What is that smell?

In Iceland, a rotting Greenland shark hangs in preparation for consumption.  During this fermentation the shark's flesh secretes harmful toxins and a foul ammonia-like odor.   This face distorting smell is not revolting enough to dampen the mood at dinner tables throughout the region.  How can people laugh and celebrate when there is a stench such as this in the atmosphere? It is a part of their culture.  It is tradition.  These descendants of Vikings have acquired a taste and a tolerance for this sort of alimentation.
Culture.  Do you ever wonder why yours has the scent it does?   How people behave is directly related to the presence of a GREAT school leader.  The sweet smell of peak performance is by design.   It is as infectious as mediocrity is common.  It is the GREAT school leader who models excellence!   The GREAT school leader uses the power of influence and relationships to manifest an environment conducive to the growth of all members of the school community.  
What is that smell?   The positive difference of the BEST teacher.   The competitive spirit of learners preparing to be contributors in the world that awaits.  That smell is respect, dignity, and excellence.   The smell of peak performance emanating from those with hearts for kids.  Your school culture like the Greenland shark, can make you deathly sick or satiate your hunger and growth.   It depends on the initiative and skill of a GREAT school leader.

A Good Name Is Better Than Gold

All that you have is your name.   What is in your name?   In your name are there actions that align with what you say.   Do people use synonyms like: trustworthy, honest, and dependable?   What is in your name?  Choose carefully.  More than gold can be tarnished.  My Great Great grandfather, Steven selected the name Stanmore as our family name after being freed from the Boatwright plantation.   History said that he wanted to choose a name that was indicative of the excellence and stamina that his progeny had demonstrated.   During my 7th grade year Mrs. Dawson, my science teacher, would tell me that "Stanmores don't act like that" whenever sagacity escaped me.   My grandmother would also tell me about those great Stanmores who wore our name before me.  She would often say that "Stanmore stands for something."   Stanmore, like your name, has only the meaning that you give it now.  What is in a name?   Whatever is in your name, you put it there.

Become Awakened!

Every life has a story.   How awful must it be to get to the end of your story only to realize that you held a power, a GREATNESS, that could have manifest the best that life has to offer?   Become awakened!   Become awakened to your GREATNESS!   Become awakened to a feeling of goodness.   Become awakened to a life lived to serve humanity.   Become awakened to the somnambulating existence that has permeated our community.   Become awakened with such enthusiasm and vigor that others are compelled to do the same!   Every life has a story. "All men die but not all men live!" Become awakened!

Doing the Chucke

Doing the Chucke, a dance that involves smiling kids gyrating around a dancing person in a costume (tailless rat or mouse).   As Chucke calls out instructions embeded in song, kids smile while "Doing the Chucke". I think Great educators are similar in that they:

• Celebrate the attendance of learners 
• Make learners feel like a star
• Encourage learners/parents to share in fun (education process)
• Make learning fun
• Teach with enthusiasm

Learners come to school with a wish on their lips.  They wish someone would listen.  They wished someone made them feel important.   They wish the educational system will work for them.  At the end of their time with us they will redeem a winner's receipt.   They will exchange it for their idea of success.   As Great educators,  let's "Do the Chucke" well.  Our performance will determine the learners' outcome,  as well as our own.

Be the Boss

Thursday, February 12, 2015

My experience as an administrator has been really educational.   Because I embrace conflict as a positive, an opportunity to improve student achievement, I approach the administrative duties with optimism.   Some of my experiences include:

• A noticed difference in the behavior of the learners in response to my role.
• An opportunity to really multitask; like dealing with a meeting, two parents, and a student simultaneously.
• Teachers and fellow staff members have strongly supported my new role.
• Fights between students and expulsion meetings.
• Investigating obscene images as well as thief.
• Extracurricular activities (band, football, volleyball, basketball). 
• Watching the parents sometimes get too emotional and coming close to being asked to leave the facilities.
• Working with students after the games to pick up trash.
• Forming strong relationships with staff and students.
• Break ups between girls/boys. Young love (or like very strongly) can be a very emotional time for young boys.

Why become an administrator?  We are all created with a gift.    One day it hits us what our gift is.  Then the "Decision".   Do we embrace what it is that we can do better than the average person or do we turn from our destiny?   Me, I have always been told that I was going to be somebody.   Throughout life, when doubt manifest there was someone to intercede and keep me on the path.   This stop on my journey, began with my first principal, Mrs. Stauss.   She saw principal before I did.  Then there was Mrs. Massey.  Nearly six years ago, when I first started here at Life School, she suggested I give principal a try.    Since then there has been teacher, after teacher, principals, district leaders, and even some friends/family who saw a kind of leader that had not been labeled.   Assisting others to do more, become more, and have more is what comes kind of easy for me.   The role of principal is a natural fit for me.  The aforementioned experiences just confirm it.

Social Media Revolution 2015

Is the "War on Drugs" a good investment?

According to Texas CJC, Texas spends $18,538 per year per inmate.  The U.S. inmate population exceeds 2.3 million.  The Portugal government has, over the last fifteen years, seen a decrease in HIV infections and overdoses while those seeking drug treatment is on the rise (NY Times, 3/14).   This treatment comes at a fraction of the cost of incarceration.  Would that money spent on inmates (California $60,000+ /prisoner) be better served in educating our youth?   Further consider, what is our return on investment?  What do we (society) get after 20 years of education vs. imprisonment?