#EdVentures Part 2: Out of your control but YOU control your reaction.

This #EdVenture has pushed me out of my comfort zone, even before I left Australia. Typically my husband organises all the documentation for travelling overseas (passports with 3 children from Australia, Canada and United States, at times causes complications). I do all the research but he makes the bookings. This time, I did it ALL! This is a very time consuming exercise and at times, a little stressful. No matter how well you plan, some things are out of your control. I was very interested to watched people's reactions when we had engine issues that caused major delays and many to miss connecting flights. How we react to things out of our control is YOUR choice. Yes I was disappointed, I won't deny that. But I've leant to try and put things in perspective. Engine failure is better to occur before takeoff than over the ocean. What's the saying?... Make lemonade when given lemons. Perspective is key!

I've had quite a few things to do before I left work. I had my checklist. I was on schedule. I was on top of things. Reports were written and proofed, presentations were shared, and I believed I was balancing my mother/ wife/ daughter responsibilities. I told others, 'Nothing could to take me off this high'. I can't honestly remember the last time I'd felt this excited. I'd worked hard and been consistent in my planning and approach but everything fell apart when I has some worrying news about a family member's health. That was a tough moment emotionally. It was something out of my control and I couldn't fix it.

Fortunately I have a husband who is very rational and calming. He provided the broader perspective. Sometimes, emotions can over-ride reality. My wonderful colleagues have always supported me professionally, and now they were supporting me on an emotional level. Was this a surprise? Not to me! But it made me realise that we're a TEAM, not just colleagues. My team went above and beyond both professionally and personally. 

There are also people who you may work with but not so much on a one-to-one basis. Their presence makes work a more joyous place. I am reminded that kind words and gestures, no matter how large or small, make the difference.

The course I'm engaging in at Harvard asked for a success and a challenge as a leader. The actions of my team this week confirmed my idea of a successful team. Collaborating with a goal, does not make you a team.  An effective team requires time, commitment, compassion, empathy, mutual respect, trust and care. I believe these essential components are more related to your personality and mindset. I hear some argue that this is just 'being professional', but is it authentic? Without this authentic foundation, you are merely colleagues working together. Many skills and knowledge are required in a successful team. But I believe those skills and knowledge can always be developed (Dweck & growth mindset). In my opinion, it is harder to develop the essentials required to make an effective team because they are related to personalities and values. Although you may need trust first, I believe coaching may be the answer.

Gratitude journal-
To Andrew-You are the Yin to my Yang.
To Claire & Kate-for always stepping up and being so supportive, especially this week. I appreciate you both.

To Sharryn Naylor- for your support and guidance.
To Sue, Emma & Liz-thanks for being part of Woodstock. Your positive energy is awesome!

#EdVentures Part 1: An agile school benefits from uplifting leaders who aim to improve teacher quality.

“No matter how well trained people are, few can sustain their best performance on their own”  (Gawande, 2011).

To drive improved student outcomes, school systems in Australia and around the world are aspiring to improve the quality of teaching. Teaching is a complex endeavour and without support, it is extremely difficult to reach and then maintain the highest levels of performance. As Atul Gawande (2011) noted, “No matter how well trained people are, few can sustain their best performance on their own”. To promote excellence in the profession of teaching, I believe it is vital to invest in our teachers through mentoring and coaching and create a positive culture through uplifting leadership. Andy Hargreaves and Alma Harris indicate that ‘Uplifting Leaders’ are those who empower and inspire others to contribute to a positive school culture.  According to Wiliam (2014), higher educational achievement requires increased teacher quality, which requires investing in the teachers already working in our schools. He argues that this investment needs to take a radically different approach to their usual professional development they receive. In my opinion, receiving professional development does not necessarily indicate that teachers are engaged in or drive their own professional learning.

(https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/program/
improving-schools-art-leadership)

My goal is to develop my coordinator role to incorporate the skills of an instructional leader and coach, while balancing the required administrative demands. As a participant of Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership at HGSE, I expect to develop my leadership skills, efficacy and ability to support teacher development and student achievement. I hope to expand my understanding of leadership and explore multiple approaches for addressing the challenges I may encounter. I anticipate this program will expand my knowledge, expose me to new ways of thinking about leadership and ultimately, enhance my work with colleagues and students. I will explore successful models for school improvement with a focus on how to implement curriculum innovation. Upon completion of the program, I hope to have examined my own leadership challenges in the context of instructional improvement and developed a better understanding of how to lead more effectively. 

For my Twitter chat, #SatChatOC, I was fortunate to collaborate with Simon Breakspear on questions for the topic, ‘Leading others through change’. Fortunately, I recently attended an AIS workshop with Simon to design a K-2 learning vision and strategy using the ‘Leading the Agile School’ framework (http://www.simonbreakspear.com/programs.html). Attending ISTE will support this professional learning plan and the K-2 learning project as my focus will be engaging students through Project Based Learning and Design Thinking. I strongly believe that giving students a voice and choice improves students engagement and promotes their love of learning. I will also concentrate on best practices and strategies for developing digital age literacy. I intend to explore strategies for collaborating with colleagues and various resources that assist when making decisions based on data.

My ultimate goal will always be to improve student achievement and develop their love of learning. This should include measurable outcomes with informative data, as well as a solid sense of self-efficacy, a growth mindset and a strong partnership with their peers, parents and the community. Through developing teacher quality, I believe student outcomes and engagement will improve. With a strong interest in coaching and mentoring, I see how one can transition from one to the other but at the same time, they are very different.

• Coaching means to transform thinking. A coach asks questions that generate ideas that belong to the one being coached.
• Collaborate means to form ideas. Collaborating is collectively creating ideas and problem solving but is not a distributive task.
• Mentor means to inform. Mentoring is where experts give advice and share knowledge to help improve one’s practice.
• Evaluate means to conform. Your ability is judged against certain criteria to determine your effectiveness as a teacher.

While I have a strong understanding of the various concepts, I would like to put my conceptual understanding into practice at Wenona. Wenona’s mission is to provide an outstanding, global education for the girls in our care, by developing a contemporary, innovative and engaged learning community. Instructional Coaching is a partnership approach to improving instruction (Knight, 2007). My goal is to support my colleagues and learn how to further develop their capacity. One of our main purposes is to develop leadership within a strong service culture, and I believe by developing my leadership skills, I will serve the students and parents of Wenona, while building the capacity of my colleagues.

At first, I felt fortunate and thrilled to be accepted to Harvard. Then, I was excited and humbled to receive the Wenona Fellowship, which now allows me many more fantastic educational opportunities. I believe this learning adventure is an opportunity and a wonderful gift and if you would like to follow my journey, please view this blog site for updates and follow the #EdVentures hashtag on Twitter.

Gratitude Journal - (more to come)

Dr Briony Scott, Mark Staker and the Wenona School for providing this opportunity.

Mr David Ivers for your support and guidance with my Harvard application.

References

Gawande, Atul. 'Personal Best - The New Yorker'. The New Yorker. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.

Institute of Education. 'Invest In Teachers To Raise Achievement'. N.p., 2009. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.

Knight, J. (2007) 'Instructional Coaching', http://www.instructionalcoach.org/images/downloads/research-pubs/Chapter2.pdf

Wiliam, Dylan. The Formative Evaluation of Teaching Performance. N.p.: Centre for Strategic Education, n.d. Occasional Pape 137. Centre for Strategic Education, Sept. 2014. Web. 7 June 2015  from http://www.dylanwiliam.org/Dylan_Wiliams_website/Publications_files/The%20formative%20evaluation%20of%20teaching%20performance%20%28CSE%202014%29%20secure.pdf

It’s not about YOU.

Years back, someone shared an opinion that really affected me. At the time, I felt misunderstood but today, I see that there was an element of truth in their comment, proving that reflection has no expiry date. There are some people whose words are like Teflon-you acknowledge them but they have little or no impact. And yet, there are those whose words stick like Velcro, be it positive or negative. However, you have the power to question, accept, disregard or grow from people's opinions and comments. I believe for this to be the most effective you need to know thyself. As a leader, the focus cannot be just on you but on the big picture that involves others.

At this week’s Renaissance Women’s Network Meeting, Dr Scott @BrionyScott spoke about Transactional Analysis. 

http://www.nickyhayes.co.uk/nicky/OHP/ch9ohp.html

Since then, I have reflected and identified various personal and professional conversations using this analysis. Dr Scott spoke of the need for validation, the negative vortex and encountering those who are passive aggressive. 

Dr Archard @NicoleArchard provided a visual illustrating how leadership is complicated. Here are some of the tweets from Renaissance Women’s Leadership Network. #rwln

• Leadership is not about you - Briony Scott
• Good coaches, good mentors-you need ppl to challenge you for you to grow as a leader 
• You may be stressed and/or busy - but you need more to be challenged. Know yourself  
• When in leadership, You have to grow up...can be tough. 
• Be prepared for short term losses-take the high road. 
• Leaders make other ppl look good & move forward.
• Leadership is a journey...each step is a little bud of growth and the 'getting' of wisdom 

Some questions to consider-

• Do your colleagues know you believe in them through your actions? 
• Do you make excuses or highlight the mistakes of others when feeling insecure?
• Do you let others shine even if you were instrumental in their success?
• Are you seen as a learner who takes risks and makes mistakes? 
• When mistakes are made, are you willing to own it?
• Do you seek advice from others regardless of their role or position? 
• Are you willing to lose the small battles for the sake of the big picture?
• Do your respond with optimism when placed in difficult situations? 

Twitter has many amazing, humble educators and leaders that network, collaborate, and share their resources and knowledge. I value humility now more than ever before. Education and leadership is not about one person but more about how one person can make a difference.

The learning continues...

Andrea 
@stringer_andrea

It's not my work, it's my Passion.

I have been asked if my husband gets annoyed with me spending so much time and energy on education. “You know you need some down time… time away from teaching?” It didn’t take me long to respond. My husband is my biggest supporter. He encouraged me to apply to university as a mature age student. He encouraged me to continue with postgraduate study and when I recently got accepted to Harvard, he was very happy for me. Do certain careers need more down time than others? Doctors, musicians, air traffic controllers ..?

My son has just finished Year 12 and I wonder how many people at the age of 19 know what career they want to pursue. The advice I give my children is to choose something they believe (or think) they’ll love. Find something that gets them out of bed in the morning. Find something that benefits others. Follow their passion!

Last weekend my school provided an opportunity to learn more about leadership and working with others. It was also provided me with time to reflect. An elderly friend recently said, “Andrea, you were born a leader”. I have thought a lot about this statement and while I’m not sure about nurture or nature, I do know the type of leader I'd like to be.

• One who practises distributed leadership
• One who promotes the love of learning in teachers as well as students
• One who asks, "is this best for our students"
• One who encourages and supports others to follow their dreams and ambitions
• One who respects mentors and educators who contribute to the learning community

The results of an earlier leadership survey were not surprising, but the results did not reflect my interest in research. It did provide evidence as to why I get frustrated, where I struggle and what is needed to fuel my passion. Someone once said that I wish I had one quarter of your passion for education. Another asked me to not talk about teaching in the staffroom. To be honest, at times I feel a need to apologise for being so passionate and talkative about education. While data and procedures may not reflect my greatest strengths, connecting and collaborating with people and being innovative and creative are. It's at this time I hear Yong Zhao saying to me that education should focus on developing student’s strengths, not “fixing their deficiencies" and I'm thinking teachers should do the same. When I focus solely on my weaknesses and not my strengths, my passion diminishes. It must be the same for students.

Since starting the school year, I’ve been busy and I’m trying to work out how to work smarter. While I understand with leadership comes certain tasks that do not fuel my passion, it is my responsibility to tackle these tasks. But I also need to make time for those tasks or activities that do fuel my passion. It was after reading my Zite and Twitter feeds that I felt re-energised! Some educators may say they don’t have time for Twitter and research but at times I need these to fuel my passion. Reading just two articles helped me reflect and refocus.

• I will take responsibility for my time investment choices, and spend some energy on things that are important to me.
• Learn to become resilient. This is a work in progress...
• When it comes to difficult situations, life gives us two choices - become bitter or become better. I choose better!

A growth mindset is essential in education and I believe passion ignites further learning. When I meet my children’s teachers, I look for passion. Some may believe that high ATARs are necessary in teaching but I believe passion is the long-term attribute that will sustain effective teachers and promote our students’ love of learning.

HBDI http://www.herrmannsolutions.asia/au/solutions/organisations/the-hbdi-profile

How To Overcome The Circumstances Preventing You From Success-

http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/how-to-overcome-the-circumstances-preventing-you-from-success/

Stop Playing the Victim with Your Time Management and Take Control

http://lifehacker.com/stop-playing-the-victim-with-your-time-management-and-t-1685470414

Yong Zhao Creative, Entrepreneurial, and Global: 21st Century Education

 http://zhaolearning.com/speaks/ 

Building on experience & Developing as an Educator.

It's the end of 2014 and most are reflecting on the year that was. But I’ve been reflecting on my last four years in Australia. After spending ten years in the US, my family moved back to Oz and I have to say, it has been my hardest challenge to date.

• I said goodbye to some wonderful friends and colleagues.
• I said goodbye to a newly renovated house.
• I said goodbye to my community that consisted of a simple lifestyle.
• I said goodbye to a working at a wonderful school.
• I said goodbye to many available (& affordable) PD opportunities.
• I said goodbye to traveling at a moment's notice to explore new cities.

My husband and I have moved 26 times in 25 years of marriage, whether it was apartments, states or countries. When I returned to Australia I felt we were starting all over again. I usually thrive in new situations but this one was particularly challenging. All my family live in another state and I missed my community, my friends and the simple lifestyle we lived.

Four years on and I am feeling so at home in Sydney. My children are becoming more independent, which allows more ‘us’ time. While I may complain about the traffic and the cost of living in Sydney, I am in a really good place both personally and professionally.

• I said hello to new friends and colleagues.
• I said hello to a great rental house.
• I said hello to a new lifestyle that we’ve created.
• I said hello to an innovative school that provides new opportunities.
• I said hello to enthusiastic educators involved in Twitter & TeachMeets.
• I said hello to traveling back to the US as a visitor.

2015 is not a new beginning but more an opportunity to add new experiences to my very fortunate life. I've created a goal for 2015 after reading 'Better' by Atul Gawande.

My one word for 2015 is "DEVELOP" 

(grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate)

DEVELOP more trusting relationships with my team & colleagues.
DEVELOP new experiences, activities and learning for all students.
Collaboratively DEVELOP a learning space that engages the students and the teachers.
DEVELOP my knowledge of an uplifting leader & put in into practise.
DEVELOP my connections so I can learn from those more experienced.
DEVELOP more the 'out of comfort zone' experiences.

Always learning...

Andrea

#illridewithyou

Helen and I have been friends since we attended the University of New England (UNE) together. When I say together - I actually don’t mean we attended together pysically. We corresponded through the internet for five years…until 2006. We both completed our undergraduate teaching degree via correspondence. I was in Seattle and she was in Sydney. We did meet when we attended residential school in Armidale in 2006.

There, I finally met all the people who had supported me through five years of my undergraduate degree. At our table sat many friends, all with different religious beliefs. A born-again Christian, Jehovah's Witness, Muslim, and Catholic and yet we had never talked about our beliefs before. I did wonder why that was? But I realised our passion for 'Education' united us and had created this friendship.

When I returned to live in Australia, I called two of my uni friends. One, Helen from Sydney became one of my best friends. Every school holidays, Helen and I met for lunch. Sometimes she would bring her colleagues, sometimes it was just the two of us. At one point, Helen and I were speaking nearly everyday. She was my rock.

One day in the September holidays, we met at the Hilton for lunch, just the two of us. My husband called me and asked if we were still there. He was picking me up and told me it would be good if we finished up soon and he asked if Helen was ok. I didn’t quite understand what he was saying. When my family met us outside the hotel, they met Helen for the first time. Andrew went to shake her hand but she didn't respond. Andrew thought nothing of it since we’d lived and travelled throughout the world and understood that cultures vary. He asked if she was ok to get home and she said she was fine and set off toward the train station. When she left, I asked Andrew “What did you mean?” As we turned the corner I witnessed it for myself. The Muslim protests were happening in Sydney. 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-15/anti-us-protests-hit-sydney/4263372

I was worried…what if someone took his or her anger out on Helen. I shared my concern with Andrew. So we messaged Helen to learn if she was safe. She texted - please explain to Andrew that she was sorry… sorry she couldn’t shake his hand, the hand of a male. I was still worried about her on the train, especially after walking around the streets where people were loudly sharing their beliefs. The tension was evident and I was concerned. When I got home, I texted Helen to make sure she was home safe. She hadn’t realised what had happened until she arrived home and watched the news. 

Today, my husband was in lockdown in a building a block away from the Martin Street Siege. When he arrived home tonight, I mentioned what was happening on the news and on Twitter #illridewithyou. We talked about how scared I was for Helen over two years ago and how worried I was that people would take their anger out on anyone who resembled the religion of Islam.

Last year, Helen and her students helped my students learn about Islam as part of our unit on 'People and their beliefs'. The hijab was probably something that my students were most interested in. One of my goals as an educator is to help my students learn about various beliefs, religions and cultures. As global citizens, I hope they develop an understanding and empathy for all. I am proud that my children and students live in a generation where people have a better understanding of various beliefs and cultures. I respect Helen's beliefs and treasure her friendship. The people of Sydney and Australia showed their support and solidarity and #illridewithyou reflected this when it trended on Twitter.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-15/illridewithyou-hashtag-takes-off-following-siege/5969102

Our prayers, thoughts and hearts go out to the those and the families involved in the Sydney siege.