tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009642748612149722024-03-13T14:23:19.864-05:00Contagious LearningChrist follower, Hubby, Daddy, Texas Aggie; Leading Contagious Learning since 2002. PhD studying multimodality, digital composition, social media in education.BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-60661536229532736202018-07-13T00:05:00.001-05:002018-07-13T02:13:24.311-05:00Overstructuring?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I read an interesting study that was, at its formation, a critique of digital composition research in the context of social semiotic theory. It took issue with the fact that much of this research does not account for a holistic, embodied experience and it separates experience between tool, active, space and time. In their study the follow to girls digital composition experiences and in the findings section make the statement that is illustrated above in regards to how space, time, and affect are important in the design of classroom activity.<br />
Even with the best of intentions, we as teachers/designers we can unintentionally remove opportunities to for our kiddos to make use of resources and develop the ability to identify and use resources that will help them construct meaning and meaningful artifacts of their learning. The structures of our classroom and the tools (both the physical and mental) that we allow (or not) students to use have a great deal to do with the level of complexity with which they work. When we lesson and experience design, are we giving the proper amount of attention to these aspects and how they can help our kiddos think deeper and more creatively?<br />
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<br />Ehret, C., & Hollett, T. (2014). Embodied composition in real virtualities: Adolescents' literacy practices and felt experiences moving with digital, mobile devices in school. Research in the Teaching of English, 48(4), 428-452.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2; margin-left: 30px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: -30px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-78177573129522036252018-06-19T14:54:00.000-05:002018-06-19T14:54:51.829-05:00Intellectual & Affective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In studying multimodality this semester, I've already found many connections with areas from my own classroom and leadership experiences that are near and dear to my heart. Seeing learning as not only as an act of the mind but also an act that has an important grounding in emotion that drives it forward. This is something that language alone can not always evoke. Elliot Eisner (2002), making some connections to the ideas of multimodality, especially as they relate to the arts, said, "work in the arts cultivates the modes of thinking and feeling...one cannot succeed in the arts without such cognitive abilities" (9). The interplay of different modes to create and how we as interpreters construct meaning is quite fascinating, especially when we begin to think about how these important literacies play out in tools such as these (blogs) and social media!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">References</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Eisner, E. W. (2002). What can education learn from the arts about the practice of education?<i> Journal of Curriculum and Supervision, </i><i>17</i>(2), 4.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Hull, G. A., & Nelson, M. E. (2005). Locating the semiotic power of multimodality.<i> Written Communication, </i><i>22</i>(2), 224-261. doi:10.1177/0741088304274170</span></div>
<br />BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-2703737155281927072018-06-18T14:01:00.000-05:002018-06-18T14:01:37.302-05:00Firing It Up Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's time. Nearly three years have passed since my last post and many things have changed and shifted for me as a person, learner, leader, etc. as it should for anyone over the course of time. In the last three years, I've left administrative leadership, returned to the classroom, begun doctoral study, and left the classroom again! It has been a wild ride. <br />
As my career now takes a decidedly more scholarly and academic turn, it's important to keep track of the thoughts and ideas that come across the brain and I'll place them here. It's the right time as my class this summer requires an on-going journal, it's the right time to continue to let my learning be contagious here! And especially as my research interests are in the literacies and multimodalities of digital tools, especially blogs and social media, this is, again, ideal (which hopefully means, I'll be reinvigorating the <a href="http://twitter.com/bstamm00" target="_blank">old Twitter account</a> for that purpose).<br />
I look forward to questions, comments, & discussion as they come! <br />
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Happy Learning<br />
<br />BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-25482806456020334992015-07-27T08:10:00.000-05:002015-07-28T14:36:17.010-05:00Recruiting Season<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLyfYwjCcig/VbYqcl1h1wI/AAAAAAAABLI/xkC_WX-zapo/s1600/Uncle_Sam_%2528pointing_finger%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLyfYwjCcig/VbYqcl1h1wI/AAAAAAAABLI/xkC_WX-zapo/s320/Uncle_Sam_%2528pointing_finger%2529.png" width="238" /></a><br />
A few months ago, during one of my FMLA principalships, I attended a district principal's meeting where one of the principals stood up, almost in tears, and began to speak about how hard it was to be the principal of a Title campus, that it was harder than other schools (she'd know, her experience runs the full range of socioeconomic backgrounds) and it was very difficult to get teachers to stay and buy into the work that was happening. My apologies, I really can't remember the exact context of the comment, but I recall it very clearly because it was an emotionally charged portion of the meeting. She was highly frustrated.<br />
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While every campus has its struggles and challenges, having taught at Title campuses, I'd tend to agree with her, but my brain immediately shot to what is the identity and brand of this campus? Why do teachers want to belong, what makes this school an amazing place to be? I also began to think about how we often speak of student engagement. Is the difficulty or type of work any different than blaming video<br />
<a name='more'></a>games, TV, cell phones, etc. for why we are unable to hold the attention of students? We preach that students are volunteers and they volunteer their attention to the things that are relevant and meaningful to them. Teacher engagement is completely related. Whether it is students, curriculum, instruction, learning, grading or the places they choose to take their talents,<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">our teachers volunteer themselves to the things to the things that are important to them.</span></b> <a href="http://ctt.ec/7G09f" target="_blank">Tweet this!</a></blockquote>
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So then entered the thought about recruiting of teachers because this colleague mentioned that teachers were being lured away by something more desireable. If you are not really into it, let me tell you, college recruiting is a very exciting season. National signing day in February is absolutely amazing and I'll admit, I have ESPN open on the laptop and my A&M twitter list is handy so I know the news as it comes in. But somehow this idea of recruiting teachers is taboo in our world of education.<br />
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Is it a bad thing to actively recruit amazing teachers? I'm not talking about visiting university campuses or job fairs, I remember my own visits to job fairs and hearing from districts "we pay more than that district" as their pitch. That's great and all but, we are all positive we didn't jump into this work because of the money. Although, wouldn't it be great for a teacher to sign that multi-million dollar contract like in the video!!?? I'm am talking about actively contacting and talking to amazing teachers, wherever they are, whatever situation they are in and pitching your campus to them because you know they would be an amazing fit for your team and campus and your kids need what they can provide!<br />
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What I know for sure is that this would force campuses to be completely grounded in their own identity and brand if they want to bring in the right "fit" for their "scheme" Whether we are actively recruiting teachers in the way I'm wondering, we really should be able to clearly articulate what our campus is about, how we do our business, what we believe, where are our kids are going, why do we persist when the work is incredibly hard (addressing the initial question above), why this is an amazing place to spend our time and invest our lives in. It would certainly bring some objectivity to the hiring process in that respect.<br />
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I would love for this to become an open conversation. What are your thoughts or experiences? What would be the implications? Would it build more respect for or pride in our profession? Would create a "rich get richer" situation; would there be an SEC of teacher recruiting? Would there be a "Cleveland" of recruiting? Sorry, Cleveland, although, we do see those Cleveland teams putting together amazing teams and being pretty successful. Would that place an additional burden on the campus? How much more importance would that place upon being a connected educator? Would that water down or muddy the connectedness? Not leading anywhere in particular with these questions, just emphasizing that there are more than a few things to think about here. Pick a question from here or bring up your own, but please take a moment to make a comment below!<br />
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Happy thinking!<br />
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B<br />
<br />BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-12577807245543090882015-07-07T07:10:00.004-05:002015-07-07T07:10:41.963-05:00Joy & Growth Mindset<div dir="ltr">
What happens when the happiness doesn't come?</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvbxvYpDAwQ/VZp53ZwyIMI/AAAAAAAABKo/pnFzKDJ9rzY/s1600/James-1-2-4-web-nlt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvbxvYpDAwQ/VZp53ZwyIMI/AAAAAAAABKo/pnFzKDJ9rzY/s320/James-1-2-4-web-nlt.jpg" width="320" /></a>There was the key question from a <a href="http://mycompasschurch.com/default.aspx?page=4089&campus=4">message</a> at church a few weeks ago. Replace happiness with any type of word you like: success, promotion, healing, etc. I've shared this with teachers and friends following tough conversations or in tough situations: </div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">How we respond to a situation truly defines us, not the situation itself. <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><a href="http://ctt.ec/Aj1ol">Tweet this!</a> </blockquote>
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I've had to remind myself of this quite a few times. I'd venture to say that it is not a natural response to choose joy or to choose growth in failure or shortcoming. At least for<br />
<a name='more'></a> me, my natural response so to retreat to someplace "safe" and wait for the pain to go away or whatever it is to pass. In that place there is no growth, there is no joy. And we quickly become something very unpleasant.</div>
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To choose a growth mindset in a choice to develop endurance, to increase our perseverance and grit! But, how wonderful when we choose to tie these two together. How powerful the growth, how much greater the joy as we learn and grow! Our perfection and completeness comes as a grow, learn and share our joy and growth with others.</div>
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How have you taken advantage of an opportunity to choose joy and a growth mindset lately?</div>
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Happy growing!</div>
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B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-28320018221612005442015-06-29T07:09:00.000-05:002015-07-06T07:22:53.848-05:00More than Group Work<div dir="ltr">
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<a href="http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/02/01/7-essential-principles-of-innovative-learning/"><span style="font-size: large;">7 Essential Principle of Innovative Learning</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG9bkeWM8sg/VZE0wxzEYMI/AAAAAAAABJ4/6kPr1qNDi8A/s1600/groupwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yG9bkeWM8sg/VZE0wxzEYMI/AAAAAAAABJ4/6kPr1qNDi8A/s320/groupwork.jpg" width="320" /></a>I came across this article a few days ago and tweeted it. It is a great overview of 21st century teaching foundations and practices. I'd encourage you to click & read it. #2 caught my eye particularly. It seems I've had many conversations over the last five (5) years or so surrounding this idea. And, many of these conversations were surrounding a misunderstanding of this idea and I'm thinking there are many out there that have had similar experiences.<br />
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I remember these conversations began when opening a new middle school campus. There would be a wealth of technology, but not 1:1. Our focus was to be more project based, but for some reason that immediately meant that everything we were going to do was group work. The discussion <br />
<a name='more'></a>soon became focused on group work versus social learning. I know I've used this analogy before, but this is yet another example of the rectangle/square idea. These two things are connected, but not the same. Group work is a great example of and necessary part of social learning, but, again, they are not the are not mutually exclusive. Social learning casts such a wider net than simply group work. Here are some specific thoughts.<br />
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As stated above, "structured, collaborative group work" is not only definition of social learning - interviews, debates, peer editing, simply going to ask classmates or teachers questions and seek feedback are integral parts of social learning mentioned in this article. Anytime we are interacting with others for the purpose of learning the experience is enhanced and relevance is added to the learning.<br />
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"Structured, collaborative group work" must be explicitly taught - when it comes to group work, this must be explicitly taught and coached. Working with others is tricky and it comes more naturally to some, but this must be a skill that is taught and refined over time. I have seen that teachers will sometimes avoid group work because of the conflicts and struggles that students face during these times, and that knows no level. I have seen it at elementary and middle levels and I'm positive it continues from there. I've heard the stories. <br />
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<b>The more opportunities and tools we provide to students in collaborative situations the more comfortable they will become.</b> <a href="http://ctt.ec/0S2mF" target="_blank">Tweet this!</a></blockquote>
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There is not a single profession that exists in a silo. Building the "soft skills" must be part of what we teach our kiddos not just because they must know how to work with others, but because we know it enriches learning! We must be cognizant in our design not to limit social learning to group work. Social learning and collaboration cast such a wider net and can be so much more to our students to enhance their learning experience.<br />
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What are your thoughts? What are some great social learning experiences in which you have participated or that you have designed or observed?<br />
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Happy learning!<br />
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B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-5871037199616588622015-06-25T07:11:00.000-05:002015-06-25T07:15:06.650-05:00Contagious LearningWhy do you do what you do?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BI9pcBDruFQ/VYqppeTMlDI/AAAAAAAABJM/hExID6E0dcc/s1600/Contagious.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BI9pcBDruFQ/VYqppeTMlDI/AAAAAAAABJM/hExID6E0dcc/s320/Contagious.jpg" width="320" /></a>In embracing the growth mindset through a disappointing Spring, I have recently asked a colleague and former supervisor to serve as my mentor. This is a facet of my own growth I realized had been absent from my life over the last 5+ years. I asked her explicitly to ask me hard questions that I hadn't thought about myself, I choose to ignore or that I refuse to answer myself. I desired a new level of accountability in my growth and development as a educator as well as a person. <br />
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So what's the first thing that she asks me. "Why do you do what you do?" Should be an easily <br />
answerable question. My brain starts to filter through 14 years of educator experiences: beauty of <br />
<a name='more'></a>literacy instruction, technology as a tool to connect students and parents to learning, amazing learning experiences for students and teachers, and all I can sputter out is "it's about the learning." I can smile about it now, but I was a little embarrassed! How ineloquent a response to a hugely important question. Thinking about the mentorship relationship I desired, I got over myself and continued to shoot disconnected thoughts and goals then began to put them together into a cohesive idea. All the while, she sat and listened. I had forgotten what an amazing experience it was to have a mentor listen and refine thoughts and ideas, to share and to dream with.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPncRdTkdfc/VYqqWzcygoI/AAAAAAAABJU/_3JBuGCRNfs/s1600/photo-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TPncRdTkdfc/VYqqWzcygoI/AAAAAAAABJU/_3JBuGCRNfs/s320/photo-43.jpg" width="320" /></a>What I came down to in our session was I want learning to be contagious. I love learning! I love sharing ideas with others! I love gaining ideas & thoughts from others! I enjoy reading! I LOVE my Twitter PLN (which I have some specific things I'm working on), I love the design aspects of learning! I want to share that love with others. I want that to shine through and be evident in my daily interactions with teachers, students and colleagues. I desire for that to be evident in the learning experiences designed for staff as well as the opportunities outside of school provided and encouraged. I want to have a the maximum opportunity and platform to have my love of learning be contagious! At one point in our conversation I likened my desire for learning to be contagious to discipleship. Who is the group that I "run around with", learning, improving, growing sharpening (Proverbs 27;17)? This is an area I want to work on specifically. This necessitates a level of relationship and sharing life that takes time and investment. <br />
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Is what you do make learning contagious? <br />
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This may just become my mantra and mission statement! This is the beauty of the growth mindset. Encouragement and excitement are the outcomes of disappointment and unmet goals!? It would seem counterintuitive, but not with the correct mindset. Hard work for sure, but worth it in long run and especially if I truly believe that learning is contagious.<br />
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Happy learning<br />
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B</div>
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BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-24674868851629813342015-06-22T09:09:00.000-05:002015-06-25T07:15:47.766-05:00Mattering & Belonging<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jnt8SdgeTBo/VYgVDV5tPUI/AAAAAAAABIs/Xg73cB910OQ/s1600/brand1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jnt8SdgeTBo/VYgVDV5tPUI/AAAAAAAABIs/Xg73cB910OQ/s320/brand1.jpg" width="320" /></a>Enjoyed a great branding chat with some fellow Texas educators at the <a href="http://txeduchat.com/" target="_blank">#txeduchat</a> last evening. Much of the talk centered around the telling of the story and the tools that help us take a driver's seat position in the telling and sharing of that school story. These are positive first and necessary steps in developing and refining a school brand!<br />
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What is a brand? If I take the things I've learned from <a href="https://twitter.com/bernadettejiwa" target="_blank">Bernadette Jiwa</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MarjiJSherman" target="_blank">Marji Sherman</a> (maybe they'll leave me some feedback!!) as well as the direction that <a href="http://www.jamievollmer.com/" target="_blank">Jamie Vollmer</a> would like public education to move and improve in, it would be something like this:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Your school brand is why you matter to families and why they want to belong. </span></b> <br />
<a href="http://ctt.ec/ZrFc2" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tweet this!</span></a></blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrA_awC0cI/VYgVDVuuLmI/AAAAAAAABIo/tcjwAla1mTQ/s1600/hands-connected.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ghrA_awC0cI/VYgVDVuuLmI/AAAAAAAABIo/tcjwAla1mTQ/s1600/hands-connected.jpg" /></a>It is about the connectedness families feel to the great work that is happening on your campus. It's about knowing what you're about and chasing after it with everything you have! All the while seeking every opportunity to engage them in meaningful ways that serve that overall purpose! There has got to be a great visual for that!<br />
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It is important important that we tell the story, but it is more important that we tell, share and engage our families a brand story. The stories we tell and share must be directly connected to the brand that we wish to create and refine! The next step (to which I not will claim to be an expert (nor the first)) is how we become a part of our families stories? Is it something organic that comes from our work in developing a brand and brand story? Are there specific strategies in getting families to share those stories? Or is it something that comes is displayed simply in their engagement (in whatever form)? Thoughts?<br />
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Happy branding!<br />
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B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-52008180712565363692015-06-17T09:12:00.000-05:002015-06-25T07:19:44.519-05:00Grit Matters & So Do You #TEPSA15<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIqKSI3w-KU/VYAW77ehFHI/AAAAAAAABHw/CizfxmSTWXc/s1600/2015-06-10%2B10.40.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tIqKSI3w-KU/VYAW77ehFHI/AAAAAAAABHw/CizfxmSTWXc/s320/2015-06-10%2B10.40.58.jpg" width="240" /></a>Returned from a great week in Austin this past Friday. The Texas Elementary Principals & Supervisors Association (TEPSA) Summer Conference was the best I have attended yet. I found myself frustrated (good thing) because I was having to make tough decisions on which sessions to attend, which was a first for a TEPSA conference for me. Conferences are great in the fact that you get to see Twitter friends in complete reality! Enjoyed meeting greats like Eric Sheninger, <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnWink90" target="_blank">John Wink</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MandyVasek" target="_blank">Mandy Vasek</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JennGRoach" target="_blank">Jennifer Roach</a> and getting to see and hangout with great friends like <a href="https://twitter.com/Don_Jacobs" target="_blank">Don Jacobs</a>. Always highlights of conferences!<br />
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Key takeaways often came in single words. I attended a session with a Northwest ISD administrative team and they talked about the word <b>grit </b>and growing that trait in their students at <a href="https://twitter.com/KayGrangerElem" target="_blank">Kay Granger elementary</a>. They understood a key issue for their students was a "stick-to-it-iveness". They failed to persist in difficult tasks. They highlighted the importance of resilience when faced with failure. This is a skill that is explicitly taught, practiced and celebrated and has to begin with staff. If the faculty <br />
<a name='more'></a>doesn't possess the <b>grit</b>, they will not be able to instill it in students. They shared their <b>grit </b>journey, the vocabulary developed and the amazing student stories that come out of the 14/15 experience. It is amazing the things kids can do when we take a few moments each day to address some of the foundation skills necessary to be academically and life successful!<br />
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I've followed <a href="https://twitter.com/AngelaMaiers" target="_blank">Angela Maier</a> since early in my Twitter days and it was a complete treat to get to hear her speak and share her heart and passion for kids and educators. She shared the message of <b>matter</b>. It further engrained for me the importance of addressing the hierarchy of needs in school. As much as I have begun to preach branding and belonging, the psychological need to <b>matter </b>is vital for our students in order for them to be successful in the academic areas in which we place so much priority. If we are not intentionally investing in the helping student develop a love and belonging and self worth, why and how they <b>matter</b>, we are not setting them up for the academic and life success we so desperately want for them and work so hard to provide!<br />
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Was very excited about the chance to listen to <a href="https://twitter.com/E_Sheninger" target="_blank">Eric Sheninger.</a> It was a session that you sit in and want to cheer along! Eric carries a banner of future ready leadership that I work hard daily to model, share and refine! It is a banner I wish more would actively seek, understand and demonstrate! As he said throughout his presentation, it's not necessarily doing anything different, but adding the right tools to the right task so that our efforts have the maximum impact in our circle of influence! The attendance in his session was a little disappointing, but that tends to happen on a final Friday morning of a conference. I hope that TEPSA has him return in a keynote role, because the message and the work to be done deserves and necessitates that platform if we want to transform our schools in a way that truly engages communities for the benefit of our students!<br />
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Great learning, great time! Every time I go to Austin, I love it more!<br />
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Happy Summer!<br />
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BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-49987464533395918782015-06-08T07:13:00.002-05:002015-06-25T07:20:25.032-05:00A Building Again<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh0pS1ggM3E/VXWEVuF4lqI/AAAAAAAABHI/HeB7ZTLuccM/s1600/IMG_20150605_144944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yh0pS1ggM3E/VXWEVuF4lqI/AAAAAAAABHI/HeB7ZTLuccM/s320/IMG_20150605_144944.jpg" width="320" /></a>Another year complete. I remember following my very first year of teaching saying to my mentor how fast the year had felt and she told me that they only seem to go faster. I replied then I'm going to get old really quick! That has proved to be absolutely true.</div>
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As I walk the building, Displays are down, furniture is stacked, paperwork is signed, there is an overflowing shredding box and teachers and kids summers have begun. I stand by my post from the <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/08/its-school-again.html">beginning of the year</a>. School is done for 14-15 and Eagle Ridge is merely a building until August 19 when teachers and students fill it again with the beauty of learning and instruction. What makes a <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2015/02/school-building-vs-body.html">school a school</a> is the people that fill it! Parents and teacher pouring into our kids. The relationships forged, the challenges faced, the achievements celebrated establish a reason to belong. I saw that <a href="http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/5319">George Couros</a> posted a piece regarding innovation and the need for love and <br />
<a name='more'></a>relationship. It is absolutely true! Great learning, innovation, etc. will never occur in a place where people don't feel they belong. That is a mark of a great school, place where students, parents, staff and community feel they belong and the are a part of the great things happening! That is the work we have been immersed in at Eagle Ridge the last three years and work that will continue!</div>
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It's time for new adventures. Summer vacations, travels, visits, etc. Next year I begin a new adventure as assistant principal of Bear Creek Intermediate School. The act of leaving a school and community I dearly love is difficult. The last three years I have become attached to teacher, students and families as we have shared life together as a school community. Being a military brat, I do not fear change or moves. I know the sorrow that comes in the act of leaving is balanced in the excitement for new learning, connections and opportunities to grow and make a difference in the lives of others.<br />
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I wish everyone a wonderful summer and that we return refreshed and ready to jump into the greatest and most important work there is! Impacting and growing kids!<br />
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Happy Summer!<br />
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BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-41360904398940983602015-05-01T06:14:00.000-05:002015-06-24T09:27:04.541-05:00Win Everyday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">"We don't win today by reaching the masses, we win by becoming meaningful to the few." - <a href="http://thestoryoftelling.com/marketing-connection-economy/">Bernadette Jiwa</a></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shY5MCGNuYU/VUNfr02iarI/AAAAAAAABGM/mwta1ktyyuw/s1600/Cheers_we_win.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shY5MCGNuYU/VUNfr02iarI/AAAAAAAABGM/mwta1ktyyuw/s1600/Cheers_we_win.jpg" width="320" /></a>I see a current struggle of education in this quote. Political climate (idiocy) and large district bureaucracy where the the bottom line is a test score drive us to focus on one day, one assessment to show the world, nation, community that we are improving and/ or relevant and "deserve" the reward of funding and respect. </div>
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I would assert that is trying to matter to people that don't matter (or at least don't deserve that much attention) What would it be like if we have laser like focus to the folks that do matter? Providing an experience that grows, engages and delights (love that word) that group and <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/mobilize-your-silent-majority.html">mobilizes</a> and empowers them to speak. </div>
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That way we win everyday! In what ways are you remaining focused on the things and people that matter most?</div>
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Happy thinking!</div>
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B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-37547090138598008962015-04-27T06:10:00.001-05:002015-06-25T07:20:50.846-05:00Blogging Advice from the Guy that Fell Off the WagonIt's funny how you look at time different depending on the context. Looking at the past two months I haven't blogged or shared through the lense of the last time I blogged, it seems like an eternity. Through the lense of all the things that have happened in the past month it's been the blink of an eye. Oh my... <br />
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Not sure who's missed it besides me, but that, in itself I think, is a great sign. For most, it is the latter of the above options. Pretty sure you have found a couple other things to focus on besides the last time I blogged! Haha! But, this is an important outlet for ideas and thoughts and that is enough for now. Maybe that is rationalizing and maybe somebody reading will leave me a comment and tell me so! </div>
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So where do you start a again when you've fallen off the wagon? Two thoughts come immediately to mind:</div>
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<li><b>Accountability </b>- hopefully that is what this post will be, but I've also brought a couple friends along side me to ask me and check in on me that I'm still at it. They know it's important to me and the impact is has on me professionally.<a name='more'></a></li>
<li><b>Click Publish</b> - I'm starting from square one again here. It feels like it did when <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/08/blogging-advice-from-3-week-veteran.html">I first started</a> as far as that feeling of "why bother" or "nobody else cares". Those lies have abounded in my thoughts and have kept me from jumping back in earlier! Don't listen to those thoughts because they are not true. Whether there are two people reading or two thousand reading, I'm hoping there is a awesome thought refining process at work!</li>
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How have you gotten yourself back into the habit or process of writing? Or anything else for that matter? What is keeping you from (re)starting?</div>
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Happy posting!</div>
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BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-79809620312872428562015-03-10T07:29:00.000-05:002015-03-10T15:58:29.071-05:00Teachers Need what Kids Need #SAVMP<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d33yo0IL2A4/VP7f7HSIPuI/AAAAAAAABEk/eo8CaCS7KBA/s1600/Female-Empowerment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d33yo0IL2A4/VP7f7HSIPuI/AAAAAAAABEk/eo8CaCS7KBA/s1600/Female-Empowerment.jpg" height="200" width="180" /></a>I love our counselor! She is just the balance our leadership team needs. My principal and I tend to be really focused on the "business" of school. She and I were discussing this post specifically about teacher empowerment. I was telling her I wasn't sure our vertical team process was doing the empowering of teachers that we desired. She agreed and very gently (in the way only a great counselor can) shared that maybe the things they were working on were not the meaningful and relevant things that would truly empower them!<br />
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And BOOM...there it was. Maybe this isn't ground breaking for you reading, but this was quite enlightening to me. I am a green (True Colors). Work is play and play is work. I love being in the meat of <br />
<a name='more'></a>the work! I also have the tendency to 1) rely too much upon the the idea that we are adults and these are things expected of us 2) assume that people have the innate desire see the value of contributing to the larger organization<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPUBkLDqSM/VP7f-4_vr5I/AAAAAAAABEs/1NSizPXBO-0/s1600/think-do-what-told.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPPUBkLDqSM/VP7f-4_vr5I/AAAAAAAABEs/1NSizPXBO-0/s1600/think-do-what-told.jpg" /></a>These teams are designed to place decision making, recommendations and campus development in the hands of our teachers. We want to empower them in this way. I won't lie, it hasn't been wildly successful. We have had our moments and we've tried to learn from them, but this conversation really brought to light that teachers want and need what kids need when it comes to empowerment. I've taken part in enough chats and discussions (whether in person or digital) to know the the engagement vs. empowerment debate. They need experiences that have personal <b>meaning</b>, <b>relevance </b>and <b>value </b>where the <b>connection </b>to the school's need and their classroom are apparent or will become apparent in the work.<br />
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As with our students the question then becomes do we have the right relationship with our teachers to be able to appropriate address the ideas and needs above? Do we have a clear picture of gifts, strengths, goals, desires, etc. to help put the right people in the right places for the best interest of our students and that truly empowers our teachers to be thinkers, reflectors and contributors in the way they need to be? This is definitely an area of growth for me! <br />
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I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories! How are you empowering your teachers? How are you being empowered as a teacher?<br />
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Happy learning!<br />
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B<br />
<br />BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-72597049324826883482015-02-26T06:05:00.004-06:002015-02-26T06:05:58.581-06:00School: Building vs. BodyIs your school a place to go, a building, or is it a group of people loving on kids and serving just <br />
about the highest purpose there is?<br />
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Here is an awesome tweet for you:<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
The church is not a place you go to; it is a people you belong to. You need your church, and your church needs you.<br />
— Rick Atchley (@RickAtchley) <a href="https://twitter.com/RickAtchley/status/564387255989436417">February 8, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><br />
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Is a school any different? Maybe we should start referring to ourselves as "the school". I hope you understand the idea, though. School is a body of people carrying out a role that only a group of folks can. The work of educating and growing students cannot solely be done by teachers. It certainly can't be done by administrators. Haha! Parents count on us to educate their children, but I often find that they sell themselves short in their own importance in the role. Not that they don't think it's important, but that they undersell and undervalue the things that they are often doing. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJt7LfQhwCE/VO8JqBce26I/AAAAAAAABDw/gTjxbEucuwM/s1600/3709471005_68d10ac496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJt7LfQhwCE/VO8JqBce26I/AAAAAAAABDw/gTjxbEucuwM/s1600/3709471005_68d10ac496.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a>Isn't it funny that in school, that each of us have gifts and a role to play that is important in carrying out the work that we do? Is that how our schools operate? Do our people understand their role and how it interconnects and helps our kiddos reach their highest potential? This can be a pretty tall order as far as culture shifts go depending on the situation. Some parents drop their students off and believe their job is done. Some teachers believe that "their" kids are "their" kids and they are an island when that door closes. Some administrators believe they can push and administer their way to a great school. All of these are false and contribute to the idea of school as a place at which to show up. It is how we work together that should define us as a school versus the bricks and the word on a building.<br />
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How are you making your school more than just a building?<br />
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Happy schooling!<br />
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BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-79725897994519624342015-02-26T05:33:00.000-06:002015-02-26T16:19:05.011-06:0010 Ways to Have an Amazing Morning Drop Off ExperienceFollowing breaks away from school are always great times to revisit routines. Following Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring breaks will find classrooms giving the expectations a review and practice in the cafeteria, hallways, etc. Our front loop has been on my agenda for a review since returning from the Christmas break and I'm finally making the time to get it done in a, hopefully, creative and fun fashion.<br />
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I have devised a top ten list to have an Amazing Morning Drop Off Experience! Please remember that these are here to ensure a safe a experience for students. We want students monitored as they exit. With that in mind please pay very close attention to number two (2). Numbers one (1) and ten (10) are the cure-alls for sure!</div>
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Here it is in all its glory!</div>
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BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-52518128785657297552015-02-17T06:00:00.001-06:002015-03-11T06:53:32.986-05:00 Six Edentity Questions<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo9VaYMbm_U/VOMrpd7IBcI/AAAAAAAABDM/tbZk6hydeaw/s1600/fingerprint201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mo9VaYMbm_U/VOMrpd7IBcI/AAAAAAAABDM/tbZk6hydeaw/s1600/fingerprint201.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>A school with a clear identity is one that people are drawn to, parents and professionals. They desire to be apart and contribute to the amazing things happening . A campus identity is instructional and curricular, of course, but we know that education is more than those alone and a successful school has some additional "intangibles' that set it apart from others. I'm not talking about being different to be different or to put on a show, but special for kids' sake! How we choose to develop and refine that identity is important in how we relate to our community and how they relate to us. Asking some key questions is important this process!<br />
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<b>What are we passionate about?</b> - Is there something as a campus that is an area of strength because of passionate pursuit of practice? Do you have gurus on the campus (literacy, math, technology, etc.) <br />
<a name='more'></a>that have proselytized others to their cause and has become something that the campus has grabbed a<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="more"></a> hold of? It would be great to have this be an instructional focus, but passions, as @burgessdave would tell us, can be integrated throughout any experience! The more organic the better!<br />
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<i>People are drawn in and love to be around those who are passionate about their lives.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Burgess, Dave (2012-10-22). Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator (Kindle Locations 293-294). Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.. Kindle Edition. </span></blockquote>
<b>What causes are we connected to?</b> - Service and awareness should be a regular part of what we do as schools in whatever form or fashion we can integrate. This should certainly be an areas where we help students understand that they should be contributors as much as (if not more) as consumers of learning!<br />
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<b>What does our community value?</b> - This may be a prerequisite question in order to figure out how to answer a number of these other questions. Knowing where and how the community stands as a whole will allow a better design of experiences Jamie Vollmer says:<br />
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<i>You cannot touch a school without touching the culture of the surrounding town.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vollmer, Jamie (2010-07-14). Schools Cannot Do It Alone (p. 98). Enlightenment Press. Kindle Edition.</span> </blockquote>
<b>How are we connected to the community?</b> - In what ways are you in relationship with the community that we serve? Businesses, churches and individuals are looking for and benefit from the connections for the very same reasons we do!<br />
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<b>What makes us unique?</b> - Schools can very easily become a "dime a donzen". Traditions and school experiences should differentiate us from others. Are there events, learning experiences or specific language or values that set us apart from the rest of the pack? <br />
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<b>What are we struggling with or have we struggled with and overcome?</b> - Here is a great way to think about this:<br />
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<i>Your greatest ministry will come from your deepest pain.</i> - Rick Warren</blockquote>
Never waste a hurt or a struggle! It can be a defining experience that will allow staff and community to draw closer together!<br />
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Answers to these questions should be rallying points as well as areas and ways that we are bringing our community together They should help them to connect to one another and our school, as well as, giving them yet another reason, along with the way we love on their kids, to belong to our school.<br />
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What other questions would you ask or are you asking in order to develop and refine your campus identity?<br />
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Happy refining!<br />
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BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-91648794207117120482015-02-10T06:01:00.000-06:002015-02-13T06:02:22.658-06:00Five Big School Branding Questions<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Deep down inside, I think we are clear on the need for connectedness within our school and our community. We know we need to be close to the people we serve. We understand that the power of relationship doesn't just work for us in the classroom, but for our campus as a whole as we do the important work we do each day!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2sAO8ysmlA/VNStMHGgVII/AAAAAAAABC0/SktNMG0WIro/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s2sAO8ysmlA/VNStMHGgVII/AAAAAAAABC0/SktNMG0WIro/s1600/Picture1.png" height="245" width="320" /></a> Here is where we should realize the importance of a school brand and really digging into the experience we wish to create for our students and families and ask some big branding questions:.<br />
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<li>Why will people want to belong here? </li>
<li>How will we help people feel that they belong? </li>
<li>How do we establish the "things" that we do and ensure the align with the purposes, truths and beliefs on which we stand? </li>
<li>What connections are we going to strategically create to enhance the school experience? </li>
<li>Are those purposes, truths and beliefs articulateable (is that a word!?) by our students and community!?</li>
</ul>
<br />
You may think, why would a "brand" be important for a school? That's business talk. True, but it is our business and if we check our calendars and to-do lists, it probably isn't getting the attention it should amongst the pressures of improvement, from whatever level, and mandates upon our time. I certainly believe it is a question of effectiveness and sustainability! When our community is on board, connected, have a sense of belonging and a clear and shared identity, we have the conditions in place to do amazing things for kids!<br />
<br />
How are you focused upon building a school brand that people want to belong to?<br />
<br />
Happy branding!<br />
<br />
BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-15944366766182020192015-02-06T06:03:00.000-06:002015-02-06T06:03:31.659-06:00Own Your Connections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I shared this quote in a presentation last week in regards to the importance of writing across the curriculum. This quote from Fundamental Five highlights for me the important of the blog in digital leadership. When we write, we own our learning. When we share, we learn out loud for all to see. We model the connection. We model the practice. We grow as individuals and professionals! Is that not what learning is all about?<br />
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"The act of writing critically encapsulates the learning."</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cain, Sean; Laird, Mike (2011-05-11). The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction (Kindle Location 874). CreateSpace. Kindle Edition. </span></blockquote>
</blockquote>
For me this blog made the presentation I gave possible. Over the past six months my thoughts, ideas, belief and vision have been refined just in the simple (yet not necessarily easy) act of putting thoughts down, sharing and receiving feedback. <br />
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How has blogging helped you own your connections and learning?<br />
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Happy posting<br />
<br />
BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-5470518363144390942015-02-03T06:06:00.005-06:002015-02-03T06:07:17.855-06:00PBIS and Your School's Brand<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya0qvHkeA_c/VM9mzxFB0oI/AAAAAAAABBM/435FfRNRO74/s1600/2015-01-23%2B09.57.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ya0qvHkeA_c/VM9mzxFB0oI/AAAAAAAABBM/435FfRNRO74/s1600/2015-01-23%2B09.57.34.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=400964274861214972" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>We just completed our 3rd marking period and it is always a great celebration as our school comes together to review what makes us Eagle Ridge PROUD and to honor students that exemplify those traits on a daily basis! It's also great to see kids and teachers let their hair down a bit and dance and play. Here are a few amazing highlights from the experience:<br />
<ul>
<li>2nd PE award - certainly proud of the recipient, but I loved the spirit of the classmates that surrounded him. They all jumped up, congratulated and were so <a name='more'></a>pumped for him as his name was called! Understanding of others was certainly seen here in this moment!</li>
<li>Honoring of teachers - Each PROUD Crowd we honor teachers. It is important that students see us honor teachers and the hard work they do everyday. Specifically, a highlight was the emotion from one of our paraprofessionals as they were called! Our paras play a huge role in being able to meet the needs of kids! </li>
<li>Teachers dancing with kids - like I said, seeing teachers "let their hair down" is an awesome part of the experience. One of our second grade teachers was dancing with a small group of her students and I thought to myself that she was taking advantage of a great opportunity to build relationship with her kids and have fun! While there is great learning happening in her room, I have a feeling that these experiences will be something they hold on to and cherish!</li>
<li>Superintendent passing out awards - it is great when district leadership can experience the spirit and culture of a campus to add context to the numbers and scores. We appreciated our superintendents presence!</li>
</ul>
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When it comes to a school brand, the PBIS guidelines for success have helped us clearly establish and has become a mark of who we are. It is the way our kids can articulate our campus mission and live our campus vision. What makes us proud is our ability to exemplify each of those traits on a daily basis as we walk outside of the school walls to apply the great things we learn each day. You are what you prioritize, honor and celebrate. We are choosing to prioritize, honor and celebrate things that are lasting, relevant, meaningful, purposeful for not only students, but for our families and communities. That is something that should and does make us want to be belong to the great things that are happening at Eagle Ridge.</div>
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What are some steps you have taken in establishing a school brand?</div>
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Happy branding!</div>
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<br />
B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-14792946392400810812015-01-28T06:07:00.003-06:002015-01-28T06:07:51.409-06:00More Time #SAVMP<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqvS1zNpXDA/VMjPk8C1vxI/AAAAAAAABA0/PV1putsmJyE/s1600/Sundial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jqvS1zNpXDA/VMjPk8C1vxI/AAAAAAAABA0/PV1putsmJyE/s1600/Sundial.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>I have a problem. I am inattentive, unfocused and easily (VERY) distractable. It is one of the more major roadblocks in life, not just job, that I tackle everyday. I've learned over time that this is a good thing, job wise, because I can and do exercise some control over myself! HA! Now, being and elementary school administrator, this problem is sometimes compounded by being at a school of near 800 students, 60+ staff members that need time and attention various ways throughout the day. It has the possibility to become something quite like a perfect storm of inefficiency without some specific supports and strategies in place (this is now sounding like an RtI meeting, is it not...you might say I'm a tier 3 for time management!)<br />
<br />
Often an easy go-to answer (wishful thought more like) is to say I need "more time". But the truth of the matter is that even if we had more time, we would always have the same issue, With more time <br />
<a name='more'></a>we would not simply want to get the same amount done, we would end up trying to cram more into the additional time and would be left wanting more again. As with many other things it is what we do with what we have and how we find balance with our various roles in life.<br />
<br />
<u><b>How I manage</b></u><br />
<i>Schedule EVERYTHING</i>- I share this with expectation that it is not set in stone. (things that pop up)<br />
<i>Treat things on the calendar as holy</i> - there was a time when I didn't schedule classroom time and I would go when I didn't have meetings scheduled. You can imagine how that went. Then I began to schedule it, but then allowed it to scheduled over when meetings came up or I felt something needed to be done. Again, you can imagine how that went. That time is just as important as the IEP meeting or any other. I and my diagnostician now know that those times are just as set as others and deserve the same priority. Big learning for me in getting everything in I need to!<br />
<br />
<b><u>What is helpful</u></b><br />
<i>Take my e-mail off the phone</i> - face to face time is just that, home time is home time. I haven't had e-mail on my phone in years. There is no Pavlov's dog response to the ding, no ruined evening due ot angry whoevers. <br />
<i>A great secretary</i> - this was one of my favorite parts of my middle school years. I got to hire a wonderful secretary, who was also our registrar, and she ran my life at school! It was wonderful! We attended Breakthrough Coach training together and we were an amazing productivity team! I am thankful for and blessed to know her!<br />
<i>The reminder</i> - I set them for just about everything. To the chagrin of those I invite to meetings and share tasks with! HA!<br />
<i>Essential oils</i> - I admit it. My wife has turned me into a hippy... I will attest to the difference that some diffused peppermint in the office does to keep me focused when it is task time. Or the difference a little Valor or Cedarwood on the back of the neck makes. I was skeptical, but it makes a huge difference for me!<br />
<br />
<u><b>Tools/Resources</b></u><br />
<a href="http://www.marshallmemo.com/articles/Time%20Management%20PL%20Mar%2008.pdf">Big Rocks</a> - this was the article that Joe posted in the prompt and I loved it, so I've shared that many folks already. Portions of this were also included in his great book <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Teacher-Supervision-Evaluation-Collaboration-ebook/dp/B00C42TQB6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422445119&sr=1-1&keywords=kim+marshall">Rethinking Teacher Supervision and Evaluation</a></i> - great read!<br />
<a href="http://theweek.com/articles/444385/most-productive-person-office--still-home-by-530-pm">How to be the Most Productive Person in Your Office...</a> - great article that really expanded my use of the calendar. I have always said that I lived and died by my calendar, but the advice from this article led me to the scheduling of EVERYTHING which I have found helpful.<br />
<a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/3038552/your-perfect-productive-day">Your Perfect Productive Day</a> - fun video with some good ideas<br />
<br />
Time we have is what we make of it and "more time" is not the answer we need. Attempting to exercise too much control over it can be dangerous for us! So many unexpected things pop up during the day due to the nature of what we do. When push comes to shove it is important that we know when to shut it down and go home. If we don't find the right balance, our families, our teachers, our students, our community is not getting the best version of ourselves that they deserve! I'll leave you with some great music!<br />
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Happy listening<br />
<br />
B<br />
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<br />BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-24316235129118433512015-01-21T06:02:00.001-06:002015-01-21T06:02:51.219-06:00How Are You Measuring That?<div dir="ltr">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Success is how your customers feel. How are you measuring that?</i> </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jiwa, Bernadette (2014-09-30). Marketing: A Love Story: How to Matter to Your Customers (p. 73). The Story of Telling Press. Kindle Edition.</span> </blockquote>
Read this and it really struck me. We spend so much time setting goals and being very quantitative <br />
about the things we are focused on instructionally. We set up formative assessment processes, we discuss data in PLC meetings, we put the data up on the wall and/or student binders and it tells a story of learning. We plan interventions and hopefully take the time to celebrate success!! All of these are great things!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqwoirGuIm0/VL5Ao3L1uXI/AAAAAAAABAg/9_2lxY0V6Do/s1600/2000px-Smiley.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqwoirGuIm0/VL5Ao3L1uXI/AAAAAAAABAg/9_2lxY0V6Do/s1600/2000px-Smiley.svg.png" height="320" width="320" /></a>We are very familiar with the conversation about multiple measures of progress and success. We are all beaten over the head with state assessments as the measure by which we are judged and emphasize to each other and our families that our students and our schools are so much more than a single day, a single assessment. Shouldn't our success be more than data? Shouldn't our success be more than simply numbers? A part of our success should be measured in how our families feel. Are they happy? Are they connnected? Do they feel apart? Are they enjoying the experience of school and learning? <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i>Annual surveys by the Gallup Organization published in Kappan magazine reveal that the closer (more connected) people are to their schools the more satisfied they become with their performance.</i></b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Vollmer, Jamie (2010-07-14). Schools Cannot Do It Alone (p. 197). Enlightenment Press. Kindle Edition.</span> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
There are formal and informal ways to measure our success in this areas ranging from engagement measures and satisfaction surveys to counting smiles as students enter the building. We all can speak to the fact that our feelings regarding anything have a tremendous impact on we approach tasks and situations and, in turn, the quality of the outcome. How much time and energy are well placing there? How much improvement would we see in our kiddos if we invested in the quality of the experience?<br />
<br />
What are some ways that you are measuring how your families, students, teachers, etc. feel about the school experience?<br />
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Happy reflecting!<br />
<br />
B</div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-21923994599052442892015-01-14T06:28:00.001-06:002015-01-14T06:28:28.068-06:00 8 Great Places to Pull Content for Your School Social Media Pages<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbunk-wqNTE/VLZe1T0D3II/AAAAAAAABAQ/fDV9GBAOn4A/s1600/content-people-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lbunk-wqNTE/VLZe1T0D3II/AAAAAAAABAQ/fDV9GBAOn4A/s1600/content-people-01.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>If you read anything regarding highly successful blogs and/or social media pages, you will hear quality content is king! There has to be something worth following for any person to return or in some cases click unfollow or unlike buttons. For your school's social media page, it is likely that <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-information-post.html">information</a>, <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-celebration-post.html">celebration </a>and <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-c-post.html" target="_blank">C&I</a> posts will keep most coming back as far as content goes. There is little more satisfying to parents and families than getting to see the great things that are happening in their child's school. It is also important to grow the opportunities for learning and engagement within your community. So when it comes to growing your <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-learning-post.html">learning </a>and <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-engagement-post.html" target="_blank">engagement </a>postings, it is important to have some go to resources. <br />
<br />
This past few weeks I've been reviewing and updating our campus <a href="https://paper.li/EagleRidgeKISD/1375710728">Paper.li</a> to make that as valuable resource to our families as possible, I was reminded of some gems I had tapped previously to help curate content and led me to some other great resources as well.<br />
<br />
<b><i>District News Page</i></b> - It is important that we are supporting the work of the larger organizition we are apart of. Our district just completed education foundation grant awarding and it was fun to share those celebration with our fellow campuses and award winners!<br />
<b><i>Campus, State, National PTA Sites</i></b> - ther are few greater advocate for the work schools do than the PTA so helping our campus group advertise events and celebrate the work they are doing is vital. State and national organization accounts post many great resources for parents on how to support schools, their teachers, their students! These are great to add to your feed!<br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pragmaticmom/" target="_blank"><b><i>Common Sense Media</i></b></a> - these are the gurus of digital citizenship and they post great information for parents to support their kiddos in navigating the digital world! You can also find them on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/commonsensemedia" target="_blank">Facebook</a>!<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/Graphite" target="_blank"><b><i>Graphite</i></b> </a>- the best description comes from their Twitter page: "Graphite, a free service from Common Sense Media, helps teachers find, understand, and share the best digital learning products available." While they do teachers are their focus, so many of their resources on apps and programs are very helpful to our families!<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/MyTownTutorsTX" target="_blank"><b><i>MyTownTutors</i></b></a> - this groups entire mission is connecting parents with resources to help support their kiddos at school. While their name does imply that their focus is tutoring, follow their feed and you'll see that they are more than just connecting parents with tutors! Great folks there!<br />
<a href="http://teacherhelpforparents.com/" target="_blank"><b><i>Teacher Help for Parents</i></b></a> - this is a blog by a teacher turned stay at home mom that desires to keep parents informed and connected in the best way possible to support their students! She has always posts some of the most helpful resources that we have passed along to our families!<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ptchat&src=tyah" target="_blank"><b><i>#PTChat</i></b></a> - this is the premier twitter hashtag for parent/teacher resources. A quick search/link to this hashtag will provide a generous helping of resources for the campus and parent of any level student. It is the brainchild <a href="https://twitter.com/Joe_Mazza">Joe Mazza</a>, their weekly Wednesday evening chat is frequented by Twitter greats such as <a href="https://twitter.com/TedHiff" target="_blank">Ted Huff</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/gpescatore25" target="_blank">Gwen Pescatore</a> and is populated by parents, teachers and administrators <br />
talking best practices and solutions for our schools! Powerful conversations are happening here!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q73gXQ70FNg/VLZeTDJqFAI/AAAAAAAABAI/lSBEQFVq3U4/s1600/B7BKBl_IIAAIlIK%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q73gXQ70FNg/VLZeTDJqFAI/AAAAAAAABAI/lSBEQFVq3U4/s1600/B7BKBl_IIAAIlIK%2B(2).jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pragmaticmom/" target="_blank"><b><i>Pragmatic Mom</i></b></a> - notice is link is to pintrest!! Ha! I have not seen too many things that aren't wonderful from her. Based on the content she shares, Pintrest is an ideal platform for her. You can also find her on the <a href="https://twitter.com/pragmaticmom" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. She is a great literacy advocate, so of course I am a fan!<br />
<br />
I believe the greatest benefit in having great learning and engagement content is that it allows us to move towards empowerment and partnership with our families (see graphic). If we want to be able to move our schools in the direction we know is best, we have to invest in educating and informing the folks that spend the most time with our kids!<br />
<br />
Happy posting!<br />
<br />
BBStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-76305494384465274322015-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:002015-01-09T06:00:47.463-06:00#APrincipalsDay Reflection<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAdiMIYof4w/VK5wVgd26aI/AAAAAAAAA_s/9HUCxDuNNow/s1600/2015-01-07%2B08.14.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAdiMIYof4w/VK5wVgd26aI/AAAAAAAAA_s/9HUCxDuNNow/s1600/2015-01-07%2B08.14.24.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emergency drills with Kindergarten!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KjAvmjTRL4/VK5wLyIuvbI/AAAAAAAAA_g/pMsw4Z1b4KM/s1600/2015-01-07%2B07.30.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4KjAvmjTRL4/VK5wLyIuvbI/AAAAAAAAA_g/pMsw4Z1b4KM/s1600/2015-01-07%2B07.30.05.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">31 degrees and windy! Brrr!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wednesday, EdWeek, asked principals to share glimpses of their day with the hashtag #APrincipalsDay. What a beautiful idea to help inform an upcoming highlight of principals that will be coming out. I, being active on Twitter, even though I'm not a principal yet, jumped in and shared. <br />
The day was highlighted with freezing my face off at morning duty, ARD/IEP meetings, some informal classroom visits, working with students during emergency drills, phone calls with parents, some assessment prep (joy!) and of course shuffling some paper!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aycdp0Beomo/VK5wWthcx9I/AAAAAAAAA_0/6FWjPP6usVc/s1600/2015-01-07%2B10.42.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aycdp0Beomo/VK5wWthcx9I/AAAAAAAAA_0/6FWjPP6usVc/s1600/2015-01-07%2B10.42.55.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TELPAS & 504s!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It reminded me:<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nulnKb_JGBI/VK5wVUw5OyI/AAAAAAAAA_o/gz5lWe8iXwo/s1600/2015-01-07%2B09.10.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nulnKb_JGBI/VK5wVUw5OyI/AAAAAAAAA_o/gz5lWe8iXwo/s1600/2015-01-07%2B09.10.33.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I work with an amazing team!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>I love so many aspects my job!</li>
<li>I understand the value & importance of the parts I don't love as much!</li>
<li>Student success is won daily/hourly in the time spent, conversations had, partnerships created!</li>
<li>Kids & teachers are awesome!</li>
<li>The journey I'm on toward the principalship goal is worth it!</li>
</ul>
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Hope everyone else found it as motivating and encouraging as I did! What were some of your highlights!? Share!<br />
<br />
Happy Leading!<br />
<br />
B</div>
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<br />BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-72262495810878348552015-01-07T05:53:00.001-06:002015-08-04T17:28:06.361-05:00Six Ways to Become Part of Our Families' Stories<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiCpFx5MEoE/VK0dWPm5HAI/AAAAAAAAA_M/imHpjn5MZkk/s1600/large_storytelling_istock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EiCpFx5MEoE/VK0dWPm5HAI/AAAAAAAAA_M/imHpjn5MZkk/s1600/large_storytelling_istock.jpg" width="320" /></a>Flipping the talk for this post. I often post on the school story and the narrative that unfolds on a daily basis when kiddos walk through the door. An important part of the connection is becoming part of others' stories. Where do we stand when it comes where school as our students' and families' stories unfold? So much time and energy is spent by all in the work that we do, we want to be a positive highlight in that story and in turn when our students and families share those stories, our schools have the opportunity to shine!</div>
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<li><i>Create compelling content or a great product or service that people enjoy using or coming back for</i> - the experience we create and design for our families has a tremendous impact on <a name='more'></a>how we are included in their story. The programs and events to which they participate and are invited, the classroom and campus communications as well as social media engagement opportunities. The more we strive to engage our families the more we will become a part of the story they tell and share with others!</li>
<li><i>Change how people feel in the moment</i>. - one of the most important moments of the day is the drop off line and the classroom door. That initial experience is so critical in how the day begins which is why Boys Town and other models place emphasis upon it. If we are helping students and families begin their story in a positive way we are making an impact! This year, we have begun playing music in the car line on PROUD Crowd assembly days as well as some others and have received great feedback on that experience for both kids and parents and how that has gotten them off on the right foot in the morning! We cannot limit ourselves to that timeframe though. Our efforts here are in parent conference experiences, hallway interactions, front office greetings, etc. I'll bring up social media again in that it opens up another avenue to expose our families to what is happening on campus when they aren't necessarily able to be physically present! When we post <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-c-post.html" target="_blank">C&I</a> and <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-celebration-post.html" target="_blank">celebration </a>content, the intent is to help them feel connected to what is happening! What an opportunity!!</li>
<li><i>Solve a problem (maybe one that people didn't even know they had)</i> - we tackle problems every day because, in many respects, we are in the problem-solving business in regards to learning and behavior difficulties! For us as educators (versus business world to whom this list was originally designed) this may be better worded as, <i>prepare for opportunities (maybe one that people didn't even know they had)</i>. In the Information Age in which we live and the rate as technology increases, improves, develops, we are preparing students for an unknown in many ways so the question we should be asking ourselves maybe: is the experience we provide, developing students so they are prepared for the opportunities of the future?</li>
<li><i>Give people a story to tell themselves.</i>- back to creating experiences! I was talking to a parent just yesterday. She was dissatisfied with the nature and quality of communication she is receiving from her kiddos teacher. She wanted my help in "getting through" the rest of the year. The story our people are telling is always unfolding, just as ours is! What this conversation told me was that this story was taking a turn for the worse and we needed to work on it together! What killed me is this kiddo is a 4th grade, so it's the final chapter in this part of life. We want to provide an overall experience that allows people to in us in their story has highlight!</li>
<li><i>Notice what people already do and find ways that you can either change or become part of those rituals</i> - what traditions and practices are meaningful to your community? That question has driven a number of current school functions and activities that bring the entire community together at Eagle Ridge! Tailgate parties, tradition tree, Veteran's Day celebrations have come from asking what our people connect and respond to!</li>
<li><i>Make it easy for people to come back</i>- Do you have lots familiar faces checking in on a daily basis? Are kids smiling and excited as they come in the door (may be more elementary question here) These are two qualitative measures I've thought about in regards to the "coming back" thought. We do, but our work is not done!</li>
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Happy telling!<br />
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B<br />
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Jiwa, Bernadette (2014-09-30). Marketing: A Love Story: How to Matter to Your Customers (p. 22). The Story of Telling Press. Kindle Edition. </div>
BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-400964274861214972.post-73790682393043173082015-01-01T08:50:00.000-06:002015-01-13T16:54:31.795-06:002014 Blog Review<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVTWfyR3NY/VKVb79I2hHI/AAAAAAAAA-4/QenhyokMe_Q/s1600/reflection-photo-landscape-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eXVTWfyR3NY/VKVb79I2hHI/AAAAAAAAA-4/QenhyokMe_Q/s1600/reflection-photo-landscape-04.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a>2014 was certainly an interesting year professionally with many great highlights to celebrate as well as many great jumping points for continued growth and learning. Over the last couple weeks, I've seen/read numerous posts with a blog review and since I have one that I am keeping current, I thought it would be a great idea to take some time to reflect and review. Probably my favorite review I saw was from <a href="http://www.principalj.net/my-most-popular-posts-in-2014/" target="_blank">Jessica Johnson</a> (<a href="https://twitter.com/PrincipalJ" target="_blank">@principalJ</a>). As well as sharing some thoughts and top posts, she shared a <a href="http://www.wordle.net/" target="_blank">Wordle </a>created from her blog RSS feed. I thought this was a brilliant way to see if I was staying accountable to what I wanted by blog to be. Was I staying true to my <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/p/i-am-currently-assistant-principal-at.html" target="_blank">stated purposes</a> and enhance the identity I wish to develop!?<br />
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<b><u>General Reflections</u></b></div>
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<i>I started it and kept clicking publish</i> - this was one of the things I mentioned in the first posts. Being truly transparent, I struggle with anxiety. This manifests itself, among other things, in many unreasonable thoughts about myself. This blog has been very healthy in overcoming and battle some of those thoughts! Next step: growing the interactive part of my blog: growing comments and discussion.<br />
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<i>I need to continue to take my own advice</i> - I posted 3 times with blogging advice. Some times I did a great job of following that advice, other times not so much. Next step: keep sharing those thoughts as I have them and go back and review them (prior to an end of year review...)<br />
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<li><a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/08/blogging-advice-from-3-week-veteran.html" target="_blank">Blogging Advice from a 3 Week Veteran</a></li>
<li><a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/10/blogging-advice-from-9-week-veteran.html" target="_blank">Blogging Advice from a 9 Week Veteran</a></li>
<li><a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/12/blogging-advice-from-4-month-veteran.html" target="_blank">Blogging Advice from a 4 Month Veteran</a></li>
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<i>The Wordle</i> - I won't lie, I like picture these words paint about my blog this past 5 months! <br />
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<li>Loves: the focus of learning, growth, community, students and purpose! </li>
<li>Surprises: "story" is so small! Feel like that is a focus of many posts!</li>
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<u><b>Top 5 Posts</b></u> (as determined by views)<br />
5. <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/08/blogging-advice-from-3-week-veteran.html" target="_blank">Blogging Advice from a 3 Week Veteran</a><br />
4. <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/08/5-ways-to-create-better-content-for.html" target="_blank">5 Ways to Create Better Content for Your School Sites</a><br />
3. <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-c-post.html" target="_blank">Social Media & Schools: The C&I Post</a><br />
2. <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/11/your-schools-story.html" target="_blank">Your School's Story</a><br />
1. <a href="http://brettstamm.blogspot.com/2014/09/social-media-schools-engagement-post.html" target="_blank">Social Media & Schools; The Engagement Post</a><br />
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<b><u>Goals for 2015</u></b><br />
I'm keeping it simple with goals. There is plenty going on in life outside of this blog and I want to keep momentum with some appropriate goals that will continue to grow the impact I wish my blog to have upon those that come to read and share!<br />
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<li>Grow the engagement portion</li>
<li>Stick to my posting expectations</li>
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As part of this post, I'm tagging/challenging some folks to do the same if they haven't yet. Let's call it the 2014 Blog Review Challenge! Here's what to do:</div>
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<li>Leave a comment for the person that challenged you.</li>
<li>Write a post with the reflections, top posts and goals.</li>
<li>Challenge a few more folks!</li>
<li>Have fun with it!</li>
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Happy New Year & Happy Posting!</div>
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BStamm00http://www.blogger.com/profile/01132980250990035527noreply@blogger.com3