Inside the Trenches of the Principal: Week 29
At the conclusion of last week’s post I mentioned I was nervous for our first Educator Playground this past Wednesday. It was a new concept for us and the success of it was completely in the hands of my staff. They were tasked with offering 15-minute sessions on engaging topics of their choosing during our early release day. We had 11 different sessions offered, ranging from digital learning topics like Reading A-Z and Flipgrid to Get Your Neon Read On (led by my teachers who went to Get Your Teach On) to ideas for room transformations. I had a number of teachers come up to me after to say that it was the best early release day they’ve had! I’m so proud of the staff for embracing the great learning they can get from each other! It shows that there is so much talent in a school and teachers just need the platform and boost of confidence to show it off!
The other personal highlight from this past week was being able to deliver what I called the “State of the School Address.” This was obviously inspired by the annual Presidential delivery, and it gave me a chance to share my reflections on our year thus far and add thoughts on where we are headed. I also tried to share my gratitude towards those who have joined me on this journey, as I know that is a weakness of mine that I need to improve! I am going to paste the speech below. Warning: it’s lengthy. But it was a great reflective activity as a school leader, written from the heart, and one that I hope to be able to do annually.
On July 17th you all entered my life, and I
entered yours. Over the course of the past 204 days, we’ve started a revolution
of what school can look like. You as a staff have taken on things that were
often unknown, untested, or downright strange. As the weeks went on and you
continued to push yourself into new territory, we struggled, we problem-solved,
but ultimately we persevered.
entered yours. Over the course of the past 204 days, we’ve started a revolution
of what school can look like. You as a staff have taken on things that were
often unknown, untested, or downright strange. As the weeks went on and you
continued to push yourself into new territory, we struggled, we problem-solved,
but ultimately we persevered.
As I sat down with Ms. Fullerwinder, Ms. Hart, and Ms.
Timmons to reflect upon what has happened over these 204 days, I found myself
flabbergasted at what has truly occurred. It doesn’t always dawn on you what
you’re doing when you’re in the moment. And as the page of notes grew, one
event or initiative sparked another thing we did, and what resulted was an
inspiring and breathtaking list of what we have done for 204 days.
Timmons to reflect upon what has happened over these 204 days, I found myself
flabbergasted at what has truly occurred. It doesn’t always dawn on you what
you’re doing when you’re in the moment. And as the page of notes grew, one
event or initiative sparked another thing we did, and what resulted was an
inspiring and breathtaking list of what we have done for 204 days.
I started the year in our first meeting with the
proclamation of our three pillars: engagement, rigor, and culture. And those
three pillars would be tied together by three cohesive bands: collaboration,
celebration, and consistency. It’s no secret that school culture was my first
focus, as we introduced the Moore Four, SPECIAL, Morning Choice, Harmony, and
Morning Rally right off the bat, and started off the year with a fun Block
Party to welcome scholars back. This lent itself to consistent practices across
the school, and has been helpful as we’ve had many, many guests tour our
school. Whether I’m in Ms. Moyer’s kindergarten room or Ms. Ashton’s 5th
grade room, I know I will be greeted by a student, will see students standing
to respond, and will have students tracking the speaker and using manners.
proclamation of our three pillars: engagement, rigor, and culture. And those
three pillars would be tied together by three cohesive bands: collaboration,
celebration, and consistency. It’s no secret that school culture was my first
focus, as we introduced the Moore Four, SPECIAL, Morning Choice, Harmony, and
Morning Rally right off the bat, and started off the year with a fun Block
Party to welcome scholars back. This lent itself to consistent practices across
the school, and has been helpful as we’ve had many, many guests tour our
school. Whether I’m in Ms. Moyer’s kindergarten room or Ms. Ashton’s 5th
grade room, I know I will be greeted by a student, will see students standing
to respond, and will have students tracking the speaker and using manners.
I’m particularly proud of our 5th grade
scholars, who have been thrusted into many leadership roles and risen to each
occasion. They have proven that when given the training and opportunities,
anything is possible. From safety patrol to ambassadors to morning news crew
with Ms. Timmons to the Amazing Shake, I have seen so many of these students
begin to evolve into fine young men and women. One of the most touching moments
came from our Amazing Shake when Ms. Crouse stood there with tears in her eyes
as she watched her class have thoughtful, professional interactions with the
judges. Their leadership is now being paid forward as the ambassadors train our
K-4 greeters. If you haven’t seen them in action, I strongly suggest you watch
their leadership!
scholars, who have been thrusted into many leadership roles and risen to each
occasion. They have proven that when given the training and opportunities,
anything is possible. From safety patrol to ambassadors to morning news crew
with Ms. Timmons to the Amazing Shake, I have seen so many of these students
begin to evolve into fine young men and women. One of the most touching moments
came from our Amazing Shake when Ms. Crouse stood there with tears in her eyes
as she watched her class have thoughtful, professional interactions with the
judges. Their leadership is now being paid forward as the ambassadors train our
K-4 greeters. If you haven’t seen them in action, I strongly suggest you watch
their leadership!
One of my biggest focuses going into this year was
ensuring that I was providing opportunities for your growth as well. We have
had a wide range of professional development offerings this year, including two
trips to the Ron Clark Academy, two groups who have attended Get Your Teach On
(with a memorable extended stay for the New Orleans group), Dr. Cunningham
bringing in a whole new way to look at spelling, and teachers who have attended
Orton-Gillingham training, Academically Gifted PD, music and digital leadership
conferences, Really Great Reading, and more. You have also shown excitement
about sharing your learning, and I am ecstatic about our Educator Playground
this afternoon. I also thank you for opening your doors to each other during
our Pineapple Chart peer-to-peer observations. My goal is to continue to
provide opportunities for you to grow as a professional and bring in innovative
ideas to Moore.
ensuring that I was providing opportunities for your growth as well. We have
had a wide range of professional development offerings this year, including two
trips to the Ron Clark Academy, two groups who have attended Get Your Teach On
(with a memorable extended stay for the New Orleans group), Dr. Cunningham
bringing in a whole new way to look at spelling, and teachers who have attended
Orton-Gillingham training, Academically Gifted PD, music and digital leadership
conferences, Really Great Reading, and more. You have also shown excitement
about sharing your learning, and I am ecstatic about our Educator Playground
this afternoon. I also thank you for opening your doors to each other during
our Pineapple Chart peer-to-peer observations. My goal is to continue to
provide opportunities for you to grow as a professional and bring in innovative
ideas to Moore.
Ms. Fullerwinder, Ms. Hart, and I have worked hard to
provide coaching and feedback for growth through our new walk through form,
which gives you immediate feedback. Lesson plans have also been revolutionized,
as creative lessons, engaging ideas, and most importantly, the elimination of
worksheets have become the new norm. I was so inspired just this past week as I
read through Ms. Ashton’s lesson plan and saw that she is having her students
create their own Multiple Intelligences choice board to demonstrate their
learning. This is student-centered learning at its finest!
provide coaching and feedback for growth through our new walk through form,
which gives you immediate feedback. Lesson plans have also been revolutionized,
as creative lessons, engaging ideas, and most importantly, the elimination of
worksheets have become the new norm. I was so inspired just this past week as I
read through Ms. Ashton’s lesson plan and saw that she is having her students
create their own Multiple Intelligences choice board to demonstrate their
learning. This is student-centered learning at its finest!
We have also shared our ideas with those from the
outside, as evidenced by the dozens upon dozens of tours we have given. From
potential families to Community Day and business partners to other schools and
educators, you have graciously opened your doors to those who want to see what
is happening at our school. I thank you for that and I hope you know that you
are making an impact on those who step into your room. Continue to be proud of
what you are doing and showcase our scholars and their abilities!
outside, as evidenced by the dozens upon dozens of tours we have given. From
potential families to Community Day and business partners to other schools and
educators, you have graciously opened your doors to those who want to see what
is happening at our school. I thank you for that and I hope you know that you
are making an impact on those who step into your room. Continue to be proud of
what you are doing and showcase our scholars and their abilities!
Our stakeholder excitement has grown tremendously as
well, as evidenced in our growing Watch DOG program, partnerships with Wake
Forest, Salem, WSSU, and business partners. Our PTA attendance and curriculum
nights is at a high, and parent surveys show that they are pleased with the
changes we have made. I also greatly appreciate you all for your growing
communications with parents, including the use of Dojo, our presence on social
media, weekly newsletters, and willingness to travel to our students’
neighborhoods to meet with families. Celebrations have also brought our
families closer with the presence of Awesome Office Visits, which have shown
that a trip to the principal’s office can be a celebratory experience.
well, as evidenced in our growing Watch DOG program, partnerships with Wake
Forest, Salem, WSSU, and business partners. Our PTA attendance and curriculum
nights is at a high, and parent surveys show that they are pleased with the
changes we have made. I also greatly appreciate you all for your growing
communications with parents, including the use of Dojo, our presence on social
media, weekly newsletters, and willingness to travel to our students’
neighborhoods to meet with families. Celebrations have also brought our
families closer with the presence of Awesome Office Visits, which have shown
that a trip to the principal’s office can be a celebratory experience.
You have shown bravery this year in taking risks and
“rethinking” so many aspects of your day. For some of you, I know this was
challenging. For others, this was a welcomed opportunity to dream big and try
something you’ve always wanted to try. I was encouraged to see how many of you
ditched your teacher desks at the start of the year. Grade levels have also
worked together to rethink and challenge the status quo: 2nd grade
has team taught math, 3rd grade is rethinking their reading
instruction, there have been room transformations, vertical alignment meetings
between grade levels, and several of you have had Donors Choose projects
funded. I’ve appreciated you being willing to be experimental as well,
especially as we’ve looked at alternative ways to help our at-risk students,
including push-in tutoring and small groups for our frequent behavior
challenges. As a result, our referrals are down and we are finding ways for
students to continue their learning in the school.
“rethinking” so many aspects of your day. For some of you, I know this was
challenging. For others, this was a welcomed opportunity to dream big and try
something you’ve always wanted to try. I was encouraged to see how many of you
ditched your teacher desks at the start of the year. Grade levels have also
worked together to rethink and challenge the status quo: 2nd grade
has team taught math, 3rd grade is rethinking their reading
instruction, there have been room transformations, vertical alignment meetings
between grade levels, and several of you have had Donors Choose projects
funded. I’ve appreciated you being willing to be experimental as well,
especially as we’ve looked at alternative ways to help our at-risk students,
including push-in tutoring and small groups for our frequent behavior
challenges. As a result, our referrals are down and we are finding ways for
students to continue their learning in the school.
Your leadership and dedication beyond the call of duty
has shown brightly on many occasions. The many teachers who have made Girls on
the Run a great program, our new cheerleading squad, the ballgames and concerts
you attended, Ms. Vogel, Ms. Hayes, and Ms. Stauffer making our new students
from Africa feel so welcome are just a few examples of how you all are going
above and beyond to make our school “limitless” (shameless plug for new book).
has shown brightly on many occasions. The many teachers who have made Girls on
the Run a great program, our new cheerleading squad, the ballgames and concerts
you attended, Ms. Vogel, Ms. Hayes, and Ms. Stauffer making our new students
from Africa feel so welcome are just a few examples of how you all are going
above and beyond to make our school “limitless” (shameless plug for new book).
Personally, celebration has been one of the most
enjoyable pieces of the past 204 days. The admin team has loved doing the Room
Service Cart and Admin Days of Joy during the holiday season. Our Houses have
given opportunities to recognize students on a consistent basis, and I would
personally like to celebrate the fact that we have a mascot now. We also have
five amazing crests and many beautiful additions to the walls of our school
thanks to Ms. Wiles, Ms. Parker, and many others who have assisted. We have a
House Wheel now and we’ve had a blast with Minute to Win It challenges. We’ve
also given away bikes thanks to Mr. Bowers and we will have a chance to give
away more bikes moving forward thanks to community partners. It’s no secret
that my personal joy this year has been celebrating our hearing-impaired
program and having sign language taught across the school.
enjoyable pieces of the past 204 days. The admin team has loved doing the Room
Service Cart and Admin Days of Joy during the holiday season. Our Houses have
given opportunities to recognize students on a consistent basis, and I would
personally like to celebrate the fact that we have a mascot now. We also have
five amazing crests and many beautiful additions to the walls of our school
thanks to Ms. Wiles, Ms. Parker, and many others who have assisted. We have a
House Wheel now and we’ve had a blast with Minute to Win It challenges. We’ve
also given away bikes thanks to Mr. Bowers and we will have a chance to give
away more bikes moving forward thanks to community partners. It’s no secret
that my personal joy this year has been celebrating our hearing-impaired
program and having sign language taught across the school.
Hindsight is, of course, 20/20, and I would be remiss
to think or say that every decision was good or every initiative has been
successful. I have aimed to be open to your feedback and reflective with your
suggestions. At the end of the day, I am absolutely proud of the steps we’ve
taken and the progress we’ve made in just this short time.
to think or say that every decision was good or every initiative has been
successful. I have aimed to be open to your feedback and reflective with your
suggestions. At the end of the day, I am absolutely proud of the steps we’ve
taken and the progress we’ve made in just this short time.
Finally, it is time to look forward. As we continue to
evolve as the Magic, we will maintain our focus on our three pillars, but look
for new ways to demonstrate our goals. Examining our school uniform policy,
rethinking homework and instruction, upping rigor and engagement, eliminating
unnecessary worksheets, transitioning teacher assistants to instructional
assistants, increasing collaboration vertically and horizontally, digging deep
into our data and interventions, and finding innovative ways to integrate our
magnet are just a few examples of where we are heading.
evolve as the Magic, we will maintain our focus on our three pillars, but look
for new ways to demonstrate our goals. Examining our school uniform policy,
rethinking homework and instruction, upping rigor and engagement, eliminating
unnecessary worksheets, transitioning teacher assistants to instructional
assistants, increasing collaboration vertically and horizontally, digging deep
into our data and interventions, and finding innovative ways to integrate our
magnet are just a few examples of where we are heading.
As I mentioned last month, I am truly thankful to all
of you who have joined this venture. And I am even more grateful to those who
haven’t felt that this has been the change for them, yet have been selfless
team players throughout the transition. I continue my promise to help each and
every one of you get to a place that you want to be, because you truly deserve
to be excited about going to work each day.
of you who have joined this venture. And I am even more grateful to those who
haven’t felt that this has been the change for them, yet have been selfless
team players throughout the transition. I continue my promise to help each and
every one of you get to a place that you want to be, because you truly deserve
to be excited about going to work each day.
To close, I want to share a story about a conversation
I had with one of you a couple weeks ago. I was in a meeting with this person
and after it was done she asked me “So how are you doing?” I replied with a
generic “good,” but inside I wasn’t good. I had had several tough things pop up
earlier that day and I was honestly beaten down. I’m not sure whether she could
sense that on my face or not, but this person said to me afterwards “I just
want you to know that I’m really enjoying this year.”
I had with one of you a couple weeks ago. I was in a meeting with this person
and after it was done she asked me “So how are you doing?” I replied with a
generic “good,” but inside I wasn’t good. I had had several tough things pop up
earlier that day and I was honestly beaten down. I’m not sure whether she could
sense that on my face or not, but this person said to me afterwards “I just
want you to know that I’m really enjoying this year.”
I know it seems small, but that simple sentence meant
the world to me. I want nothing more than for you to enjoy being here. When I
do speeches, one of my favorite phrases is “There is nothing more important
inside my building than the adults.” I mean that. The children will change each
year, the policies may shift, but there is nothing that can replace a great
adult. You make Moore successful. You make Moore great. You are magic makers.
And you are AWESOME. Thank you.
the world to me. I want nothing more than for you to enjoy being here. When I
do speeches, one of my favorite phrases is “There is nothing more important
inside my building than the adults.” I mean that. The children will change each
year, the policies may shift, but there is nothing that can replace a great
adult. You make Moore successful. You make Moore great. You are magic makers.
And you are AWESOME. Thank you.
