KDI Minds Collide #KidsDeserveIt

Kids Deserve It! 

 Writing our last chapter!

Sometimes things just fall into place.  It doesn’t make sense all the time, but it always seems to happen at just the right time. The important thing to remember is - just go with it, there’s a reason it’s all happening!

Who would have known that six months ago, we would have met face to face and hit it off so well at NAESP?  That it would have led to the creation of Kids Deserve It and a book deal?

That the working relationship would turn into a friendship where it was like we’d found our long lost brother.  Where our world’s began to collide on more than just a work level.

This weekend we finally had the opportunity to spend some time in person together since July!  And even more than that our families got to meet as well.

But the best part came the next day.  On Saturday our families collided and we spent the entire day touring San Francisco.  We visited the Golden Gate Bridge, rode a cable car, walked the streets, saw thousands of Santas, rode on BART,  ran to Twitter Headquarters, and even rode (yes, all 6 of us) in a Pedicab.

And as we sat across the table from each other writing the ending of our book on Sunday morning while Adam made blueberry pancakes, it all hit us.  Look at the world we live in.  A world where when we choose to connect with others and put ourselves out there, we can really find something special.

Over the last six months our worlds have been flipped upside down.  There’s so much awesomeness that has happened.  And this weekend, spending it together with our families, was only a further reminder of even greater things to come!

So please remember - take the time to connect with people in person. With Social Media we all have so many ‘friends’ and it’s the real friends that we believe truly make the difference. They make you a better person for  you, your family, your job and for those around you everyday.

Be awesome, connect with others, practice gratitude and don’t forget to smile - you deserve it!

Writing + breakfast at Adam's house!

 Pedi cab with both families, thanks to Chris for pedaling us!

 Everyone loves a cable car ride!

Golden Gate Bridge

The Welcome's

Kids Deserve It #kidsdeserveit

My blog is on hiatus, Todd Nesloney and I are writing a book, stay tuned for a release date in 2016!

@kidsdeserveit

Keep Climbing - Never Stop #KidsDeserveIt #PrincipalsInAction

When we stop moving forward, we become stagnant. When we stop climbing, we become restless. When we stop learning, we become outdated and stale. Never ever stop, kids deserve relevant. 

Our jobs are challenging, some days it feels like there are no wins, like it's all a bunch of missed field goals and overtime losses. Being a leader is exhausting. It's deflating at times. There are days I want to leave and not come back. 

I've never cried about work or about issues I'm dealing with as Principal, but I've cried for students who need more that I can give. I've cried with teachers who need my support. Just yesterday I was a little emotional because a staff member had such positive comments towards a parent that is working through some behaviors by their child. I gave her some personal kudos for the hard work and passion she brings everyday! It's so important and valuable to focus on the positive!

We must keep climbing for kids. Even when we want to leave our keys on the table and not return. 

We must never stop for kids, they deserve every ounce of energy, enthusiasm, passion, motivation, caring and creativity that we can muster.

Sometimes you just need to stop. Collect your thoughts. Regain perspective. It's so easy to focus on what is not going well, on what needs to change, on what could be done differently. 

Being a leader is similar to climbing a big mountain with an extremely heavy pack on - in the snow, during a storm, and you've run out of water. 

No matter how hard the challenge is, we must jump in, take that leap. Lace up those shoes, run faster and farther. Keep climbing, find a new route, push yourself.

Then, during the fray - while you're climbing - when you're jumping - as you're running - stop! Look around, take a seat, refocus your attention, analyze your output and where you're spending time and energy. 

Flip the switch and focus on your wins. The more you focus on positivity, the more wins will happen for you and your community. Enjoy the journey and that climb up your mountain. 

Please don't stop climbing. Please always jump in with both feet. Please get in the game and stay there until the fourth quarter. Never stop being awesome for kids, we mean more to them that we probably even realize. 

Kids need you. They want you. They deserve us to be suited up and ready to go. Now go!

Find Your Balance #tcrwp

This post is co-written with my good friend Chara Rodrigues who is an amazing Readers and Writers Workshop coach in the Bay Area. @CharaRodrigues1

We love books. We love the story they tell. We love how they inspire us to be better for kids. We love talking about them with other educators to see their perspective which opens new doors for us.

We really love a book that makes us stop and think. Makes us examine who we are, take a step back, and then move forward with a different plan. ‘I Am Yoga’ written by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds is that book.

It was no happenstance that I Am Yoga  appeared in my mailbox when it did.  It was a day when I needed a quiet reminder to “be still.”  It was a day when my kids needed a quiet reminder that it’s okay to “be slow”.  It was a day when I wish I could remind teachers to “make room in their minds to create and imagine.” This book speaks to a soul. Your soul, my soul, our souls.  It is a message that leaves a mark - one that lingers. One we need to return to, time and time again.

When I look back on my life, I find that most of the time, I was juggling.

NOT balancing.

Balls in the air.  

Dropping left and right.

Picking up dropped balls as I needed to get back in the game.  

It was okay, everyday was a new one and new balls would take precedence.  

But I never felt in control. I never felt I had a good handle on things.

Spinning. . .

Or shall I say juggling?

But balance - that is what I strive for.  That is what I want my children to strive for. It makes us better people.  Better citizens of the world.

One of my yoga teachers whispered in my ear one day, “Be the warrior, not the war!”  And that, my friends, is the true essence of balance.

We must find balance in our lives, all of us. At work, at home, with friends, with digital media, with social media - we’re better for kids when we’re balanced!

• Take time each day to balance yourself.
• Find that space where your mind can relax and balance comes back to your core.
• Take several long and slow deep breaths. Clear your mind. Breathe in your intentions and exhale your stress.
• Play calming music and close your eyes.
• Our children can see our stress, they can sense our anxiety, they feed off our energy. Make that energy positive, calming, and focus on being present in their lives.
• Read I Am Yoga and strike a tree pose like Susan below!

We feel I Am Yoga has a few different messages. What do you take from the story?

Do some yoga - Breath a little more deeply - Spend time outside in nature - Slow down - Enjoy the moment you’re currently in - Read books with kids - Have a conversation with someone - Enjoy!

Check out Susan's blog here!

Author Susan Verde striking a tree pose!

Live Your Life - Be An Artist #KidsDeserveIt

I hope your ears are burning Erik Wahl, some of our Kindergarten students were channeling your message this morning! Let me explain.......

Last week was International Dot Day which is organized by Peter H. Reynolds. I've read The Dot to my entire school for the past five years on Dot Day and it's such a fun experience. I missed one of our Kindergarten classes last week in my reading marathon and read to them this morning first thing.

The Dot is so rich with creativity, moments for whole group discussion, opportunities for partner turn-n-talks and most importantly about being an artist. After I read this book to a class we always chat about Vashti and the impact her teacher had on her. Also what potential impact she had on the little boy who drew the squiggly line and so many students want to know what happens next. (Hopefully Peter will write The Line as a follow-up to the Dot)

Today I asked the Kindergarten class before I left - 

"Raise your hand if you're an artist?" 

All twenty-four children raised their hands! I've asked that question to every class on campus after reading The Dot. 

It hit me. 

The older the grade level, the fewer hands go up. 

I wish you were there Erik. Why are our students losing their artistic energy as they get older? Why do they feel they're not artists? This is a bigger problem than simply drawing.

If a child thinks they can't draw, they may also doubt if they can create. If they can take risks. If they can think differently when approaching a problem and looking for a solution. If they have the freedom to step out on their own and be independent. 

We must promote creativity, innovation and art in our schools. It's the foundation for everything that we do. Our kids deserve it. Our kids need it. Our kids will grow and flourish because of it!

Principals and School Leaders - We must be the catalyst to make this happen. Give permission. Set the tone. Be the example. Have fun. Go create. Get dirty. Break the rules. Live your life. Be an artist. Watch your students thrive and see where it takes them. 

Grab some paint, make a design, have fun, let loose, live your life and be an artist!

Paint, color, draw - then have an art show at your school like Vashti! 

Please Don't Call Her Bossy - It's Leadership #KidsDeserveIt

I'm a dad, I have a daughter and please don't ever call her bossy. 

For years as a teacher when I was still in my 20s I would hear it, from parents or other teachers. That girl is bossy, she tells people what to do, she doesn't listen, she always takes charge. It hasn't stopped -  at school, at the pool with neighbors and of course in the media.

I've seen it for boys also- he's a leader, strong, captain, takes the initiative, someone you would follow. Why is there such a difference in how we describe our children based on their gender? 

At my last school where I was Principal there was a very strong girl who was often referred to as bossy. I'd always refute those people and explain my position. I finally called her parents one day to talk. Telling them how important I felt it was to never use the word bossy. We must keep her fire burning inside to be a future leader in our world, the stakes are high if her flame goes out, she may loose that edge if the message she hears keeps pushing her back. 

After I spoke with the parents they came back to me about a week later. We had another long talk and they expressed their feelings and gratitude for our previous conversation. They'd heard it from others about their daughter as well and had actually been concerned and tried to 'calm' down her leadership. 

I told them to embrace her energy, push her to achieve greatness, never let anyone tell her she can't, open all doors and make everything/anything possible, harness her 'captain' like oratory skills as a leader and to never look back!

As a Principal I'm always trying to build my teachers into leaders. Working in elementary schools my entire life, I've usually been surrounded by female teachers. It's astounding how many amazing women I've worked with over the years that I talk to about being a Principal. 

"You should get your administrative credential, you'd be an awesome Principal!" (me)

"Me, oh no, really, I don't think I could do what you do." (them)

"Yes you can, you'd be an awesome Principal, you're so organized, great with people and see the big picture of a school." (me)

"Wow, thanks, I never thought about being a Principal before." (them)

I never want my daughter to think that it's not possible, that she can't do it, that it's not attainable, that she must stand in the back or out of the inner circle, that someone else should be there instead of her.

She/they must always believe they can, we must tell them they can, we must show them they can, again and again and again. We're fighting an uphill battle for our girls and we can't let up, they deserve it, all girls deserve the opportunity!

This is a huge issue, with so many resources and people trying to empower girls/women in many different ways!

Girls Who Code!

Girls on the Run!

We must empower our girls! They aren't bossy, they're leaders, and our future leaders!

This TED Talk from Sheryl Sandberg is worth every minute to watch. We must empower our girls, please don't call them bossy. They're leaders and must maintain that mindset so they continue to lead and achieve! I also highly recommend her book Lean In, it's a great read for anyone!

The Principal's Office - The Celebration Office #PrincipalsInAction #KidsDeserveIt

I love when teachers send kids to my office. I know what you're thinking, what are talking about Adam? Why would you like to deal with discipline? That's not what it's about and not what the Principal's Office should be about either!

We must reverse being sent to The Principal's Office as a negative event and make the Principal's Office a Celebration Office. I love to celebrate. We must celebrate kids. We don't celebrate kids enough.

I'm pretty sure the video below is fictional, but sadly this is probably a scene that really happens in schools each day.

Something else happens all the time, especially recently since I'm the new Principal in my school. I'll meet a parent and their child, then..... 

"Don't get sent to Mr. Welcome's office!" 

"You don't want to know what his office looks like."

"Make sure the Principal never calls me!"

It breaks my heart. This is the image of Educational Leaders (Principal's) across our country, or it probably means this is what parents remember from their educational experience as a child. 

These past few weeks I've been working with a student on their appropriate language for school. They have made amazing growth and will come by once and sometimes twice a day to my office to celebrate! When I see them it's all high-fives, congratulations, we call their mom to report the awesome news - and it all happens in my office. We're celebrating their growth in my office!

Principal's need to take their offices back! Make your office a celebration office. 

Do.....

- We podcast our school radio show in my office!

- Teachers send kids to my office to read with me, make sure you take a photo and share with their parents!

- When a parent is in the office I always grab the younger sibling to come visit my office, we must change the culture even when they aren't quite in school yet. 

- Give your 5th graders an iPad and have them take photos around campus. Then sit and Tweet with them, teaches them digital citizenship and builds positive relationships in your office. 

- Bring kids to your office and then call their parents on speaker phone to celebrate a classroom win! Parents love this and so do the kids!

Don't....

- Spend too much time in your office during the day, be on campus and get in the game with your students!

- Make your initial discipline contact with students in your office. Do that outside of their classroom, or in a whisper voice at their desk. Only bring kids to your office when you really have to, make it a last resort.

- Bring kids to your office to 'talk' until you've exhausted many other discipline avenues. Work really hard to make your office a safe place where kids celebrate their awesomeness!

We need to be doing things like this in the Principal's office, way to lead from the front Todd!

This poster hangs in my office!