculum, classroom design, thoughtful integration of technology and anything else really can't happen with fidelity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our students are our business...our bottom line...our revenue stream - they're the reason we work in education and just because we work in the central office doesn't mean we shouldn't know any of them, or any of them know us. We should break the myth that the central office is the ivory tower.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A couple of months into the job I was walking around one of our schools with another director who is a colleague. Classes were coming back from recess and headed to class. Out of nowhere a bunch of students start calling my name - "<i>Adam - Adam - Adam!</i>" Running towards me they all start talking super fast asking how I was, telling me about the robots they've been coding in class and it's been so much fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We leave with high-fives as they head back to class</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The question from my colleague was "Uh, how do those kids know you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a district of more than 50 schools and over 30,000 kids, it was a surprise to my colleague that a group of students would know my name. However, the answer to me was so obvious. I don't build relationships out of my office, I do it by going into schools. Actually, I spend on average about three hours each week in my office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We have a team that includes two Teachers on Special Assignment and our awesome secretary. Even though I see them very little, we talk every day, throughout the day on numerous different communication channels which really enables us to work as a really strong team!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Those students who stopped to talk with me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A few weeks ago I connected with their teacher and showed the class how to create accounts on<a href="https://code.org/" style="background: transparent; color: #336699; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"> Code.org</a> and let them borrow my <a href="http://www.sphero.com/" style="background: transparent; color: #336699; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sphero</a> after we did a demo lesson with the entire class. A week later I went back and worked with small groups on the Sphero. They were so engaged with Sphero we worked together and wrote a Donors Choose grant so they could get their own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large district the only way to scale the work we're trying to achieve is to build capacity and forge strong relationships. That capacity and those relationships cannot be forged from a district or central office. Boots on the ground, in the trenches and with the people is in my opinion the only way to scale in a deep and meaningful way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if you work in a district of just a few schools, you're probably stretched more than most, wearing numerous hats across multiple departments - you still must build capacity and forge strong relationships. As district leaders, we should reinvent or at least re-define the district office level position so we can more thoughtfully integrate ourselves into the schools that we support. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">The following is how we can do it:</span></strong></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Empower the people on my team to make decisions without including me first - have trust and you'll build capacity.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We use Voxer all day long to stay updated on what the entire team is working on a learning. I can hear a message from them about a new project at a different school and then keep that information in my memory bank for potential use later on.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Set up a Google Voice number. Any call to my office phone, automatically goes to my mobile phone and I also get an email and text transcription of the message simultaneously. I don't need to be at my desk to get my phone calls, they come to me wherever I am. And it's free.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We share all information on Google Documents with my team.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Talk out loud. I've found the more that I talk out loud about what's on my mind, what I'm planning, or just ideas that are percolating - the entire organization benefits. People around you hear what's being said, they process and often times can offer a better idea and solution that wouldn't have come to fruition if I kept things to myself. Talk about the project you're working on, who knows what piece of information will benefit the organization. Blast what's on your mind, don't hoard that information for yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Make your office as boring as possible and put nothing there that you need to do your job. My office is virtual, I'm busy connecting with teachers and students and can access nearly everything I need from my iPhone. Set up your systems so anything can be accessed from the cloud.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't get many emails because I don't send many emails. Email can takeover so much valuable productivity time. Don't initiate an email correspondence and you won't have to answer many. Call people, text, Voxer or show up in person.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't just teach people - show them how to learn. It's very hard to build capacity with people if you make them wait for you to teach them something new. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Your Challenge</b>Think about the schools you support. How often do you visit them? How many teachers do you know by name and how many know yours. And most importantly how many kids have you impacted in a thoughtful way so the next time they see you - they know your name!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're spending more time putting out fires, responding to emails, being tied to your desk with operational issues - it's time for a reboot. Reverse engineer your day and spend 95% of it at schools sites. Start this immediately, if you force yourself to make this change with a strong commitment, all you can do is improve. From there, figure out ways to stay connected to your office, your team and everything else that you need access to in order to do your job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Please make a commitment - our schools will be stronger, relationships will be more developed, you'll build more capacity and I guarantee more students will know your name! Go be awesome for kids, they deserve it! </span></div>
Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-48008050332298262522017-03-21T09:02:00.002-07:002017-03-21T09:02:42.472-07:00Monday Motivation - Give Kids What They DeserveIt was a blast being interview by Vicki Davis for her new <a href="http://www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast/" target="_blank">podcast</a>, you can listen below!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="90" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/5183508/height/90/width/640/theme/custom/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/autoplay/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/backward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/2d568f/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-11659951235641984592017-03-17T13:51:00.000-07:002017-03-17T13:51:04.955-07:00Just Start Doing #CUE17 #KidsDeserveIt #tlap There's too much planning going on.<br />
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Too many meetings about the plan.<br />
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Way too many conversations about what the plan can look like.<br />
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Too much looking at other peoples plans.<br />
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Who's going to do what and when for the plan.<br />
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We don't have enough money for the plan.<br />
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Let's start with the plan next year.<br />
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Can someone start a Google Doc for the plan.<br />
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Let's make sure we 'go slow to go fast' - What does that even mean?<br />
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There's too much planning for the meeting you're going to have after this meeting is over - you don't need another meeting.<br />
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We need to push on the gas pedal and shift into a higher gear.<br />
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You don't need a plan. Throw kids the keys to the car and let them drive.<br />
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<b>Just. Start. Doing. </b><br />
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Do you think Gandhi had a super well thought out plan when he decided to take on the British government? I highly doubt it.<br />
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Two guys started Instagram in the Mission District of San Francisco and sold it to Facebook eighteen months later for $1,000,000,000 - do you think they had a detailed plan for their photo app. Probably not.<br />
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When I was a Principal it seemed like a great idea to start a coding club on campus, here's what I did within an hour of having my idea.<br />
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I created a super simple Google Form (Name, teacher, why do you want to learn how to code)<br />
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Any student who submitted a response was invited to my coding club. I turned on the computers in our lab and we worked together as a group to help each other learn how to code. I didn't teach the kids how to code, I facilitated the learning process for them.<br />
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I didn't have the idea and then form a committee to talk further about 'next steps.' The club started two days after I had the original idea. Forget the plan, just start doing.<br />
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The before school coding club turned into Genius Hour in our upper grade classrooms, that turned into an App Development class co-facilitated by myself and a parent at school, which turned into our entire school going 1:1 with devices - this was five years ago.<br />
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<i><b>When you have a 'just start' doing mentality, awesome ideas grow exponentially and spread like a wildfire on your campus.</b></i><br />
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We also decided our school needed a 3D printer. The day it arrived I called one of our 5th grade classrooms and asked the teacher to send up two students.<br />
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Me - "Ok, this 3D printer just arrived and I want you two to set it up. Here's the box, the company has a YouTube channel, let me know when it's ready to print."<br />
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Thirty minutes later my walkie talkie started chirping.....it was done.<br />
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Just start doing!<br />
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For years I've seen school leaders and district leaders order 'stuff' and have it sit in a closet until the staff was 'comfortable' and you guessed it - a meeting to plan how it would be used. Stop wasting so much time, stop overthinking it all, get over the fact that you don't know everything and that your school doesn't need you too, have the kids start doing.<br />
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If you want to start a Makerspace on your campus, grab some kids, cardboard, send an email to your community asking for old legos they don't want anymore - and start your Makerspace. It will take off from there, don't overthink it.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't fear the failure and loss - embrace what you'll learn and discover next time you try again - try again, try again, try again! </span></span><br />
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If kids aren't a part of this process, they need to be - this starts tomorrow!<br />
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Stop talking. Stop planning. Start doing. <i>and</i> <b>Don't. Give. Up.</b><br />
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I believe in you. I know you can do it. I know you will be successful. I know you will figure it out. I know you will create amazing experiences for kids!Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-15357527687823292712017-01-01T20:08:00.004-08:002017-01-01T21:20:41.398-08:00My #OneWord2017 - Suffer<span style="font-family: inherit;">For all of my ten plus years of blogging, this is my first #OneWord post. After reading so many inspiring and reflective blogs from educator friends I decided it was time for mine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've already set a pretty large goal for 2017, in which I'm going to run twelve marathons this coming year, one each month. Maybe you're already wondering how my #OneWord and running a marathon every month in 2017 has any relevancy in education at all, let me explain.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really hesitate to just focus on my work and career, and having actually taken a few steps back from blogging, social media and other 'career' enhancing endeavors that were taking a toll on my family and other passions of mine. I'm fanatical about running, eating well and taking care of my body and that really defines how I live, more than my work in education.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This brings me to my #OneWord choice for 2017........ SUFFER. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I run 26.2 miles I suffer. I'm able to see inside my body and find ideas, solutions and capacity I would not have been able to access if it wasn't for the suffer. Suffering for me brings clarity. I've run nine marathons in my life so far and I'm constantly forced to hone in on minute details that are swirling around in my brain. All other noise is pushed out - because I'm running a long way and only that which really matters gets revealed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> For me it's really a form of mediation, sifting out the clutter to reveal the nuggets of goodness that have risen to the surface for more attention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've had the taste of it, and I want to suffer more. I want to find more clarity. I want to bring out what's really most important in my body and mind, so I can analyze it even deeper and reach my full capacity. Hard work and dedication has really been at the core of my life for a long time, and it's time to ramp it up a few notches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Suffering this year will strengthen my body for sure, but also my work as an educator and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Boundaries-Challenging-Conventional-Thinking/dp/0996989528/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479097012&sr=8-1&keywords=kids+m+it" target="_blank">author</a>. It's those moments at mile 17, mile 25, those 4am training runs - that it all becomes crystal clear. I'm optimistic my #OneWord and goal for 2017 will have a delightful relationship together as I run throughout the year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Come run with me if you're looking to suffer a bit and find something you didn't know was inside you, it's going to hurt but benefits are so worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.carlsbadmarathon.com/?RL=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carlsbad Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - January 15th </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/trails/iron_horse" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Iron Horse Trail Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - February 11th</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.lamarathon.com/?RL=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Los Angeles Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - March 19th</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.slomarathon.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Luis Obispo Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - April 30th</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.runsurferspath.com/?RL=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surfer’s Path Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - May 21st</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.runrocknroll.com/seattle/?RL=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rock-n-Roll Marathon (Seattle)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - June 18th</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.thesfmarathon.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Francisco Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - July 23rd</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.thesantarosamarathon.com/?RL=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santa Rosa Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - August 27th (At mile ten you run through a winery tasting room!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=43054" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Night Sweats Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - September - 9th (Night Marathon starting at 8pm, on trails in Marin Headlands!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/lake-tahoe-marathon" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lake Tahoe Marathon</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - October 15th (Lake Tahoe - amazing!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">November - TBD (Any suggestions?!)</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-e9ea967a-5d58-6117-4a9c-46c1c6626a28"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://runsra.org/california-international-marathon/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">California International Marathon</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - December 3rd</span></span></span></div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-40116170788923828212016-09-08T21:09:00.000-07:002016-09-08T21:09:09.202-07:00It's A National Emergency <div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my thirteenth year in public education, I've been a teacher - Assistant Principal - Principal and am now a Director of Innovation, my dad taught 2nd and 3rd grade for thirty-eight years, my oldest child is now in Kindergarten. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm connected with educators all around the country, and many that I talk with feel the same frustration. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, Common Core - in my thirteen years there's been so many new programs from the federal level. Yes, when I started teaching the iPad and Chromebook had not yet been invented. Google Docs hadn't been created yet either. And of course, we have much more educational research at our fingertips in those thirteen years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's so great working with smart, caring and passionate educators. As a country are we just spinning around and around though? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do the people making these decisions that hold public office know what it's like to work in a public school, day after day? That many of our teachers rely on Donors Choose to fund new and innovative ideas for their class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A Chromebook is 100x more powerful than a pencil, yet so many of our students, classrooms, schools and districts don't have them or don't have enough. I believe this is a national emergency, spend less money on politics, politicians, aircraft carriers, weapon systems, fancy flights for dignitaries and do what's best for our kids. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Get all kids connected, get all kids access and provide quality programs and pathways for teachers to support our kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just wonder h</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ow many articles I'm going to read everyday in numerous different media outlets about the importance of coding in school. How many jobs we're going to outsource to other countries because our kids in our schools are not being taught how to code, why they should code and making it an actual part of the curriculum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just yesterday I was visiting one of our middle schools and EVERY 6th grader is taking a coding rotation. They're learning how to code in Scratch and it was an absolutely amazing sixty minutes that I observed. I truly believe that it's a national emergency that our students learn to code.</span><br />
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They all won't become programmers after high school or college. But they all will learn extremely valuable problem solving skills, communication skills, working in partners/teams, and they'll have the satisfaction of building something and then seeing an outcome based on what they've done.</div>
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I wish we could all get in sync. I wish we could all be on the same page. I wish the elected officials making the decisions that impact us, were previous teachers - Principals - district office personnel. Then they would actually know what we're going through. That quite often many educators feel like they're in a hamster wheel. Spinning around and around and around. Working super hard but not really going anywhere. Not being supported, encouraged or guided in a direction of success.<br />
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This is a national emergency - we must all come together, it's not about the adults - it's about the kids. We need to stop listening to lobbyist and text book companies who try and package the new shiny curriculum. We need more coding, more recess, more kudos, more technology that's integrated thoughtfully, more relationship building and less profit margins.<br />
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We can do this, I really hope we come together as a country to do what's best for kids - they deserve it.<br />
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-91134820308109827122016-09-04T13:30:00.002-07:002016-09-04T13:30:26.528-07:00I Like Computers?It happened again. Of course I'm use to it, but it's a bigger problem than what's really on the surface.<br />
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Yes - I'm a Director of Innovation and Technology. Yes - I use to set up Google Apps domains for Principals when I was still a teacher. Yes - I really love enhancing the curriculum in classes with laptops, tablets, coding and robots.<br />
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Spoiler alert - it's not just me. I do like computers in education and my life, but kids really do too!</div>
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Very recently I was around some teachers and I could hear their chatter about technology, iPads, their iPhones etc. To be transparent I was really only half listening but then the group addressed me directly. </div>
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One teacher said - "I know, I know - you like computers."</div>
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It was accusatory almost, like it's my fault. Like I invented laptops, iPads and the app store. Like I'm the one who started this digital revolution as a way to enhance the curriculum in school.<br />
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<i>(Some thoughts racing through my brain)</i></div>
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Don't make me the scapegoat because you don't want to learn, you don't want to transform your classroom into a mecca of digital learning that kids can't wait to participate in on a daily basis, because sometimes the wi-fi is slow, because you only have six Chromebooks, because you're scared to admit that your students know more about computers than you do.<br />
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Spoiler alert #2 - those same students probably know more about computers than I do, and that's totally ok! You don't to know everything about computers to integrate them into your classroom. You only need to facilitate the learning, exploration and discovery with kids!<br />
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Blaming, finger pointing, complaining and making excuses doesn't help. It doesn't benefit anyone, it's not encouraging, it actually takes away positive energy and only hurts the cause.</div>
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So I thought for just a second before I responded.</div>
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"I do really like computers, but kids REALLY like them too, it's not just me."</div>
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Silence. </div>
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Me - "Don't your students really enjoy using computers, tablets and online programs?"</div>
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"Yes they do."</div>
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That interaction stayed with me the rest of the evening, and even into the next morning during my run. </div>
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Computers are all around us, like everywhere. I almost can't think of a profession where computers/phones/tablets aren't used. My cousin married a guy who owns a 10,000 acre farm in Iowa. His entire crop is digitized, all the way down to his tractors and where he plants the seeds. Because he uses satellites and past data to know where exactly he should plant so he gets the highest yield.<br />
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<b>And he's a farmer in Iowa!</b></div>
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My goal is to make everyone a 'tech person' - it's the language our kids speak, we must speak their language - it's about being relevant! Their language is tech and if we don't speak that language then we're teaching an entire generation of kids in the wrong language. </div>
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Just yesterday I was reading an <a href="http://www.inc.com/glenn-leibowitz/want-your-kids-to-build-the-next-airbnb-snapchat-or-uber-teach-them-this-skill.html" target="_blank">article</a> from <a href="http://www.inc.com/" target="_blank">Inc</a> magazine about coding skills and how they are so desperately needed for so many different reasons - read the article <a href="http://www.inc.com/glenn-leibowitz/want-your-kids-to-build-the-next-airbnb-snapchat-or-uber-teach-them-this-skill.html" target="_blank">here</a> but see some highlights below!</div>
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- Coding helps develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills.<br />
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- Coding requires working in teams.<br />
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- Learning to code opens the door to job opportunities.<br />
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- Learning to code gives non-coders confidence with technology.<br />
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Educators must embrace computers and technology, the future of our children depends on it.<br />
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Spoiler alert #3 - computers aren't just in technology companies! Remember my cousin and his farm! John Deere the tractor company is currently hiring a <a href="https://www.deere.com/en_US/corporate/our_company/careers/careers.page?" target="_blank">Senior Software Engineer</a> right now. Tech and computers is not relegated to just technology companies, tractor companies hire people with these skills as well.</div>
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Please don't find a scapegoat, please don't have that mentality, please don't have that attitude. If you're uncomfortable with integrating technology or have questions there are plenty of resources to help you out.<br />
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It's not about you, what you like, what you think kids should be doing (it's for sure not learning cursive) or what you think they're ready for. By the way, Kindergarten students can log into Google Apps - they can. I've seen it, I've done it, they can do it. Please don't limit kids based on your perception.<br />
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I'll say it again and I may even make a bumper sticker - I. Like. Computers.<br />
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-52190849283475760512016-08-31T06:07:00.001-07:002016-08-31T06:07:36.197-07:00Let's Talk About RecessThe conversation of adults taking away recess from students may be a bit controversial with some people. I think it mainly has to do with adults wanting to have control, a lack of creativity on the adults part and kids in our country just simply having the right to recess.<br />
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Do we dock a teachers paycheck if they're late to school one day, miss a staff meeting or say something they shouldn't have to a parent?<br />
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Of course we don't.<br />
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Do we make teachers sit in a three hour training and then...... when everyone gets a break, we tell a few they have to sit outside on the bench because they weren't paying attention, forgot to charge their laptops, were caught talking to their friends and now must sit down during the break.<br />
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Of course we don't.<br />
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It's my firm belief that recess is a civil right for all kids.<br />
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For some reason it's become socially acceptable (in some schools) to take recess away from kids, and parents don't have a problem with this? What do parents say when their child comes home and they tell them that today they didn't get any recess?<br />
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My five year old daughter who started Kindergarten last week would be outside of her mind if she didn't run around during the day and was forced to sit on a bench instead. She needs exercise, she needs to stimulate her brain with movement, she cannot sit down for more than 30-45 minutes - it's her right to have recess just like eating lunch, or using the bathroom at school.<br />
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What would a parent say if their child got home and they said they didn't eat lunch, because they misbehaved?<br />
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What would a parent say if their child was sent outside during math time and didn't receive any instruction?<br />
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What would a parent say if their child said they weren't allowed to use the bathroom at school because of something they did?<br />
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I've had students misbehave before in the bathroom at school. We don't take away their bathroom privileges, we don't have that right. We may escort them, have them go with a buddy, do a sign-out sheet of some type, etc etc.....but we wouldn't dare tell them they couldn't use the bathroom at school.<br />
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If a student isn't being respectful during lunch we don't and can't tell them they don't have the right to eat lunch. We may have them eat at a different table, in the office until they can gather their emotions, or I would sit right next to them during lunch while they ate.<br />
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That's called 'building relationships' and 'working through their struggles!' When you take something away with no creative alternative you're saying you have no creativity, you're done thinking about it and not thinking about the child - we owe kids so much more than that.<br />
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Recess is no different, all kids have the right to recess each and every day. They need it, their brain needs it, their energy level needs it and all Kids Deserve It as well.<br />
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When I was a Principal very early in my tenure I brought up the conversation of recess with my staff. There were just a couple of teachers who felt the 'taking away recess' practice was positive and acceptable. I brought it up with the entire staff at a meeting and a very veteran teacher raised her hand.<br />
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"Adam, it's become such a normal thing in schools I haven't thought twice about it for years. Can't we as a staff be more creative than just having a kid sit on the bench during recess, we owe our kids more than that!"<br />
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Yes. We. Do.<br />
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And we as a staff came up with many options on how to support our students while still allowing them to move around and release their energy before returning to class.<br />
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<i>Please fill out this <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13Xd5YTKrHICT2PU82JPwN1fAWGwjOv6m4s_2EAhqYjk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">form</a> with ideas that you've implemented at your school instead of taking away a child's recess. Let's work together to be creative and find alternatives, we can do this together and we must stand up against those who think otherwise.</i><br />
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I also understand that all students at school have the right to be safe during recess as well. If we ever had a student who was endangering others during recess, we as a staff worked with them and their family for alternative options. Sometimes at a different time, in a different setting, with additional adult support. We worked with the student and family, we didn't take away.<br />
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There are TONS of articles about recess and the huge benefits from having kids run around and take breaks. Here's a great one from <a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/time_and_learning/2014/03/is_less_classroom_time_more_outdoor_play_the_secret.html" target="_blank">EdWeek</a>.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">- When a human sits for longer than about 20 minutes, the physiology of the brain and body changes.</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">- </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">The brain essentially just falls asleep when we sit for too long.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/timdwalk" target="_blank">Tim Walker</a> has <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/06/how-finland-keeps-kids-focused/373544/" target="_blank">written</a> extensively about how the many frequent breaks in Finnish schools offer so many positive benefits to kids. We should be giving more recess and more breaks in our schools, not taking them away.<br />
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Heinemann publishers has a great book called '<a href="http://www.heinemann.com/products/E05114.aspx" target="_blank">No More Taking Away Recess</a>' that I actually purchased many years ago, check it out if you need some research and new ideas.<br />
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I also found an <a href="https://cspinet.org/resource/alternative-school-discipline-options-withholding-recess" target="_blank">article</a> from the Center for Science in the Public Interest with some horrific statistics. You can read the entire article <a href="file:///Users/adamwelcome/Desktop/Alternative%20School%20Discipline%20Options%20to%20Withholding%20Recess.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, but a few key points are below. </div>
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In a 2016 study of Principals, it was reported that in three-fourths of our schools across the country, kids are punished by loosing recess. I'm starting to think this is a bigger problem than I previously thought.</div>
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Here an <a href="http://news.stanford.edu/2015/02/11/recess-benefits-school-021115/" target="_blank">article</a> on the benefits of recess from Stanford.</div>
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Let's talk about recess!<br />
<br />Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-63971045177564590222016-08-28T20:34:00.002-07:002016-08-28T20:34:56.090-07:00Carpe Diem -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life is short. I don't take naps. I wake up early. I blog a lot. I run a lot. I kind of can't help it, but I'm always moving around the house.</div>
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I truly believe we should seize each and every day, Carpe Diem!</div>
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Here's what the last 48 hours looked like for me.<br />
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Saturday morning started with publishing three blog posts - <a href="http://adamwelcome.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-imaginary-friends.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://adamwelcome.blogspot.com/2016/08/my-gear.html" target="_blank">here</a> and one on MESPA's blog <a href="https://mespa2016.wordpress.com/2016/08/27/our-favorite-books/" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
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Then <a href="https://twitter.com/coacheagan" target="_blank">@coacheagan</a> picked me up for <a href="https://twitter.com/EdCampSFBay" target="_blank">@edcampsfbay</a> where we hung out and learned together for a few hours.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqfldHMg1GACSE4EN-31CTM3ASuIAV62CzfGdXrSI-dhCzErAqiM0hKu7oKClBBJ16pivjjkgdPg1G6CJrni5u-mDsjvdg0VyDYFahfhB4jo-7nW_eeidmv-BmTVKCiNRGnobQYdVM7a2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+10.02.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqfldHMg1GACSE4EN-31CTM3ASuIAV62CzfGdXrSI-dhCzErAqiM0hKu7oKClBBJ16pivjjkgdPg1G6CJrni5u-mDsjvdg0VyDYFahfhB4jo-7nW_eeidmv-BmTVKCiNRGnobQYdVM7a2/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+10.02.10+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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First session was with two of my amazing author friends who wrote <a href="https://www.amazon.com/HyperDoc-Handbook-Digital-Lesson-Design/dp/1945167009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472317404&sr=1-1&keywords=hyper+docs" target="_blank">The HyperDoc Handbook</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/lhighfill" target="_blank">@lhighfill</a> + <a href="https://twitter.com/kellyihilton" target="_blank">@kellyihilton</a></div>
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<i>Kelly! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNFyjeQ234YgaRnXdNO0k6wPRDY2FrQ87CQ8-2tecIhNm6bgxHE7VTsF3g_kOpRSml4qBqy7ap3ruJ84pn7lBiOy4jDEzJzSUoxaG8NR-aAzO79g_JrMBLjyIoRxwkkGq-l0HrMMVXryT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+9.59.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNFyjeQ234YgaRnXdNO0k6wPRDY2FrQ87CQ8-2tecIhNm6bgxHE7VTsF3g_kOpRSml4qBqy7ap3ruJ84pn7lBiOy4jDEzJzSUoxaG8NR-aAzO79g_JrMBLjyIoRxwkkGq-l0HrMMVXryT/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+9.59.46+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Headed home, packed up the car with my family and drove to Santa Rosa for a marathon I was running in on Sunday.</div>
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We had dinner at my Principal friend <a href="https://twitter.com/jsutter" target="_blank">Jason's</a> house before my marathon on Sunday.</div>
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Sunday morning wake-up at 4am with the 26.2 starting at 6am. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrklUAzP536c-n0RbQwjIU52zhB24TGQEI2X8189raUbl3gOeJxInu9c8s9Gejbn9lgmBZsIYIn_118vnqz2epW7h1DqWJvGwXihcePOsnRtEDHQ4fOvQ0fQ_CuYjPKKCa866sTNSAji5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+10.07.29+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrklUAzP536c-n0RbQwjIU52zhB24TGQEI2X8189raUbl3gOeJxInu9c8s9Gejbn9lgmBZsIYIn_118vnqz2epW7h1DqWJvGwXihcePOsnRtEDHQ4fOvQ0fQ_CuYjPKKCa866sTNSAji5/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+10.07.29+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Packet pick-up at De Loach winery on Saturday afternoon!</div>
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Post race hardware and yes I wore a customized Kids Deserve It race shirt for the marathon, had LOTS of compliments on the course!<br />
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Thanks to my wife and kids for the sign they made, very motivating seeing the on the course!<br />
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Sunday we got home around 1pm and I had to clean-up obviously after running a marathon. Shower, eat, rest up a little and then head to my moms house for dinner with the family. My laptop also came with me because we had <a href="https://twitter.com/kimbearden" target="_blank">@KimBearden</a> on our <a href="https://twitter.com/KidsDeserveIt" target="_blank">@KidsDeserveIt</a> <a href="https://plus.google.com/events/cmvuskvv14nbfkvkgrnk5ejg830" target="_blank">show</a> at 530pm - watch the show <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_UxIB0czVM" target="_blank">here!</a></div>
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A good <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahSajohnson" target="_blank">friend </a>of mine once told me that 'I'm sucking the marrow out of life!' I absolutely am and hope you do to! </div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-58292576030275293732016-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:002016-08-27T09:23:05.147-07:00My Gear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the last four to five years I've been running about three marathons a year. Lots of people ask me about my gear, so here you go!</div>
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<i>Disclaimer - I don't work for <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/" target="_blank">Brooks</a> or get paid by <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/" target="_blank">Brooks</a>, but I do wear <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/" target="_blank">Brooks</a> from head to toe for my gear!</i></div>
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<a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/adrenaline-gts-16-mens-running-shoes/110212.html" target="_blank">Brooks Adrenaline</a> have been my shoes for SO many years and I can't recommend them enough. I've been loving the fun colors from Brooks lately and this one below is my new favorite color and have been through a few pairs and wearing them tomorrow for <a href="http://www.thesantarosamarathon.com/" target="_blank">Santa Rosa</a> marathon.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeyKtx-kFj0709hWd0VJ6f32Vj_H-EUuD4aMxkVqlKDK9UvWx5FXZuzYCiHtEkeK-P2WdHO8Dibw8ZGxlKe_-sMIfKiNk1A3BpxVNOP01o6CRX1K6vKkVBGsDE6Ey0A2jgj1KyY_CS5wL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.50.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeyKtx-kFj0709hWd0VJ6f32Vj_H-EUuD4aMxkVqlKDK9UvWx5FXZuzYCiHtEkeK-P2WdHO8Dibw8ZGxlKe_-sMIfKiNk1A3BpxVNOP01o6CRX1K6vKkVBGsDE6Ey0A2jgj1KyY_CS5wL/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.50.30+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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People laugh, but split shorts are my absolute favorite to wear! The <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-sherpa-2in-running-shorts/210907.html?dwvar_210907_color=001#start=6" target="_blank">Brooks Sherpa</a> is the most comfortable short I've ever worn. There's a nice little pocket in the back to stash some food and they are just the best!</div>
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Socks are so important for so many obvious reasons. I've gone back and forth over the years between low cut socks and something up to the ankle. Lately I've been wearing the <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-radical-lightweight-tab-running-socks/741541.html?dwvar_741541_color=012#start=1" target="_blank">Radical Lightweight</a> and they are so so so comfy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMzRY6iSyQ9y1UZu9-sa89vb4Kt5WJCqHsaPQOKPBx2hNUhPREbn2GZTTsVj_k9A14UcvOtVpg9X-8J30ZB8VKoaKY7EErWRQ2hc4xMphZWMx8Grd2sgpqml5iUs0j4LXYElMKZyc0pwB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.51.21+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMzRY6iSyQ9y1UZu9-sa89vb4Kt5WJCqHsaPQOKPBx2hNUhPREbn2GZTTsVj_k9A14UcvOtVpg9X-8J30ZB8VKoaKY7EErWRQ2hc4xMphZWMx8Grd2sgpqml5iUs0j4LXYElMKZyc0pwB/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.51.21+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hats are simple and important - I really like the <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-run-thru-hat/280337.html?dwvar_280337_color=012&dwvar_280337_size=OSFA#start=2" target="_blank">Run-Thru</a> hat, check it out!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBwsEB5pCwWIvQIazzXvpW2fyhCDoUzSX674Pd9Tzr219jT_606a_Ky0txGXn7vlzta8rBfWdFAnmdr4VexekL9ihi1z_i4mP1nGh-MPQhoo30YvrYGMJHdMjZwDS4pO9g95PHI1R3uAT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.51.52+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBwsEB5pCwWIvQIazzXvpW2fyhCDoUzSX674Pd9Tzr219jT_606a_Ky0txGXn7vlzta8rBfWdFAnmdr4VexekL9ihi1z_i4mP1nGh-MPQhoo30YvrYGMJHdMjZwDS4pO9g95PHI1R3uAT/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+6.51.52+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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And finally my shirt! Many people know that I'm co-founder of <a href="http://www.kidsdeserveit.com/" target="_blank">Kids Deserve It</a> and I really wanted to wear one of our shirts for a race. The problem is our shirts are a cotton blend and not ideal for 26.2 miles.</div>
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So, I took one of my <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/mens-distance-short-sleeve/210846.html?dwvar_210846_color=417#sz=19&start=1" target="_blank">Brooks running shirts</a>, and one of my <a href="http://www.kidsdeserveit.com/" target="_blank">Kids Deserve It</a> shirts and had my taylor combine the two. Tomorrow at <a href="http://www.thesantarosamarathon.com/" target="_blank">Santa Rosa marathon</a> will be the inaugural of this shirt and I can wait to support <a href="http://www.brooksrunning.com/" target="_blank">Brooks</a> and <a href="http://www.kidsdeserveit.com/" target="_blank">Kids Deserve It</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCTebzbAyurcGTt2u_mA-HT8F8CAonHPbBBXpI8sHOMQXRaCwoUq5Q1IbKNgPqnrlILTRNWx2qE0t8s61o2S0RKTOl2-Y5CkxL6Fxz6xz4dvdqDLhY2UqxSQgP56EryuUf-SMXGWgqkcg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+5.50.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPCTebzbAyurcGTt2u_mA-HT8F8CAonHPbBBXpI8sHOMQXRaCwoUq5Q1IbKNgPqnrlILTRNWx2qE0t8s61o2S0RKTOl2-Y5CkxL6Fxz6xz4dvdqDLhY2UqxSQgP56EryuUf-SMXGWgqkcg/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-08-27+at+5.50.13+AM.png" width="259" /></a></div>
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That's my gear, happy running and run fun!</div>
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<br />Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-41762475062100304722016-08-27T08:26:00.001-07:002016-08-27T08:26:01.493-07:00My Imaginary Friends<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s not just about a workout or a calorie burn - it’s a time, for you. Let's go!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So many people I know say they don’t have time, can’t find the time, before they had kids they ran, when they were younger. You've gotta find your <a href="http://talk.brooksrunning.com/blog/2016/03/21/runners-like-us-the-ultra-running-vegetarian-principal/" target="_blank">groove</a>! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Each morning the patter of my feet, my shoes on the road help to find my beat. Hearing the sounds that only happen super early in the morning - most people don’t hear these sounds. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">4:00 am is when my alarm goes off, it’s the time of day I’ve always loved the most. Family is still asleep, kids aren’t running around the house yet - first some coffee and then run.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is that pivotal moment, of staying in bed or getting up to run. Don’t for a minute think it’s an easy decision each morning, it can be hard, there’s a daily struggle and sometimes I fail. The trick for me has always been to flash forward, picturing and hearing the coffee pot coming to life is the first step of motivation.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, once the morning coffee ritual is done, it’s out the door. 4:45am is my optimal time to leave the house, knowing my kids will probably be up by 6:00am, I love to be home when they roll into the kitchen for that morning hug. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Dad, you're all sweaty."</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"How was your run?" says my three year old.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Great run, great run!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"Where'd you go?" </span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">They love knowing my route, what did I see, how did I feel - these are the conversations we have in our house.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Those first strides down the road, checking your body for any issues, planning your route, weather check, shoes tied, dog leash isn’t tangled, <a href="http://www.garmin.com/en-US/" target="_blank">Garmin</a> on - let’s go!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The road each morning is so peaceful, the sounds, smells, darkness, silence, the solitude. Now comes that moment of truth, there’s something I must admit.......</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a secret, my imaginary friends are always with me - to help along!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 22.08px;">I’m serious. They’re always there as I run with my headlamp on around the streets of my hometown. If it’s a quick six miles or something a little longer, the motivation to push and exert comes from my friends.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A friend is ahead of us, gotta push the pace to the stop light - let's go.</span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Check your six, two friends are behind and closing the gap. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Deer Hill Rd in Lafayette is a thoroughfare during the day, but really quiet at dark thirty in the morning.</i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHWQwn0xx4A_jmD2im_2pV6QjLRZJEnMYYShdsjPvKwkxagqfXQcGtis_uhxvhFdWFhXKTP0VFJfc79LIqjah8UwboK35in8uD_0XOizcWPXfZ9cYuE7dFII4piiS2zjxzRJfTItInVEC/s1600/IMG_1952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHWQwn0xx4A_jmD2im_2pV6QjLRZJEnMYYShdsjPvKwkxagqfXQcGtis_uhxvhFdWFhXKTP0VFJfc79LIqjah8UwboK35in8uD_0XOizcWPXfZ9cYuE7dFII4piiS2zjxzRJfTItInVEC/s320/IMG_1952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sure my dog Bear is with me, but that’s never enough. I need those friends in front and those trying to chase me down. My friends are my coach, in my ear. They're my pusher, my motivator - faster, harder, slow down, catch up. Some people use <a href="http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/nike-plus" target="_blank">Nike+</a>, <a href="https://www.strava.com/" target="_blank">Strava</a> or even an actual coach - I have my imaginary friends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Lots of 'friends' on Mt. Diablo Blvd, great stretch to run each morning!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iXPzkGTf_RMnA8tp1sRPjrwPxtxdNUw_iSBnZ-rBWkIjv01-d_HbQgWqReUkF3I6U7BXeiBbY71KI2cRgYrDLSV-oZbQYL2z4jAL2MEm8-J5cQFztc2658PwOZWWVVFwW4I5eAAV5Bas/s1600/IMG_1950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iXPzkGTf_RMnA8tp1sRPjrwPxtxdNUw_iSBnZ-rBWkIjv01-d_HbQgWqReUkF3I6U7BXeiBbY71KI2cRgYrDLSV-oZbQYL2z4jAL2MEm8-J5cQFztc2658PwOZWWVVFwW4I5eAAV5Bas/s320/IMG_1950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bragging rights have always been another motivator for the early morning sessions. When you're done by 6:15am with a workout. Looking down on Highway 24, people in their cars headed to work - and we've already had the pain, had the sweat, earned our breakfast and feel freakin amazing from the workout. That. Is. What. I. Love.</span></span><br />
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Lace up those shoes, get out the door, run with your 'friends' and kick off each day with a sweat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtvEp8b5HbAPaZAzWg6NmvtQYYJZ3sV1APwelcYtJYXrLQ6Nx63eOdjKbXfK3fkMVZDNRncqUB_Bl30lpAZugafTS1GeSJS97oxZ3_ZdGsffKYVY-SkdUdffeIte4aUwDBZE1dbWmLYyu/s1600/IMG_1963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtvEp8b5HbAPaZAzWg6NmvtQYYJZ3sV1APwelcYtJYXrLQ6Nx63eOdjKbXfK3fkMVZDNRncqUB_Bl30lpAZugafTS1GeSJS97oxZ3_ZdGsffKYVY-SkdUdffeIte4aUwDBZE1dbWmLYyu/s320/IMG_1963.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-21326545111907328662016-08-24T20:44:00.001-07:002016-08-24T20:44:43.974-07:00We're Just Going To Say It #KidsDeserveIt<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>This post is co-written with the amazing <a href="https://twitter.com/lmstump" target="_blank">Lindsy Stumpenhorst</a>! If you aren't connected with <a href="https://twitter.com/lmstump" target="_blank">Lindsy,</a> you're totally missing out! <a href="https://twitter.com/lmstump" target="_blank">@lmstump</a></i></div>
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Lindsy and Adam talk almost on a daily basis via Voxer, and we've made a decision. We're just going to say it. We're tired of the complaining. We're tired of the excuses. Our kids deserve the very best each day in our schools and that starts with us!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Adam) have said for years that I like to ‘keep it real.’ For years friends have told me they appreciate my honesty and for being direct. That’s great - but lately I’ve been thinking about those non-friends of mine, those educators you work with who argue and make excuses and say they’ve always done it this way - how about keeping it real with them?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve decided, I’m just going to say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When someone says they don’t ‘understand Twitter’ and it’s lame, I’m going to talk with them about learning and staying relevant for their students. I’m not going to nod my head and give a weak smile. I’m just going to say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I hear a teacher or another adult in a school say ‘you’re too young for that’ - I’m going tell them I’ve seen Kindergarten students write three pages during Writer’s Workshop. And that I’ve had 1st graders in my own coding class that have written apps, programmed a Sphero and printed on our 3D printer. Yes. They. Can. I’m just going to say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I hear a Principal complain about kids, that they don’t have time, there’s no money, they’re only a few years away from retirement - I’m just going to say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t think they mean what they said.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Call. Them. Out. Please just say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My two children are in swim lessons right now and a few weeks ago their instructor said something to my son that blew me away. First off, he’s three years old. They were practicing their dives and he’s made big improvement. What does she say?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That wasn’t that horrible.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you kidding me. I lit her up after the lesson, how dare she talk to anyone, let alone my son like that. That wasn’t that horrible? In the car I had a talk with Tilden about his dives, how proud I am of him that he’s been working hard at our pool and to keep giving his best effort. I also told him that what his ‘coach’ said to him wasn’t respectful and that I spoke to her about it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kids also need to know that adults can’t talk to them a certain way, kids have to know that we have their back. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fast Company just published a great article about ‘</span><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3062756/6-ways-to-deal-with-chronic-complainers" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6 Ways To Deal With Chronic Complainers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!’ They have some great suggestions </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who’s coming with us? Who’s going to speak up? Who’s going to say what’s best for kids? Who’s going to call people out?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of this can be done respectfully of course, it just needs to be done!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I (Lindsy) was hired, it was well known, I was to be the first female principal in the building. Ever. As I walked into the lobby of my “soon-to-be” school, I was greeted by a wall of golde- rod frames with sepia photos...the legacy of principals I was to follow. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were so many questions running through my mind, but the loudest “Would they (teachers, parents, students) like me?”.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coming into this first year as a principal in a new building, I had one-on-one meetings to get to know my staff. During these meetings one of my teachers said, “I heard that you say it like it is.” I wasn’t sure whether to be offended or proud...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some conversations are just hard, no matter how honest you are. In my short time as principal there have been a few times that I’ve drug my feet before uncomfortable conversations, but at the end of the day I still say it. In the long run, it doesn’t matter if we personally/professionally disagree.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t we deserve honesty from each other? Don’t our kids deserve what’s right by them, even if that means a hard conversation between adults? If we don't talk about it, how will we ever fix it? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today...I carry my reputation with pride, I do what’s right by kids, and that starts with my ability to be real (even though I still kind of hope that you like me!) </span></div>
Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-6746791105290161392016-08-17T05:22:00.001-07:002016-08-17T05:22:57.521-07:00Let's Get Pumped UpKids start next week (some districts they've already started), aren't you excited, I can't wait for them to arrive in our schools - let's get pumped up!<br />
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Maybe it's a video, check out three below!<br />
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Micheal Phelps pumps me up!<br />
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Kids look up to you, don't loose the love and get pumped up for them!</div>
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FLOTUS and Missy - who wants to sing!</div>
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Maybe it's a #KidsDeserveIt Canva, see a few below!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjgwlaH1752GZuy0KsBuB8LvUELEAshjOaxIQ-uibplpv1VoLD40U0zs30TIeB2apT5tCfEGRC5RTHn4g0ubYZFw_qdzuo3KtxZdCf9G7f98alZBSljSBL5VyUIo-u5t-how2MoUEVFaG/s1600/The+smallest+light%252C+can+light+up+the+darkest+room.+Be+the+spark..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjgwlaH1752GZuy0KsBuB8LvUELEAshjOaxIQ-uibplpv1VoLD40U0zs30TIeB2apT5tCfEGRC5RTHn4g0ubYZFw_qdzuo3KtxZdCf9G7f98alZBSljSBL5VyUIo-u5t-how2MoUEVFaG/s320/The+smallest+light%252C+can+light+up+the+darkest+room.+Be+the+spark..jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was a teacher I'd always watch Dead Poets Society the night before each school year. It reminded why I became a teacher, why I build those strong connections with kids and why I care about education so much!</div>
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I just want back through old photos I have with former students and letters they've written to me over the years. Remembering those kids, wondering where they are now and looking forward to building new relationships gets me excited to do this work.</div>
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What gets you pumped up for the school year? Share out on social media using the #KidsDeserveIt hashtag - and be awesome for kids!</div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-54424163064252148342016-08-16T20:56:00.000-07:002016-08-16T20:56:25.324-07:00Please Just Be Happy<div style="text-align: left;">
Last night I was tweeting about my five year old daughter and how she's starting Kindergarten next Monday in our <a href="http://www.lafsd.k12.ca.us/" target="_blank">public schools</a> for the first time. The last three years have been an awesome experience in pre-school. </div>
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A wonderful school community, happy and loving teachers, everyone on campus made her feel welcome and special and like she belonged!</div>
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With only a few more days until she starts, I've done some deep thinking on what I really want for her experience to be. It has nothing to do with curriculum, GAFE, Chromebooks, math centers or even making friends. I simply want ALL the people who interact with her at school to be happy. </div>
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I want them to smile. To say hello. To be interested in her. To ask questions. To support and encourage. My two children are a direct reflection of how my wife and I have raised them until this point. If they aren't respectful, if they don't follow directions, if they aren't positive members of the school community - it's our fault, not theirs. </div>
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If you work with kids in a school setting, do not punish them for how they act. Work with them, guide them, support them - it's not their fault.</div>
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I've seen far to many teachers over the years who simply aren't happy - and kids deserve happy adults at school. If you're having a bad day, leave your problems in the car. Someone just last week told me a story about a few teachers who said they weren't going to smile for the first two months of school. They'd 'heard' the incoming class was naughty and a bunch of trouble makers. </div>
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"If we don't smile they'll know who is in charge, that's what they need."</div>
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It is a child's civil right to have happy and nurturing adults at school that smile and show them they care! <i><b>(Please feel free to Tweet that, I think it's the truth and very important!)</b></i></div>
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When I was a Principal there were a few times when I told one of my teachers they needed to smile more. Honesty has always been my goal, and especially when it comes to an adult who works with kids, it's even that much more important. </div>
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Please smile, please be happy, please be genuine, if my daughter does something that makes you upset or isn't correct - please let my wife and I know so we can work on it together with you. Frowning, being grumpy, being mean, not being nice or simply just being standoffish is not okay - ever!</div>
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If you need a pick me up, Sesame Street always does the trick!</div>
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She's ready, and she deserves happy!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6QfDXAZpWgqdW7r56X7QnxrWoUqpXl3dEvVJ0G4RFPUb96KCRF_YPFaYQV05ZQwcBMoagQM5IeMy14go6qwEacdHGK708prVupG5QEd4_LrgouFLnp75Q-2MymL8AMrvFVDRoxwkaVB4/s1600/IMG_1096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6QfDXAZpWgqdW7r56X7QnxrWoUqpXl3dEvVJ0G4RFPUb96KCRF_YPFaYQV05ZQwcBMoagQM5IeMy14go6qwEacdHGK708prVupG5QEd4_LrgouFLnp75Q-2MymL8AMrvFVDRoxwkaVB4/s320/IMG_1096.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pharrell Williams came out with a fun picture book called <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Wlv_Ow9UaM%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">Happy</a> last year which is definitely worth checking out! </div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-50254369074440914542016-08-15T21:18:00.000-07:002016-08-15T21:18:19.375-07:00Now What<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
My wife and I were on our first date and I can remember the moment well. We were walking up the stairs at <a href="https://www.sfmoma.org/" target="_blank">SF Moma</a> having a great conversation and she turns to me - "You're pretty passionate and intense aren't you?"</div>
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"Yes I am!"</div>
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We laugh about that now and at the time it wasn't a serious moment at all, and the truth is my wife is very much the same way. My wife has also diagnosed me with 'too much energy' and has fully embraced my internal pace that is constantly running and thinking and creating and pushing and moving and designing and writing and blogging and taking our two children on adventures!</div>
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I tell that story because I've always had the 'now what' mentality. You have an experience, you accomplish something and then that's it. There is always more, there has to be more.</div>
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Ten years ago I ran my first marathon. The longest training run I had was only nine miles, but I finished the race in under four hours. I crossed the line and my first thought was - "What would it be like to turn around and run back 26.2 miles?"</div>
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I was exhausted and honestly could barely walk, but that was the thought in my head.</div>
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About six months later I ran my first fifty, I had to see what it would be like!</div>
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Passion is my advantage. Hard work gets me there. There is always someone with more passion and hard work than me, I have to catch them. I constantly say to myself, now what?</div>
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Please don't ever settle, don't ever say 'good enough' for them, I'm too tired, the line is too long, they don't even speak english. </div>
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Push harder than yesterday, commit to more than you did last week, put their future front and center. Accomplish a goal for kids and then find something else to go after!</div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-48195485590585782932016-08-06T06:26:00.001-07:002016-08-06T06:27:19.930-07:00Here's What I Would DoJust because something has been handed to you a certain way - just because someone may not believe in you or your idea - just because you don't have enough money - just because the majority of kids at your school don't speak english - just because you have some teachers who 'think' it should be done a different way - just because everyone has always told you no, you're not good enough and you can't - just because you've dealt with rejection and failure - just because your leader doesn't get it and maybe they never will - all that means, is you need to fight even harder and don't go down!<br />
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What would I do? </div>
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Keep fighting. Don't listen to those people that say you can't. The people that are saying you can't probably want to but they're just scared to get out of their comfort zone. I've always been a firm believer in talking about your struggles, tell others what you're going through - you may just find some help.</div>
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Last year I was at an EdCamp and in a session with about thirty other educators. I can't exactly remember what the session was about, but our conversation turned to social media, access in schools and certain things being blocked. A teacher in the session was telling the group how Twitter was blocked in her school, she really wanted to use it as a resource for her learning, showing kids examples of how to be digital citizens, etc. </div>
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"My Principal just says we can't unblock it."</div>
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I ask her what district she works in and wouldn't you know I'm connected with one of their Assistant Superintendents, and what she was saying just didn't add up. They're the kind of Assistant Superintendent that understands social media, understands relevant learning - can get stuff done! So why would everything be blocked?</div>
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It just so happens that I have their cell phone number as well, and dial them up right in the middle of the EdCamp session. They answer with - </div>
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I'm tell them the teachers story, ask a few questions and the truth comes out. The Principal has been giving mis-information. All those things the teacher wants to do can totally happen, the Principal just needs to give the thumbs up. On Monday morning they're going to make some phone calls and make some changes, the teacher in the EdCamp session is about to cry.</div>
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This is why we should tell others our stories, our struggles, our ideas, share our passions. You never know who is listening, who can help, who can pick up the phone and make things happen - that's just what I would do.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Our time with kids is too precious to have wasted potential, wasted opportunity, wasted moments. You are the solution, get rid of the problem and be part of the solution.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Nothing is ever perfect, there's always going to be some issues - start being part of the solution.</span><br />
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Refuse to go down - you got this.Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-52292396540507054862016-08-02T21:10:00.001-07:002016-08-02T21:10:25.712-07:00If You Think They Won't<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14px;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">If you think they won't, there is no way that they will.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I believe they all can. I believe that it's inside all of them to do whatever they dream is possible. They may not be able to do something very well, but they need to at least try. We need to give them a start. We need to believe - think - encourage - push - train - prod - help - guide and think that all kids have amazing inside of them and can achieve.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />There's the crutch I believe for most people, that first step. They're frozen - can't move - can't speak - can't think - they can't even get out of the dugout and onto the field. Please don't try and blame someone else, point a finger, make an excuse, call in sick, shift the blame, act like you don't know - or just simply not care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We don't have a choice, if you work in education it's our job. It's more than a job, it's a part of us. In my opinion, it's a civil right to have every adult at school believe in every single student. Adults shouldn't have the ability to give up, to say no, to say can't/wouldn't/shouldn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">For some of our students we're the only positive interaction in their life - so we better make it positive and encouraging.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Maybe you've had your fair share of disappointments, maybe you've been told no, maybe you've failed, maybe nobody has ever believed in you. You know what - if you still think you won't, there is never anyway you're going to make it happen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Say it for kids - stand up for kids - be brave for kids - believe in kids. Remember, our kids have unlimited potential, it's usually the adults who put a cap on how high they can fly. How far they can go. How much fun they can have. How creative they can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Let's think that ALL kids can - and they will. This is your chance to leave a trace. A trace of inspiration that all your students can follow back to you. Life will be hard for them, but they'll know where to go. They'll remember how you were. They'll remember your love. They'll remember you believed. Your inspiration. Your encouragement. That you knew they all could!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How many Kelvin's are out there right now, just waiting for someone to believe in them? Please go believe!</span><br />
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-87981511317477917862016-07-31T19:42:00.000-07:002016-07-31T19:42:14.538-07:00A Valuable Lesson From jetBlue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've flown quite a bit this summer and have had some great airline experiences. Across the Atlantic on Air France, and back over to California on KLM. Really great flights and I Tweeted both airlines with compliments.</div>
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Just yesterday I flew Long Beach to Oakland - funny thing is the flights down didn't work with my schedule as Long Beach is pretty small. So I flew Southwest one-way down, and <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a> one way back up. Southwest is great, I've flown them a ton over the years. Friendly, on time, great value and I know a few of their pilots personally.</div>
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I have to say though, <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a> was absolutely awesome yesterday, absolutely. It wasn't just the flight, it's totally obvious that everyone at <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a> is a team. For some reason when I printed my boarding pass I didn't have a seat assignment. I totally didn't realize and they called me over the loudspeaker asking me to the gate. The attendant was so apologetic and handed it to me - wow, that was nice.</div>
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They also made an announcement that our plane was getting a new tire.<br />
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Love how they used the word team - wow again!</div>
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I'm getting ready to board, hand the attendant my pass and he uses my last name!</div>
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"Have a great flight Mr. Welcome!"</div>
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I can't remember the last time that's ever happened, if it ever has. #classy</div>
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Boarding was a snap, we get airborne, everyone on the plane is friendly. And then I realize because the Captain reminds us, they have FREE wi-fi on the plane. Sweet, because I had a blog post I was trying finish earlier in the day.</div>
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Wi-fi loads in a snap, I'm blogging and then decide to Tweet <a href="https://twitter.com/JetBlue" target="_blank">@JetBlue</a> and they favorite my Tweet while we're flying - what!</div>
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Loving the in flight wi-fi on <a href="https://twitter.com/JetBlue">@JetBlue</a> knocking out some serious blogging right now - thank you!</div>
— Adam Welcome (@awelcome) <a href="https://twitter.com/awelcome/status/759551502587400192">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Super smooth flight, we're at the gate in no time. I take my phone off airplane mode and send the Tweet below.<br />
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Smooth flying on <a href="https://twitter.com/JetBlue">@JetBlue</a> booking my next flight with this team for sure!</div>
— Adam Welcome (@awelcome) <a href="https://twitter.com/awelcome/status/759558263742484480">July 31, 2016</a></blockquote>
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And <a href="https://twitter.com/JetBlue" target="_blank">@JetBlue</a> responds with this!</div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/awelcome">@awelcome</a> We hope that means you finished your blog post! 😉</div>
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It wasn't just the social media interaction that I enjoyed, it was seeing so many different members of the <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a> team working together. We can all (especially schools and districts) take a lesson from <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a>. </div>
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When you work together as a team, a team that's in sync, with the same mission - you provide amazing service which makes people feel appreciated and wanting to come back again. I know I'll be flying them again soon - come March I'm headed east!</div>
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<br />Thank you for a wonderful experience <a href="http://www.jetblue.com/" target="_blank">jetBlue</a> - many kudos!</div>
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<br />Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-75086631990352603582016-07-31T05:27:00.001-07:002016-07-31T05:27:56.941-07:00We Need To Back Off<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do your kids know what it’s like? Have they ever experienced it? Do they even know it exists?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How many kids have never experienced failure? Something really hard, that didn't come to them right away? How many adults? Our kids need to fail, which teaches them to learn, and regroup, process what they’ve done and how to come back next time in a different way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This happens all the time at my house....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Dad, I can't do it"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the park, in the backyard, riding their bike, unloading the dishwasher, brushing the dog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lately it's been my daughter trying some new gymnastic moves. She's a stud athlete and was riding a bike at three years old, with no training wheels, ever. At four she was riding her bike ten miles next to me while I ran and she skies in Lake Tahoe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But gymnastics is new and we've only really done some drop-in lessons at our local community center. She asks me to watch YouTube videos for examples, can I take pictures when she does a cartwheel. I LOVE that she wants to learn and get better, and I love that it's challenging for her and she's experiencing some level of failure and using the resources in her life to improve for next time! She has my wife and I for guidance, but she's doing much of it on her own, with her own ideas!</span><br />
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Failure throughout my life has made me stronger, helped me to reflect, analyze my preparation, purpose and what I can change for next time.<br />
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Two years ago I was in awesome running shape, probably the best of my life. I had a 50K on my schedule and really got in some long miles and was feeling good. Race day is always super exciting for me, getting up early, in the dark, checking my gear, what I'm going to eat, double checking, training is done - feeling positive.<br />
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Not so much. At mile 18 I started to vomit - had to walk. Ate a little food and felt better, more vomit at 19. At mile 20 I started feeling dizzy and my vision got blurry.<br />
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I was ready, I'd trained, eaten right - and I failed. At mile 22 I dropped out, first time I've ever pulled myself from a race.<br />
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I felt really bad, I was pissed off, angry, trying to figure out what happened. My wife was ecstatic. She was so happy I pulled myself from the race, it wasn't a doctor or race organizers, I was thinking about my health and family and not just finishing a race.<br />
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After processing my failed race, I learned so much. I'd trained really well but hadn't run enough hills. I started out too fast, there were a couple of guys who I was chatting with at the start and they went out faster than I usually do.<br />
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I should have backed off at the start - I think we need to back off with our kids as well. I'm reading a really interesting book right now about a woman who grew up in Finland and now lives in the United States. She says that kids in Finland are super independent, she didn't even talk with her parents about what major she was going to declare in college. I love that independence, she was given a long leash in her youth, explored on her own with direction from parents.<br />
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Our personalties are revealed during our most challenging times - let's back off, let our kids struggle a bit, see what they can do - and then see who they become!<br />
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-42003441162615831152016-07-30T12:05:00.003-07:002016-07-30T12:58:22.335-07:00So Many Excuses I am so tired of hearing it.<br />
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Another app? I don't have time. I forgot my password. We tried that and it didn't work. Do I have to? I really liked the paper newsletter. Ugh.<br />
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Yes - you have to. You really do!<br />
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The world changes everyday. Our kids pick it up, they click on links, hover over an icon - figure it out by digging in and getting their hands dirty.<br />
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Why should adults have a free pass to make excuses?<br />
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Only the early adopters are on board because they're techie.<br />
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Tech isn't even tech, it's our life. It's in our life. Our kids don't call their devices, apps, and way of communicating tech. It's just life. Ask a kid what they like about tech, they'll give you a 'what are you talking about' look.<br />
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We receive communication from so many different channels in our life, in a constant stream throughout the day.<br />
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Yes, change is happening at a much faster rate than fifty years ago - and we have to keep up.<br />
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My wife's grandmother is 95 and she's relevant. She has Gmail, tried to set up her own wi-fi network, chats with me on Gmail, calls me each week to ask questions about her computer. She's 95 and doesn't make one excuse. She puts herself out there and tries new things, because she knows that in order to stay connected - she has to!<br />
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I'm not the only one though, in talking with others it's totally real, it's totally a problem and something needs to be done. There shouldn't be a free pass because people just don't want to. Because they're close to retirement. Because it's more work.<br />
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The more relevant you are the less work you have to do. The more conversations you can have. The more connections you can make. The more you know the lingo!<br />
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Don't be stuck in the Internet Explorer era. The 'what used' to work five years ago era. The, I loved when we did this mentality.<br />
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That's all nostalgia, our kids don't connect with that. If we're not relevant and speaking our kids language, we're teaching and connecting and communicating with an entire generation of kids in a foreign language that they don't speak and we can't understand what they're saying either.<br />
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My wife works in medicine, she can't tell her patients the procedures she knows are ten years old. Sorry, I haven't learned that yet. Not acceptable.<br />
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Do you want a pilot flying the plane that you're on, not be up to date with the new instruments and procedures? Of course not.<br />
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Ask a group of 5th graders what Blockbuster is? They can't tell you. Blockbuster doesn't have an excuse, they simply didn't remain relevant and became obsolete.<br />
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No more excuses, they don't work, it doesn't get you anywhere and just pushes you farther away. If you need help, just ask - there are plenty of us who will lend a hand!<br />
<br />Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-64282468156677919132016-07-30T09:15:00.001-07:002016-07-30T09:15:24.140-07:00They Have It Inside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Even my own kids say it, numerous times a day.</div>
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"I can't do it dad, it's too hard."</div>
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"I'm tired."</div>
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Cleaning up the blocks, putting their socks on, going for a hike on the trail, swimming across the pool, jumping off the diving board or even finishing their dinner.</div>
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I refuse to let them slide. I refuse to let them quit. I refuse to have any notion of not being able to do something creep into their brain. They have it inside, we all do!</div>
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No, I'm not crazy. Yes I've read the book '<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Hymn-Tiger-Mother-Chua/dp/0143120581/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1469895117&sr=1-1&keywords=battle+hymn+of+the+tiger+mother" target="_blank">Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mom</a>' and I'm not that far to the right. But we have to push our kids, we have to help them find what's inside of them, they have it inside - I know they do.</div>
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Yes, I laugh at home all the time, joke around with my kids all the time, cut them slack on certain things, let them stay up late on occasion - but I firmly believe that we must hold our children accountable. This builds grit and resilience in them that they're going to need later in life.</div>
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Life is hard. I've had my back against the wall numerous times throughout my life, for a multitude of different reasons. </div>
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If we believe in them - if we believe in others - if we help them get out what's inside of them - they can do anything!<br />
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Thirteen years ago I was a 5th grade teacher and we were at outdoor school. They had a climbing wall and one of our parents who was also our reading specialist was totally checking it out.<br />
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"Carol, you should climb the wall."<br />
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"No way, I'm not strong enough and I'm afraid of heights."<br />
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"You can do it Carol, just start and go halfway up."<br />
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"Ok, I can at least try."<br />
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Fast forward and Carol is halfway up the wall!<br />
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"I'm done, coming down."<br />
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"No, you got this Carol - keep going, all the way. Go go go!"<br />
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She keeps going, and going and going.<br />
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Ding - Carol rings the bell, she made it to the top.<br />
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"I can't believe I climbed all the way up, I'm shaking."<br />
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Everyone has it inside, kids, adults - we have to find ways to help each other find their inner greatness.<br />
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If you have someone who doesn't believe, help them to build that belief. Please have high expectations of our kids, they may complain, whine, drag their feet, argue, say they can't do it - hold their hand if you need to, but help them to find their inner greatness.Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-46816768588208724722016-07-29T14:54:00.000-07:002016-07-29T14:54:02.218-07:00A Little About Me<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve been around teaching and education my entire life. My dad taught 2nd and 3rd grade for over 35 years and was also a school board member in the district where we grew up for eight. Growing up in his classroom was the best, seeing my dad interact with kids and always creating innovative projects and experiences really paved the way for my own career! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was a Principal I strapped a GoPro to my chest and ran the mile in PE with our 5th graders while wearing a shirt and tie. Some kids had been running their mouth to me for a few weeks that they could beat me in a race - so I ran a 5:50 mile, they stopped after that - it was all in good fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a firm belief that all educators should treat and speak to kids respectfully, recess should NEVER be taken away from a student because they misbehaved or didn’t finish work, all kids have the ability and capacity to do amazing work in school - don’t limit them based on your own assumptions - empower them, we need to be in the business of making dreams happen for kids - show them and tell them what’s possible in our world and then help them get there, if you’re grumpy or having a bad morning - leave your issues in the car - kids deserve our best everyday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Running hasn’t always been a part of my life. It didn’t really start for me until my very early 20s and then a long hiatus for quite a few years when I rode my bicycle a few hundred miles a week. My wife really saved my running career, let me explain. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A buddy of mine entered a half marathon that he really had no business running. I came into the picture because his daughter entered the race as well and got hurt, like four days before the race. He called me asking if I wanted her bib, sure why not! I hadn’t run in years, especially nothing close to thirteen miles. But, I’m always up for some pain so of course I said yes. That morning at dark thirty am is where I met my wife. She was huddled in front of a heater trying to stay warm before the start. She had been pulled to the race as well by her super fast friend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fast forward - Stacy beat me, her friend won the North Face half marathon and that night I tracked Stacy down. For the record, I actually knew her friend who won the race so it was a totally legit phone call inquiring about her <span style="-evernote-sentoj-emoticon: true;">😃</span> I got her number, we met for our first date four days later, and got married 100 days later!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Stacy saved my running career because when we met I wasn’t really a runner anymore. Since then I’ve run six marathons, three ultra marathons, and pushed our two children thousands upon thousands of miles in our running joggers, and seven half marathons pushing them too. I introduced Stacy to the vegan donuts at Whole Foods and we vowed the day we got married to always run together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a tattoo on my leg.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When 9/11 happened I decided to join the US Marine Corps because I wanted to help out. I found myself in Quantico, Virginia for Officer Candidates School and absolutely loved the physical fitness, discipline and camaraderie that developed during those ten weeks. I however decided the military was not for me, I joined already having my teaching credential and felt teaching was my path. I declined my commission, flew home to California and found a teaching job the very next day. Fate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I shaved my legs for about eight years when I was a cyclist, not anymore though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don’t eat meat, I LOVE coffee first thing in the morning and my wife doesn’t like to cook - but I do so it works out great!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve traveled to South America and all over Europe. For my 30th birthday I really wanted to do something big and hiked 500 kilometers through the French Alps. It took twenty three days and I met the most amazing people, I’d love to do it again for my 40th but am not sure it’ll work because now I’m married and have two kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Twitter has changed my life as an educator. I would have left education many years ago if I hadn’t found my ‘people’ and connected. Twitter is how Todd and I connected and started <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Boundaries-Challenging-Conventional-Thinking/dp/0996989528/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469829077&sr=8-1&keywords=kids+deserve+it+book" target="_blank">Kids Deserve It</a>. Put yourself out there, connect with others, lean on those #edupeeps that will get you through those tough times that we all experience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a sign in my office that my dad gave me before he died from cancer. It says ‘Work Hard and Be Nice To People!’ He got it from a museum in London and I will always have it hung in my office, it speaks volumes and holds so many truths in my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I really want to compete in a 24 hour mountain bike race, I mentioned this to my wife and she looked at me crazy. At least I dropped the seed to her, hopefully next year I can make it happen, I think it would be epic to ride a bike for 24 hours straight!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was in Vail, Colorado with my buddy like one month before I met my wife and bought some cowboy boots, I’m not a cowboy but they’re super cool. We walked into the shop and they offered us <a href="https://twitter.com/PabstBlueRibbon?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor" target="_blank">PBR</a>, so two hours later I rolled out $700 lighter, it’s all good, they’re fun to wear now and then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my wife, she’s amazing, I’m so grateful I didn’t settle until I met her. She definitely does complete me, we’re an amazing team together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One morning on the way to work I had an idea, start a Voxer group of Principals that I’m connected with around the country and talk about our jobs as leaders. Be bold, have fun, do things at school that make kids smile and show that you care about them. This is the picture I tweeted of myself going down the slide, this photo started #PrincipalsInAction. The hashtag has been featured in the NAESP magazine multiple times, if you’re a Principal you better be having fun with kids!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVxbiihXbHoU9ma_DnIdCmfzJoJckHkj9JBNH5yOq07L_Mee01LktpPxxuwgbY7MCC-PDWvME4507rH681qj0Ffnz-bL3cXHlow5x4ZrcKGQ_hVxzmNlHBRFgOas0Sfa-BPu04m50d7s9/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVxbiihXbHoU9ma_DnIdCmfzJoJckHkj9JBNH5yOq07L_Mee01LktpPxxuwgbY7MCC-PDWvME4507rH681qj0Ffnz-bL3cXHlow5x4ZrcKGQ_hVxzmNlHBRFgOas0Sfa-BPu04m50d7s9/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I first started blogging when I was 26. I sold my car and wanted to go an entire year just riding my bike to work and around and blogging about it all. It lasted four months, public transportation in the bay area is really bad, I failed. I’ve blogged since for EdWeek, NAESP, Brooks Running, ACSA, EdTech Magazine, hopefully <a href="https://twitter.com/lululemon" target="_blank">LuLulemon</a> soon and many other publications as well. Start a blog and write, do it for yourself, if people read it that’s great, but write for yourself - it’s awesome therapy as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I believe we’re too comfortable in 2016. At first my wife thought I was a little crazy when I said this. I think at times we should be cold, hungry, tired, inconvenienced, and anything else that’s uncomfortable. I wish there was a way to go back in time and live 100 years ago, they had it tough, we have no idea. Would make us appreciate what we have and not complain so much, that’s just how I feel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s all - just wanted to write a little about me, hope you enjoyed reading!</span></div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8784988986402664438.post-36591997227346515822016-07-26T21:28:00.002-07:002016-07-26T21:28:23.384-07:00You Decide - We Must Help Them Decide!<div style="text-align: left;">
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My wife and I have talked about this a lot since having children actually. We don't have any say, our kids didn't have any say - you're born and that's the way it goes.</div>
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So kids really aren't in charge of their story and how it begins. As educators though we can help them write their own story, help them with the details and push them towards an ending!</div>
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The biggest problem is that lots of kids don't know what to decide. There isn't a menu in life that says....</div>
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<b>"Here's what you can be and here's how to make it happen!"</b></div>
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Behind every name in that video (Neymar Jr, Serena Williams, Lebron James, Zhouqi, Mo Farah) there was someone who believed in them, pushed them, molded them, sacrificed for them, taught them and helped them to decide their own outcome. But they had someone. </div>
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All of our kids don't have someone.</div>
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I've worked at schools where we had career day - I don't think it's enough. Does every school even do a career day? One week during the year when a few parents come to talk with the class, and usually it was in Kindergarten. Police Officer, Fire Fighter, Nurse, etc........we need to do more, we can do more, our kids deserve us to do more. How about all the careers that just got invented, are those being represented?</div>
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Instead of college and career counselors, how about a 'What Your Future Can Be' class. The syllabus can be......</div>
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<b>"Here's what you can be and here's how we can help you to make it happen!"</b></div>
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Life isn't fair for some kids, but we can help turn that around. We must help turn that around, that's our business!<br /></div>
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The world can be messed up, but it's our job as educators to provide a safe, fun, nurturing, supportive, encouraging environment to make it happen for kids!<br /></div>
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Let's help kids decide how their story ends, let's help them write the next chapter, let's make it a bestseller, let's make those dreams happen, let's create memories they'll never forget, let's make life better for them than when it started.</div>
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Mr. Welcomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15459855901739308675noreply@blogger.com0