Taking your game to the “Next Level”

As we will soon enter the year of 2014, there is no time like the present to consider making few changes or adjustments to how you are embracing 21^st century learning. Look at the new year as a way to broaden your perspective with technology in the classroom, understanding the different facets of Common Core, and/or embracing Social Media. Below are six areas where you could consider beginning or enhancing this journey.

·         Follow a Twitter Hashtag: A very easy way to increase your understanding of social media and the multitude of benefits it will bring your way. A several hashtags  (or accounts) that I’m following include: #Venspired, #2Guysshow, #cpchat, #txed, #satchat, and #edchat, #flippedlearning, @cybraryman1 and #moedchat

·         Participate in a new PLN Twitter Chat: By doing this you will be able to learn from experts in your field.

Simply join a specific chat. Here’s a link to a pretty comprehensive list of chats:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AiftIdjCeWSXdDRLRzNsVktUUGJpRWJhdUlWLS1Genc&usp=drive_web#gid=0

I’ve learned quite a bit from #moedechat, #txed, and #satchatwc.

·         Embrace a new APP in your classroom: Thanks to Brett Catlett (@catlett1) I just learned about Flipagram. This APP allows you to design a picture collage using pictures from your Camera Roll, edit them and add music. Then you have a picture story. I just created two Flipagrams. One that chronicles our first semester at Francis Howell Middle and another that celebrates my oldest son’s first year marching with the Blue Stars Drum Corps.

·         Look at Augmented Reality as a tool for your classroom. Taking the APP process one step further, you will actively engage your students from the onset when you use AR Apps. www.twoguysandsomeipads.com is a great place to check out some pretty cool AR apps. Brad Waid and Drew Minock are leading experts in this area.

·        Look at implementing a new Social Media Tool to enhance the learning experience. Evernote, Google Hangouts, Backchannels, Google+ are all important tools that will help you become organized,  advance your understanding of technology, and help connect you and your students to new facets of 21c.

·        Read a forward thinking book: There are several books out there that can push you forward, solidify your pedagogy, or enlighten you. Frederick Hess’ Cage-Busting Leadership is a great read. You can even participate in a Twitter Book Chat.  Presently #moreads and #moedchat chat are leading out a chat focusing on Daniel Isenberg’s Worthless, Impossible, and Stupid. Finally, Dave Burgess’ (@burgessdave) Teach Like a Pirate has been a very popular Twitter Book chat. You can also follow the #tlap for continued professional development.

There is no time like the present to broaden your understanding and application of educational resources of the 21^st century. Those listed above can be of great resource for you as you continue this incredible journey!

Reframing Professional Development

As we continue to move forward will all facets of our educational transformation, it is important to include PD in this movement. We must move beyond the traditional “sit and get” format and reframe our Professional Development. Authentic PD encompasses the needs of students, teachers, and administrators. By implementing a variety of formats and presentation styles within your PD will best benefit the educational professional. Knowing that your staff learns, processes, and acquires knowledge in different ways, it is paramount to design your PD around those information acquisition styles.

I’ve found the following to be quite beneficial formats for Professional Development:

·         Flipped PD

·         Google Hangouts

·         Podcasts

·         Twitter Chats

·         PLNs

·         Edcamps

There are a multitude of formats and ways to deliver Professional Development.  As you discover or implement different successful formats for PD, I’d like to hear how it goes!

Taking “Student Voice” one step further…

I hear from multiple colleagues saying that by empowering “student voice” in their schools it has re-energized classroom instruction. As we move further along in our educational journey, we need to continue to branch out and look at new ways to further this cause.  There are multiple ways to achieve this goal. One way is by utilizing the “backchannel” feature of different websites or programs. In researching ways to incorporate the “backchannel into the classroom, faculty, meetings, or for Professional Development, we’ve learned that one particular tool has made a positive impact. The “backchannel” feature of Todaysmeet has helped transform different classroom settings in our school.

It is important to note that is not the purpose to merely introduce new technology to students for technology sake, but instead to have an educational purpose (with a vision) as you introduce the new tool. The “backchannel” will allow multiple students to participate in classroom discussions at the same time while completing other assignments or activities. This collaborative tool gives merit and worth to “student voice”. Look at it as a way of “thinking out loud” without talking! Our students need additional ways to process, gather, and share information and the back channel format is an excellent tool for them to use.

Keep me posted on how you are using the “backchannel” in your classroom!

2013 Edublog Award Nominations

Often we go about our everyday business in our world of education without giving a thought to thanking those who have inspired us each day. Today, as we move at the speed of light, it’s nice to slow down just enough to recognize those who are doing great things in the area of Social Media.

Well, thanks to edublog (www.edublogs.org), it is time for the 2013 Edublog Awards (www.edublogawards.com ). Recognizing exemplary work in the arena of blogging is something they’ve been doing for nine years.

I am nominating the following blogs for this award:

·        Best Teacher Blog: @venspired  / Venspired.com   By Krissy Venosdale

·        Best Ed Tech Blog: @2Guysshow  / Twoguysandsomeipads.com  By Brad Waid and Drew Minock

·        Best Administrator Blog: @ideaguy42 / aprincipalspeaking.com  By Bob Dillon

Look for the voting to open soon. Let’s recognize these innovative educators.

The Twitter-Preneur

From the beginning of time we have had entrepreneurs. Most recently we were introduced to “teacherpreneurs”…and indeed we also have TwitterPreneurs. These lead learners are blazing a trail through 21^st century learning and on a daily basis they are embracing best practices within the Social Media framework. These advance-thinkers are “branding” new ideas each and every day. They are boldly going where no educator has gone before…

As a classroom teacher, the Twitterpreneur is… using a PLN to further advance an understanding and application of advanced applications of technology. They are reaching out to find the latest innovation that will help inspire, encourage, and engage student learners. These Twitterpreneurs are leading out chats, blogging about their discoveries, and hosting podcasts. They help empower those around them to also embrace the power of Twitter. Innovative Apps are the norm in these classrooms! Finally, these leaders are transforming the classroom experience for our students.

As an Administrator, the Twitterpreneur is… leading by example with research, blogs, and support of teachers and staff with the transition into Social Media. Administrators are also lead learners who are promoting the significance, importance, and necessity of Twitter and Social Media in the 21^st century educational setting. They are leading out online book studies, hosting chats and podcasts. They are challenging their peers to join them in this journey. They are Twitter pioneers. Finally, these leaders are transforming how their schools and districts view and use Social Media as an educational change agent.

It is time to advance the positive power and understanding of Twitter and how it can positively impact learning today. Are you a Twitterpreneur? Tell me about your innovative work!

Erasing the “Stigma” of Apps

During our most recent Parent Twitter Chat (#FHMchat) the question pertaining to the “relevance of Apps” in the classroom setting was asked. At first I thought it would be a simple question to address. However, I had to think about this (as we are in our first year as a BYOD school) since we are just now getting our feet wet with the use of personal devices and Apps. Well, thanks to my PLN, colleagues, @2GuysShow, and their blog site www.twoguysandsomeipads.com, I’ve been able to muster up additional information and resources to further explain the need for using Apps in the classroom setting.

I must admit that when I scroll through the Apps store listing I do see quite a few items that are truly meant for fun and games. However, there are a myriad of other Apps that can help our students excel in the classroom setting (and beyond). Last night Drew and Brad, during their Two Guys Show #9: Game Changing Apps, shared quite a bit of information on Augmented Reality Apps. First, what is Augmented Reality (AR)?  Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. Augmented Reality bring the learning experience into a new dimension (3D and 4D).

So we can now use apps to take a virtual look at the Milky Way (and explore the planets from a very close perspective), dabble in architectural engineering with legos, or bring music to life, or even look a little closer at the writing process. TracLabsAtlas allows students the ability to program a virtual robot and DAQRI allows learners to visual elements and projects in 4D.

More traditional functions of Apps in the classroom include flashcards, Evernote, Notegraphy (where you turn your own quotes or saying into poster-like artifacts), Grafio (students can create their own Infographics) or Tellagami (students can create an avatar then build a mini movie).

So the world of education continues to transform and we have the world of Apps to thank as we move into the next phase of technology integration into the “school house”. Let me know what new Apps you discover. I would love to share them with my teachers, students and parents!

Three Keys to Increasing Parent “Voice” in Your School

At times we often forget about the positive “power” of an individual “voice”. We strive to include students in multiple facets of decision making and leadership throughout our school communities. Yet, at times we forget about another sub group that holds the key to empowering success. I am referring to our parents.  I’ve come to the realization that there are three key ways to increase parent “voice’ in our schools.

Foster parent organizations with purpose and direction: We all have parent organizations and parent support groups, but how often do we truly “empower” them to lead out change in our schools? Our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) which fund raises for the school has shifted their focus, in part, to 21c.  Last year they funded ten mini grants so that teachers could begin using iPads in their classrooms. This year they are supporting our efforts to increase student engagement and leadership by supporting the Leader in Me initiative. They are making a difference by seeking out ways to broaden their positive impact on our school community. Our Parent Involvement Team (PIT) is taking parent perspective into consideration when researching books for our Book Discussions (Not Much Just Chillin': The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers and Whale Done!), or what topics we should consider when hosting seminars. They are sharing their “voice” in new avenues to promote a greater understanding of how they can support the school community.

Invite parents to become members of your school’s Leadership Team: It is a very simple idea with profound potential for growth and involvement. Procuring parent voice on this key leadership team tells them that their voice matters in key decision making opportunities. I believe it is vital to the success of your school to have parent voice as part of the decision making process (when applicable). Parent insight and perspective will provide your team with additional resources. We've invited parents to join our Building Improvement Group (BIG). This team is responsible for making key decisions for our school, and parent voice is a necessary facet within this leadership team.

Help parents connect with Social Media: Even though we've become BYOD schools, our students are engaged with Social Media, and we too are journeying into the realm of Twitter, (and Triberr, Apping, Blogging, and a myriad of other Social Media venues), our parents on the other hand may still be in the early stages of learning about the Twittterverse. Therefore, we must reach out to our parents and parent groups and help by providing Parent PD. By helping parents begin the journey into Social Media, we can give worth and merit to their voice in another venue. As part of beginning our Parent Twitter Chat (#FHMchat), I learned that parents needed a little assistance in getting started with the chat. So, I’m hosting a Twitter Training Session later in October.

So, the next time student, teacher, or administrator “voice” becomes the topic of discussion, go ahead and mention “parent voice"- we need to be proactive and include parent voice in multiple areas within our school communities.

Parents using Twitter as Educational Tool: Welcome... #FHMchat

As we move forward with our transition in implementing Social Media, Francis Howell Middle will take a big step forward next week.

 

Part of our desire to seek out new ways to increase communication with parents includes the use of Social Media. In early October, I will introduce a Parent Chat for our Middle School families.We will host the chat on the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month at 7:00pm.  On October 7^th  the topic will be: “The Power of Connecting on Twitter” and the October 21^st  chat topic will be “Using Social Media to strengthen academics”. We will introduce a new Hashtag to the Twitterverse on October 7^th….

…Welcome  #FHMchat

 

I am truly looking forward to taking this step and moving our Social Media presence forward and at the same time working to engage parents in a format that will proide them with greater freedom in communicating and learning more about the educational process at Francis Howell Middle School.

Feel free to join us next Monday at 7:00pm CST; we’d love to have you share in our discussions.

Student-Led Conferences

It is that time of year for our Parent-Teacher Conferences to begin all across America. Parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, and students are all preparing for this educational tradition. You might wonder how students play into the Parent-Teacher Conference. Well, for Francis Howell Middle, we adopted (many years ago) the Student-Led Conference (SLC) practice; therefore our students are an integral component of our fall (and spring) conferences!

With SLCs our students take an important leadership role. They present their portfolio artifacts to their parents during the conference. The students review assessments, assignment, standardized assessment scores, and other portfolio items with their parents. They explain the scores that they received and offer suggestions to their parents as to ways they can make improvements. The classroom teachers are present and are readily available to discuss any artifact in the portfolio (or to address any other parent questions or concerns). This informal setting and format is quite conducive to increasing communication between school and home.

There are multiple benefits in implementing the SLC format:

• Greater Student Voice
• Increased Oral Communication
• Student Ownership of Portfolio work
• Increased Parent-Student interaction within the conference format

If you haven’t tried this format, I suggest you look into it. Let me know how it works out for your school community!

B, D, O, and Y

These four letters, independent of one another, merely represent letters of the alphabet or perhaps members of the “used letter board” on Wheel of Fortune. However, when correctly manipulated they create an acronym that represents how you can dramatically change your school culture and climate. I am referring to BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)! Last spring our school took that giant step and adopted the Bring Your Own Device policy for the start of this school year. I applaud my staff and parents for encouraging and implementing this best practice. We’ve dabbled in allowing students to use their own devices during the past few years and today students are engaged in multiple levels of personal application: Cellphones, iPods, iPads, Chromebooks, Kindles, and Nooks. They are being challenged and in return they also challenge us (to take our game to the next level so speak). This is an exciting time to be leading out educational change.

Here’s a sampling of resources, apps, and other avenues that the students can access while in school:

·         Remind 101

·         Instagram

·         Twitter

·         Blogging

·         PicStitch

·         Schoology

·         Google Drive

·         Prezi

·         eBooks

·         Socrative

So, as we continue this journey together I look forward to learning new advancements from my staff, students, and my Professional Learning Network (PLN). Why is application and use of technology and best practices so vital today?  Well, simply stated, we’re preparing students today for jobs that do not even exist. As a result we must engage them in the every changing features of technology and academic support to best prepare them to ‘boldly go where no one has gone before.”

Look Who's Talking

The other day a long-time colleague and friend stopped by school to visit. She’s a “retirement rookie” so she was telling us of her new adventures with her new found superannuation from “formal” education. She just returned from a trip to Florida and in the August ’13 edition of Spirit, the in-flight magazine of Southwest Airlines, she found an article on the Flipped Classroom and 21^st century technology. “This would be a great article for Professional Development”, she said. Always thinking, Cheryl provided me with two copies of the magazine. I immediately contacted the airlines to see if I could get a copy of the August issue for each of my teachers (waiting to hear back from them). In the article “Flipped Out” Jennifer Miller conveys the important message that the flipped classroom. If you’d like to read the article, go to www.spiritmag.com to review the article!

It’s exciting to see articles promoting and encouraging the advancement of education. It just goes to show you that no matter where you are (even at 35,000 feet), someone is writing, reading, or talking about education. In this case, we see someone promoting educational pedagogy in a progressive and positive format.  So the next time you are out and about (at the dentist, getting the oil changed on your car, or even flying home from a vacation or conference) , don’t be surprised if you find a magazine, newspaper, or news broadcast reporting on the 21^st century movement in education.

Rite of Passage for Parents

As the summer comes to a close, families begin the transition back to school. At Francis Howell Middle one rite of passage is our Summer Survival Series. For one evening, parents of incoming 6^th grade students meet with both administrators and parent leaders. We hold a Question and Answer Session where topics include: Academic expectations, homework guidelines, BYOD, inter-grade level grouping for lunch and Character Connection Class, the middle school model, lunch, lockers, and extra-curricular activities. This event affords our parents the opportunity to learn more about our school culture, climate, and expectations. This informal venue allows for greater parent participation. Helping parents transition to middle school is just as important as helping their children move from 5^th to 6^th grade.

There are four keys to a successful parent transition meeting:

·         Remain transparent in answering questions and with all interactions,

·         Encourage parents to take an active role during the middle level years (which includes volunteering and even having lunch with their child),

·         Provide relevant resources,

·         Reiterate the rigor and relevance of the academic curriculum.

This time with our incoming parents is priceless. It provides an opportunity for the school leadership team to meet with and get to know our new parents. It also allows the parents to take an evening to meet and discuss important topics regarding middle school “life”. Together we now prepare to take the final steps in getting ready for the start of the new school year!

What will you do differently?

Even though the New Year (2014) is over four months away, now is the time to answer the question, “What will you do differently to inspire, motivate, and engage your students this year?” Now is the time to make those “new school year” resolutions!

We all recall the choice George Bailey made in It’s a Wonderful Life! What a life changing event. Today, we do not need to go the degree in which George experienced. Instead we can simply make the choice to  

live our life to the fullest, make the best of what we have, and give of ourselves to others.

This time of year is really a time for educators to make our “new year’s resolutions”. It’s important to reflect and determine what we can do to make 2013-2014 the best year for our students, our school community, and ourselves.

It could be as easy as:

•  Connecting with more students,
• Engaging your students in new ways (e.g. Using 20% Time),
• Applying new strategies in the classroom (i.e. Flipping your classroom),
• Looking into different forms of technology (Schoology), and/or
• Venturing into the realm of Social Media.

Whatever you decide to do, remember, we must meet our students “where they are”. So for  some this will require us to change our way of using technology and Social Media or for others it will be rethinking how to lead out classroom instruction. Take some time to make those “new school year” resolutions, and watch to see how it positively impacts your students (and yourself)!

Will You be Their Champion?

Often we can get caught up in the hectic pace of the school day and sometimes lose sight of our mission, vision, and true purpose. Rita Pearson, in one of her TED Talks, shares insight in to why we need to build relationships with our students and champion “their cause”. Remember we must “seek first to understand” our students. Take a moment (or 7:48 minutes) to watch Rita inspire us to re-ignite the passion. Enjoy friends!

 

http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html

Consider Flipping your August "Back to School" Teacher Meetings

As we use the summer to reflect, relax, and rest. Eventually we will begin to “return” to getting ready for the new school year. As we ponder the multitude of ways to prepare for the Kick-Off to the 2013-2014 school year, we recall the list of required elements of our meeting agendas, PD sessions, and the long list of “to-dos”.  In developing your plans, why not consider “Flipping” your Back to School Meetings in August? Or as least a portion or small facet of those sessions. Our teachers are inundated with quite a bit of information at the start of the school year. So this way you can provide the information in advance, then allow for additional “learning” to take place, and then allow for additional team, department, or PLC meetings. The work and meeting days that precede the start of the school year are a precious commodity, so why not maximize that time with Flipped Teacher Meetings?

By flipping the August Teacher Meetings you will:

•  Be modeling this practice for your teachers,
• Provide the additional and invaluable PD time for your staff,
• Eliminate the dreaded “sit and get” staff meeting,a
• Offer  reference materials via the Flipped video for the staff to return to following the Teacher Meetings

Why not start the year with forward moving meetings led out with Flipped Professional Development! Then you can assist your staff with the transition into a Flipped Classroom. I need run so I can start working on my agendas, plans, and script for my Flipped August Teacher Meetings. See Ya!

Don't leave the office without it...

This past spring, I rarely left my office without first grabbing my iPad or iPhone. Inevitably, if I were to leave one of them behind, the secretaries would get an email from me (if I had my laptop or a quick phone call from the nearest teacher phone). I learned that by having one of these two devices with me at all times I could easily chronicle key learning moments throughout the school day.  During one assembly I was snapping pictures (using Instagram) and one student asked, “Hey Dr. Huff, are you on Instagram?” The students love it when they see us using current technology. Right away I had several new Instagram followers. The students and staff have now grown accustomed to my new found photography hobby.

So how did this all come to fruition? Why did I suddenly start taking pictures throughout the school day? Well, during the MECT13 conference, one of Ken Shelton’s break-out sessions focused on Visual Storytelling; he referenced “Project 365”. Ken challenged us to take one picture a day for 365 days, and then at the end of the year we would have 365 “original pictures” to use in presentations, to send out to students and staff, or to chronicle the year. So in taking this to heart, I began my journey with Project 365.

What I’ve learned is that I have been able to “capture” students and staff literally “in the moment” of learning. This is very exciting! My challenge to you is to do the same… Keep me posted on your progress!

Thanksgiving in May…

It is during this time of the year when I reflect, give thanks, and share the great things that are happening at school. I am blessed to be working in such an incredibly compassionate and benevolent school. This time of year can be hurried, rushed, and frantic, which often creates anxiety and angst for everyone. However as we end the school year at Francis Howell Middle, we've set aside time to celebrate and give thanks.

Earlier this month the #TMSHawkchat (Timberview Middle School in Keller, TX) topic was “Why do we need to celebration and end the year on a positive note?” I mention this as it is evident that schools across the nation take time near the end of the school year to celebrate the great things that happened during the school year.  It is vital that we celebrate and end our school year in an affirmative manner.  

Thursday (May 23^rd) we celebrated the school year with our students, staff, and families. A day-long event which included team activities, an extended lunch (with Kona Ice), grade level celebration assemblies, and an All-School Celebration Assembly that culminated in a Flash Mob (compliments of our Drama Teacher Mrs. G.). It was truly a wonderful way to spend the day at school.

Today (May 28^th) after the school day concludes we will celebrate with staff and friends. We will honor our colleagues who will be concluding their educational careers and beginning a new and exciting time during their retirement years.  To Cheryl B., Keiren G., Kay W., and Molly L.– thank you for giving of your time, energy, creativity and countless hours to make a difference in the lives of our students throughout the years! We will miss your leadership presence here at Francis Howell Middle.

So even though it is still six months until Thanksgiving, it is always a good time of the year to stop and give thanks. I am so thankful for the incredible staff of teachers we have a FHMS. I am thankful for the dedicated parents who are involved in the lives of their children and our school as volunteers. I am thankful for the great students we have here at FHMS – as they truly know how to lead the way.  It’s a great day and a great year to be a Junior Viking! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. So, what are you thankful for?

Do PLNs really work?

It continues to amaze me as to “how powerful” the twitterverse can be. We often take for granted the scope of its impact as we skim, scan, and scurry through our tweets, retweets, and favorites. Just last night, during the #moedchat on Multi-tasking, I was looking at my Evernote app and I was trying to figure out “What’s all the hype over Evernote and this little green app?” Back in February I attended METC13 and learned about the amazing benefits of Evernote (among several other excellent apps, programs, and devices).  So, I jumped in on the Evernote bandwagon.

Today, nearly three months after first taking on the task of discovering and working to understand the mystique and magic of Evernote, I am still baffled about its popularity. Well, who comes to my rescue? My PLN of course. I posed an off the topic question (as I was multitasking during the chat), to see if anyone could help me with Evernote. Instantaneously several members of my cohort jumped in with advise, suggestions, and ideas for me to implement. One colleague quickly posted a link for LiveBinders on Evernote tutorials (ow.ly/kT74h).  It was even suggested that we start an “Evernote user group”. Excellent idea. Can’t wait.

Only via Social Media can you get such depth and breadth of energy, enthusiasm, and mentoring. In the span of just over an hour, colleagues from across Missouri and the country gathered to share ideas. My big “take away” tonight is… “I can rely on my PLN to help me with a question, topic, or issue. I can learn from my colleagues no matter where they are (in MO or across the US).

Yes, PLNs work for me. Do they work for you?  

Diet Coke and a strawberry Pop Tart...

Vices or habits often control, lead, and/or dictate how we run our lives…However, these habits or idiosyncrasies truly are just a part of our daily routine. We rarely give it much thought (as I stop to take a drink of my diet coke) as to when or how often the habit weaves itself into the fabric of our day. For me two things that "help me out" include my diet coke and strawberry Pop Tart (unfrosted).

I often think of the habits we have and also those habits of our students (Especially the ones we’d like to see fall to wayside). If we ask our students to change a habit that we perceive as one that impacts their school day, remember it takes a while to change or eliminate a habit. Remember, if you do decide to break or change one of your habits it takes 30 days to change, break, or begin a new habit. So when encouraging our students to make a change, they too need that time to make the transition into a new habit or behavior.

If you really want to consider eliminating the habit or vice, consider the following:

1.      Determine if you can go through the day without the vice or habit,

2.      Does it have any negative effects or impacts on your life?

3.      What can replace it in a healthy positive way?

Gotta go, its early morning and I need my diet coke and strawberry Pop Tart… What helps you get through the day?

Facing Our Giants

Just as Coach Grant Taylor and the Shiloh Eagles football team in the movie Facing the Giants confronted their modern day Goliath, our students often struggle with “giants”- imposing upon and impacting their lives each day of school. From home, to friends, to social media, to school, they often face issues that simply “get in their way” of enjoying school and life. Knowing this, it is important that we “meet them where they are” and provide a support system to help them while they are with us at school.

Often just by knowing that there is a caring adult nearby to listen to them, our students find this comforting; it is an added assurance that “things will be ok”. In working to help our students to be successful, here are three steps you can implement to help them in this process:
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Maintain Open Channels of Communication with your students (and colleagues):  Communication is the key and this helps your students understand that you want to stay “connected” with them. Talk with them about their interests, likes, and goals. Showing a sincere interest in your students will create a positive bond with them. Keep the “team” in the loop, as colleagues may have additional insight in to ways to help. Also, keep channels of communication open with parents, since they can provide information that is beneficial to their child’s welfare.

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Home Base: Establish a Home Room setting where students can touch base with a specific teacher throughout the year. This creates a “safe” zone of comfort for the student. We’ve established the Character Connection Class that addresses the Home Base factor (see March 6, 2013 Blog Post: Character Connection Class…Building Relationships in a place to call “Home”). This is more than a home room or Academic Lab, it is a scheduled time for a small group of students to meet with a specific teacher on a regular or semi-regular basis.

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Watch for Signs of Change: In the event you see a change in behavior, attendance, social groups, or appearance, make contact with the counselor, parent, and grade level administrator. Changes in these key areas are often signs which signal a concern for the child. Always follow up with the counselor and administrator to check on the student’s progress.

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We all want what is best for our students, and often they need us for support and assistance far more often than they will admit. Knowing that they have us in their “corner” always helps. Taking proactive steps to create a positive and conducive learning atmosphere is best for all students. Tackling the 21^st century Goliath will help our students become productive citizens both in school and in the greater community! Make it a great day - the choice is up to you!

Student Voice

I have always been a proponent of student voice in the classroom and greater school community. Mrs. Royce and her Character Connection Class (CCC) invited me to attend their class. In meeting with Mrs. Royce’s CCC, the students wanted to share their insight, thoughts, and ways to improve the use of our “annual theme” at Francis Howell Middle. This year’s theme Whale Done! The Power of Positive Relationships was the focus of CCC discussion. The class created a PowerPoint presentation that outlined the strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement with this year’s theme. Using similarities and differences the class analyzed the theme in relation to last year’s theme How Full is Your Bucket? They explained that this year’s theme did not live up to the school’s traditional “theme” standards. They voiced their concern of how they were disconnected from the theme, the lack to continuity, and how the theme was not embedded throughout the school community.

Following their presentation they sat quietly waiting for my reply or “rebuttal”.  First I thanked them for making the time during CCC to discuss, plan, and create this PowerPoint presentation. Secondly, I explained that I was impressed with the way they collected their thoughts and shared their opinions about the theme in a positive and productive manner. I reminded them of the importance of “student voice” in our school and without their voiced input, we cannot truly move forward in supporting their educational endeavors. Simply stated, we need their valued input. I shared with the class that there were definite facets of the theme that we failed to roll out in a way that would connect the students to the theme.

I am so proud of this CCC and their endeavor to reach out to me by sharing their voice in a matter that is very dear to our school community. On that day, I became the student and they led me through an empowering and empowered lesson on student voice. I am proud to be the principal of a school where my students have been affirmed and know that it is “ok” to speak their mind when they have a concern, question, or thought on the subject of “their” education.