Uncertainty

It's amazing to see the human dynamics when people are threatened. Conflict that would typically be an avenue for growth becomes a hindrance to productivity. There should be comfort in knowing one's work is valued and important when the familiar landscape begins to fade away. There should be comfort in knowing one's best efforts to strive for best, not better will be rewarded when the dust settles. There should be comfort in knowing that one's deep concern about never settling for mediocrity (and turning out a better product each time the work day hums to a close) will solidify a place at the table. Even though everything will turn out alright, it's the uncertainty that fuels the conflict and makes the heart quiver.

Jumping right in

There's a lot to be said for jumping right in to a task and not thinking about it until confidence has been firmly set. There's an excitement to trying new things. It expands thinking and stretches the brain as the learning struggle takes place. This is occurring with the ESS Group and I think it will be an interesting experience.

Learning in Different Ways

I just spent 6 days at the International Quilt Festival and the learning was amazing. Not only did I learn new techniques to perfect my craft, I had an opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. My teachers were all engaging and experts in various techniques. It reminded me of the 21st century focus on innovation and creativity. While we all were required to develop a product, we were encouraged to take the basic model and enhance it based on our own creative vision--and out of that direction many exceptional products were shared.

Contributions

I'm very proud of my professional team. They are an impressive group who manage to bring in real revenue to the department. They all have a passion for their areas of expertise and make no excuses for their commitment to serve all demographics. I'm grateful for a new awareness regarding their abilities and efforts to advance the work of the ESS Group.

As we strive to work more collaboratively across content/groups, it is my hope that all members will be recognized for contributions that impact the entire group.

The workout experience

Made some observations today about health and fitness as I worked out at my neighborhood gym. Having belonged to the same fitness center for several decades, I've noticed some trends. First of all fitness is a way of life, a philosophy for some people. And whether or not they are healthier or have leaner, tighter bodies is beside the point. Some of the die-hard spa people look like they did some 26 years ago when I signed on the dotted line, the frontal pouch and the junk in the trunk still abides, yet they're attendance at the "spa" has not changed. They actually work out--treadmill, elliptical, yoga, pilates--they try it all. But their results are questionable from everybody's point of view. For many in this crowd it's a social outlet-they visit more than sweat.

Secondly, the personal trainers are not held to a "model physique" standard as they were when personal training became a fad. The sculptured body of the trainer was the selling point since the price to train with an expert was exorbitant.

Thirdly,complimentary fitness support and customer service has gone the way of the grave--it is dead and buried. Do an exercise wrong after the initial introduction to gym services--too bad, you're on your own.

So the true'gym rats" the ones who understand anatomy and the rules of true health and fitness can be observed giving free unsolicited support. (Interestingly enough the gym workers have from time to time hassled them) They are mostly 'old school' gentlemen who open the door for you, and help you on or off a machine. They can be found huddled together on the free weights, spotting for each other and inviting and respectfully encouraging the ladies, like me at times, who want a challenging workout. Today's workout, a good one, was in honor of them.

Gone too soon

Today marks the third anniversary of the death of my brother Courtney. He was an exceptional man, brilliant, gifted, talented, a prolific writer, the family historian, musician, artist. He lived life to the fullest, loved the outdoors, and saw the beauty in all of God's creatures big and small. An avid fisherman, he spent much of his time on the water when he wasn't traveling with family.

Some of Courtney’s friends once wrote that he was an amazing man who could get us off a deserted island if we were shipwrecked. Or if he couldn’t he would figure out how to turn the coconuts into manna from heaven. And they were right. He could filet a fish with marked precision, skin a rabbit with a few swift strokes of a knife, shoot a gun to hit any target and make a weapon out of a tree branch. He also could launch a boat into the water with ease and as my cousin Regina reminded me (unlike his 3 sibs or numerous cousins) at 16 years of age could back my grandaddy’s Chevrolet truck with cattle trailer attached, down the drive way, under the clotheslines and into the corral with great skill.

He had an exceptional memory, unmatched vocabulary-and remarkable "phraselogy." Identified as gifted in elementary school, he was extremely humble about his abilities. It was his great fortune that my parents recognition of his gifts (my dad with natural writing and musical abilities and my mom--a trained pianist with a gifted ear) sought out teachers who could meet his needs--and acceleration to a predominately white school found him matched with a teacher who compacted, tiered his assignments, and matched lessons to meet his interests.

He was often much smarter than his teachers (actually he was smarter than most folks period) and until he found a teacher who was not intimidated by his knowledge (and skillful enough to reroute his corrections) was often in trouble for correcting them before children and adults. The fact that he was always right really didn't help matters.

As he matured, he became a most considerate person and learned how to be respectful of his abilities. Extremly sensitive he cared about people and the critical issues in his community-making a difference in his home town. His entire community was devastated when he passed away.

He once wrote "Everything good that I could be, is because of special people in my life, not all family. I've tried to pass good attributes along."

I like to think although he was one year and 9 months younger than me that the best things in me are a reflection of him. He was a remarkable man who I miss dearly, and like my dad, a soul the Lord called home too soon.

A delightful time

I'm having a delightful time facilitating AKOM at a school with a receptive staff. Great conversation and interactive activities have all worked well. I suspect the afternoon will pass by more swiftly than the morning, The school is on a high because of their first ever Exemplary rating.
I like facilitation so much more than training--the rich conversation that occurs has such wonderful implication for further dialogue once I'm gone. It also puts the onus on the participants and reduces the " I'm it" role.
Although I'll be dead tired at the end of the day--physically and mentally-because facilitation does require 'nudging' responses and thinking ahead. I like that challenge--the mental leaps the mind makes when active, engaging dialogue is taking place. A wicked schedule is on the horizon after the PD wave is over--and I'm sure I will probably long for a few days intellectually kicking it with a group of nice educators.

I don't need to be training

It's funny--I am swamped with pending contracts, another potential presentation to a customer, personnel issues, e-TRAIN snafu's, marketing needs, my back is whack-- and basically, I don't need to be training, but it's 11:00 p.m., my presentation is spread all over the floor and I'm actually pumped about facilitating All Kinds Of Mind on tomorrow. First of all, because I'm a special educator at heart and I truly believe that focusing on children's affinities can transform teaching. Second, it has phenomenal implications for RTI. By merely understanding how children are wired, real solutions can be implemented. From the truly gifted to the truly learning disabled, we bring their passions and interests to the table and help them soar. So although I really don't need to be training--I REALLY NEED TO BE TRAINING!!

Hope and a good attitude

My beliefs and values are grounded in my faith and my faith is built on hope. So when I was not my typical optimistic hopeful self last week, I was pretty hard to live with. I didn't realize it at the time, but seeing progress and forward movement made me dread returning to an entrenched bureacracy. And I failed to bury it to get the work done. I spoke words out of turn, worried a few people and walked around angry with myself. I was simmering all week.

And then, this morning I went to my church and Daniel with his beautiful voice sang, LLM "Love Lifted Me", a song I grew up with. It touched me to my core and filled me with hope and a good attitude. Got some disturbing news-twice-and didn't get shaken. Re-occuring backpain is back--but got some brief therapy and I'm set for the week.

So when folks look at me sideways this week, and fires start to pop up all over, I'll replace the negative thoughts with positives and quietly hum that sweet old hymn.

Success

After the Senior Staff presentation on Friday I have a new respect for the group that leads our division. My team members came correct and all brought their A-game. Thank God, the technology worked and the transitions were seamless. Although we used three tools, they were extremely well received--a sometimes wordy group(except for our mist in our sist) we were all masters of Marzano's top strategy "Summarization" It was a good feeling to be the perfect tag team on a day when we only got one shot.

Wild Ride

I hope we have a wild ride this year with lots of new learning and finally a true new way of doing things. I'm hoping our speak will match our action. I'm hoping we we will all become creative innovators who are technologically savvy using web 2.0 tools in relevant ways. I hope we won't be afraid to ask the difficult questions. I hope we will stretch ourselves in ways that are uncomfortable but rewarding. I hope that we will be the first choice of many as we become so off the chain, they will label us 'fascinating'. I hope.....

Magic is magic

Today we heard from a basketball icon and legend and I was surprised by his business acumen. Magic Johnson captivated the audience as he shared his expertise on making a profit while making a difference. A caring man, he reviewed a business plan on the spot and provided "real time" support to a group of visionary thirty year olds. I was amazed at his knowledge of education, 21st century technology and critical urban issues.

He admitted to having reading problems as a teenager, but overcame his deficit with the same strategy that made him a basketball star....practice. An amazing man making a real difference just like magic.

My Wisest Investment

As we experience our first Urban League conference, my husband and I are impressed by our daughter's influence in this org.
As she ends her two year term as president of the Young Professionals, her influence is heavily stamped in dynamic and relevant ways.
She is a true visionary leader- with devoted followers. We observed her impact anonymously for 2 days. Her leadership was heralded by many.

I often reflect on my own contributions and relevancy to the world. Cassye is verification that I need not worry. She is my wisest investment.

I am enjoying time away from work. After having spent some time in a slow moving town, "Palacios", with family, I'm reminded of perspective. I try to stay connected to all my worlds or it's just too hard to re-enter. For instanceI spent time at the bank closing out my term as president of a non-profit. I dreaded that like --a broken leg because I didn't want to interact with anybody or anything unless it was in my 'world of family' It was torture making the connection.

So once done, I read e-mails from work in about 5 minutes-responded to none. I didn't want to--I felt I had to--re-entry is eminent I feel myself separating more and more after one week--after next week it will be even harder--It is destined to be a fast paced and fun filled time. I'll be in the company of the "cerebrals". Which is going to be amazingly exciting--all those young minds solving the worlds problems--(my gosh they are all so very brilliant-i love that) and all the old guard-encouraging them and paving the way for action. I'm pumped that my youngest is key to the movement and the chests of me and my husband will probably be visible to the entire world.

Critical Friends

Most of our team members are experiencing CFG training and I am delighted for I believe it will bring a new dimension to our work. I'm inspired to contact my first CFG group members and renew our energy for the process. The joy of looking at student work, to help teachers refine their day to day practice is rewarding and I miss those opportunities to impact instruction in a real dynamic way.

By having more of our group knowledgeable the variety of protocols and their many purposes, I think it will be easier to adhere to the guidelines. Lack of familiarity with the true process often led to abreviated use which always made me cringe.

We can now move beyond Text based, final word, and tunning protocols and move to hopefully some of the ones that really focus on refining our work.

Dreams Need a little work

John C. Maxwell in the first line of the preface in "The Complete 101 Collection" states, "I've been passionate about personal growth for most of my life. ....I wouldn't have achieved any of my dreams had I not been dedicated to continual improvement. Such a simple statement but so profound in its implications. Perhaps unrealized dreams dry up for lack of continuous personal growth. Perhaps the original effort, ideas,time and other critical elements may move the dream forward, yet may not sustain it.

One of my favorite poems from Langton Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

What is the most important thing?

What is the most important thing for us as educators? Where should we place our priorities? Are we making progress? moving forward? changing lives? As we move with unbelievable speed toward the end of this year, I am focused on assessing my 2008-2009 accomplishments. While my management objectives will be met, have I changed the life of one child? Have I impacted a teacher so that it is long-lasting.
Have I empowered, supported all of my team members, family, and friends so they have felt time spent was worth their while?

It's my personal assessment and it may not really matter to anyone else, but for me, the questions are monumental. I don't want glory, akalades or fame. To be truly humble is something I desire.

I just want to know-before I start this all over again next year. Did I do the most important thing?

Webinar Savvy

Today the leadership team of C & I PDS hosted a webinar. It was extremely exciting. Another technologically tool mastered--well a few more attempts and perhaps I can truly say mastered. There was a learning curve that provided challenges, but the enthusiasm exhibited by the team was wonderfully rewarding. This is what stretching the mind is all about. The energy that emanated from the small "production" room was palpable. The OD Team from PDS was wonderful in their collaborative spirit and encouraged in ways words can't truly describe. I now feel a kinship to Evelyn Wagner's team, Bibi, Pam, Farhan who were our number one cheerleaders. Kudos to my team and kudos to the Organizational Development team.
We're all strivers.

The Strain of Poverty

Poverty is the shortage of common things such as food, clothing, shelter and safe drinking water, all of which determine our quality of life. It may also include the lack of access to opportunities such as education and employment which aid the escape from poverty and/or allow one to enjoy the respect of fellow citizens.
In a recent report on "Children At Risk in Harris County-2008" 54.2 % of the student population live in economically disadvantaged homes which have an annual income of less than $34,000. Many school age children are homeless and the weekly economic reports reveal the numbers are rising. As we continue to provide professional learning experiences, we must be mindful of these factors that impact learning and find ways to provide the necessary supports that make education, "the way out."

How can we support teachers who want to understand and assist students from poverty?

Paying for Performance

The first time I saw Roland Fryer, a Harvard economist discuss cash based incentives for a group of African American students from poverty, I was appalled. I sat on my high horse in judgement over paying kids to care about learning. Why the desire to learn should be intrinsic, for after all, "Knowledge is power" and everyone wants to be powerful, right?

I was reminded in a conversation with an analytical that the world is built on incentives. I grew up with an allowance--so did my children and friends--not necessarily for getting good grades, but for being well behaved and completing chores and other responsibilities. So what's the difference? There probably isn't one.

But in my world and the world of my professional peers, we love learning, exploring new ideas, reading that latest book or article to expand our thinking. We can't wait to have time for those conversations where we agree and disagree and finally exhausted start searching for the next mind bender and extender. Never content to remain the same. Working among people who love to learn makes incentives for learning seem contrived and almost sacrilegious. Yet if we are a society of incentives, bonuses, and merit pay why shouldn't it extend to the kids.