Leadership Under Fire

Leadership and courage are always tested when under fire. Not only do people run away when they are under fire, most run away when they smell smoke!


Forbes put out an article about leadership last month - you can check it out here. One of their seven traits of those who lead in tough times need to remain fearless.

In tough times, people often speak about how fear dictates their choices. Fear should never dictate how we live our lives and how we should lead others. Fear has a funny way of challenging how to view things and how we do things, though. It is hard to see, think, and act clearly when fear of change, the unknown, or the untested start to come into play.

General George S. Patton had this to say about fear, choices, and leadership:

The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That's the time to listen to every fear you can imagine! When you have collected all the facts and fears and made your decision, turn off all your fears and go ahead!
I have always respected General Patton from what he did on and off the battlefield. A true leader needs to be able to turn off their fears to move ahead with real change. It's not a skill or trait that one can just acquire. It needs to be tested, time and time again. There is a reason why they say something is "fire-tested."

Snow Days and the incredibly shrinking school calendar

For most of the 2013-2014 winter season, it has been wet, snowy, and utterly miserable. There is no two ways around it - its been tough. Every week, it seems we are getting a little more snow, and thus, eating into our morale, our schedules, and most importantly, our school calendars. 

Our district has historically placed three snow days into our school calendar. I know of others that have five. If they are used, so be it. If not, the school districts amend the calendar and elect to get out early. For the last few years, that seems to have been the case in New Jersey but not so much this year. We have not only eaten up our three allotted snow days but have expended FOUR more. While each of the days were warranted for the safety and security of our students, staff, and transportation department, it still stings, especially when teachers and students are trying  to get on some sort of "normal" schedule. Oh, let's not forget about delayed openings and early dismissal. Those are just as disruptive.

Because of all of this, we have had to amend our calendar. First, to take back President's Day weekend, which would save two days. Unfortunately, we were just hit with another huge storm during these take back days. Now, it looks like we will give back two more days, including one PD day. If there is anymore snow or closings, there are only two options left - take away from Spring Break or EXTEND the school year. 

So, what is the answer? 

Some districts might go the route of eliminated spring break - I don't agree with this. I think that students need a cognitive break (and an actual break) during the testing season, 

Some districts might go the route of extending the school year - While it is an option, you can only go to June 30 by State Statute. What if you need days beyond that? With Governor Christie recently taking a stance on this, I think that this is still very up in the air. 

Some districts might go the route of having students come in on the weekends - How do you bus for this? What if they have plans? Do you offer food? There are too many variables here to account for to make me go with this one. 

Here is a quick video of Fort Lee on this call. 

Being a proponent of technology in education, I believe the answer lies here. Just recently, another New Jersey school tried a "virtual" school day during a school closing. The students were assigned homework and assignments. Basically, the district was using the Flipped Classroom model to continue instruction even though they were not in session. That is amazing. Yes, it takes time and yes, it is a grand experiment (even the State DOE thinks so, they are still determining whether this will truly count as a day or not), but, its a step in the right direction that needs to be emulated STAT.

We are all up against a wall here, with SGO's counting towards overall teacher evaluations and for some classroom teachers, Student Growth Percentiles are also attached based on growth of their students on standardized state tests. We can not afford for days and opportunities to continue the education of our students to pass us by. 

Here is the link to the Virtual Snow Day. 

E- Learning Eliminates Snow Days

If we truly want our students to become digital learners, take assessment on digital platforms, and kick it up a notch on the PARCC tests that are coming next year, we need to change our mind sets about where learning takes place and what constitutes a classroom, especially for situations like the one we are all in. 


How can you get started on this? Here is my top ways to get it going:

1. Keep your website up to date. 
2. Use a service, like Remind 101, to keep in touch with your parents/students.
3. Edmodo or Schoology can truly keep the students engaged with its interface and chat threads. These are great LMS systems!
4. Try video taping a sample 3-5 minute lesson and post it online. Video always trumps text in this digital age. 
5. Start small - flipping takes time and investment but the payoff it truly worth it. 

NJASA Techspo 2014 - A look back and forwards

I had the upmost pleasure of presenting with Jay Eitner (@isupereit) and with OnCourse at this years annual Techspo! The #edtech convention was fantastic and I think that it truly helped to reshape some thinking of major stakeholders in our schools. 

The conference had its ups and downs, as all do, but it was fantastic to meet up with fellow like-minded educators. These folks are true #agentsofchange in education. 

While I was happy to present, I was unhappy to note that the organizers doubled booked me and I wasn't able to present again with Jay and Sandi Paul (@SPaul6414) about Bring Your Own Learning and devices. I heard it was a great session with questions flying back and forth. That is exactly what this sort of conference should have, CONVERSATIONS. Not just a few people talking at the front and other listening but active participants who want to make a difference in the lives of our students and how our schools are run. 

This was my second year going to this conference. Since last year, I have been to about five "unconferences" and EdCamps and I have to say, it is a world of difference. Not that this type of conference isn't worth your time. It is. But there is a time and place for both. No matter what though, as long as you come out of these with some great connections and deeper thinking about what you are doing, then they had done their jobs. 


Here is the presentation that Jay and I gave:

Breaking Down Barriers 


Here is the one Jay and Sandi gave:

BYO Learning 


For more pictures and testimonials, check out my Twitter page and the hash tag #techspo14.
Also check out the session page!