Are you ready to take the L.E.A.P?

There are two books that have helped me create a model of the type of school leader I want to be.  The first book is The Serving Leader: Five Powerful Actions that Will Transform Your Team, Your Business, and Your Community by Ken Jenning.  The second book, and the book I am going to focus on today, is The Radical Leap Re-energized by Steve Farber.  I was introduced to both in graduate school and have shared with staff members over the years but I feel it is time for the TCEA staff to discover the components of the Radical Leap Leadership Model and to begin operating under these principles everyday.

They are simple concepts but I will take the next five weeks to share each principle and ask for you to share you thoughts on how the principle can be displayed at TCEA.  The Radical LEAP is: Cultivating Love, Generate Energy, Inspire Audacity and Provide Proof.  This week we are going to focus on Cultivating Love.

This is taken from Steve Farber's website:

Cultivate Love

Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do.

The emotion of love is considered to be out of place or simply inappropriate in the world of business. Many believe that good business people keep their hearts out of their work. The opposite is true. It’s the heart that brings the fire of creativity to bear on the day-to-day. It’s the heart that inspires drive, loyalty and leaps of innovative brilliance.

The word, “love,” appears frequently in the leadership literature, and in many studies, love is identified as an important ingredient in productive leader/follower and coach/employee relationships. In research conducted at the Tom Peters Company, we found that in order to be an effective coach, you have to care about the person you’re coaching. You can’t simply go through the motions because you’re so obliged.

I use the word, “love,” in the broadest sense. I’m not saying that you should fall in love with everyone you work with. That could get a bit complicated, to say the least. I am saying that you have to find something to care deeply about in your business and in each individual that touches your business. And it has to be real. And they have to know it.

The key, then, is to find a way to genuinely and sincerely love the customer and then act from that level of motivation. Great business relationships are won in ways analogous to romantic relationships: by paying nearly obsessive attention to the needs, desires, hopes and aspirations of the other person. By knowing not only when to stand firm on your own principles but also when to sacrifice your short-term needs for the long-term relationship. And by proving through your own actions that you really mean it, and that you’re not simply following the advice that you gleaned from the latest training program. The Extreme Leader — in other words — actually does love the customer and strives, therefore, to enhance the customer’s life.

Some of you may be wondering why I am sharing leadership concepts because you aren't the principal of the school.  You need to recognize that we are all leaders in the school.  Students, parents and peers should be able to look at us for a model on how to "do life".  The author believes that this concept is needed in schools so much that any educator can download a free copy at the link below.  

http://www.stevefarber.com/leapforeducation/

I would love for you to join me and take the LEAP by downloading the book and beginning to read on how to change the way you operate and how this change can positively impact your world and the world of others.

What can LOVE do? 

Week of February 29-March 4, 2016

Monday, February 29

• Literacy PD with Ms. McDonald (please see email from her regarding HW assignment)
• K/1: 10 AM
• 4th, 5th, 6th: 11 AM
• 2nd/3rd: 12:15 PM
• Black History Program at 2:30
• Staff Mtg in Cafe at 3:30

Tuesday, March 1

• Progress Monitoring Red Students
• Arts PLC at 1:45
• Chameleon Character Safety Mtg at 3:30
• Kindergarten Round Up at 6 PM
• FEO Penny War Begins

Wednesday, March 2

• K/1 PLC at 10
• 4th, 5th, 6th PLC at 11
• 2nd/3rd PLC at 12:15
• Tornado Drill at 9:30
• Progress Monitoring Red Students

Thursday, March 3

• EC PLC at noon
• SST Mtg at 3:30

Friday, March 4

• FEO Mtg at 8:00
• Read Across America Dress Rehearsal at 9:00

Saturday, March 5

• Read Across America Event

Reminders:

Code Red Drill this week

Most Likely to Succeed March 19th- see email from Mrs. Lett regarding volunteer needs

End of 2nd Trimester is 3/9

It's Our Story To Tell

In January, of this year, many news sources were sharing a recent report looking at NC Charter Schools with the public.  This story shared that charter schools in NC were less diverse than traditional public schools.  Some news outlets even said that charter schools were evidence of segregation returning to our state.  The Lt. Governor, a member of the state's charter school advisory board, asked that the report be updated and include more positive information.  And they did, but that narrative of charter schools being exclusive and not diverse is still out there.

I have always been told "that it is up to you to tell your story".  If you allow someone to speak for you...they will.  But, as you know, the story will not be the whole truth and the people that hear the story will run with it and it will become their reality.

So, here's our story for the 291 students we have at TCEA:

TCEA: 35% White students

49.5% White students in NC traditional public schools

TCEA: 40% African American students
26.1% African American students in traditional public schools

TCEA: 14% Hispanic students
14% Hispanic students in NC traditional public schools

TCEA: 49% Free/Reduced students
53% Free/Reduced students in NC traditional public schools

NCDPI Date from: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/fbs/resources/data/

Our story is one where we are truly impacting ALL students by integrating arts into their lives to help them discover who they are and what their gift is to share with the world.  Now that you know our story, you must share it.

Here's are a few ideas on how to hook people and engage in telling our story.  If we don't...others will!!!

Have a great Sunday and I'll see you tomorrow!

Angela

Week of Monday, February 22-26, 2016

Monday, February 22

• PD Day in Data Room- K/1: 10-11;  4th, 5th, & 6th: 11-12; 2nd/3rd: 12:15-1:15
• 3:30- SIT
• 5:00- TCEA Board Mtg

Tuesday, February 23

• Progress Monitoring of Green and Blue Students
• Arts PLC at 1:45
• Chameleon Coin Pep Rally at 2:30
• Bring a Friend Night at 6 PM

Wednesday, February 24

Progress Monitoring of Green and Blue Students

PLC in Data Room- K/1: 10-11;  4th, 5th, & 6th: 11-12; 2nd/3rd: 12:15-1:15

Department Chair Mtg at 3:30

Thursday, February 25

• Grade level planning meetings- K/1: 10-11;  4th, 5th, & 6th: 11-12; 2nd/3rd: 12:15-1:15

Friday, February 26

• Penny War Pep Rally at 2:30

Reminders:

• Don't forget to complete the mid-year PDP and if you are responsible for doing a peer observation don't forget your deadline :)

Gradual Release

At the end of the Math PD held last week, the presenter and I talked about "next steps" for TCEA and on topic that came up was the GRADUAL RELEASE concept and how many teachers struggle with this concept.  Below is a video I am requesting all staff to watch so we'll be prepared for our PLCs this week.  If you have any questions or concerns on this topic, please have them ready for discussion in our PLC.

Gradual Release Model Video

Hope you have had a restful weekend and I will see you on Tuesday!

Angela

Week of February 15-19, 2016

New Schedule Begins*

Please make sure you check new lunch duty ;

Make sure you have shared new Art Schedule with parents as well

Monday, February 15

President's Day: No School

Tuesday, February 16 (Please post new schedule outside classrooms)

• Progress Monitoring of Red Students (K-3)
• Arts PLC at 1:45
•  Safety Committee on Tuesday, February 16th at 3:30

Wednesday, February 17 (Please have math reflection sheet with you in PLCs)

• K/1 PLC at 10
• 4th-6th PLC at 11
• 2nd/3rd PLC at 12:15
• Beginning Teacher Mtg at 3:30 (will give BT time to work over mid year PDP as well as cover Standard 5)
• Progress Monitoring of Red Students (K-3)

Thursday, February 18

• Regular Schedule

Friday, February 19

• SST Mtg at 3:30

Reminders:

• Mid Year PDPs need to be completed by the end of this week.
• Please use new office referral sheets (with new logo)/emailed week before last
• Make sure you are enforcing our dress code policy

Forward Together...Not One Step Back!

This is what I want for TCEA...

I want a group that rallies around one cause, educating our future, and that any of us can be the LeBron in this video and refocus the group around that cause.  It takes more than one person or one small group of people to create an environment that is focused and united.  Are you engaged? Do you view this journey as one the team must travel TOGETHER or do you view your journey as a trek you make on your own?

I'm ready to go the distance...are you?

Week of February 8-12, 2016

Monday, February 8

• Clock Check at 7:50
• 1st Grade PLC at 11:30
• IS Planning at 3:30 PM in Cafe

Tuesday, February 9

• Counselor Mtg at 8:00
• Arts PLC at 10
• 5th/6th PLC at 12:30

Wednesday, February 10

• Math in Focus Training (2nd/3rd 8-11 and 4th, 5th and 6th 12-3)

Thursday, February 11

• Math in Focus Training (K 8-11 and 1st 12-3)
• 4th PLC at 11
• 2nd PLC at 12:15
• IS Lesson Plans Due
• FEO Candygrams Delivered

Friday, February 12: Teacher Workday 

• We will have a renewing of commitment vows at 10 in cafe.  Please arrive on time and email me if you will not be there.
• Homeroom Teachers: Guided Math Planning (you will receive a planning sheet the morning of 2/12 that you will need to complete during your planning meetings and return before 3 PM
• Arts Staff: PD on Standards Based Grading 10:30-11:30 and then work on implementing plan 11-3.