Appreciation

Some things in life seem so incredibly simple.  When someone holds a door for you, a nice, "thank you" seems to be appropriate.  If you receive a gift for graduation, your birthday, a wedding, etc. there is nothing wrong with a nice little note of thanks.  On top of that, there are the exceptional efforts of individuals that simply go beyond what is expected.  These are the people that clear a driveway following a snow, those that leave their intended pathway to carry groceries to the house of a neighbor, or "pay it forward" in so many other ways.  In this category are two individuals that I am proud to call both "friends" and "mentors" for me.  Although both will humbly describe what they are doing for me as part of "their job" it is the intensity with which...

Read more »

Who's the Teacher?

As I started to get into blogging, it was my belief that I understood technology relatively well and was open to the possibilities of its use.  No fear of it, and I'm a believer.  I do the basics and would like to feel more comfortable in doing more.  The teachers in the district are strong in general, and they challenge me to stay up.  There's the background.  Basically I like tech and feel comfortable with it. Until tonight... My daughter, in fifth grade, sat down with me and proceeded to demonstrate to me what a true digital native does.  She just did it.  Didn't consider it, think about it, ponder its outcome...just did it.  Oh, and when something didn't work...a quick grumble and on to the next thing.  Water off a duck's back.  It...

Read more »

Winter in Iowa

As the warm summer days have turned cooler, it is with dread that I anticipate the snow and cold that typifies an Iowa Winter.  This is never my favorite time of year.  The motorcycle essentially stays in the garage (I try to brave the cold/snow/ice one day a month for some inexplicable reason), the driveway will be in need of clearing as will the walkways, the yard becomes unusable, and I simply don't like being cold.  Some people love it and always will.  This is not my category.  This year, however, I am able to add yet another piece to the "anti-winter" stance that I maintain.  As Superintendent of Schools, it is my responsibility to determine whether the roads and weather are in such condition that delaying or cancelling school is necessary.  Typically...

Read more »

Job Description

After spending the last 14 years in administration at the building level, this year moves me into a district view.  I have loved the opportunities that I have had in a HS, and I believe that the job I did was a good one that benefitted students.  In short, I'm proud of what I have done, what my educators have done, and what my students have accomplished. In my fifteenth year, my focus has changed.  Although the opportunity to lead is still there and the challenges of that opportunity are still invigorating, the vantage point has changed a bit.  What I use to do well and had a comfort with has now become new, unsure, clouded, and unfamiliar.  Normally that is exceptionally refreshing for me.  This is, to a degree, similarly refreshing.  The part I was not...

Read more »

Let the Beatings Stop

Although I originally loved the creativity and fun of the title of this blog "Beating the Dead Horse" as it was an attempt to drag conversations into the depths of challenging our own beliefs.  I still look for those opportunities and cherish those moments and hours where that has been achieved.  Following a move to a school system where the Bronco is the mascot, the reference takes a new twist.  What once was fun and playful is now potentially offensive and derogatory to a degree.  Although not intentional, it is appropriate to move the site.  So feel free to join me at Bronco Bits, the new option.  URL is http://broncobits.blogspot.com/ if you are interested...

Read more »

It's All About the Benjamins (Repost)

Back in April of 2010, I posted the below on another site.  That was as a High School Principal.  Now as a Superintendent, it seems to be consistently relevant. I'm sure that many people out there would agree that we really work hard in education to provide the best possible education for our students. I have believed this for a long time and still do. With the current status of economy across the nation, however, it is my observation that what I have long believed to be a staple belief is being eroded by another key belief...survival. Survival is one of the initial instincts that we all have. It spans across the personal barriers of eating, reproduction, learning, loyalty, interdependence, and so many other concepts. As institutions or businesses, survival is key to being able...

Read more »

I LIKE STRESS

Much like that famous quote from the movie Wallstreet, "Greed, for lack of a better word, is good,"  I think I like stress.  Taken alone and out of context, it really appears to be one of the worst concepts imaginable, like greed being good.  I have to admit, though, that when I'm stressed, I do better.  When lots of things are happening, I get focused.  When pandamonium erupts, I become effective.  When things look the most bleak, I personally find some hope and energy.  That must mean that, "stress, for lack of a better word, is a motivator".  I think you can/should quote me on that.  So, should I go looking for more stress in my life?  Do I need to sit down and create a list of wants that I don't really need so that my greed can increase? ...

Read more »

Kept?

During a presentation, a man that I hold in high regard and for whom I have great respect stated essentially the following (quoting as best I can from a couple years ago):Educators are basically “kept” individuals that typically have never had to venture out on their own. When we were children, our parents cared for us, we attended college where necessities were provided, and then we were hired into a field that provides income, insurance, support, training, etc. We have never, as educators, had to create or re-create anything in order to survive.As the individual stated the above, he also was very careful to apologize and state that he wasn’t meaning to be offensive or say that educators are lazy or incompetent (as some naturally bristle at anything) and was including himself in the mix....

Read more »

Opportunity in Disguise

In recent months, I have begun a job search that has allowed me to meet with a variety of educational leaders in various parts of the state of Iowa. Initially, this was not a pleasant task. Due to finances and the decision to close one of three buildings in our district, our administrative team was reduced by one. Unfortunately for me and my family, the administrator reduced was, you guessed it, me. After serving our students here for eight years, I found myself in a situation that was not planned nor expected only a few months ago. I have enjoyed my time here, found great successes and good friends, and felt that I had done a very good job in my position. Determined to continue with pride and professionalism, I took the deep breath and put on the smile I had always carried. It was superficial...

Read more »

It's All About the Benjamins

I'm sure that many people out there would agree that we really work hard in education to provide the best possible education for our students. I have believed this for a long time and still do. With the current status of economy across the nation, however, it is my observation that what I have long believed to be a staple belief is being eroded by another key belief...survival. Survival is one of the initial instincts that we all have. It spans across the personal barriers of eating, reproduction, learning, loyalty, interdependence, and so many other concepts. As institutions or businesses, survival is key to being able to do anything positive for society. Look at mission statements and visions that promote the "grander thinking" of humanity in terms of what a company or organization can provide....

Read more »

Ready for 1 to 1?

In the geographic area of Iowa there has been a lot of conversation over the past few years about 1 to 1 technology in schools.  Apple has done a nice job of getting their foot in the door and creating opportunities for several school districts to make the move to having a computer in the hands of each student that enters their door.  Now that the PC revolution has followed suit with making notebooks inexpensive enough to be considered, the race is on.  Moving to 1 to 1 status is more than a financial outlay and setting up simple policies for care of the computer and access to the internet both at school and at home, however.  It is about a new way of thinking in the classroom and teaching and learning at an incredible pace.  It is about letting down the guard...

Read more »

A Response to Justin's Response

I just read a good perspective from Justin Bathon over at "The Edjurist" that got my attention and maybe even a bit of ire. Some of the point is well taken, but some appears to be more of a "slight of hand type of move to focus on someone else, not me" thing. Please note that Justin is a respected blogger by many, including me. This time, though, I think he just has missed his normally high bar of expectation. Hey, that happens.In his response was this excerpt:How flippant, that combo of teachers' unions and ed schools. Are we to be demonized the same way as teachers' unions historically have been? Are we now officially part of the "problem" narrative in the media and amongst politicians? I have been noticing an uptick in the blame associated with ed. schools lately and this seems to be just...

Read more »

What Really is Important?

Currently there is a lot of good discussion about assessment of learning in our schools, and I would think it is with very good cause.  One part of this discussion is based on determining what information is truly valuable to assess - that educators should assess what is critical for long term retention and not worry about assessing that information that is more supportive and/or readily available.  It's a conversation that I've had many times and in many different ways, but copied below is one of the most recent I've had regarding the concept of whether a teacher should assess students on remembering the parts of a neuron as was originally posted on Dangerously Irrelevant.  The time and date are noted from Skype, and this is posted with the permission of my colleague.[1/16/2010...

Read more »

Is a Blog "Publishing" or "Posting" and does it matter?

Several times I have heard the reference that someone has, "...published their writing for all to see." By placing their thoughts in a digitally accessible format, others are clearly able to view, read, learn, and agree/disagree with the posting. In an even more advanced format such as a blog, they are additionally able to comment, have conversations, add input and insight, challenge the thinking, support the idea, and 100's of other options not available in traditional print and/or media based publishing such as television or radio. What a great opportunity for on-going learning on both sides of the post! Newspapers and TV news programs are using this as well to allow their print and broadcast news to get the interactive responses of their audience. Clearly the two are merging, and it appears...

Read more »