As I watched and listened to this video clip …. I was moved to share it with my colleagues … all too often in the hectic day to day of doing what we do … the routine can sometimes can cause us to lose sight of why we do what we do for students, families, and community…

Dr. Goldstein and Jeff Boswell have captured the essence of the challenges of the journey we participate in with our students…

I their words, the video is A heartfelt thank you to teachers across America for their unwavering dedication to the next generation.

By sharing this it is in my own way of saying thank you for all you do!

If interested in more information regarding the video you will find it here

http://tinyurl.com/24z6vdu

So let's see who is paying attention…what phrase in the above quote needs to be changed so as to reflect the reality of what happens in the classroom?

My response…

Raise the bar on administrative leadership: New administrative-evaluation plan must be only a start.

There has to be 1) an acknowledgment of the need for change to prepare our students for what awaits them in the world they live 2) A cogent action plan to transition in to practices that will prepare students for that world

To date we are sorely void of both … there are pockets but no critical mass …

Teachers in the trenches are left to fend for themselves in an environment that lacks administrative understanding, support, and modeling. This "head in the sand" approach ignores the world in which students will be expected to function. This has created a lack of expectation on teachers (that demands support in the domains of professional development) and the way they should integrate modified pedagogical approaches that would leverage technology tools in more authentic ways for students. We loose the curiosity, energy, and creativity of our clientele as a result and do not prepare students for the world/society and the expectations it will impose on them. Grass roots approaches to change is not enough to move us off our status quo.

My $0.02

Posted via email from The Nexus for the 21st Century

Here is a classic example of the speed in which digital landscapes change.  It has been a battle to get acknowledgment and support for engaging students in realistic authentic learning experiences by leverages more traditional Web 2.0 technologies and applications …the shift continues to happen and with remarkable speed!  How can we get the necessary support in order to use the energies and skills of the digital natives that are inherent in their out of school landscape?  This represents a few of the many challenges that face us.   I have always believed that challenges can be viewed as opportunities and we, in education, find ourselves in the land of opportunity!

Socialnomics09 — May 05, 2010 — Social Media Revolution 2 is a refresh of the original video with new and updated social media & mobile statistics that are hard to ignore. Based on the book Socialnomics by Erik Qualman.

HFC is an organization that wants to provide a gracious Thank You and Celebration for all those who served during World War II as its Misson. The acknowledgment of the tremendous sacrifice and commitment to the values, ideals, and freedoms of the United States of America made by the Greatest Generation during one of the most threatening times in our young history is celebrated with an all expenses paid trip the Washington D.C. to see the World War II Memorial commemorated to the memory of their commitment to preserve our country. The Veterans are accompanied by a large contingent of support staff that volunteer their time to make this trip a safe, fulfilling experience.

Needless to say after listening to this presentation and seeing Honor Flight Chicago tell their story in video this old veteran was hooked and wanted to be a part of helping. That evening I went to the HFC website downloaded the forms and requested to be a HFC Guardian. I was selected and that experience came to life yesterday and it was a thrill and an honor to spend the day with Nel Quam from Huntley Illinois. Nel served in the United States Air Force in Italy.

It was a very actioned pack day starting with my alarm at 2:00 AM out the door by 3:00 AM arriving at Midway by 3:45 AM. I was processed as a Guardian by 4:00 AM and was introduced to Nel around 5:30 AM. From that point on the fatigue faded and the excitement began to build. Conversation was flowing and I learned a great deal about the human spirit and the great sense of humility by all the Vets … in their eyes they did nothing special they just did what had to be done.

The itinerary bought us to The Iwo Jima Memorial, The Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, and the Korean Memorial. The day was full of new found camaraderie, old stories, crystal clear and forgotten memories. My job was to be there, make the experience as effortless for the vet as possible, help when needed, always be on the lookout for potential slip or trip hazards, and most of all be a companion to share the experience. I have to admit it was the one of the most personally fulfilling 20 hour days I have ever spent and I am honored I was able to help in whatever small way I could and be amongst the heroes of the Greatest Generation.

You can view the photos taken in my Flickr page.

Technology use favors the prepared mind…

If you want to take a shot at the six word memoir feel free to post below …

I continue to seek out new career challenges and opportunities and about two years ago I decided that I wanted to step out of my comfort zone as an assistant principal at a suburban high school outside of Chicago with primary responsibility for the oversight of Instruction and Technology and seek out a principal ship of my own. My desire/goal is to work with and for a learning community where we could collectively lead and guide ourselves in preparing students to be actively engaged global citizens.

I typically do not have a problem getting into the interview process and many times move through multiple rounds but have to date not been offered a position. As I apply for this leadership position It has become clear to me that there is a diminished value regarding the need for the understanding of technology for instruction, its implementation, and what that would look like for today’s students. This is striking in the light of what I see as the wide spread acceptance for the use of technology in the Data Driven Decision Making paradigm and the use of drill and practice type of credit recovery applications. The interviews are all basically the same in form and substance and the choreographed dance that it becomes never quite seems to address the value/importance of creating technologically savvy students as an expected/desired outcome of their learning experience.

To the contrary, what is interesting is that in every interview I get the following question, “Why are you interested in this position … you are a technology guy?” The first couple of times I sat quiet for a few seconds in disbelief and then very calmly respond “With all due respect, I think in the very near future I believe the question will/should be … why do you want this position you do not have any technology background?” I realize that there is a goodness of fit when selecting leaders and not all candidates are created equal. My time will come and my tenacity will see me through.

As I reflect I appreciate all of the pressures placed on schools to meet the required deadlines and demands of the high stakes testing environment that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has created. I live that every day. What I tend not to understand is the reluctance to embrace and in some instances what appears to be the deliberate denial of the world our students live in and the characteristics of today’s students (millennials). Acknowledgment of how different our students are and the world they live in is would almost certainly bring about the realization that our industrial education model needs a major overhaul and I echo the sentiments of Chris Lehman when he says in his post ” I want to tell them that we have to question every single system we have in our schools. I want to tell them that everything should be on the table. All of it.” That is a courageous statement in the face of the status quo.

Getting the motivational email and reading Chris’ post crystallized in my mind the renewal of what is important to me. I value and thank my small but growing contributors to my Personal Learning Network. They are truly a courageous bunch. I will make the commitment of contribution as this post signifies as my first serious effort. I have re-dedicated myself in my professional endeavors and when seeking a new position with all the challenges that come with it I will say what needs to be said and stay true to my beliefs and values. If I get the position I want it under the clearest of understandings of what are my values, my priorities, my plans of action and where I would like to go with that new learning community.

Disclaimer: I am not implying that anyone that does not see it my way is not of good character. On the contrary educators have the toughest of all jobs balancing many constituencies and demands. It is risky to go against the status quo and in some instances professionally dangerous. This post is about me and my personal decisions and not intended to malign anyone.

Question:

What does “courage” have to do with being a person of good character…with someone who stays true to honorable principles and noble values?

Answer:

EVERYTHING!

You see, being values-driven means two things:

1. Doing what’s right– following our conscience; refusing to compromise ourselves, or our principles, despite pressures and temptations to the contrary, and
2. Taking a stand against what’s wrong – speaking out, and acting out, whenever we see others do things that are incorrect or inappropriate.

Unquestionably, both of those require guts, nerve, and fortitude…they require courage. And individuals who do them consistently are truly courageous people. With that as a given, each of us needs to think about, and answer for ourselves, one simple question:

How courageous am I?

Courage is…

• Following your conscience instead of “following the crowd.”
• Refusing to take part in hurtful or disrespectful behaviors.
• Sacrificing personal gain for the benefit of others.
• Speaking your mind even though others don’t agree.
• Taking complete responsibility for your actions…and your mistakes.
• Following the rules – and insisting that others do the same.
• Challenging the status quo in search of better ways.

Doing what you know is right – regardless of the risks and potential consequences