Are You Green?

Leaders,

This past Wednesday I had the awesome opportunity to present to several educators from Fairmount, Hankinson, and Lidgerwood.  It was amazing watching these educators come together to share ideas with each other and to incorporate these ideas and skills in their own schools to help students succeed.

The topic I presented on was on how to develop your own Personal Learning Network (PLN).  The main focus I wanted each person to think about was professional/personal growth.  Not only as an educator, but also as a parent, grandparent, etc, etc, etc.  Here are two points we talked about during our PLC day:

1.  We all need to grow as individuals daily.  This is what the PLN is about.  Developing relationships, connecting with individuals, and constantly having that thirst for knowledge.  So the question is, are you green?  What do you mean green?  Well - if you are green you are growing.  You are always learning.  You are observant.  You seek help.  You seek improvement.  You do this daily and you implement it.  This not only improves you as an individual, it improves those around you also.  John Maxwell puts it this way - "If you are not learning, you are not growing."

2.  What's your story?  This is the question that Andy Stanley asks those under his supervision.  Take some time to think about this.  One of the best examples I've read about on this topic comes from Joe Ehrmann and his book "InSideOut Coaching".  Coach Ehrmann has his athletes write their own obituary.  If you had this assignment, what would you say about yourself?  What would others say about you?  Did you lead a life of significance?  Coach Ehrmann says this exercise gets "transformative results."  His athletes at a banquet would read their obits and here are a few quotes that would be heard - "a loving father",  "a devoted husband", or "he lived his life for others."  What would your obituary say?

Happy Friday!

Mr. Townsend

Coming Home...Coming Together

Dear Leaders,

As I write this post I'm exhausted.  It is Friday and it is 4:00 PM and we just wrapped up a week of homecoming activities.  It is a long week that is full of activities and excited students!  However, this year was a touch different.  A couple of things jumped out at me as I walked around the building and observed the daily activities:

1.  School Spirit.  In one of my favorite books of all time called "Wooden" by John Wooden, he talks about what he calls the Pyramid of Success.  At the very top or apex of his pyramid is his definition of success "peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."  Now, a portion or brick included in his pyramid that is an important aspect to reach success is what he calls "Team Spirit".  This is what I saw at the school this week.  Wooden defines this as "thinking of others" or "losing oneself in the group for the good of the group."  It means you are willing to sacrifice personal gain for the welfare of all.  You are a team player.  I saw that this week with our staff and students.

2.   Hard Work.  I can also reference John Wooden's pyramid of success on this topic.  On his pyramid he has what he calls "cornerstones".  If you don't have these two blocks the whole pyramid will crumble and you will not succeed.  He calls one of the cornerstone blocks "industriousness".  This simply means hard work.  Wooden says "worthwhile things come only from work."  How true!  This week I saw the staff and students not only working hard on homecoming activities but by the end all students in grades 7-12 at school today had all work done and handed in.  It was awesome to see all the hard work this week!

Everybody needs a little change of pace and this week provided that.  School is all about standards, curriculum, etc, etc, etc.  At the same time, weeks like homecoming can be just as beneficial to staff and students.  It gives them the opportunity to seek out moments that are included in the Pyramid of Success such as school spirit, hard work, patience, cooperation, friendship, enthusiasm, and loyalty.  These moments can be a positive influence in the lives of staff and students now and forever.  I'll take that for a week that ends with exhaustion.  :-)

Tiger Pride,

Mr. Townsend