Lone Star State History -Reflections on Change- Leadership Lessons #SSSAustin2016

Why change when you have been so successful? Think about Blockbuster and Borders … change or – well – you know! – Mike Lubelfeld (via Tweet on 11/5/2016) – (challenge for most people is justifying change – especially in high performing venues)

img_0273I just attended the 52nd annual national conference of the Suburban School Superintendents. Inspired leadership lessons from experts like George Couros, Carl Hooker, Hall Davidson, and others helped my colleagues and I frame, reframe, affirm, reject, think, and plan on many levels. The conference was held in the state capital of Texas – Austin, Texas. Austin is an amazing venue and it formed a powerful backdrop for our journey into innovative and meaningful leadership.

In this blog post I am (hopefully) drawing connections between the rich and diverse history of Texas with the need (in my opinion) for structural changes to public schooling and for innovative instructional practices to become the norm and not the exception. In addition, I am a strong advocate for meeting the needs of ALL learners through integrated practices and not through segregationistic practices that plague CScRi5IWsAAIIv8our school systems at present. The school system we have was built in 1893; just as I do not think Texas should leave our union and become an independent nation (as it was from 1836-1845) I do not think we should remain stuck in a 19th Century mentality with respect to how we “do” school.

file_004-1Texas has a rich and varied history. The image at the left shows the six flags that have flown over Texas since 1519. The flags of Mexico, France, Spain, The Confederate States of America, the Republic of Texas, and the United States of America.

Texas has undergone many changes and innovations in its long and storied history. As times and circumstances changed, so did Texas. As part/parts of two kingdoms, two republics and as an independent nation, Texas has re-iterated, re-designed, transformed, and remained proud, powerful, and unique.

As times and circumstances changed and as technology and technological progress impacted governance and structure for Texas, I wonder why the governance and structure of our nation’s public schools still remain rooted to what many, including myself, consider to be an outdated factory model.

It’s no longer relevant for Texas to be an independent nation (in my opinion) as its place in the USA is what is now just and right for our time. But in the past it was relevant for the Texans to exist as a separate nation. Just like the fact that we no longer use check imprint machines like the one shown (from the old Texas Treasury office) I wonder why we still “do” education in an outdated 19th Century factory model.

file_005Just like technology, progress, and innovation caused us to print and perforate checks more efficiently with technology, and just like the technology, progress, and innovation caused Texas to iterate through six nations, so too, I believe the time is now for education to progress and innovate into new and better structures of organization and implementation.

I often write about personalized learning (which I acknowledge has many interpretations) and meeting the needs of all learners. I study, read, research, reflect, learn and lead based upon the evidence of others’ experiences and work as well as my own experience and work. One of the most read blog posts based on readership statistics, that I ever wrote was about John Hattie’s research findings and the impact of strategies, structures, and practices in education. Often I ask the question “If we know what works, why aren’t we universally doing what works?”

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Based on these readership stats I can conclude or infer that there is interest in the meta analyses and their implications for change and review of schooling. Just as the Battle of San Jacinto, where Sam Houston and his Texan forces defeated the Mexican general Santa Anna and declared independence from Mexico in 1836, the past few years in education have felt like a revolution of sorts.

With so many school districts “going one to one” and infusing technology and technological tools into instruction. The modern realities of progress and change are becoming normal. In addition, with groups like Education Reimagined, change efforts are about to become as normal in our present as fixed rows and desks in the teacher centered design from the 19th Century have been from our past.

The past few years have seen change and change thinking as the norm, and with a major emphasis across the continent on classroom redesign efforts as well as films like Most Likely to Succeed and Beyond Measure challenging the practices of education, it feels in some ways similar to the 1830s when “change agents” like Sam Houston re-created changeimageTexas in a new frame by declaring independence and starting over anew. The Texans did not like the structures imposed upon them and they revolted. Of course I am NOT suggesting armed revolt as an ideal in the public school change process, I use this as an example of change from my recent visit to one of the most significant state capitols in the USA and the fascinating history of the Texan people. I apologize if this is too much of a stretch!

I welcome comments, challenges, affirmations of my ideas, rejection of my ideas, all thoughts are welcome. My charge is to lead and support leadership as the lead learner in the community where I am privledged to serve. Leadership is not doing what’s popular – it’s doing what’s right!

Thank goodness we have outstanding educators in the Deerfield Public Schools District 109 who challenge the process and model the way and who demonstrate the capacities to unlearn that which worked yesterday so that we can create tomorrow.

 

ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER
ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER

 

 

Below I’m sharing some additional images of the majestic Texas Capitol; if you visit Austin, I encourage you to visit and learn about the unique history of Texas.

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We are passionate about innovation in DPS109

“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.”
– Bishop T.D. Jakes

Innovation is one theme that supports our District vision of Engage/Inspire/Empower! This year we have innovations upon innovations – it’s awesome, amazing, rewarding, fulfilling, and a little bit overwhelming. Through effective leadership, our District leadership team will help “whelm” our people so as not to over or under “whelm” them! Our school principals are site based “CEO’s” leading in an environment of defined autonomy. It’s a new day in DPS109!

So what is leadership? – this is a question found in literature, magazines, board rooms, conferences, etc! I’m sharing some definitions from Forbes Magazine, retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2013/04/09/what-is-leadership/

Peter Drucker: “The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers.”
Warren Bennis: “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.”
Bill Gates: “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.”
John Maxwell: “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.”

This year much of our shared leadership is shown through implementation of innovative supports for learning. In this blog I have shared an abundance of specific information that is worth a review in terms of that which we have implemented to support student learning and growth as well as teacher efficacy and development. I’m so proud of our Board of Education for supportive and visionary leadership “from the balcony” as well as our teachers who lead every single day “in the trenches”. In between the Board and the teachers, I’m blessed and empowered to lead with amazing leaders at the District and School levels in every corner of our District.

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced his goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.

In our effort to stretch and push and lead and grow, we are equipping our teachers and our students with the most innovative and evidence based supports for learning. By taking the lid off of expectations for all students (and staff) and “shooting for the moon” like JFK did for our country many years ago, the possibilities are limitless. The future is now for the world in which our students live.

The future is bright because of what our students will accomplish and experience! I’m proud to continue to push and stretch and learn and grow with an among excellence. In DPS109 we are all about our vision: Engage, Inspire, Empower! It’s fun, rewarding, and humbling to share our messages in multiple formats throughout the experiences. Like many before us, we are envisioning a future that requires new thinking and new methods to make the differences we have a calling to make!

As I have shared in the past, we want input and feedback and we use it! PLEASE contact us via Let’s Talk – it’s communication for all -employees, students, community members, blog readers, anyone and everyone with commentary about our District.

Allergy Management Plan

“It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.”
– Anonymous

Student safety is at the forefront of all decisions made in our school district! Allergy/food management is a “hot topic” that has been in the hopper for several years and came to the surface last year. Through a collaborative process with stakeholders from parents, teachers, nurses, administrators, and outside facilitators, we have a comprehensive allergy management plan ready for presentation to the Board of Education and community.

Earlier this summer, we notified our community of the formation of the Food Allergy Management Plan Committee, and also solicited their input on developing the District’s plan. The committee, made up of staff and parents, as well as MOCHA founder Denise Bunning, has worked diligently this summer to create a formal plan to improve the learning environment for students with food allergies, sensitivities and other food-related issues. They carefully considered expert resources as well as community input in developing the District 109 Food Allergy Management Plan.

That plan will be presented to the Board of Education at the August 25 meeting. I am excited to report that the comprehensive plan is the most up-to-date of its kind in the state of Illinois, and that we will be implementing the plan guidelines District-wide immediately at the start of the school year.

A Prezi presentation created by Kipling Assistant Principal Svetlana Sutic – highlights plan and “to do’s”:

From a letter I sent to the community:

We will share the final plan document with the entire community as soon as it is complete and ready to present to the Board (August 25, 2014).

Please share your comments about this plan via Let’s Talk – scroll to Top 5 Topics and select Food Allergy Management

Classroom Snacks: To create the most allergy-friendly learning environments, and in support of nationwide initiatives to increase student health and decrease childhood obesity, the plan spells out new guidelines for food in the classrooms. If classroom teachers choose to allow daily snacks, elementary students will be able to bring fruits and vegetables; middle school students can bring fruits, vegetables, yogurt and cheese. No additions, toppings or mix-ins (such as dips or spreads) shall be included. If teachers allow drinks, the only drink in the classroom shall be water. So, you won’t see any more of those “peanut-free classroom” signs. The plan dictates that all classrooms are peanut free at all times.

While the plan leaves open the definition of “fruits and vegetables,” the spirit of the plan is for students to bring “whole” fruits and vegetables, preferably fresh. However, dried fruits and vegetables, applesauce, and canned fruit fit the bill. In any and all cases, classroom teachers have the discretion to further limit snack options. Of course, accommodations will be made for students who have 504 plans that dictate food requirements that don’t align with these new guidelines.

These classroom guidelines will be in place 24/7, including during Park District camps and PTO events and activities. As always, work with your building principal when planning events to ensure that any food-related activities are scheduled in a designated area.

Food in the Curriculum: The plan dictates that educators find ways to replace food in the curriculum, and that food is not offered as a reward in the classroom. Again, the only foods allowed in the classroom at any time are those indicated above (fruits and vegetables in elementary classrooms; fruits, vegetables, yogurt and cheese in middle school classrooms).

Holiday Parties: Parent volunteers who plan classroom celebrations will focus on fun – but not on food. The Halloween, winter holiday and Valentine’s Day parties will be food-free. Students should not bring food to share with other students (including Halloween or Valentine’s candy).

Lunchroom – No Limits: There are no food limits in lunchrooms. However, if a lunchroom has a designated allergen-free table, students will abide by those restrictions. There will be other designated areas in every school that have no food restrictions. For example, if a PTO raffle award includes a group pizza party with a teacher, the party can be held in the cafeteria or other designated area.

Principals and other building administrators are ready to lead this change in their schools. I support their work and all of our efforts to improve the overall health of our community and to create the safest, healthiest learning environments possible. With community-wide support, District 109’s Food Allergy Management Plan will create that positive environment!

If you have any questions, please contact me or reach out to plan development committee co-chairs Jenell Mroz (jmroz@dps109.org) and Cathy Kedjidjian (ckedjidjian@dps109.org).