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Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Why I Tribe!

Hardeyjumoh November 21, 2018 0 Comments

Why I tribe!

That question was the theme for last month’s #compelledtribe challenge to the amazing group of educators who blog. My immediate reaction to this question was “why would you not tribe?” Developing a network of passionate people who help to elevate the education profession seems like a no brainer, but so many people go it alone—and I’m not sure why.

Personally for me, I am sure footed in why I surround myself with others.

I tribe because:

I want to remain relevant in my craft

I want to be influenced by other positive educators

I want to impact education in a positive way

I want to share resources and ideas and I like when my tribe does the same.

I want to connect people together

I want to grow in my pedagogy

So, again....why not tribe? We are better together.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Opening the Door to New Possibilities

Hardeyjumoh July 27, 2018 0 Comments

My feet have finally landed and are now firmly planted eager to begin a new chapter. It’s been a whirl wind of excitement and change. After 25 years of teaching, I am embarking on a new career. To say that this was a tough decision would be an understatement. Honestly, I am not a crier, but I cried the last three weeks of school—at the drop of hat. I didn’t even recognize myself! The thought of leaving a school that I loved, colleagues who have seen you through the good, bad and the ugly--and my students (well you know, it was like a death). I mourned the thought of not walking though the door to my classroom, I mourned the loss of the family that I had become an integral part of, and I really mourned the thought that I was losing my identity as a teacher.

It’s not that I wasn’t excited about my new role, or that I feared making new friends, but it was what I was leaving behind. I had a career that I was crazy in love with. With every breath, I was a passionate educator who wanted to help shape education in a positive and profound way—and that’s why I left the classroom. I recognized that it was time to embrace an opportunity to influence education on a broader scale. My new role will allow me to embrace my inner teacher and creatively weave my experiences as an educator into the new role as a central office Coordinator of Admisssions and Strategic Marketing. I’m jumping in with both feet!

Change is good. It breathes new life into us, presents us with new challenges and opens new doors. The question is, do you take the opportunity and walk through it? I did! Wish me luck!!

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Finding Balance-Is it possible?

Hardeyjumoh March 21, 2018 0 Comments

bal·ance

ˈbaləns/

noun

1.
an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.

"slipping in the mud but keeping their balance"

synonyms: stability, equilibrium, steadiness, footing
"I tripped and lost my balance"

verb

1.
keep or put (something) in a steady position so that it does not fall.

"a mug that she balanced on her knee"

synonyms: steady, stabilize, poise, level
"she balanced the book on her head"
Even distribution of weight, keeping things in a sturdy position so that it does not fall over-- sounds simple enough, right? But balancing all that life asks of us can be very difficult, downright elusive on many days.
Admit it! You ARE envious of the person who seems to have it all together. They appear to be perfect. They exercise regularly, they are widely successful in their careers-- and they have the perfect family. You scratch your head--and ask yourself "how do they balance it all?" and "why can't I?".
Well let me in on the secret, not everything is as it seems. I've learned that balance and perfection are quite elusive. We can certainly strive for them, but at what cost? Some days you are able to get to the gym and some not. Some days you may give up family time for work, and other days you may miss work for family. And it's all ok! What is really important is that you work toward balance and not beat yourself up when you can't achieve it.

Jen Hogan recently tweeted this out and it resonated with me. Admittedly, I am my worst critic, and seek perfection, but this quote gives us all permission to do our best and be happy with it! Each day, I do my best to feed my body and soul with things that make me whole. Some days I get everything in--and other days, not so much. But everyday is a new day to seek balance; it's like the movie Groundhog Day!

Sunday, February 4, 2018

Teacher Evaluations Should Never Be About A Grade

Hardeyjumoh February 04, 2018 0 Comments

Are we out of the line of fire yet?

In the past two decades, educators have been in the line of fire from politicians, parents, tax payers and even administrators--and we are exhausted! We have weathered storms that described us as lazy and greedy, along with incompetent and irrelevant.

These disparaging assertions have borne new ways to evaluate teachers with expensive evaluation tools and programs to determine if teachers are truly making the cut. So what's the verdict? Not much has changed! Since the inception of new evaluations methods and tools, many claim that there is not much change, but that there are new hurdles to jump and hoops to go through.

Great teachers are still great!

Evaluation tools can assist in dialog about teacher performance between the administrator and the teacher, and that's a great thing, but is it genuine dialog that will result in meaningful change-- or just better observation scores? Great teachers do not rely on formal observations to deem them

proficient; they are constantly reflecting and seeking feedback from their students, colleagues and administrators without fear. They are modeling learning to their students everyday by adapting lesson plans, seeking innovative practices and welcoming new ideas from colleagues. Great teachers are not sitting down and mulling over their formal observation reports looking for ways to improve (sorry administrators!) They understand that these evaluations are part of the job and must be done, but do they really learn and grow from them? That depends!

Meaningful Feedback and Trust

It's not about the grade, it's about the learning.This is the mantra in my classroom. I am constantly reminding my students that the grade should be an indicator of learning and level of proficiency. My students trust that if they do not do well, we will remediate and re-assess.

Teacher evaluation should NEVER be punitive and always about giving feedback to help a teacher grow pedagogically. Grades and numbers muddy the water in the effects of teacher observations. The best evaluations are informal and void of number data; they are the meaningful conversations about what worked really well, discussing areas for improvements and suggestions of new ideas that are possible. These genuine conversations can only happen when mutual respect and trust has been established between supervisor and staff member, otherwise it can be be a waste of time.

Feedback can carry a negative connotation, but shouldn't have to--it's all in the delivery! Be clear, honest and credible, and lead by example! Teacher evaluations are no different than student evaluations. The goals are the same: reflect, grow and reach for excellence!

We all need feedback, that's how we improve!-Bill Gates

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Serendipity Happen BECAUSE of You!

Hardeyjumoh January 14, 2018 0 Comments

This blogpost is dedicated to Allyson Apsey, a fellow member of the #compelledtribe bloggers and author of The Path to Serendipity. She got me pondering about how life happens because of us!

Truth be told, I don't think the word serendipity had crossed my lips often in my life time. I've heard the word, surely, but couldn't quite grasp the true meaning of it--and certainly I hadn't thought that life was full of serendipitous moments. Full disclaimer: I am a person who believes that you make your luck by working hard, following a set plan and being resilient. And--while all of that is true, I've recently discovered the thing called "serendipity" exists and plays an integral part in what happens in life!

Another tidbit about me, I am full of energy My brain doesn't seem to shut down. I am always thinking and moving. As a veteran teacher of 25 years, I kinda got this teacher thing down. Now, don't get me wrong-- great teachers are reflective and remain relevant by seeking new ideas and resources to enhance their teaching, and there is always something new and exciting in teaching, but you can get into a groove and begin to think about new challenges--and what's next?

Often the path of change is predictable. You MUST do this in order to do that, kinda thing. We seek opportunities or roles that will lead us to the pre-determined destination and grab the pre-existing brass ring. But, how about if that doesn't happen? What do we do? That is exactly the conundrum that I faced. How do I go about becoming an educational leader without exactly BEING an educational leader? Serendipity, that's how! It doesn't happen to you, it happens because of you. Because you remain passionate and pursue opportunities that will lead you to your purpose, great things can happen.

Three years ago, I could not have imagined all that has happened to me professionally and personally. I am thrilled by opportunities to share my voice to elevate and celebrate educators and improve education in some small way. I have met incredible #eduheroes who have deeply inspired me to have faith and follow the path of serendipity that intersects with purpose and determination--and there, at that precise juncture, will be where I am supposed to be. I don't know exactly what it will be or where, but I am enjoying the journey. I am confident that I will arrive exactly where I am to be.

Look for Allyson's book published by Dave Burgess Consulting. You will be inspired to savor every serendipitous moment that life brings you; I sure am!!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Have a Little Faith in Me

Hardeyjumoh January 02, 2018 0 Comments

Cue John Hiatt, Have a Little Faith in Me for background music because this song rings true with me!

For the record, I was quite a happy little camper as a classroom teacher, with no real big dreams or aspirations of more, when my principal suggested that I sign up for Twitter to follow a certain educator who was killing it. So, reluctantly, I did...with no idea what I was getting into; boy was I surprised!!

Baby Steps

I stepped cautiously during my first year in building my PLN. Slightly reticent about following people, hanging back and re-tweeting things that resonated with me...when all of the sudden, I stumbled upon this amazing group of women leaders,#WELVoxer, who immediately took me under their wings and helped me recognize the leader lurking inside of me-- and I have never looked back. Jennifer Hogan, Lisa Dabbs and Deb Campbell, along with many others, became my tribe! We had an awesome experience of presenting together at ASCD #Empower17 last year in Anaheim. Talk about fate, I finally found other passionate educators, in all roles, who were willing to share their knowledge and resources for the greater good. Who knew?

Just say yes....

said +Lisa Dabbs! Lisa encouraged me to embrace new opportunities--and that's just what I have done. It's amazing how many doors will open when you are willing to take risks. I have entered contests, applied for grants, submitted articles to be considered for publication, volunteered for EdCamps and so much more. To put it into two words, I've grown! Professionally and personally. I have discovered things about me that I didn't know--I have become more comfortable in my own skin. Who would have ever thought that would happens a result of social media and a PLN?

Fast Forward

Fast forward to now. I am connected with thousands of other educators who are making their mark and disrupting the traditional idea of education and schools. Together, we are challenging the status quo and inspiring one another.

Finding your Tribe

Today, I have become a member of a terrific group of passionate educators who blog and post about all things related to education. I am over the moon to be welcomed in this elite group of people who exude positive energy and support one another to strive to be the absolute best version of themselves by impacting education and educators all over the world. Today, I am a #compelledtribe blogger--and I couldn't more excited.!!A big thanks to CraigVroom for taking a chance on me. I look forward to this journey of writing and reflecting about all that is education. I just had a little faith in me-- and look where I am!

Monday, December 25, 2017

Looking in the Rear View Mirror, Happy New Year!

Hardeyjumoh December 25, 2017 0 Comments

As the end of the year comes and the new year is on the horizon, we pause and look back. We may be disappointed that we did not accomplish the things we set out to, we may have experienced a really tough year and can't wait to ring in the new year, or we may have had the best year of our lives--but we should always reflect.

Reflection is a key component in growing. As Dr. Phil says "you can't change it until you own it!" We must come face to face with our personal and professional failures and successes. Ask yourself the following questions:

What were the highlights of this year?
What were the low points?
What should I have done more of? less of?
Did I honor my commitments to others? myself?
Did I step forward? step outside of my comfort zone?
Did I love others as I should? Did I forgive?
Did I spend time with who matters most?
Did I learn and grow? or am I stuck?
What changes should I make to have the best years ahead?
What scares me?
What are my passions? Do I make time for them?

When I was young, people would say "time flies fast" and I naively thought, not fast enough! I wished away time to reach the milestones that every child looks forward to. Now, as I am older and wiser, I am slowing down the hands of time and enjoying life's abundant gifts. As you approach the new year, look in the rear view mirror and savor the beautiful memories made over the past year, but look forward and see what's on the horizon for you. The great thing about a new year is that the story is unwritten. You have a fresh start to make 2018 an incredible year. Be intentional!!

Happy New Year!