Today at our district wide administrative council meeting, one of our principals told the story of a 6th grader coming up to him in the hallway and asking for a hug. I don't know if the boy really needed one, or was playing around, but he got what he asked for. After the story was told, I was asked facetiously if that happens often at the high school. It doesn't, but the world might be a better place if it did.
Whether it's through hugging or some other kind of human warmth, all people need support. At our recent Challenge Day event, the facilitators suggested that people need twelve hugs a day to function at their highest level. If that's true, I'm guessing we have a lot of students, and a lot of adults as well, who aren't getting their daily quota. At Challenge Day, students challenged each other to give out twelve hugs a day. Whether it's through hugs or other acts of kindness, the world's a better place when we reach out to each other.
There are literal hugs and figurative ones. Sometimes a kind word, a random act of kindness, or even a smile of greeting can make a person's day. So often people are too busy and too self absorbed to even notice those around them. One of the most common occurrences of this phenomenon is found in traffic jams, and is one of my pet peeves. On those days when, because of construction or a traffic accident, the expressway resembles the parking lot at Wal-Mart on the day after Thanksgiving, simple courtesy is required. One driver lets another squeeze into a line of traffic, and then waits for that simple acknowledgement - the thank you wave. I don't know about anyone else, but it drives me crazy when I let another driver "take cuts", and I don't get that simple acknowledging wave...I'm convinced it drives people to road rage.
It is so simple to show appreciation for others. A wave, a gesture, an email, a simple nod of the head...sometimes anything works. I'm convinced that some of the most significant things we can do to acknowledge others have lasting impact. Using someone's name when speaking to them, a hand on the shoulder, a hug...we never know when those gestures can lift someone from the gloom of despair.
Today's three "R's" of education are different than they used to be. Today we emphasize "relationships, rigor, and relevance". The most important of those three is, without a doubt, relationships. One of my good friends, South principal Al Diver, is fond of saying, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". Truer words were never spoken in education. Today more than ever, our students live with some tough situations, and many families are facing some tough times. The greatest cure for those ailments, and the most important step to establishing relationships, is genuine kindness.
Maybe the best secret of Challenge Day is that getting the hug, the smile, or the nod makes you feel really good, but giving it makes you feel great. To quote one of my favorite television characters, Entourage's Ari Gold, "When in doubt, hug it out".
The Principal's Office is a blog created by Tim Bearden, Chief Academic Officer and Upper School Director at Detroit Country Day School, an independent school in Beverly Hills, MI. While content will sometimes be specific to Country Day, the majority of posts are specific in scope to issues concerning teaching and learning in the 21st century.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Be the Change
Today's young people are remarkable. They are resilient, strong, adaptable individuals, and never has that been more evident to me than during yesterday's "Challenge Day" activities hosted by North High School. Challenge Day is a program that has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, and has been around for more than twenty years. North hosted two days of the event last year, and we thought it was so powerful that we brought it back again. Essentially it is a day long program that challenges participants to look past superficial differences in others to achieve a greater realization that we are all more alike than we are different, and that we need the support of those around us to maximize our potential as people. I know...sounds warm and fuzzy, psychobabble"ish", and a little too much like a mix of Jack Handey and Matt Foley, motivational speaker - except it's not. It is a life altering experience for those who participate.
Last year we had two hundred students from North in the program - one hundred different students each day. We did the same this year, with all new attendees. During last year's program I spent the good part of both days at the event, but this year, decided to participate fully as an adult facilitator during yesterday's first day. It would be very difficult to do the program justice for anyone who has not gone through it, but it is a roller coaster of emotions. The facilitators get students to laugh together, and cry together. At the end of the day, students "speak out" and talk about their experiences and their challenges to one another to make the school and the world better places. It's impressive and inspirational to hear these young people open their hearts and minds.
Students share some very powerful things about themselves and their lives. One of the goals of Challenge Day is to get everyone to realize that below the surface, and the facade we present for each other, we are all dealing with issues. One of the things the kids realize, and in a very powerful way during an activity called the "power shuffle" is that many of them have the same struggles in common. They may be of different ethnicity, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender or social clique, but beneath those superficialities, are very real human emotions that are universal. Students step outside of their comfort zones, and reach out to others who they might never have known, seen or talked to prior to the day. At the end, after a lot of laughter, tears and hugs, they walk out sharing a common bond, and a desire to "be the change" they want to see in the world.
It is staggering to hear and see the struggles some of our young people are going through, and have to handle just to get through a day, let alone function as a productive student in a rigorous, socially challenging school environment. It is heroic that some of them manage to come to school every day in the face of their individual issues. Sometimes we see the outward expression of a young person's anger and frustration and wonder how anyone could act so poorly - Challenge Day gives some insight into why people act out. More importantly, Challenge Day gives kids a solution for helping each other - "Notice, Choose, and Act". Notice other people, their problems and their pain, choose to help, and act on that choice by being there, reaching out, practicing random acts of kindness, and offering a simple greeting, kind word or hug.
If your son or daughter attended Challenge Day, ask them about their experiences. If they didn't, encourage them to pursue it next year. To learn more about the Challenge Day program, and its "Be the Change" motto, visit http://www.challengeday.org . Be the Change!!
Last year we had two hundred students from North in the program - one hundred different students each day. We did the same this year, with all new attendees. During last year's program I spent the good part of both days at the event, but this year, decided to participate fully as an adult facilitator during yesterday's first day. It would be very difficult to do the program justice for anyone who has not gone through it, but it is a roller coaster of emotions. The facilitators get students to laugh together, and cry together. At the end of the day, students "speak out" and talk about their experiences and their challenges to one another to make the school and the world better places. It's impressive and inspirational to hear these young people open their hearts and minds.
Students share some very powerful things about themselves and their lives. One of the goals of Challenge Day is to get everyone to realize that below the surface, and the facade we present for each other, we are all dealing with issues. One of the things the kids realize, and in a very powerful way during an activity called the "power shuffle" is that many of them have the same struggles in common. They may be of different ethnicity, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, gender or social clique, but beneath those superficialities, are very real human emotions that are universal. Students step outside of their comfort zones, and reach out to others who they might never have known, seen or talked to prior to the day. At the end, after a lot of laughter, tears and hugs, they walk out sharing a common bond, and a desire to "be the change" they want to see in the world.
It is staggering to hear and see the struggles some of our young people are going through, and have to handle just to get through a day, let alone function as a productive student in a rigorous, socially challenging school environment. It is heroic that some of them manage to come to school every day in the face of their individual issues. Sometimes we see the outward expression of a young person's anger and frustration and wonder how anyone could act so poorly - Challenge Day gives some insight into why people act out. More importantly, Challenge Day gives kids a solution for helping each other - "Notice, Choose, and Act". Notice other people, their problems and their pain, choose to help, and act on that choice by being there, reaching out, practicing random acts of kindness, and offering a simple greeting, kind word or hug.
If your son or daughter attended Challenge Day, ask them about their experiences. If they didn't, encourage them to pursue it next year. To learn more about the Challenge Day program, and its "Be the Change" motto, visit http://www.challengeday.org . Be the Change!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The First Help Desk Call
The First Help Desk Call
The standard cliche for evaluating the technical proficiency of an adult always used to be whether that individual could program his or her own vcr without assistance (usually from a child). It's the hallmark of change in the tech world that once we finally master something, it becomes irrelevant - such is the fate of the videocassette recorder. In fact, its replacement, the dvd player, is fast on its way to obsolescence, as the Blu-Ray version becomes the standard. It should come as no surprise then, that schools are victims to the same lag in technology implementation as the rest of the world. Even now, as we evaluate our best technology options for building "Smart" 21st century classrooms, new advances become available at a greater pace than we can even complete studies. Still, as we work to prepare students for jobs that don't yet exist, it is incumbent upon us to take advantage of any hardware or software that gives our students an advantage, better prepares them for life beyond high school, gives new tools to our teachers in the delivery of instruction, and positively impacts the academic achievement of our students.
The Grosse Pointe school district is currently evaluating our classroom technology priorities for the future. Among the things being considered for our high school classrooms are :
1. LCD Projectors - These have become almost essential as teachers use them daily to show powerpoints, websites, interactive web lessons, video clips, project lessons and student work and any number of other options.
2.Smart Boards - Interactive boards that function as large scale interactive computer monitors. The applications for these boards are limitless.
3. Document Cameras - High tech, new and improved versions of the old overheads, these devices are essentially cameras that project images on a screen or wall. For example, a biology teacher can do a dissection under the camera, and have the entire procedure projected live for students to see.
4. Sound systems for recording and amplifying sound.
5. A wide variety of other content specific technologies ranging from GPS labs for Earth Science, to sophisticated graphing calculators, to digital photo labs for photography, to various software and other pieces.
While we may all sometimes feel like the subject of the video on this post, it is critical that we provide our students with a 21st century education. The parents and students of our district have a right to expect that we will be leaders and innovators, and not followers in the efforts to use technology as part of the educational process. Please share your thoughts on technology with school administrators, teachers, board members and central office staff.
Legendary coach John Wooden said, "Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be". In today's world, schools that are not moving forward rapidly, and changing fluidly with the times, are quickly left behind. In the coming months we will be demonstrating some of the technologies we are considering for purchase in our classrooms. Watch this site and the Northern Lights newsletter for information on demonstrations for parents, as well as surveys and updates on district technology plans.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Be the Change - Tigger or Eeyore?
Welcome Back Norsemen!
The dawning of a new school year is like New Year’s in September. We make resolutions to be broken, promise to re-connect with lost friends, look forward to the fresh start that will wash away broken promises and dreams, walk uncomfortably in new clothes, and revel in the smell of new backpacks and fresh school supplies. Nevertheless, September gives way to the winter months, and before long that little hop in the step everyone has in September turns to a trudge through the depressing gray of our winter “wonderland”. This year I challenge all of you to be part of a change – a commitment to that first week of school enthusiasm throughout the year. Mahatma Gandhi said “You must be the change you want to see in the world...” – At North we’re challenging students and staff to “be the change”.
Last year North hosted a two day “Challenge Day” event. Challenge Day is a nationally known and respected program that has been featured on shows such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. During Challenge Day, participants are challenged to break down barriers created by ethnic stereotypes, societal cliques, and gender and age differences. Participants are encouraged to see one another as people, and the humanizing process of the day is powerful. Challenge Day’s slogan is “Be the Change”, and everyone is asked to be part of a movement to eliminate the barriers that keep us from communicating as people. At North, we are challenging our staff and students to maintain the positive first week of spirit that leaves us open to others, excited about being Norsemen, and open to every possibility.
As the leaves began to fall and summer slips away, there is a tendency for our positive spirit to fade with it. Our school year is off to a tremendous start, and the positive spirit in the building has been fantastic in this first week. The change is to keep that feeling alive, and grow it through the school year. So – to “Be the Change”:
· Commit unsolicited random acts of kindness
· Reach out to someone new, someone from outside your social circle
· Commit yourself to showing your appreciation for others – at least twice a day tell someone you appreciate them for who they are or what they do
· Make a promise to yourself – and keep it
· Talk less and listen more
· Show your appreciation and interest in others by asking them questions about their lives outside of school
In short, give of yourself, and you will receive tenfold in return.
Finally, our staff committed to a school wide book club this summer, and read the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch died recently as a result of pancreatic cancer, and in his months of terminal illness, he wrote a book and delivered a “last lecture” in which he shared life lessons. One of the powerful phrases he uses is “be a Tigger not an Eeyore”. Most of us are familiar with the stories of Winnie the Pooh. Tigger is a vessel of boundless energy and enthusiasm, while Eeyore moans and complains his pessimistic way through life. I encourage everyone to “Be the Change” – be a first week of school Tigger all year – not a gray February Eeyore...Have a GREAT year Grosse Pointe North!
The dawning of a new school year is like New Year’s in September. We make resolutions to be broken, promise to re-connect with lost friends, look forward to the fresh start that will wash away broken promises and dreams, walk uncomfortably in new clothes, and revel in the smell of new backpacks and fresh school supplies. Nevertheless, September gives way to the winter months, and before long that little hop in the step everyone has in September turns to a trudge through the depressing gray of our winter “wonderland”. This year I challenge all of you to be part of a change – a commitment to that first week of school enthusiasm throughout the year. Mahatma Gandhi said “You must be the change you want to see in the world...” – At North we’re challenging students and staff to “be the change”.
Last year North hosted a two day “Challenge Day” event. Challenge Day is a nationally known and respected program that has been featured on shows such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. During Challenge Day, participants are challenged to break down barriers created by ethnic stereotypes, societal cliques, and gender and age differences. Participants are encouraged to see one another as people, and the humanizing process of the day is powerful. Challenge Day’s slogan is “Be the Change”, and everyone is asked to be part of a movement to eliminate the barriers that keep us from communicating as people. At North, we are challenging our staff and students to maintain the positive first week of spirit that leaves us open to others, excited about being Norsemen, and open to every possibility.
As the leaves began to fall and summer slips away, there is a tendency for our positive spirit to fade with it. Our school year is off to a tremendous start, and the positive spirit in the building has been fantastic in this first week. The change is to keep that feeling alive, and grow it through the school year. So – to “Be the Change”:
· Commit unsolicited random acts of kindness
· Reach out to someone new, someone from outside your social circle
· Commit yourself to showing your appreciation for others – at least twice a day tell someone you appreciate them for who they are or what they do
· Make a promise to yourself – and keep it
· Talk less and listen more
· Show your appreciation and interest in others by asking them questions about their lives outside of school
In short, give of yourself, and you will receive tenfold in return.
Finally, our staff committed to a school wide book club this summer, and read the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Dr. Pausch died recently as a result of pancreatic cancer, and in his months of terminal illness, he wrote a book and delivered a “last lecture” in which he shared life lessons. One of the powerful phrases he uses is “be a Tigger not an Eeyore”. Most of us are familiar with the stories of Winnie the Pooh. Tigger is a vessel of boundless energy and enthusiasm, while Eeyore moans and complains his pessimistic way through life. I encourage everyone to “Be the Change” – be a first week of school Tigger all year – not a gray February Eeyore...Have a GREAT year Grosse Pointe North!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Corvette or Van, That Is the Question...
My wife and I recently joined the ranks of mini-van owners after years and vehicles of avoidance. The mini-van seemed to us the final concession. Despite four kids and a dog, we held on as long as we could to more stylish, gas guzzling people movers. We are now officially not cool ( no comments please from those who believe that bus left the station years ago....).
Nevertheless, I have to confess, we love the van. It's comfortable, has lots of room, gets decent gas mileage, and from the kids' perspective has the one thing that matters in any room or vehicle - satellite television and the screens that go with it. In fact recent conversations with our kids got me thinking about how much home environments influence all of us, especially our children. As we prepare for the return of students to school, I thought it was a good time for all of us to think about how our home environments impact the lives of our children.
While together with friends whose children are approximately the ages of our children, my wife and I overheard a conversation one of our elementary aged daughters was having with her friend. Our friends have a corvette, and their daughter told our daughter that she was going to have a corvette when she got older. Without hesitation, and very proudly, our daughter said she was going to have a VAN.... when the laughter subsided, I started thinking about how much children reflect their parents and their homes.
A colleague of mine often says that adults are always modeling behavior whether they realize it or not. Our children mimic us and develop much of their belief system and value system based on what they see us do, and not what they hear us say - "Do as I say, not as I do" rarely works. Often times I meet with frustrated parents who are looking for a third party to give them some ideas as to how they can assist their children. From my daughter's desire for a van, I was reminded that the things we do, and the people our children observe us to be, determine to a large extent what and who our children will be.
A few years ago I was at a retirement party for a teacher who had spent more than forty years in the classroom. During his retirement party he said, "In 41 years of teaching I never met a student I didn't like where I also didn't like his parents". The comment was facetious, but with the ring of truth. We're always modeling. In humorist Dave Barry's list of life lessons he's learned he says "A person who is nice to you but rude to a waiter is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)" What a great reminder to all of us that how we treat others, and the behaviors we model are not just important for us, but for those who depend on us.
As we prepare for the start of another new school year it's a great reminder for all of us that the behavior we model is destined to be repeated.
By the way, I told my daughter that she shouldn't limit herself...there's no reason she can't have a van and a corvette if that's what she wants...
Nevertheless, I have to confess, we love the van. It's comfortable, has lots of room, gets decent gas mileage, and from the kids' perspective has the one thing that matters in any room or vehicle - satellite television and the screens that go with it. In fact recent conversations with our kids got me thinking about how much home environments influence all of us, especially our children. As we prepare for the return of students to school, I thought it was a good time for all of us to think about how our home environments impact the lives of our children.
While together with friends whose children are approximately the ages of our children, my wife and I overheard a conversation one of our elementary aged daughters was having with her friend. Our friends have a corvette, and their daughter told our daughter that she was going to have a corvette when she got older. Without hesitation, and very proudly, our daughter said she was going to have a VAN.... when the laughter subsided, I started thinking about how much children reflect their parents and their homes.
A colleague of mine often says that adults are always modeling behavior whether they realize it or not. Our children mimic us and develop much of their belief system and value system based on what they see us do, and not what they hear us say - "Do as I say, not as I do" rarely works. Often times I meet with frustrated parents who are looking for a third party to give them some ideas as to how they can assist their children. From my daughter's desire for a van, I was reminded that the things we do, and the people our children observe us to be, determine to a large extent what and who our children will be.
A few years ago I was at a retirement party for a teacher who had spent more than forty years in the classroom. During his retirement party he said, "In 41 years of teaching I never met a student I didn't like where I also didn't like his parents". The comment was facetious, but with the ring of truth. We're always modeling. In humorist Dave Barry's list of life lessons he's learned he says "A person who is nice to you but rude to a waiter is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)" What a great reminder to all of us that how we treat others, and the behaviors we model are not just important for us, but for those who depend on us.
As we prepare for the start of another new school year it's a great reminder for all of us that the behavior we model is destined to be repeated.
By the way, I told my daughter that she shouldn't limit herself...there's no reason she can't have a van and a corvette if that's what she wants...
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Writing
At North this year our entire staff committed to a literacy and writing initiative. At the beginning of the school year, each department committed to department wide minimum writing standards, and in every content area students were given a variety of writing tasks. In addition, we conducted practice ACT writing tests for all of our juniors that were designed to give the students and parents an idea what strengths and deficiencies a student might have in writing prior to taking the actual ACT. We are anxious to receive the results of our spring MME to see if these initiatives had an impact on our juniors, but know that the single most important strategy in improving student writing is practice.
Recently a North parent, Sylvia Clark, approached me to tell me she had written a book entitled Standing on God's Promises which comes out in June. I was privileged to read an advance copy of what she has written, and was struck by her introduction. The basis for her book is journal writing that she had compiled over time. Through her personal faith and based on her own experiences, she has written about how events of her life are intertwined with her personal fate. One of the things that many of our students do in their courses is journal writing. Our hope is that like Ms. Clark, students extend this practice beyond high school. Writing is both a critical skill, and a tool for personal expression. It can be cathartic and exhilarating to write, and is a skill that extends beyond school and English classes to every facet of a person's life.
In looking for ways to improve your son or daughter's ability to succeed academically, I encourage you to promote journal writing, and regular written expression. Through practice, even with no instruction, students will improve as writers dramatically by simply writing. In addition, they get some no cost, effective personal therapy. If you are looking for other ways to help your son or daughter improve as a writer, contact a North English department member or me for ideas.
Recently a North parent, Sylvia Clark, approached me to tell me she had written a book entitled Standing on God's Promises which comes out in June. I was privileged to read an advance copy of what she has written, and was struck by her introduction. The basis for her book is journal writing that she had compiled over time. Through her personal faith and based on her own experiences, she has written about how events of her life are intertwined with her personal fate. One of the things that many of our students do in their courses is journal writing. Our hope is that like Ms. Clark, students extend this practice beyond high school. Writing is both a critical skill, and a tool for personal expression. It can be cathartic and exhilarating to write, and is a skill that extends beyond school and English classes to every facet of a person's life.
In looking for ways to improve your son or daughter's ability to succeed academically, I encourage you to promote journal writing, and regular written expression. Through practice, even with no instruction, students will improve as writers dramatically by simply writing. In addition, they get some no cost, effective personal therapy. If you are looking for other ways to help your son or daughter improve as a writer, contact a North English department member or me for ideas.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
What we don't know CAN hurt us...
During a visit to one of our social studies classes the week before Easter break, I was impressed with the student perspectives on the topic of the day - globalization. Today's young people have a greater grasp of this concept than many adults. As technology has led to greater connectivity between peoples of the world, Earth has become a smaller, and to use the term of author Thomas Friedman, a "flatter" place. At a recent conference I attended, a presenter made the statement that in the world of technology, adults are immigrants, and young people are natives. By their very immersion in the technologies of our time, our students have innate understandings and intuitions about the use of those technologies that are elusive to even the most tech savvy adults. It is essential that schools recognize the differences in the way students learn today, and the way they learned years ago, and adjust instructional delivery to take advantage of the technologies that exist.
In his address to school administrators at a recent conference the executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Gerald Tirozzi, said the following, "We are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yest exist and teaching them to use technologies that haven't been invented, in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet. We are living in exponential times. With changes whirling all around us, the American school has remained remarkable stagnant." While our content has evolved with the times, and we are constantly updating curriculum and standards, we have not yet entirely adapted our instructional delivery models to mesh with the digitally oriented generation we service. If you don't know what blogs, wikis and message boards are, ask your kids - they will know...
In addition to modifying instructional methodology to better address our students' learning styles, it is also critical that we look closely at the methods of assessment used to measure student learning. At the high school level, teachers are increasingly using a wide variety of assessment including online projects, portfolios, and tools that measure layers of learning. Again from Gerald Tirozzi's recent address, "...we must awaken policymakers to the reality that one test, administered once each year, based on minimal proficiencies, which stymies enlightened and creative teaching....is not the wave of the future...".
As we enter the meat of an election year, I urge you to carefully evaluate political candidates based on their education platforms, and their positions on No Child Left Behind's testing requirements. There are some interesting ideas out there. To move our educational system and our country forward, it is imperative that we not fall in the trap of doing what we have always done. The "natives" of our digital world no longer relate to long hours in lecture halls, taking copious notes. Today's world changes quickly, requires creative solutions to problems, and requires that we prepare our students with the tools to problem solve in a rapidly changing environment. In this new millennium the capacity to adapt to change and utilize it will become significantly more important. What we don't know can hurt us, and what we don't know how to use may hurt us even more...
In his address to school administrators at a recent conference the executive director of the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Gerald Tirozzi, said the following, "We are currently preparing students for jobs that don't yest exist and teaching them to use technologies that haven't been invented, in order to solve problems we don't even know are problems yet. We are living in exponential times. With changes whirling all around us, the American school has remained remarkable stagnant." While our content has evolved with the times, and we are constantly updating curriculum and standards, we have not yet entirely adapted our instructional delivery models to mesh with the digitally oriented generation we service. If you don't know what blogs, wikis and message boards are, ask your kids - they will know...
In addition to modifying instructional methodology to better address our students' learning styles, it is also critical that we look closely at the methods of assessment used to measure student learning. At the high school level, teachers are increasingly using a wide variety of assessment including online projects, portfolios, and tools that measure layers of learning. Again from Gerald Tirozzi's recent address, "...we must awaken policymakers to the reality that one test, administered once each year, based on minimal proficiencies, which stymies enlightened and creative teaching....is not the wave of the future...".
As we enter the meat of an election year, I urge you to carefully evaluate political candidates based on their education platforms, and their positions on No Child Left Behind's testing requirements. There are some interesting ideas out there. To move our educational system and our country forward, it is imperative that we not fall in the trap of doing what we have always done. The "natives" of our digital world no longer relate to long hours in lecture halls, taking copious notes. Today's world changes quickly, requires creative solutions to problems, and requires that we prepare our students with the tools to problem solve in a rapidly changing environment. In this new millennium the capacity to adapt to change and utilize it will become significantly more important. What we don't know can hurt us, and what we don't know how to use may hurt us even more...
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