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
 

What Kind Of Door Are You?

Dear Leaders:

I was driving to work the other morning and a song came on the radio and I thought to myself...this would be a great topic to blog about....so here we go!

In a song by Jason Gray ("With Every Act Of Love"), Jason has a lyric in that song that really hits home with me - "we have a million doors in this world for people to walk through and one of those doors is you."  What is Jason saying?  What could we as leaders, parents, brothers, sisters, teachers, or individuals learn from this song?

I think of the word opportunity (door) when I hear this song.  Think about your day.  From the time you wake up to the time you go to bed.  Think about the title of the song "With Every Act Of Love".  How many opportunities do you have each day to influence a life?  How many people come to your "door" a day and when they "walk" through your "door" how do you treat them?  Positively or negatively?

As I finish my first full week of school, I've had a lot of students and staff come through my "door".  On my whiteboard here in the office I have a one word hashtag I'm using for the school year to focus on - the hashtag is #opportunity.  Each time I have an individual walk through my "door" I approach each situation as an opportunity to have positive influence towards that person.  I encourage all of you to have that same mindset each and every day.

Take Care,

Mr. Townsend

Parental Involvement

Greetings!  I hope this holiday season finds you well.  I think I may be in trouble because I am behind on my latest Friday Focus and I told my Mom a couple weeks ago I would get another one published....so Sorry MOM!

For this Friday Focus, and with the holiday season among us, I would like to zone in on the importance of parental involvement.  From many articles I have read and with collaborating with many peers, I have found that research has shown that students with parents that are involved with the school and at home have fewer behavior problems and better academic performance.  To go even farther with this, a parent that is involved in the home adds even more value to a child's life.

I love this article, Fatherhood, by former NFL football coach Tony Dungy.  Although this article is directed at Dads, I still feel that the more involvement we have in the home by either a Mom or Dad only benefits our youth today.  Here are my "take-away's" from the article:

• Old English proverb "One Father is more than a hundred schoolmasters."
• Be there for your children.
• A parent present in the home can model proper behavior.
• Children need positive emotional stimulation from parents - especially Fathers.
• Make it a priority to do the following with your child - have dinner, attend their activities, tuck them in at bedtime.
• Always try to be actively involved in the household and be unified as parents when doing this.
• Let your child know they are your number one priority.
• Find a way to maximize your family time.  (Dungy gave up golf)
• Because our time is so limited, it's even more precious - to them and to you.
• Continue to evaluate the time you spend with family every year.

So as we transition into the holiday season, click on the link above and read the article by Tony Dungy.  This time of season is the perfect time and opportunity to start a new trend..... to enjoy family and fellowship.  I hope you have a joyous holiday season!

Mr. Townsend

You Are A Masterpiece

Yesterday our 7-12 students had the opportunity to listen to Bob Upgren speak at the Wahpeton High School Auditorium.  I love listening to speakers and I love taking notes.  Here are my "take aways" with Mr. Upgren's message:

• Who you are is more important than what you do.

• As John Wooden said "Be true to yourself".  As individuals we need to be proud of who we are and what we can do.  Don't change.  Be YOU. 

• Be everything that you were created to be.

• Everybody has a talent.  Find that talent and utilize it.  It is what you were meant to do in life.  If you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life

• You are a masterpiece.

• You are here on Earth for a reason.  Find that reason and be the masterpiece.

• You are made for a purpose.

• Find your purpose.  Utilize your purpose.  Be significant.  Make a difference in the lives of others.  Have influence.  Be a leader.

• Build your foundation on rock.

• Seek help when needed.  Surround yourself with other leaders.  Challenge yourself.  Always seek knowledge.  Have vision.

Happy Friday Focus!

Mr. Townsend

Vision

John Maxwell says vision "paints the target".  Vision leads the leader. 

I attended a leadership simulcast and the main topic was VISION and how it relates to leadership.  

John Maxwell gives a great example of vision:

1.  Some people never see it.  (They are wanderers)

2.  Some people see it but never pursue it on their own.  (They are followers)

3.  Some people see it and pursue it.  (They are achievers)

4.  Some people see it and pursue it and help others see it.  (They are leaders)

Do you dream?  Do you have goals?  Do you have a burn in your stomach to do something?  Try this exercise from Moishe Rosen:

If I had _______________________________ I would _______________________.

With vision always think abundance.  Beyond best is always better.  You can always get better.  You can always climb higher.  Have the mindset "no finish line".

Here is Maxwell's 5 step cycle to success:  test, fail, learn, improve, and re-enter

Intentionally grow everyday.  This increases your growth capacity.

Average people want you to stay average.  Surround yourself with bigger people.

Final Thought:  Find your vision, and let it guide you in all that you do.

Lights Shine Bright

Christian music artist Toby Mac on his newest album has a song called "Light Shine Bright".  Since it is the holiday season I thought this would be a great topic for my Friday Focus Blog. 

The song talks about being a light for other people each and every day.  If you think about it, you have the choice on what type of influence you can make in this world.  We all have influence.  We all have opportunities.

I read a book one time about being bucket fillers.  I love this concept.  Each day when you interact with people look at them and picture how much love they have in their bucket.  The person may be going through a rough time.  The person may be poor.  The person may look fine but on the inside is hurting.  How can you fill their bucket?  A smile.  Show them that you care.  Listen to them when they talk to you.  Compliment them.  Make them a priority.  We all have this opportunity.  We just need to make it happen.  Be a light.

In one of my favorite books by Jon Gordon called "The Carpenter" one of the main characters teaches the theory of doing three things daily.  Love, Serve, Care.  It is as simple as that but a very hard concept.  The rewards from doing that theory is life changing.  Have that mindset each day - love those around you, serve those around you, and care about those around you.  Your actions can change lives.

Be a light.

"Lights shine bright everywhere we go"  Toby Mac

Happy Holidays!!!!

Home Run

I'm reading a book right now called Home Run and this quote jumped out at me - "The greatest battles we face are not around us, but within us."

The author is talking about Character.  His point is that in order for us to succeed in life we need to first focus on ourselves.  Good character creates an invisible foundation in a person's life which reflect relationships, careers, and a life of significance.  I love the quote by John Wooden "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

In order to have character you need to build a solid foundation from within.  If you let violations of character to chip away by your actions that foundation will eventually collapse or become weak.  This is so important because as individuals we can never live a productive life if we cross that line and put our character at risk.

Some tips to help build a solid foundation of character:

1.  Call a loved one every night.
2.  Talk positively about other people.
3.  Choose close friends carefully.
4.  Live your life as an open book.
5.  Seek a mentor with strong character.

These few tips will help you develop a full life.

Mr. Townsend