Why I Tribe

Why I Tribe

Tribe: Noun - a group of persons having a common character, occupation, or interest.

While there are many definitions for the word Tribe, I prefer the one written above. To me, a Tribe is an imperative part of my DNA and world. Personally, Professionally, Socially, Chemically and all the other “ally’s” as well. After my #CompelledTribe leaders @Jennifer_Hogan, @Vroom6 (Craig Vroom), and @jon_wennstrom blogged about “Why I Tribe” recently, it got me thinking about my “why”.
To be honest, I don’t think I could live without “Tribing”. It is everything that keeps me ticking, in line, accountable, stoked, motivated and challenged. Sure, I #InstaGram, #FaceBook and some others, but my main source of "Tribing" is on #Twitter.

Common Character

If you follow me on @Twitter, you know that I am dedicated and committed to a few groups. #CelebratED, #JoyfulLeaders, #LeadLap, #Principalsinaction, #dadsaprincipals, #edchat, #BalanceLAP, #BeKindEDU and #Tlap to name a few. These are my peeps. My friends with common interests and character. The ones who I learn from, get challenged from, struggle with, look for support from, grow with and much more.

Occupation

As a former elite athlete, swim coach and current educator, this is pretty much the group of people I am “Tribing” with. I strive to continue a healthy lifestyle and fitness way of life - just follow my peeps @richroll, @jennifer_burdis, and @mradamwelcome to name a few. This occupation keeps me in check, focused on my mind, body, spirit and soul. Swimming, and all things water have been in my genetic code since day 1 and my tribe is hundreds of water nuts too; swimmers, surfers, divers, you name it - my team. As an educator, I focus on following, not followers. If I can’t learn something from someone, why follow? We all value our time, focus on the growth and push to be better, not see bigger numbers that follow you. There are too many amazing people that mean so much to me. Who make me better. Smarter. More kind. More aware of others. These people are my Tribe. And this my friends, is just a sampling of Why I Tribe.

Peace yo!

You Win! - I mean it, you really do.

You Win!

I mean it, you really do! If you are an educator, and you are reading this post, You. Are. The. Winner! You GET the chance to amaze kids for another year! It is YOUR opportunity to help them shine. There is NO obligation, Have to’s, Got to’s, or drats, need to’s. It is an honor for you to walk this mission of preparing kids for the mighty unknown. We don’t know where we’ll be in 5 years, but YOU have the amazing invitation to the party of the future! It is YOUR time to shine for them! Let every child know that THEY are the #1 most important being during your day. Smile, Laugh, Cry, Connect, Hug and bust your tail feathers to empower the heck out of them. Go to College? Yeah, maybe for some. Trades? Ok path for others. Small Biz owner? Cool, why not. Crusader of Peace? Sweetness. Whatever it is that they are preparing for, make it count! Show them it is ok to push hard, lose, fail, be frustrated, but remember; Do Not Give Up! If we give up, then they will give up. Build their #Resilience #Grit #Empowerment #Toughness #Empathy #Compassion #Kindness and #Love of learning. One of my Heroes is Shawn Achor, of The Happiness Advantage. While Shawn has so many amazing and motivational quotes, there are several that JUST. STICK. “Without action, knowledge is often meaningless.” Think about it. If we are not giving our best to every child, every day, and are being passive information robots, then what good is knowledge? We must combine the motivation with the excitement and passion to want more information, to eat more ways of innovation, and to have the hunger for the unknown! 
“When we are happy—when our mindset and mood are positive—we are smarter, more motivated, and thus more successful. Happiness is the center, and success revolves around it.” – Shawn Achor
     Remember this; You GET to be an educator. You HAVE options. Start blasting positive messages about returning to school. Bleed your passion. Wear your Happiness and love on your sleeve. If you have one doubt, hesitation, or negative thought about the end of summer and the return to school - you are taking the chance of creating a permanent scar in the path to excellence in a child. Just one, is all it takes. Be the overly ripe tomato of education. Drip your happiness juice to all those around you! YOU. WIN, My friends. You Win! Let our students know that you are proud and honored to be a part of their day. You Win! We get one go round in this adventure called life. Make it a lottery moment, not an endless list of Cinderella’s chores.

“When we are happy—when our mindset and mood are positive—we are smarter,

Let's put YOU, before ME

It seems to me these days that our society has become very"ME" driven. People on their devices all the time, focused on what latest gadget, car, trip, or quest they've completed. Look or listen to News about Hollywood stars getting this car, outfit, trip, or jewelry ( and most of it GIVEN to them..really?). Our politicians just ripping each other in
public, the name calling, the excuses, the "I've done this" motto. Imagine what goes on behind closed doors...yikes! 
Get this, just today, my buddy Roman Nowak Tweeted a great post and quoted the wonderful Mother Teresa. Someone had the nerve to harshly respond to his Tweet, calling Mother T a "C" Word! What? What a minute! Did that make the "ME" in you feel better Mr. Meany pants?
Come on people, when we have our top Gov't officials, (none to be excluded), constantly tooting their own horns, for their own agendas (NRA anyone?), what message does that send to the rest of us?
Sports stars, who many consider them idols, heroes and role models, are spouting off how great this deal was, or that they are the best at this, or showing off their 7 houses, 9 cars, planes, yachts and material goods in all the magazines and ads.
When will it end? As an educator, and a father, I try my best (fail more than not) to teach my kids to always lead with their heart and put others first. To practice kindness daily. I try to show them that it makes the "ME" feel instantly better, when we put the "YOU" first. Imagine if we all were more like Mother Teresa, Ghandi, and the nameless and countless others that are constantly producing random acts of kindness. We'd have very different problems to deal with in our daily lives!
Follow some of my #Kindness Educator friends and see what they are doing to put others first. Tamara Letter, Roman (mentioned above), Melanie Korach,  Eli Casaus, Kristen Nan, Bethany Hill and Beth Frates MD, just to name a few. Read their posts, follow their words, quotes and pictures.
Start putting the "YOU" before the "ME" and let's show each other what we can do to make each other's lives more amazing.
Go ahead, try it now. If we can make this a part of our DNA, our children's, student's and friends too....we'd be starting another Kindness Revolution.
Remember Rachel Scott? Our lovely young heroine who lost her life in the Columbine shooting? One Rachel's most famous quotes "People will never know how far a little kindness can go". Let's be more like Rachel and continue her quest for the "Chain Reaction" of kindness.
Let's all put "YOU" before "ME", for even a day, and see what happens.
You in?

Disconnect - to - Reconnect

Try to imagine a span of time that is 5 years, 4 months long. Got it? Ok. Now, with that in mind, imagine all of the cool things you could do in that time if you had ONE wish! For me, so many fun ideas come to mind: Travel, Scuba, Dude Ranch, Safari, Sleep, Inventing, Playing, my list goes on. But current research is showing that...hold on...yes...the average person as of 2018 will spend that amount of time - minimally - on SOCIAL MEDIA! Almost 5 and a half years! WHAAAAAT?

Wow! it may seem shocking, but my recent family trip to Maui sure solidified it. I spent two wonderful weeks with my wife, two kids and my in laws on the beautiful Garden Isle. While I was not disconnected the whole time, I worked hard to focus on family, fun, being present and breaking my terrible iPhone addiction to Social Media and more!

This pattern of device connectedness has become our habit, our addiction, our sense of self worth, our way of life.  Just a tap, swipe, look, peak, peer and engagement to the almighty digital screen.

A 2016 study found that the typical cellphone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times every day, according to a study by research firm Dscout. But that's just the average user: The study found that extreme cellphone users — meaning the top 10% — touch their phones more than 5,400 times daily. I know, mind blowing isn’t it?

I know we are a busy culture: Working, Commuting, Educating, Parenting, Laboring, Living. But please don’t miss out on what is happening around you!Check this out - while I was beachin, chillin, family’in, sippin, swimmin and walking (would have been a much more active trip for me, but I am only 8 weeks post spine surgery), I began to notice something. Everywhere I went, people were attached to a device. On the beautiful white sand beaches, at Luau’s, in the middle of romantic/quiet restaurants, at pools, on jungle hikes and especially walking on paths!  Yes, I know many people were taking photos, but as I took my daily 4-5 mile walks, I became lost in the jungle of “DeviceVille”. People were constantly bumping into me, not looking where they were headed or where they were. There is so much amazingness out there to see and experience Every. Single. Day. My friends! Just look around you! The ocean was epic. The waves - spectacular. The waterfalls - glorious. The food and drink - superb. The sharks, turtles and fish - mind blowing. And of course, the smiles and laughter that erupted from my children from 6am to 9pm was not only precious, but mood altering and completely life changing.

I’m not trying to preach here my friends, just making a point. 5 years is a long time to spend when we get only 1 go at it. Our children won’t be around forever, nor will we. How will you choose to spend it? Toward the end of our trip, my son Braden had an idea. “Dad, let’s play Hawaiian bird sounds and set up a feeding station for them”. Dude. Seriously? I was on it. Boom - Braden had the rice crackers, I cranked out the bird tunes, and within seconds,I felt like I was in the Costa Rican Rainforest. Birds of all kinds, were everywhere! Just because my epic lil 9 year old had an idea - and I was actually tuned in to hearing it! Reconnecting with my family was not only amazing, but necessary. My kids are young only once, as are we. When we have the eyes, hearts and attention of our loved ones at home, school, or anywhere else - how do we want them to see us? “Dad, get OFF your phone!” Is not not a mantra I want to own any longer. I need to own it. Remember that “Busy” is a choice on how we want to spend our time. It is really a decision of “I don’t have time for you, something is more important right now”.

Connect my friends. Live life. Smell the ocean. Watch the waves. Listen to the birds. Look at someone’s beautiful face while chatting. Use “Airplane Mode” ( My man Adam Welcome's go to). Hold hands. Bump into less people while walking.

Try it yo!

For me. It was THE. Best. Thing. Ever!

#dadsasprincipals #momsasprincipals #CelebratEd #JoyfulLeaders #LeadLap #Tlap #prinicpalsinaction

My #OneWord2018 - #Faith

    As I jump in on the #Reflection2017 train, I feel like my brain is overloaded with a spaghetti filled array of memories.

To begin, my #OneWord2017 was #Advocate; I believe I nailed this the best I could. Not only was this my mantra in work and at school, but in my family life as well. Whether it be a student in need of services, a teacher wanting a letter of rec, my own kids needing support at school, or my father needing more help because of his physical and mental decline. I was an advocate for helping others get what they not only needed, but deserved.

    It was an emotional and busy year.  I moved my family back from WA to be closer to my Alzheimer’s suffering father in CA. We left a cute private school and headed to Davis, CA. New home. New schools. New friends. New adventures. New fears. New life.

    The #Advocate word came into full gear this fall. My daughter was at a new Jr. High School, and had a teacher who thought homework was the most important aspect of life. After many emails, phone calls and ranting, I got her moved to a new class. My boy (3rd Grade) was being harassed at his school by another new student. The teacher, bless her soul did what she could, but again, many emails to the Principal, and we had it solved. To let you know of my son’s soul, he invited this boy who bothered him to his birthday party, as he wanted to help him become a friend!

    While my experience at the private school in Washington wasn’t super amazing, it was an incredible growth opportunity. I give a ton of credit to Beth Houf and Shelley Burgess and the “Lead Like a Pirate” Book. It changed my life. My leadership style. My focus and my intentions. I joined some great groups and chats on @Twitter and @Voxer, which really opened up my connections to some amazing educators; teachers, admin, techies, librarians and more. I’ve dealt with physical pain of Sciatica and a pinched nerve in my back that has become so problematic and painful that it has adversely impacted my entire life, but I have faith, it will be restored.

    I began working at a new school this fall. The district; Fairfield-Suisun Unified was familiar to me, as I had been there before, but I was now working at a new site. Without the #Leadlap mojo, I think the first five months would not have been as productive. Don’t get me wrong, there have been an immense amount of wins and challenges, but overseeing 805 students, 50 staff members, and about 1300 parents was a daunting task! The staff is moving in the right direction, and I’m constantly trying to coach, lead, facilitate, support and #Advocate for all members of our amazing community, each and everyday.

   So, where am I today? Well, I’ve learned, failed, tried, laughed, cried, bled, grown and #Advocated. After following Jon Gordon’s #OneWord plan, I’ve come up with my own for 2018. It wasn’t easy, I tell you. Seeing things like More, Relentless, Possible, Reflect and others, my mind was wrestling until it became clear with #Faith. While I am a Christian and do have #Faith in God and the church, my #OneWord2018 is much deeper than that. My faith is much more extensive than that.

Faith, that our public schools will get the help we need to support ALL Students.

Faith, in our students, that they CAN achieve greatness.

Faith, in our teachers. For they will be able to understand, connect and love every child in his/her classroom, regardless of how they behave.

Faith, in myself as a father, husband, and Principal to do what I can and believe.

Faith, in our students, parents, community and country that we will do whatever it takes for our next generation to thrive and crush it.

And lastly, Faith in all people that Kindness will be a way of life. Every word, action, movement and gesture will be in the best interest of all, and that we will look to treat each other with love, generosity, gratitude and non-judgement.

Let’s do this in 2018 my friends, thank you to my #PLN and all those who have pushed me to become better. Every. Single. Day

#Faith

Each Mountain is Unique. Children are No Different!

    It dawned on me today while listening to a guest Rabbi, speaking to our Christian congregation about mountains, paths up them and the mysterious uniqueness of each one. Now, I’m not the brightest bulb in the box, but it really resonated with me; Children are Mountains! Each is distinct and exceptional and should be looked upon as such. Mountains AND children can explode. Each can crumble. They can grow, melt, become dormant, implode, morph, blossom, change forms, AND. SO. MUCH. MORE!

    We have now passed the ⅓ point of the school year. Teachers are tired, I get it. We put a TON on them; expectations, curriculum, committees, tasks and much more and we need to support them, but without those Mountains, OUR CHILDREN, We have nothing. Our teachers are magicians, scientists, artists, creators, originators and more! So now is the time. It is NOT too late to connect, embrace, watch, listen, empathize, laugh with, honor, love, hold and most importantly; BE THERE FOR.

    These younglings, our future, must each be given the chance. Yes, they may act out, or rebel, or yell and scream, throw a desk and disrupt us all. But we are the leaders. The mentors. The key to their success. While they may go dormant, or even erupt like Mount Vesuvius, it is our we, the educators that must dig deep into our tools, or colleagues tools, or find an iteration of a tool that hasn’t worked to connect with our little mountains.

    We can’t give up, or say it’s too late, or wait until tomorrow. We. Must. Act. Now. All of us must encourage this practice and together, find a way. Look at the inside, the smile, that little glimpse of hope inside each of them. Their meek little innocence that burns inside, just wants to be loved, nurtured, noticed and given a chance. Don’t turn your back. Or yell. Or send them out of the room. Get down on your knees, smile, speak softly and say “I care about you”. “I may not understand, but I want to help”. Can we do that? For Every Child?

    Like a mountain’s extraordinary and infinite detail, our young darlings will do things that we cannot imagine are possible. If we only believe! Have we exhausted all options? What have we NOT DONE? Called home? Invited in for lunch? Offered to play a game? Stopped by home? Told a joke? Asked what THEY want to learn?

   I ask you now. Don’t ignore, or turn your back, but pay attention and notice each beating heart. They will surprise you, if given that idea that My Teacher Believes I CAN! While a mountain may take hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years to grow and reach their peak, we can’t wait another second. I'm not asking you to MOVE a mountain, but just to notice one and pay attention. Please Act Now. For Every. Beautiful. Young Being.

Reflection: A true test of Courage

I often hear that with #Reflection comes #Change and with #Change comes #Growth, but how do we find the place that is the honest gauge of our #Reflection?
   Do you ever ask yourself at the end of the day “Why did I do that?”, or “How could I have said that?”, even “I cannot believe that happened today, what a dingbat I am”! If you aren’t asking yourself those types of questions each and everyday, how do you reflect, change and grow? Honest

reflection is a true test of courage. It is not easy to ask ourselves these questions, take risks, adjust mid-course, forgive ourselves, or start over. And even harder, we have to be ready to go again the next day!

   I know that on a daily basis, I make plenty of mistakes, bad choices, hasty decisions and say things I certainly don’t mean, but the only way I can grow is to be #Bold, have the #Courage to move ahead and really marinate in self reflective thought. Many things can get in my way and affect my mindset, such as; my state of hunger, state of anxiety, sleeplessness, a hit to my ego, or even an angry parent or colleague could have messed with my mind that day. The one #Must that needs to be a part of my toolkit has to be the #Courage to go over my day visually, figure out the circumstance of decision and dig deep. Dig deep into the heart of my ego and figure out what happened at that moment. Each day and instance will be different and depending on my #Goals and state of which direction I am headed professionally, I need to be mindful and cognizant on my actions.

   So, why does it take such true #Courage for us to reflect honestly? Well, one thing is that it can really sting. Bad. Our egos don’t naturally allow us to do something that we look back upon as  “Bone headed” or a “Poor decision” easily, but with a #GrowthMindset, a supportive #PLN, strong colleagues, teammates and supervisors, the culture can change.

Of course I don’t purposefully intend to go to school with the desire to speak to a child, parent, colleague, teacher or friend in an adverse or negative way, but hey, we are all human, right? It happens. The only thing that can bring solace is an apology and the #Courage to reflect.

What does that mean? Well, let’s look at some synonyms; mull over, cogitate, ponder, contemplate, muse and meditate are a few. Whatever your word(s) may be, your method of reflection must be honest, true, courageous and filled with positive intent!

   Why oh why is this so hard? We look at educators everyday that still use the same methods as five, ten, even TWENTY years ago! Worksheets, desks in rows, gobs of homework, Lack of choice in reading, AR only, technology as a word processor, quiet lines, no deviation or change in the schedule, lecturing in front of class, demanding compliance! What is this? I challenge you to be #Courageous and take the #Reflection leap! We must take a break from our egos and look at the individual moves we make every day. Our life of chess must be made up of flexibility!

    Dig deep my friends, and take one step at a time. Maybe try to use kinder words, or a tone to a conversation. Perhaps have positive intentions prior to a sticky situation. Do you need to walk away prior to acting, or reacting? Is your solution best for you, a child, a teacher, or a parent? Is there a pattern of how you react, depending on the time of day, or your state of hunger? Did you take care of your own mental and health needs with a walk; workout; meal; hydration? Have you really tried to connect to each kiddo and understand what he/she needs?

   I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I do strive to be better each day. My reflections can be ego-bruising and harsh, but my only solace is that I will learn and grow each time I take the #Courage to jump in with both feet. In my case it’s all about kids. Is it best for them or me? When I challenge a teacher to try something different, I certainly don’t do it for myself, I do it for the 806 students I see every day; eager to please; wanting to learn; trying to improve; champing at the bit of excellence. See them in your reflective practice. Every last one of them.

   It won’t be easy, but change and growth never are. Let’s do this together. With the #Courage to try, I truly believe you can be a mirror of excellence my friends!