Tuesday Reflection:
Not everyone has the skill set to lead others. However, we all have it within us to choose to see and share the good. When a team adopts this type of philosophy, of intentionally focusing on the good in one another, it can transform a work environment. If you are that person with whom the gift of leadership has been given, may you choose to be a leader that creates bridges and models for the team on what it looks like to be a positive builder of men and women! #ShareTheGood
Filed under Curriculum Resources
I am so excited to share that Maria Chubb and Karina Lepkowski mastered educators teaching at Most Holy Trinity within the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools will be coming to share their best practices they have been sharing at Detroit area EdCamps and Archdiocese of Detroit professional development sessions on March 3rd for our Archdiocese of Baltimore and Loyola University “Harness the Power Within” Professional Development Day!
#SharingTheGood #WeAreAllOneBodyinChrist
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-
Denise
We would love to have educators join the conversation on Monday, January 8th at 7 PM for the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools premiere Twitter edChat. We will be discussing student service learning with guest, Friar Matt Foley! #ShareTheGood #AOBCatholicSchools #RiseAbove
Filed under Curriculum Resources, Twitter edChat
Many students have 4-6 weeks off of school between June and September. Students are “scheduled” during the school year and do need “down” time. However, given our informational age, letting our brains pause for too long could have negative effects too, especially in regards to math. Learning is all about the lens we choose to view it in…let us promote learning as a fun, year-long, life-long process. Encouraging those around us of any age, to get excited about reviewing our knowledge or learning something new. Having the ability to learn is a gift, and is something that should be celebrated.
For summer introduction, practice, mastery or review these sites are a good place for students in grades K-12 to explore mathematic concepts. I have also recommended these sites as homework resources too.
Discovery Education
Grades 1-8
Visit Website: https://school.discoveryeducation.com
Enjoy the fun and challenges of mathematics. Students can click on “Homework Help” or “Games and Interactives” to review math concepts and skills. This site offers resources to help students master the basics of mathematics of numbers and number operations. Videos and tutorials explain basic operations and help with the mastery of math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division–essential building blocks for success in mathematics.
Front Row
Grades K-8
Visit Website: https://www.frontrowed.com/
Zero in on math and ELA with personalized practice and assessments
SoftSchools.com
Grades K-12
Visit Website: http://www.softschools.com/math/games/
Interactive free math games
Prodigy
Grades: 1-8
Visit Website: https://www.prodigygame.com/
Adaptive math practice wrapped in role-playing adventure
Get the Math
Grades: 7-10
Visit Website: http://www.thirteen.org/get-the-math/category/the-challenges/
Solve real-life algebra problems
AAA Math
Grades: K-8
Visit Website: http://www.aaamath.com
Get introduced, practice, master or review math concepts outlined per grade level
Khan Academy
Grades: K-12
Visit Website: https://www.khanacademy.org
Mini math instructional videos that cover a wide array of math concepts. Parents/students can personalize learning by setting up a free online classroom.
Kuta Software
Visit Website: https://www.kutasoftware.com
Grades 6-12
Download free worksheets ranging from Pre-Algebra to Infinite Calculus
SoftSchools.com
Grades: 6-8
Visit Website: http://www.softschools.com/math/algebra/
Algebra Worksheets, Quizzes and Activities
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
Best leadership statements read on Twitter this morning:
“If you are not read to serve, re-think your role as a leader…”
“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” –John C. Maxwell
“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.” –Publilius Syrus
“A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together.”
–Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
“Wise leaders generally have wise counselors because it is a takes a wise person themselves to distinguish them.” –Diogenes of Sinope
How much time do we spend reading best practices and reflecting on being a good leader? Are we intentional with our teams, really making sure that they are valued members of the organization? Do we “see” them and “listen” when they speak? Do they know we care?
I believe effective leaders have an innate ability to see problems as opportunities and challenges as growth moments. However, it has been my experience as an educational leader and professional development coach, that sometimes a person may have leadership tendencies, but due to a lack of development or vision, these missed leadership opportunities are manifested in behaviors that can often be viewed as negative or argumentative in the workplace.
I encourage taking time to draft a thought out strategic plan for professional development incorporating reflective practices (Maxine Greene) for not only individual employees but “team” strategic thinking. Create opportunities for various team members to lead. Exhale and enjoy watching the leadership blossom and come to fruition among those that may not have even seen the leadership potential within themselves.
Good leaders develop leaders, not followers and create opportunities for many voices to come together to create unified vision and positive synergy for future growth and development among the team and organization.
When we train our eyes and ears to see and hear the good, culture transformation can occur within any organization!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-
Denise
#SharingtheGood #SpeakLife
Filed under Curriculum Resources
The six simple rules provided by Dr. Ramsey, are simplistic in nature and effective if remembered by educational leaders when looking to develop and implement “in the name of children”. I believe that to be an effective leader in education, we must remember our customer is not only the child but our parents. Parents, who have a voice and could choose any school. Given the many varied school options available today, what makes your school the best choice for their child? Parents are looking for a collaborator, not a dictator or an organization that isolates and creates feelings of inferiority.
From conducting a needs assessment, drafting a strategic plan or developing a backward designed curriculum utilizing a Universal Design Learning mindset, we must always keep the child as center focus. Programs that lose sight of the child have failed before implementation has even begun.
As a principal, I know how “busy” and unexpected a school day can be. However, the reasons why there are so many blogs and books that share best practices and strategies for principals and educational leaders alike to get out of their offices and into the classrooms, is because we all at one point or another get stuck behind our desks attending necessary managerial tasks and we need to be reminded that the reason we chose to be a principal in the first place was to be change agents for children and a champion of teachers!
It is so important to remember the “why”! We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the tasks at hand but read and research that strategy that will work best for us to spend that necessary time in the classroom seeing learning in action on the part of both student and teacher.
We cannot discount the importance placed on the positive development and cultivation of a healthy team of faculty and staff. A healthy and effective faculty and staff are crucial in the development of our future, so it is essential that we as educational leaders get up, get moving and motivate, lead and develop our teams.
As second semester begins for many of us around the world, I encourage you in 2017 to seek out new ways to tell your faculty and staff, “good job” or “this needs some attention for the sake of our children and all those placed in our care.”
Be the educational leader you wanted to be when you first said, “YES” to the opportunity.
Seek to be the difference in the lives of the children, parents, faculty and staff placed in your care. When we choose to be and see the good, it is simply life changing.
6 RULES FOR PRINCIPALS
By Robert Ramsey, Ed.D
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
As many administrators, I often find myself early in the morning reading amazing educational tweets on Twitter or articles shared on LinkedIN.
I have been fortunate to find a selection of educational and business leaders to follow on these sites who share best practices that I can glean insight to enhance my own leadership style or the way to approach my team, stakeholders or a specific situation in education.
When it comes to marketing, this is one area those of us who work within the non-public school arena could improve on and learn from other industry leaders.
Below is a good article and great reminder for non-public school administrators by Arnaud Prevot.
Brand Personalities of Private Schools
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/brand-personalities-private-schools-dr-arnaud-prevot
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-
Denise
Filed under Curriculum Resources
Last week while sitting in an airport, I grabbed a magazine that featured information on Microsoft’s HoloLens. As an educational leader, I was simply blown away with the future classroom applications that could occur once this product’s engineers have worked out all the kinks and the price driven down to make it an affordable tool to use to enhance learning for learners of all ages, in school and in the workforce.
Below are some good reviews to get one acquainted with the product and provides a glimpse of what it can do and why this product is one to watch for making a change in the way we look at teaching and student learning.
Check out this YouTube Video, that is mind-blowing in educational possibilities for our future with preparing tomorrow’s leaders for any industry. Microsoft HoloLens-Transform your World with Holograms
A Look at Microsoft’s HoloLens by Sean Hollister on CNet.com
Education and Technology…Blogs to Read to Stay Current and use as a Resource
The 2016 Must Read Education and Technology Blogs by Ed TECH Focus on K-12.
The Top 10 EdTech Blogs by http://www.Brainscape.com
Educational Technology and Mobile Learning website is very cool and offers a plethora for resources for educational leaders. The site offers blogs to follow and products to use to enhance any learning environment.
Continual Learning Across the Industries
Since we should always be learning new ways to perfect our craft, regardless of industry, this is a great site for professional development and human resource leaders as well. Learning needs to be engaging for all learners, regardless of their age or level of education. SnackNation, conducted a survey and came up with some out-of-the-box blogs that share ideas on how to make your employees feel validated and engaged in whatever it is you as a manager, leader or employer have to offer.
In an age where after a 30 second sound bite, we lose interest, gleaning some perspective and new ideas from those with whom we want to engage, so they can lead our industries into tomorrow might not be a bad idea.
Human Resource Blogs
The Top 30 HR Blogs for High Performance HR Professionals by http://www.snacknation.com
Capella University’s 6 Must Read Blogs for HR Professionals
Great Leadership -A blog for a leader/manager at any level. This blog also shared best practices and tools to use with your team. e.g. Individual Performance Plans etc.
Strategic Human Capital Management A useful resource for an HR manager or leader in any industry.
As I transition from my role as a traditional education leader as a school principal into more of an education leader within the world of human resources, I will share all the good sites and resources I discover. Life after all, is just one large volume of multiple lessons…
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
When after working 21 years within the world of education, I pause to reflect and review the amazing opportunities I have had, hopefully making a difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff and school communities I have had the pleasure of developing programs, serving, and training.
I most recently shared with my children (12 & 14) that we will be relocating to the Washington, D.C./Maryland area. My husband has recently moved to the area with his employer and after twenty-three years of marriage, I know it is important for us to move together as one family unit. To my surprise, both my children without hesitation were excited about the “adventure” and quoted me as often saying, “life is short, let’s embrace a new chapter of life.”
Given the relocation plans, many in my life are surprised by my excitement about the adventure and all the uncertainty that relocating can bring. Many have taken the time to voice their amazement on how well my children are taking to the news and quite honestly surprised by their excitement.
Our family have spent time talking about the responses from family and friends. I have had numerous conversations on the topic of relocating with my educational leadership peers, faculty and staff. Ultimately, I am thrilled to join my husband Michael. I am grateful for the grace of life and having two healthy children.
In education, I have spent years teaching and encouraging students to embrace change as a new concept or topic of learning is being taught. I have spent years developing programs and training and encouraging educational teams to include my own faculty and staff, to change the lens in which they see their classrooms, teams and school environments, and embrace a new idea and or theory all for the betterment of enhancing the learning experience of the students placed in their care. These experiences have all been successful and repeated throughout the world by many.
In education, we are called to be change agents, and yet so often, we have a difficult time stepping out of our silos and changing the lens in which we use to see the world around us. As I embrace this new chapter in my life, I am excited as I interview within education, various industry leaders and agencies, I am seeing just how small (and global) our world is. I cannot wait to see which team I will join and grateful for the wonderful years of working within the world of education in Michigan.
I encourage all those who play a role in the life of a child to continue to encourage them to seek out the new, embrace the changes as opportunities and help them see global connections all around them.
I will continue to post blog entries on those topics I find most interesting and educationally worthy. I am grateful for all the feedback and the hundreds of thousands of views this blog has received.
My next blog post will be on Microsoft’s HoloLens. I have recently read a few articles on this product. You can say you read it here first, when I say that this product will change the way in which we teach and learn in the future. As you know, educational changes often move as pond water, and we may not see this product changing education best practices tomorrow or even in the next 5 years but this is an amazing product and it is definitely one to watch when it comes to enhancing education for our leaders of tomorrow.
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
(Picture posted on Facebook by Teacher2Teacher #T2T)
We have limited days left with our students.
What a blessing it has been to greet them each morning as they enter our building, our classroom. To be able to tell them they can learn the impossible and see that which is not visible. Be a caregiver, boo-boo healer, magician, entertainer, disciplinarian and mentor. To be a dispenser of hope and a well of motivation and inspiration. Provide them examples to model after and to strive to emulate.
What a blessing it has been to be all we are called to be to them this school year.
We as educational support staff, teachers and administrators have modeled for those placed in our care more than we will ever know.
Hopefully, we have modeled positive conflict resolution, how to demonstrate and hopefully deal with disappointment and frustration, how to be kind in words and actions and how to forgive.
Our students have watched and listened to our words and actions.
As one who who chooses to work within the world of education, teach and inspire our future leaders of tomorrow, this is so very important for us to remember.
Let us have faith that the seeds and examples we have planted and provide will be watered to bear fruit for many years to come.
May the last few weeks of school be all that you hoped this school year would be …on the first day of school!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-
Denise
Principal
St. Augustine Catholic School
Twitter:
@dballwriter and @principal567
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