Category: Motivational

Follow the Orange Sprinkled Road…

A few days ago, after what can be described as a “not so typical day at school,” I was in my office laughing and talking with a few team members. We were digesting the day, not dwelling on the events that had happened, and certainly not complaining. We were rebooting and preparing ourselves for tomorrow, the day that followed the “not so typical day.” After a few laughs, we realized that the “woes of the day” were a fleeting memory in our past. When you are committed to following the Orange Sprinkled Road, you know how to skip!

As a school family, we have recently completed a 21-Day Orange Challenge. The students, teachers, staff, and I have collected every orange sprinkle that came our way! As a school family, we collected 2, 910 orange sprinkles! I am certain that there are some sprinkles that lingered in the air, but 2,910 orange sprinkles represent a lot of HAPPINESS! The written messages are so heartwarming that I read them for pure pleasure. The kids wrote about their peers helping them understand difficult assignments, their teachers noticing new gym shoes, peers lending school supplies, and my morning visits to their classrooms. The younger kids drew pictures of their sprinkles of happiness. There are drawings of kids sharing toys with peers, dreaming of superheroes, reading books, and spending time with their families! Each time I read a happy note, I received an “awe” feeling. It was truly rejuvenating! Throughout the day, I continued to share what the kids had written or drawn.

We know the story of Dorothy and the yellow bricked road; now take a journey on the Orange Sprinkled Road! Look for sprinkles of happiness each day! Savor moments that make you smile and laugh! Enjoy times with family and friends.  DO something that makes you happy because YOU deserve to be HAPPY! Research indicates that happy people have less stress than people who live on Negative Boulevard.  Research further indicates that happy people are more determined, creative, and goal-oriented than those who reside on Negative Boulevard. I am following the Orange Sprinkled Road to Positive Drive. I hope you are my neighbor.

Sprinkles!!!

The Orange Challenge

Most likely, you’ve heard the saying, “Happiness is an inside job!” Well now, I truly understand that HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB! That as living beings, we can funnel our “happy thoughts.” I am sure that you know someone who is ALWAYS happy, no matter what is happening in the world around THAT person, he or she is always HAPPY! Your special person may be a spouse, close friend, sibling, or child. My happy person gets up every morning singing and constantly reminds me that my cup is half-filled as opposed to half-empty. He reminds me that something is always “happening” and will continue to happen; just keep moving! Count your blessings! I once asked him, “Why are you always so happy?” His responses, “I think about things that make me happy. I choose to be around people that are positive. I do things that make me happy. I avoid negativity because it brings me down. I stay humble.” At that time, I had no idea that I was living with a walking, breathing scientific specimen! That his remedies for being happy were grounded in research on positive psychology.

A few years back, I had the opportunity to attend the Happiness Advantage workshop. Before attending, I was required to read a parable about a community of frogs. The frogs, like people, possessed varying skillsets and personalities. The main character, Spark, was not a typical frog; he was orange, humble, and kind. Throughout the parable, he utilized his skills to motivate and to help others. He never questioned why he was orange and once he befriended someone, his new friend would also become orange. Before the parable ends, there’s lots of orange frogs living blissfully in Utopia! Needless the say, I enjoyed the workshop and have been sprinkling orange daily! If you ever can attend the workshop, I recommend it 100%! I must be honest, while I loved the message received during the workshop, I really didn’t understand the power of positive psychology until reading The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. I’ve purchased the book for my leadership team with the hope that they too, will become accustomed to looking for sprinkles of orange. In a quick, easy read, the author reveals the 7 principles of happiness and the numerous benefits of being HAPPY! The simplest principle is merely to look for opportunities of happiness. In short, if you want to be happy, you must train your brain to focus on positive things! So, my school family and I are currently on a safari to find sprinkles of orange! We are amid a 21-Day Happiness Challenge!

Before embarking on the citrus safari, each class was given an orange bin in which to collect their sprinkles of orange. To commend their efforts, I’ve purchased a slew of orange prizes that I am sure the kids will love. In just a few weeks, several classrooms will have orange accents to brighten their homes away from home. In the classrooms where the challenge has been embraced as a motivator of success, creativity, and positive mindset, an educator’s dream team, the kids are overjoyed to share their happy thoughts. Each morning, when I visit classrooms, the kids are saying, ” Look, we got more!” Many of the classes have collected more than 200 sprinkles. I am happy to see the kids excited and thrilled that many teachers have embraced the 21-Day Happiness Challenge! More importantly, I am confident that those who have learned to funnel happiness are on the road to success! With each sprinkle of orange, we are closer to a blue ribbon! While orange may not be your favorite color, I am sure that being happy will brighten your day and lessen your load.  In a world where you can be anything, BE HAPPY! Orange sprinkles to you and yours!

Where’s the Net?

Ed and I recently returned from his family reunion, an event that was on the brinks of being cancelled. Our 4-day getaway to the Gulf was shorten to 3 days and a portion of our family mingling-time was spent monitoring the unpredictable path of Hurricane Barry. Our plane had safely landed in New Orleans on Thursday but our return flight on Monday was skeptical. Weather forecasts portrayed Barry as being horrific; his massive force likened to Hurricane Katrina! On every weather channel, viewers saw a weather reporter either pointing to a colorful map or standing in boot high water battling with the wind. After a day of experiencing Mother Nature’s rage, we opted to leave the Gulf a day earlier than originally planned.

Confident that our path home had been secured, we hopped in a rental car and headed to Kessler Air Force base in Biloxi, Mississippi for the family reunion festivities! We spent several hours laughing with relatives we hadn’t seen in years, partaking of scrumptious meals, listening to music, and playing games. On the last day of the festivities, Tony, President of the Wash/Jones Family Reunion Committee, called for a family meeting. The objective was to select a host and a hosting city for the next family reunion. As one might expect, securing a volunteer for the monumental task required some persuading. Generally, people are hesitant to journey into the dark unknown.

While enticing someone to grasp the family reunion torch, Tony spoke of family traditions and the importance of being connected to family and friends. He simplified the process of hosting a family reunion by detailing his organizational skills and giving accolades to those who had helped to plan this year’s celebration. As he continued to lure a future host, he spoke of psychological security. He mentioned that he ensures psychological security at work when collaborating with his leadership team. He emphasized that there is no right or wrong way to plan a family reunion. He stated that the greatest task would be getting started and added, “once you get started, others will pitch in.” He mentioned that several family members had hidden talents and those skills would be an asset to the future host. As he continued to talk, a brave soul assumed the torch for the 2020-21 Wash/Jones Family Reunion. While listening, I reflected on the impact of psychological security in the school environment. I wondered if some teachers were resistant to implementing new strategies and thinking outside of the box because psychological security had not been established. My second thought… How could I advance psychological security in my school?

Psychological security ensures that individuals feel emotionally safe when venturing into the unknown. Psychological security in the workplace is like a safety net to a trapeze artist. The net assures that if the acrobat falls, he or she will recover, grip the horizontal bar, and swing again! It is a welcomed layer of protection! With his mere words, Tony had ensured psychological security.  A brave soul had seized the family reunion torch. As a school leader, I must inspire confidence in my teachers. I want them to be innovative and passionate about teaching. I want them to venture into the dark unknown!

Kids Are the REASON!

During the previous school year, our district introduced a web-based professional development program whose underlining objective was to encourage us, the educators and leaders of the district, to better understand our students by better understanding ourselves. The PD refreshed many ideas that seasoned educators knew and had possibly placed on a back burner. Numerous lessons focused on building relationships with kids and finding balance in our lives. Through interactive lessons, we were reminded to refresh our personal batteries in order to bring our “best selves” to school. The PD referred to this refreshing process as “finding your sunshine.” As the school year progressed, “I’m going to find my sunshine!” became the spoken mantra among my teachers. While I was not actively seeking my sunshine during the school year, I am certainly an explorer now! As part of my exploration, I have committed myself to a daily fast-paced walk through my subdivision. My route encompasses 4 miles and allows me to do some detective work. I find detective work to be an accurate description of my keen observation of details. I am not a snooper; everything is in clear view! One might refer to me as “Sharon Sherlock.”

On this morning, my eyes focused on our community park. The park is well maintained and provides an engaging play area for children. The activity center features swings, covered sliding boards, and a climbing wall. The manicured grass and an assortment of bountiful flowers accentuate the area. There’s even a newly installed picnic table. As my roaming eyes continued to scan the area, I realized what was missing! The bench that had provided a beeline view of the activity center was gone! I stood there a little puzzled, wondering why the bench had been removed. I knew that I hadn’t visited the park in maybe 3 years, but I loved that bench! I had sat on the bench while my son, nieces, and nephews had swung, climbed, and taunted each other! From my family alone, there were 2 generations of little ones who had enjoyed our community park. Now the park had changed, the bench was gone! I wondered if I had missed an important Association Meeting to discuss removal of the park bench! After all, I have a voice and the residents of my subdivision have spent numerous hours discussing seasonal decorations! At that moment, I couldn’t comprehend why anyone would remove the park bench and replaced it with a cold steel picnic table!

While walking, I continued to think about the removal of the park bench. When I passed the park on the return route, I stopped and paused. With a clearer mind I considered some possible reasons for removing the park bench. Had the park bench served its time and simply needed replacing? Was purchasing a steel picnic table more feasible than purchasing a park bench? The population of my subdivision had substantially grown, with the population increase, were there more preteens and teens who visited the park? Had the park bench become a gathering place? Were the surrounding residents being disturbed? Lastly, did I even have a voice regarding the removal of the park bench? The park is maintained by our local park district. As I looked at the new steel picnic table, I realized that it provided a beeline view of the activity center. I saw that the picnic table was sturdy and securely installed. I also noticed that it had been installed in area that was very visible to the public. In summary, replacing the park bench with a picnic table may be the better alternative!

In the field of education, mandates, policies, curriculum, and instructional practices are always changing. Some changes are initiated at the state level, some at the district level, and some at the building level. In some cases, we have a voice and a choice; in others we have neither. We are faced with directives and requests that cause us to pause, regroup, and move forward. As educators, we must adapt to meet the needs of the children we have been entrusted to educate. The expectations are great, but we are Winners because we are Educators!

Oh No…Not My 10Se!

Here’s the disclaimer: ” I am not a loon, but I do find teachable moments in the oddest of circumstances!” Today’s blog is inspired by a personal mishap that could have turned into a major pitfall if I hadn’t weighted my options before reacting. The incident isn’t fatal.  As is with most unplanned occurrences, first impacts may appear devastating.

As the title indicates, I have a new cellphone. Mind you, I am not a cellphone stalker waiting for the latest trending cellphone to hit the market. In fact, this is the first time that I have purchased a cellphone that is currently featured in a major marketing campaign. I typically keep my cellphones until they retire themselves! Such is the case that caused my recent purchase. While visiting the store of my cellphone service provider, I was amazed with the upgrades to these handheld minicomputers. I was equally flabbergasted by their prices! As timing would have it, my provider was marketing a BOGO deal. I left with 2 cellphones, 1 wireless charging dock, 1 black phone case, 1 glittery phone case, and 2 screen protectors. I was pleased with my purchase and received several compliments stemming from the upgrade.

Now, let’s fast forward, 3 weeks after the purchase. I was driving with my cellphone lying in my lap. Unexpectedly, my S10e, in its glittery case, slid off my lap and landed between the driver’s seat and console. The minicomputer was retrieved; all functions worked as expected. My rapid heart palpitations started the next evening at exactly 5:50 p.m.  I noticed 2 major fault lines on the screen of my prized acquisition! Of course, I did the usual. I held the phone to the light and imagined that I was seeing a glare. Next, I wiped the screen with the softest cloth and slowly ran my finger over the fault lines. Reality quickly settled, the unmentionable had happened, my S10e had suffered a severe injury! My reaction was to quickly solve the problem. I searched the internet to find someone qualified to perform surgery on my S10e! I was dismayed when my first called ended with, “Sorry, we are not fixing that phone yet!”  I continued to hound the internet until I found a cellphone repair guru who promised to replace the screen for $199.00.  At 10:00 a.m. the following morning, I was at the guru’s shop. I had digested that I would have to forgo a couple pairs of new sandals in lieu of repairing my cellphone. I was so thrilled to find someone who could repair my S10e that seeing a sign that read, ” Cash Only! Sorry, our internet is down.”, didn’t faze me. I handed my cellphone over to the only person who could perform the delicate surgery. I quickly described the incident that caused the fatal injury and asked if the screen could be replaced. After a few sighs and grunts, the cellphone surgeon said, “You don’t need a screen. You need a new screen protector.” I asked him to remove the screen protector. He was correct! My cellphone screen was in perfect condition! I was thrilled! My first response was, “Thank you!” My second response was, “This is a good day!” He smiled and recommended that I purchase a new screen protector.

So, here’s the epiphany! Sometimes as educators, we think and feel that things are downhill. We lean more towards the negative than the positive, and we spend too much time contemplating things beyond our control. Then suddenly a strong gust of wind propels us to the top of the mountain. While standing on the mountain’s peak, we proclaim, “Today is a Great Day!” As educators, we must build relationships with our kids, celebrate our successes, and always give 100 % of ourselves.

With the opportunity to impact the lives of children; Every Day is a Great Day!

Run Your Own Race

Have you ever felt that you are running at top speed, but you are still at the starting gate? You’ve prepared for the race, but the finish line is nowhere in sight! You’ve trained countless hours, you’ve eaten the balanced meals, you’ve purchased the perfect running shoes, and of course, the “all eyes on me” outfit but you are still at the starting gate. It seems like giving up deep dish pizza for a beautiful bed of dark green spinach was a waste of time. Your commitment to the gym could have easily been replaced by a commitment to shopping at the local mall. Fret no more, I know the source of your dismay! You are running someone else’s race. While you might not like this imagery, you must imagine yourself as a grand stallion running in the Kentucky Derby. You are lean, sleek, and super-fast! You are also wearing blinders, so you can’t see the horses who are in the neighboring corrals. Sink or swim, your focus is straight ahead!

I’ve shared this analogy while talking with teachers who meander into my office when the only people left in the building are us and the evening custodian. I’ve also used it, when I’ve needed a big gulp of “I CAN, and I WILL” diet soda. My team is comprised of skilled people who care about kids. Each person has a special talent that makes our team successful. There are no races to the finish line.  The only race scheduled in our school, is the race to improve yourself! A previous teacher, whom I so admire, once told me, ” Oh my gosh, you are in a race with yourself!” I just smiled!

The mindset of “running your own race” embraces the ideas of others and seeks the support of others but eliminates unhealthy competition. The competition exists but it is between you and yourself. Running your own race requires self-reflection and self-motivation! It requires stamina and a willingness to explore. It allows you to fly freely. Exploration encompasses collaborating with colleagues, attending professional workshops, reading professional journals, or simply regrouping and refocusing. It removes stress, allows laughter, and promotes success.

Each day, there are more than three hundred races scheduled in our school. Each race will have a winner. Each student, teacher, and member of our team will fly freely!

Spread your Wings! Learn how to FLY!

Do YOU

If your goal is to have a school where kids are maximizing their potential, sharing ideas, expanding their thinking, and doing really amazing things, you have to embrace the power of “Do You.” If you want to have a school where everyone comes to work happy, energetic, and are willing to show their one two punch, you have to embrace the power of “Do You.” Don’t underestimate the power of “Do You!” It is an amazing power! If I were truly a super hero; “Do You” would be my superpower. While “Do You” opens the door for awesome things to happen, it closes the door on mediocrity. It encourages everyone to put their best foot forward while embracing their special talents and skills. When that happens, expect a masterpiece!

Before continuing, I have a disclaimer. I am a ruler follower. I set expectations. I am a thinker. I believe that a strategic plan that has been masterfully crafted, shared, dissected, and tweaked, will lead to success. I’m sharing the disclaimer because “Do You” doesn’t mean “Do What YOU Want to Do”; it has parameters. If it didn’t, some of us might be zooming down the expressway in a Lamborghini going 220 miles an hour! I know that’s not happening in my world!

“Do You” allows us to expand ourselves by embracing our short comings and mistakes as avenues to New Successes! At a staff meeting after sharing some news that kindled a few undertones, I told my team, find your special person, share your frustrations but move on. We don’t live on “Can’t Do Avenue“; visit but come home. After a hearty laugh, a sense of calmness filled the room. I have come to realize that we all need the opportunity to express our frustrations in a non-threatening atmosphere but the key is not to allow frustrations to halter progress. I advocate private deliberations of uncertainty because too much “venting” can become the catalysis to a negative environment. Once that happens, progress becomes an uphill climb.

Embracing “Do You” allows members of my team to share their unique talents and skills. Their special talents and skills make coming to school a gratifying venture for our kids.  As quoted by John Ruskin, “When love and skill work together, expect a Masterpiece.”   Our kids are maximizing their potential, sharing ideas, expanding their thinking, and doing really amazing things, they are Masterpieces!

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.

Something New!!!!

As the principal of an elementary school I am constantly encouraging others to try something new! So today, I am flipping the script, I am telling ME to TRY SOMETHING NEW! So here I am, late night, attempting to create a blog. If you know me, trying wouldn’t be the verb that will describe my final result. Right now, I am a little frustrated but still moving forward.

So future followers, here’s what you can expect. Be prepared for lots of great stories about amazing students, teachers, parents, and people who make my school a welcoming environment where kids come first. We choose happiness and every child is a MASTERPIECE waiting to be discovered! I hope that you find my blogs to be inspiring. I hope that they help you to understand why teaching is a passion that influences Many!

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