If Walls Could Talk

Don’t become too overly excited by this alluring title. I haven’t hung up my Mustang spirit wear for a Nikon D or Canon ESO. I am not a newly branded paparazzo, although, I am in pursuit of my crown as “Twitter Queen.” I am still a principal of an amazing elementary school filled with young Masterpieces and crafty Artists.

About a month ago, the annual safety inspection was completed in our district. Our school is well maintained and very pristine. Our overly zealous custodial team ensured that our school would past the inspection with top ratings. Stress levels rise when the state authorities enter your building wearing white gloves and carrying clipboards! District administrators, our custodian, and I escorted the inspectors as they toured. While walking, an inspector shared, ” I’ve never seen a gymnasium with so much stuff on the walls.” I paused, without commenting. He continued, ” You’re okay, you pass code, but it’s just so much stuff. I’ve never seen that in a gymnasium.” As the person reading, you are probably imagining banners of league teams hanging from the rafters, maybe some pictures of notable athletes on the accent walls, and a few posters emphasizing sportsmanship. By deductive reasoning, you’ve probably concluded, that isn’t the case in our school! I will admit, our gymnasium, may be overwhelming at first glance but if you take a moment to explore, you will find that it is a cavern of motivation.

On a wall, in large letters are the words: RESPECT, RESPONSIBLE, and SAFE; key terms which accentuate the expectations that we have established with our kids. Additionally, there are numerous quotes prompting positive mindset, determination, and teamwork. There are silhouettes of children playing sports, game rules, and stations where kids can assess their skillsets.  There is even a display that connects to our brand, “Discovering Our Masterpieces!” By each door, images are posted; each kid hits a mark before exiting to assess his or her behavior while in the gymnasium.  A space that is typically viewed as a place to demonstrate physical agility is an environment that transforms the mental and emotional state of our kids.

As I walk the corridors and visit classrooms, I see many visuals that remind our kids that they are special and limitless.  There is a quote which reminds kids to be the “cool kid” that gets along with others.  Several quotes that are displayed on the monitor remind our kids that they are Masterpieces.  Throughout our school, you will also find posters emphasizing positive mindset, determination, and respect. In classrooms and the office, we proudly display our blue ribbons because we are a “Blue-Ribbon” school under construction.    

Our walls speak loudly!

What’s on YOUR walls?

Hooves Up Cheerleaders!

I think we are amid basketball season and I am almost certain that there’s a big game on the flat screen today.  While I know cheerleading takes much agility, strength, and a great set of lungs, I am not referring to the “rah-rah” squad standing on the sideline intensely watching the big game.  Nor, am I referring to the forever proud parents who traveled 600 miles to see their offspring play 5 minutes in the big game! I am referring to the special people in our lives that cheer us along the way.  They pick us up, make us laugh, lend a hand, and say the exact phrase we need to hear, when we need it most.  Some are note writers, some send text messages, and some appear in our doorways when we least expect them!  Now mind you, they may not have the agility to do backward flips, but they WILL BEND OVER BACKWARDS FOR US!

We are fortunate to have a squad of AA Cheerleaders in our school! I see and hear them every day! They motivate, encourage, and cheer us to VICTORY! Some cheerleaders are very vocal, the words of praise echoes in their classrooms: “Awesome!”, “Great Job!”, “You Rock!”, “You Are So Brave!”, and “High Five!” While these motivational mantras are somewhat common, sometimes you hear a statement that resonates like, “Tell that old mean word problem, I’m not afraid of You!” Whatever it takes to make AWESOME happen, occurs in our school! I’ve seen crazy dances, fists bumps, and I hear that there’s this wacky principal that Daps and says, “Hooves Up!” We focus a boat load of energy on letting kids know, they can SUCCEED! We also uplift and cheer each other to VICTORY! While the adult motivational mantras don’t have quite the same flare: “Don’t Ignore Me! “Hit your Turbo Button!”, “You’re not that Person!”, and “Find Your Sunshine!“; they move us to the next bend in our journey to SUCCESS. We know that setbacks happen, but we don’t live on “Can’t Do Avenue.” We visit but we go home.

Some cheerleaders are “Doers.” They stand on ladders to hold bulletin board paper, hang quotes on walls that encourage kids, meet during lunchtime to plan school events, sponsor fundraising endeavors, and stay after school to set-up for the next day’s event. Some cheerleaders are “Extenders.” They bring their families to school activities, attend district events on Saturdays, and tailgate when colleagues are too sick to drive home. Some cheerleaders just share laughter and make OUR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE DREAMS, HAPPEN!

Here’s to the AA Cheerleaders in our school, “HOOVES UP!” They make AWESOME HAPPEN!

S is for Supportive

While most teachers would proudly wear a badge that says, “I’m a Team Player”, “I Support Kids”, or “Giving Support is My Superpower”; it takes special qualities to truly earn the distinction. Besides being a stellar instructional leader, an exemplary role model, a comforter of tears and fears, and a stylish fashionista, a teacher must be supportive of their students, colleagues, and administrators. Yes, I have included administrators; administrators need love too! Although, I don’t like to brag, I must admit, my team has earned a Blue Ribbon for being supportive. Today’s blog highlights how we work together to make “Awesome” happen in our school!

We started the school year laden with the usual organizational tasks: establishing school and classroom expectations, ensuring that breakfast and lunch were served in ample time, and practicing safety drills. Added to the list, was an arduous task; one that required collaboration and support from several team members. To briefly summarize the predicament, there was a grade where it was challenging to provide ample support during math instruction due to enrollment size. While I pondered how to alleviate the problem, a teacher volunteered to accept additional students into her math class. I was truly taken back by this demonstration of support shown by the teacher. As we discussed the needs of the students, she simply said,” I just want to help.” Although we continued to modify our plans during the weeks that followed, the teacher had voluntarily accepted responsibility for fifteen additional students. In my book, she deserves a badge that says, “Giving Support is My Superpower!”

My teachers demonstrate their support of our kids in many ways. They seek to build professional relationships that encompasses students’ interests within and outside of the classroom environment. While leaving the building about 5:30 p.m. one evening, a teacher mentioned that she was going to watch her student play softball. In a tweeted post, another teacher shared, “At my student’s soccer game; he supported me, so I can support him.” A very spirited teacher has crowned a stuffed animal which she adored as a child as the designated classroom mascot. Without hesitation, she has shared animated stories about her childhood. It doesn’t stop there, there have been numerous conversations focusing on how to meet the instructional needs of children, how to support children who are being raised by grandparents and other relatives, and how to simply make children understand that our school is a haven. My teachers never give up! They come to school with a SMILE, and they make AWESOME happen!

I am often at school late, typical for a school administrator. Occasionally, I am completing a task that couldn’t be started or finished during the day. Sometimes, I am planning for a special event that will be hosted the following day. Before leaving for the day, I guarantee, that five to six teachers will ask, “Can I Help?” Sometimes, they laugh and say, “You are doing too much”, and just pitch in. Their presence makes any task easier and promotes much laughter among the group. Their SUPPORT is priceless!

So you see, our success as AWESOME educators relies greatly on our ability to build relationships and to support each other! I appreciate my team because we CARE about KIDS! We don’t do average, WE DO AWESOME!!

Morning Mojo

So, most of us have heard that we should start the day with a healthy breakfast. Some of us have changed that phrase to simply “breakfast.” The shortened version allows us to indulge in the sugary specialties and caffeine boosters that we so love. Well, this post isn’t about encouraging kids to eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school or to reiterate any of the specific mantras that we educators have pocketed in our royal blue bags of motivational dust. Note, my bag is royal blue because that’s my school color; yours may be red, purple, or green. You get it, your bag represents your school color. Anyway, this post is about school climate and how it impacts the children and adults who learn, work, and succeed in our school.

I have numerous years of experience as a school administrator; the years keep flying by. I’ve been in several districts and have overseen many schools, but I must admit that my current school has the Blue Ribbon on school climate. After a few short weeks, I noticed something that wasn’t so typical…. EVERYONE COMES TO SCHOOL HAPPY! One morning, I mentioned to my amazingly awesome secretary, “Everyone here is so happy in the morning.” In the background, I heard laughter, people saying “good morning”, and the sharing of tidbits from the previous night’s attempt to unwind. Their conversations were genuine, thoughtful comments were shared, and in some instances, a new voice would join a conversation. While this is what happens inside the building, what happens before my team enters the building is equally as impressive.

Outside, before entering the building, one sees individuals walking in clusters, anxious to start the day. They are talking and smiling. Helping hands are extended to those of us who have more bags than hands. Door holding is a common courtesy. Rest assured, if you are out of your car, someone is holding the door for you! I too, reciprocate the courtesy. One morning, I was ahead of a group of 3; I held the door while saying “Git-it Up Mustangs!” They all laughed and said “Comin’ Boss.” Hence the beginning of a great day!

I add my 2 scoops to the cup of morning happiness by saying “good morning, how’s it going, cute dress, nice haircut, etc.”, each a genuine comment to a specific person. Before the instructional day starts, I visit each classroom to tell my kids “good morning.” Sometimes a “good morning” leads to a quick review of the days of the week, a short paragraph read to me, a lesson in shoe tying, and sometimes a simple nod to let me know that yesterday’s problem was solved. I know that my kids love for me to visit their classrooms each morning. If something happens and I miss a classroom, a student or teacher will let me know that I was missed. My “good mornings” are second nature and they have a great impact! My kids say “good morning” when passing in the hallways; I compliment the kids and make them laugh! I also see the amazing things my teachers are doing to help Our kids move forward. I see small group instruction. I hear compliments about new gym shoes, coats, haircuts, hair styles, anything that will make a kid smile. I hear teachers saying, “I am so glad you came to school!” I see HOW MUCH my AMAZINGLY AWESOME TEAM CARES!

So, that’s how WE start OUR day.  We make it happen, all Hooves UP!

P.S. Our mascot is a Mustang.

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