As I spend my first weekend after the first full week of school doing virtually nothing (it is a personal goal to rest and recharge so I am feeling good about this!) I'm reflecting on how much of the work I have done in my first official month in my new school was inspired by, stolen from, or shared with me by others! Like most of it. Seriously, the implementation was my own, but original ideas-- no way.
It's always a challenge as summer ends and school begins to plan PD that is a mix of inspiration and information -- and that doesn't remind people of the Charlie Brown teacher!
I was hoping for FUN, COLLABORATIVE, and INSPIRING. Here are just a few of the ideas from the first two days with our teachers -- and my evidence that being connected makes me a better, more effective school leader. I could never have thought of these on my own. And keeping in mind isn't that my ideas are good, but rather that I'm modeling good teaching and learning-- strategies and tools I hope to see in classrooms as teachers and students learn together.
Here are some of the ideas that I've stolen/learned from others-- just in this summer alone!
Amazing Apps for telling your school story!
Legend & Quik
Looking for quick and easy ways to animate text or create videos to share your school story via social media? These will make you look like a pro!
Here are a few I made!
We are so excited about tomorrow! #RCSDChampions pic.twitter.com/eCTJuui3yM— RCSD Stoneridge (@rcsdstoneridge) August 16, 2017
— RCSD Stoneridge (@rcsdstoneridge) August 18, 2017
So lucky to experience to eclipse with our 600 TK-5 students! #wearestoneridge #rcsdchampions pic.twitter.com/wUZgRSvYT1— Jennifer Kloczko (@jkloczko) August 23, 2017
Credit? The Moms As Principals Work Life Balance session at #NPC17-- The National Principals' Conference in Philadelphia! Follow the hashtag #momsasprincipals for inspiration!
Ready to ride a Roller Coaster? The school year is a roller coaster ride for sure!
Get ready for this year's roller coaster! Bring on the first day, we can't wait! #RCSDchampions #wearestoneridge #momsasprincipals pic.twitter.com/DmbNPYALoc— Jennifer Kloczko (@jkloczko) August 17, 2017
Roller Coster Go Noodle #RCSDchampions #RCSDFirstDay #rcsdstoneridge pic.twitter.com/nPQU1XnB27— Melissa Oxenham (@MoxenhamOxenham) August 18, 2017
Credit? Again... The Moms As Principals Work Life Balance session at #NPC17-- The National Principals' Conference in Philadelphia! Follow the hashtag #momsasprincipals for inspiration!
Do you wanna make a weiner dog? Our Chopped style challenges featured a ballon art round-- using YouTube to teach us how. Better yet, a kid made this video.
Credit? My very first Roseville City School District leadership meeting featured an Amazing Race-- with a weiner dog challenge, of course! I just changed it up with the Chopped format. Follow Brandon Blom, Jamey Schrey, and Derk Garcia for inspiration!
Another Chopped Challenge? Take a photo walk! What one word will inspire you this year? Teachers searched for letters outside and used a photo collage app to create a word collage!
Credit? Amy Fadeji! One of my favorite friends and she always amazes and inspires me to be better! This photo walk idea is all hers!
Finally, Flipgrid! This is similar to a Brady Bunch type video grid and our teachers recorded a quick video to share their passion. I promised I wouldn't share the video, but here is a screenshot to give you an idea! I can't wait for the advanced CARPOOL KARAOKE Flipgrid challenge! Follow the hashtag #principalsinaction for more inspiration!
I first learned about this from Trisha Sanchez, and tried it out with my Principals In Action Voxer group! And during the first week of school, several teachers tried it out with students!
An original idea? I don't know... but I am so grateful for friends and colleagues near and far who inspire me daily, share ideas freely, and make me a better person and leader. Who inspires you?
Happy idea stealing!
I really like this as way of celebrating how others have influenced you. So often I read listicles (my own included) where the origins are ignored. I guess what is missed in this is the power of people and community.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aaron, for reading and commenting! I just keep getting struck by how most things that I weave into my work I learned from or were inspired by time with others-- we are definitely better together!
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