Dear You: You are amazing!!

This is such an easy thing that makes a big difference. Make up your own compliments. I did. It's a culture reinforcer. Hang them all over your building. Your biggest barrier will be keeping the compliments stocked up. Enjoy!!

Leadership Exchange

We had an amazing group of students at our school the other day for a Leadership Exchange. I’ll call it “Lead the Leaders.” We’ve done this many times before but every time we do it, I feel compelled to write about our experiences so more people can be aware of this powerful event.

We invited a group of students from a school in another county to our school (about thirty). The other school was a lot different than ours in terms of ethnic makeup.  This benefited both schools because we were able to share more about ourselves. We mixed in thirty of our students from our Renaissance Street Team. Our Street Team is as close to a student council as you can get. The students prepare different types of team building events and ice-breakers.

When the students arrived at our school, we played loud music playing in our auditorium. We literally roll out a red carpet as they come in. The rest of the students line up on each side of the carpet to high five them as they walk down the carpet. We start with a dance i.e. the a conga line then the Cha Cha Slide.

I made some introductions then we went into an icebreaker facilitated by one of our eighth grade students. A short video and some quick leadership theory headed us into our next activity: Name One Great Thing About Your School. We posted these great things on the wall.

We write down goals for the day on something conspicuous. This year, we used rocks. I ask the students to write down leadership words during the day. Write as many as you can. The students trade team building activities and ideas all day. And of course, we eat lunch.

One of the funniest games is Mission Impossible, a truly great team building experience. The kids are on teams and have to get to the other side of the gym without touching the floor.

Then we get back together and debrief the day. This year, we awarded small trophies, lined the students on stage, and played the National Anthem. Trust me; I just gave you the shortened version.

I tell the students and adults that the real work begins when we are done. After the other school leaves, our teachers start brainstorming. I’m sure the other school starts on the bus ride home. I put together a video with the pictures and video clips from the day. Wow! This is something every organization should do. You never know when inspiration will hit you but we knew this day!

Small Favor

I came across this blog post  by a former student. If I calculated correctly, she should be in grad school. She and her sister are both phenomenal students and most importantly great people. Every time you think you are not making a difference as an educator, something like this pops up. Here is the link to the whole blog:

http://yearwithhafiz.blogspot.com/2014/03/small-favor.html?showComment=1398710452495#c8426354425356313617

Small Favor

If someone asks you to do a small favor, carry that task out as if some great king had assigned you a royal errand, and might then toss a palace your way for a job well done. 

          When I first read this Hafiz quote it reminded me of something my middle school principal Dr. Frank Rudnesky would have said. My memories of him are numerous, but some that stand out are: if he heard someone say a negative comment about someone else, he would make the offender find five positive things to say and he told us never to walk around with the attitude of "I didn't make that mess/mistake, so I won't be cleaning it up/finding a way to fix the situation" (and urged us to act out this concept by picking up stray pencils in the hallways and bringing them to his office). He told a moving story of his early years as an educator, tutoring a girl with terminal cancer, his Renaissance program brought pop songs, ice cream, and singing teachers to the stage, and he cared, deeply, wholeheartedly, and visibly about anyone in his life - his staff, his coworkers, his students.
Most of all, he lived his words, tried to be a leader every day by setting an example for others, took life's small things as meaningful moments, and he had a smile for everyone.
           "Learn now, soar for a lifetime" was the motto of Belhaven Renaissance. The cool part is, many of the students who once learned in his school are still soaring.

Posted by Arden G at 7:23 PM

Things to Tell Your Son or Daughter Before They Go to College

Things to Tell Your Son or Daughter Before They Go to College

1.      Your happiness or unhappiness depends on you. Don’t let anyone steal your dreams.

2.      Always set goals along with a plan to accomplish those goals.

3.      Make fitness and health a way of life.

4.      If you think it’s not right, don’t do it. Listen to the voice in back of your head.

5.      Just because everyone else is doing it, it doesn’t mean it’s right. It doesn’t mean you should do it.

6.      Only take creative, calculated risks.

7.      Be safe.

8.      Hang out with good people. You know the difference.

9.      Always be respectful and do not accept anything less in return.

10.  Be organized.

11.  Always contribute service to your community.

12.  Have integrity.

13.  Be Nice.

14.  Potential minus commitment equals nothing.

15.  If you’re not successful, blame yourself.

16.  No one owes you anything.

17.  Your parents will always love you.

18.  Love your parents unconditionally. They do not owe you a college education.

19.  Always look at other people’s points of view

20.  Never sell yourself short. Never let anyone tell you you cannot do something.

21.  If you don’t know what to pursue, follow your passion. Money will be there.

22.  Everyone makes mistakes, some you can learn by; others can put you in a bad place permanently.

23.  There’s a big difference between loving someone and being in love. You can love your pet.

24.  You will have many more failures than successes, or you never tried to accomplish anything.

25.  When you listen to the soundtrack of your life, what do you hear?

26.  Responsibility is not a part time job.

27.  If you want advice, look inside a fortune cookie. If you want my opinion, make it count.

There are many more to come but I had to get this list out before my daughter went to college.