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!