Fight for the Right Stuff!

On this past New Year's Eve afternoon, my parents were in a horrific car accident due to a truck running a red light.  My father had both lungs collapsed, ribs broken, pelvis fractured, lacerated spleen, etc.  He barely survived.  As the days went by, he worked to breath on his own, do his physical therapy, and fight to heal. He fought daily and gave 110%, fighting through the pain, and not giving up.  For 7 straight weeks he was in the hospital and rehabilitation facility.  Yesterday, he was released.  Seven weeks to the day of the accident.  As we walked out the doors of the rehabilitation center, our first stop was a restaurant for real food:).  

This was a celebration! He had won the fight and overcome numerous obstacles. Although not back to 100%, he was coming to home, sweet home.  

  As I reflected on his tenacity and fight, I realized he didn't take on negativity towards anyone, but    fought for himself to improve and get back his normal life and stayed focused on the right goals.

In the current climate we live in, it's so easy to fight for the wrong reasons.  It's so easy to blame, get angry, and get sucked into the negative vacuum. As educators, leaders, and role models for our kids, WHAT do we fight for?  Is it the right fight?  Do we give 110% to fight the fight, but it nots the right fight?  Do we fight respectfully, or do we fight negatively?  

I'm a proponent of being a disrupter, renegade, and innovator; but, we must do so for the right reasons, and in the right way.  I love that Bethany Hill says it best: "Fight for kids. It's about them, not the adults." Recently our new Secretary of Education was tweeted to follow positive Twitter accounts and hashtags such as #JoyfulLeaders.  The point was to focus on working with us, not against us.  KidsDeserveIt have the motto--fight for kids every day, THAT is a worthy fight!  Think about what you fight for, and what you should fight for, and get after it!~

What Failing Out of High School Taught Me

When I was a senior in high school, I got "caught".  I had made some bad choices at the private boarding school I was attending, and they sent me home early for the winter break.  During the break, they called my dad and said they were deciding if I could return or was "kicked out".  My parents, friends, and people in "high places" wrote letters on my behalf.  The following week, word came: I was booted out.  I could not return to friends, school, nor the successes I had enjoyed in high school.

As I sat in my bedroom back home in Utah, and contemplated the fact I wouldn't be going back to my friends in California, and wouldn't graduate with them from high school, I felt like an epic failure.  I was alone, my parents weren't happy with me, and I had no clue what to do next.  My dad was a minister, and I was embarrassing him, and I knew it.  I wanted to leave and run away.  Life sucked.

I immediately started working, took the GED, and spent the next 7 months working hard and trying to rebuild my life and figure out how to bounce back from this failure.  I didn't have a high school diploma, didn't get to walk a stage for graduation, and worst, didn't get to hang with friends two states away as the senior year wound down.  I though, was determined to not be a loser and failure, and I was determined to recover.  I was determined to find my way back into good graces and show I could be someone.  I was going to go to college, and prove I could be a productive adult.

That summer, I had an epic adventure and wanted to prove I was responsible and could do something that many 18-19 year-old kids couldn't.  I bought a plane ticket to France, bought a 30 day Eurorail pass to travel by train throughout Europe, and spent the next few weeks traveling throughout Europe.  I stayed in youth hostels, made friends, and had the time of my life exploring Europe.  I returned home with a new perspective on life, and agreed with my parents to attend college in Washington, rather than California, which was NOT the school I wanted to go to.  I wanted to go to school in California with my friends from high school, but mom and dad knew better.  They said, "you have to get away from those friends and influences".  

What "failing" out of high school taught me, was three important lessons:

1) Mistakes aren't a life sentence.  Prior to my senior year, I was viewed by adults as respectful, responsible, a good student, and not the kid they would have expected to get in trouble.  When kicked out of school though, I was labeled a "bad" kid. My teachers were very surprised as I wasn't the typical kid to get in trouble.  My parents were embarrassed and I felt the church people stare through me wondering what had happened and what I would become. I was determined to prove people wrong. Almost every summer of college I worked at summer/youth camps, and loved it.  I gave up the dream to be a doctor, lawyer, etc. and became a teacher.  As I started my first teaching job, I gravitated towards the students who were on the fringe, weren't the "good kids", and appeared to be on the verge of messing up.  I was a successful teacher because I had learned a hard lesson myself.  I had experienced what it's like to feel like a failure, and understood you don't have to be perfect to be a good person and have a good heart.  I also learned that I COULD be someone productive even though I hadn't been at one point.

2) Life isn't fair, so get over it, move on, and don't give up. I was angry at first, as I didn't feel it was fair.  I didn't have a track record like others, and I didn't deserve the harsh punishment.  My choices were: 1) be angry and complain and sit in misery and self-pity, 2) change course and move on with my life.  I chose to move on.  Forget school for the time-being, and work hard, ski hard (I skied often that winter--one of my favorite sports), and save money to travel the world.  I made a conscious choice to not wallow, start fresh, and not give up!  

3) ALWAYS remember who you are.  I knew that I wanted to give back and be of service in life. From an early age, having grown up in a 3rd world country with poverty, I knew I wanted to give back to others.  Growing up playing the piano, I played at church often, filled in when no one was there to play for the little kids rooms, and cleaned up after the potlucks.  My heart was always about helping others.  No matter how I was judged, no matter I had failed in one part of my life, I knew I still wanted to help others.  I was close to being jaded, and could easily have gone there.  Though I felt failed by the system, and like I wasn't helped out in my time of greatest need, I never lost sight of who I was.  As a teacher and coach, I volunteered for everything.  I sponsored everything, went on all the trips, drove kids home, let them crash at my house when needed, and did whatever it took to support them.  I had bounced back from feeling like a failure, and I was determined to help anyone I could bounce back and not fail.

The questions we must ask ourselves as educators every day are simple: what do I do, and what can I do, to not allow my students to fail?  When they fail, how do I help them bounce back?

I was lucky: I was strong-willed, and I could bounce back.  Not all our students have that will and ability.  Take the challenge: find that student that you can help.  Learn your students stories, celebrate their successes, and help them recover from their failures!  Be a champion for every student as even the "good" ones can mess up, and need a cheerleader to help them recover and succeed.  

Be a "Spartan" Educator!

Be a "Spartan" Educator

This past weekend I ran the Spartan Race in San Francisco at ATT Park.  I ran with "Team Bubba" which consisted of 5 people pictured above.  I hadn't trained much compared to my teammates.  A couple of them are die-hard UFC gym rats, and the other two work-out regularly.  As a former PE teacher and avid exerciser, I felt like I was "good to go".

When I arrived, the stadium look great! I love ATT Park, and love going to Giant's games.  I saw runners carrying bags up in the top bleachers, ropes course stuff throughout the park including outside the park, and overall a whole lot of "fit" people.  I was pumped and feeling the adrenaline kick in, which is a feeling I love!

As the race got started, I felt great: first running down the stairs to the field level, then into the dugout, then into the home team's locker room (which was awesome) where we dropped and did 20 push-ups, with the added feature of lifting your hands off the ground between push-ups.  Then it was off to the stairs and to the top of the stadium.  This was the point where I felt the lack of cardio prep start kicking in; however, being a "tough guy" I kept full speed ahead.

Over the next 45 minutes or so, our team conquered 20 obstacles including 10 foot walls, ropes challenge course items, and various other challenges.  Throughout, we were running up and down stairs in the bleacher sections, up and down the ramps in the stadium.  I was dripping with sweat, tired, winded, and muscles were hurting.  One of my teammates was starting to lag, and we encouraged each other on.  We gave the girls a boost over the walls, and did "burpees" (dropping down and doing 30 push-ups, but between each one, you jump up with your hands up high) to help teammates out when needed.  As a team of 5, if someone was struggling, we could each do a few extra for them, to make sure we hit the intended number for our team at the various stations.

As we headed the last few feet towards the finish line, we all held hands as a team and made the last dash as a TEAM across the final line to have medals placed over our heads.  We had completed the challenge as a team: we encouraged each other, pushed each other, and physically helped each other from start to finish.  Minutes later as we sat in the stands eating bananas and drinking liquids to re-hydrate, we talked about the teamwork, perseverance, and fun we had as a group.  We were Spartans, we had conquered and hadn't quit.

Applying my experience doing this race to education, there were 3 lessons I was reminded of:

1) Never give up!  No matter how hard, how challenging, or tough.  As an educator, I fight for my students.  They ARE part of my team.  I don't quit doing what is best for them and continually challenge myself and challenge others to keep fighting for our kids.  My friend Adam Welcome is a great example of an educator who always keeps "pushing" for kids sake.  Adam recently co-founded #kidsdeserveit which is all about centering everything we do as educators for, and on kids. Try new things on regular basis with your students and model that risk-taking is not only ok, but encouraged!
2) Teamwork (collaboration) as educators is the ultimate way to succeed for our kids! Social media is a great way to collaborate when it can't be face-to-face.  Tools like Twitter, Voxer, and even simply text messaging and Face-Timing are so easy and quick to do, and SO powerful.  Karly Moura is a teacher who exemplifies working with teammates.  She creates hyperdocs she shares virtually, hosts Twitter chats, and in general, shares her work openly to anyone who will connect.  IF you haven't followed her or connected with her, do so!
3) Try Something New: Having done a half marathon, the Running with the Bulls, the Merrell Down and Dirty, and many other events that push your physical and mental limits, I've always had the mentality I'll try anything once, and see what sticks and what I like.  So too it is with education.  You HAVE to keep trying new things that engage our students, are relevant for them, and ultimately allow them to be challenged, fail, take risks, and try again.  This was my first Spartan Race, and I had to try it when friends said, "let's do it".  A teacher who continues to keep trying new things is Shauna Hawes who constantly is trying new things out.  Whether it is Linkbots, drones, Rasberry Pi's, or new forms of coding, Shauna is always trying new things, buying new things, and spreading her findings with colleagues 24/7 (literally).  When you have people like that you are working with, it motivates you to challenge others and yourself!

In the end, being a Spartan means being willing to fight to the death and never quit.  There were moments where I was ready to stop running and walk, I thought of skipping an obstacle, but refused to do so.  As an educator, I challenge each and every teacher, administrator, staff member, and parent to NEVER QUIT fighting and working for your kids to have the opportunities they deserve.  Be a Spartan!!

You Must Be A "YES" Educator

Years ago there was a Jim Carrey movie titled "Yes Man".  The premise was that for one year he had to say "yes" to everything.  Although somewhat a silly movie, I often reflect on the importance of us as educators needing to say "YES" more often.

When our students throw out an idea to their teachers, peers, parents: is the answer "yes" or too often "no"?  When a teacher comes to an administrator and throws out an idea: "yes" or "no"?  When a principal goes to the assistant superintendent or superintendent? You get the point...

Several months ago, I sat in a room full of educators, and listened to an amazing teacher named Shauna Hawes (@ShaunaHawes) talk about how her principal Dr. Ainsworth (@eanainsworth) was so good at providing "YES" as the answer to her ideas.  Shauna has started robotics (@ValleyViewRobos) at Valley View Middle School (@ValleyViewJags) and this summer ran the first Girls Robotics Camp (@VVMSGIRLCamp).  The girls who attended the camp are below:

                                                    

The take away for me was Shauna wouldn't have felt able to move forward with initiatives that benefited students if not for feeling a "YES" answer would come from her principal when she broached the ideas.  Too often, our first response is: "we can't afford that", "I don't think kids and parents will support that", "I'll get back to you"...  Be a "YES" educator for kids, teachers, and administrators--they deserve it, and the ideas you say "YES" to will be amazing, creative, and worth it!

I was blessed with years of administrators telling me "YES" to my ideas and brainstorms.  I often pitched them as "let me pilot", "I'll find the money", etc.  When I didn't get the "YES" answer, I often waited, and then tried again, slightly altering the idea.  Too often though, I've watched students be told "NO" and teachers told "NO", and even at times administrators denied.  Often, the ideas were creative, cutting edge, and ultimately later were adopted or given the green light.  The hardest part was no real rationale or reason why "NO" was the answer was provided.

The challenge for us all: Be a "YES" educator for kids, staff, and parents.  When you have to say "NO", be sure you explain why, and be sure to create an environment where people will ask again, and then try to say "YES" the next time.  The folks who say "YES" more often than "NO" are happier in life--give it a try!  

Always a Coach

Some of my best memories are coaching high school sports.  I coached for 10 years and the above picture was a highlight for me.  My high school varsity basketball team played on the Golden State Warrior's court against another high school team.  The players had the opportunity to dress and hang out in the locker room, and then come in before the actual NBA game that evening and get autographs and watch warm-ups.  It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of them.

Since my own high school years, I loved coaching people in any way I could.  From working at summer camps teaching rock climbing, to white water rafting, to teaching kids to water ski and wake board, I always enjoyed coaching and teaching.

As a high school teacher, I was always working to coach students not only in sports, but in life and the life skills of budgeting, responsibility, and relationships.  Once I became an administrator, I loved coaching teachers.  The model I always employed was as a coach, not a boss evaluating the teacher. Whether it was coaching how to implement technology, classroom management, or curriculum, I always focused on the tenants of a good coach: 1) build teamwork and trust,  2) support and praise, 3) hold the bar high and have clear expectations.

As I have moved to a level where I can work with principals, teachers, and office staff, I still adhere to the coaching model.  I constantly want to motivate and support growth and excellence.  As I've worked recently to support technology infusion in schools and tech tools to support positive school cultures, I'm coaching and facilitating school leaders.  I love to coach adults and kids, and when I reflect on the most effective mentors I've had; they were coaches to me, not dictators or "bosses" or people who worked in silos and on islands.

I was always most proud of my sports teams I coached when the received the "sportsmanship" awards.  The many wins and trophies we acquired were great, but the recognition for being highly respected athletes and teams who conducted themselves professionally meant more to me.

I see myself as always a coach each and every day.  Both at work and at home with my own kids, I strive to teach and coach about life, to motivate to be the best we can, and to be winners in the game of life.

Are you a coach?  Do your friends, co-workers, and employees see you as a coach or something else? Reflecting on what a coach is and isn't helps your own analysis of where you are.  In the end, simply thinking about how you work with people is a great starting point to answering the question of "are you a coach".

Lessons I Learned Growing Up In Another Country

I love the shocked look I get on people's faces when I tell them I spent the first 8 years of my life growing up in Sri Lanka, a third world country off the southern tip of India.  For three of my formative years, my brother and I were the only caucasian kids in the area we lived in.  All of my friends were locals who had dark complexion compared to me.  They didn't speak English, and I spoke Sinhalese--the local dialect.  Skin color, language, and socio economic status didn't matter in my world, and I literally ran around in just my underwear most of the year as it was 90 degrees year round with a high humidity.  

At one point, our only car was hit by a train, and so our entire family of four rode around on my dad's motorcycle.  My brother rode on the gas tank in front of my dad, my mom behind my dad, and I rode on the luggage rack on the back of the fairly small 250 cc motorcycle.  This picture shows a typical day for my brother and I as far as our attire.                                                                                                                                                                   I never attended formal schooling while overseas, and enjoyed being a true "island" boy.  Life consisted of playing all day, exploring, and adventures with my family.                                                                                                                                         It was a rude awakening when I moved to the USA.  Forget that we moved from a tropical paradise to freezing Michigan.  My life was rocked by the fact I was "weird" to many kids around me.  I ate strange food, I dressed funny, I talked very funny, and I had no clue about the yo-yo toys, transformers, etc.  I really had no toys growing up.  We just played outside and made do with very little.  Because I was 8, I was thrown in 2nd grade and survived and learned to read.  My brother unfortunately who was thrown into 1st grade struggled to learn to read with no prior education, and repeated 1st grade.

As an EL student, I quickly learned to assimilate as social acceptance was key for me.  Emotionally, I was stressed going to school as I had no concept of what it was.  I had not had that level of structure and had never sat in a seat that long in my life!

There were many lessons I learned from my experience growing up, but here are a few takeaways I apply daily in my life, and the life of my students (whether kids or adults):

• An appreciation for playing outside and enjoying kinesthetic learning.  
• Resilience: I was made fun of for being "different".  I couldn't control that I had an accent initially, and couldn't control that my mom packed weird food and I dressed in different clothes.
• A love of people of all walks of life and from different backgrounds.
• Kids aren't used to sitting in chairs all day, and when they start school we suddenly demand hours of sitting in the same seat.  To this day, I'm a huge proponent of kids laying/sitting on the ground, soft seating in schools, and lots of movement in classrooms.  As an adult, I can't stand to sit for extended periods of times, and my hope is I don't force others to do so either.
• To not waste anything.  Growing up in a very poor country, I learned to appreciate and be grateful for everything I had.  As a country, our kids grow up taking so much for granted.
• Traveling to gain an appreciation, knowledge, and love for various cultures and peoples.  I was always blown away as a teacher by students who had never been out of California, and even some who had never left the Bay Area.
• Living a life of service.  Growing up watching my parents be missionaries and give of themselves, live an extremely modest life, work long hours to serve others embedded in me a will to give back.

As educators, we have the ability to teach kids acceptance, resilience, service, conservation, and an appreciation for all we have each and every day.  Even if you didn't grow up as I did, our students come from so many different walks of life, family dynamics, tough home lives, and situations we don't always know or see, we owe it to them to ensure ALL students are supported in whatever way they need to be ready to learn each and every day.  My experiences shaped my passion to find out every kid's story and find a way to help them strive for success.  What shapes your passion for serving kids?

                                                                                                           

Why I Connect

Check out my post on CorwinConnect: http://corwin-connect.com/2014/11/connect/