/SKOOLD/ to be educated . guided . prepared

I absolutely love it when students reach out to me with questions, ideas, or invitations to events or learning opportunities. Whether it be a journalism student writing an article about inclement weather and snow make-up days or a middle school group of students practicing presentations for legislative advocacy, I treasure moments in which I can engage with students and their learning. What is even more of a bucket filler is their gratitude after these moments. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss having my own classroom (my last teaching position was 15 years ago), so I always feel like moments with students is almost selfish...their questions, discoveries, and suggestions pronounce our purpose, which fills me with joy. So, when they send beautiful notes of gratitude, I can't help but think a little bit of my time went a long way--for both the student and for me. 'Tis the theme of this blog...please know a little bit of time can make a big difference in stu...

Last voting day, Tuesday evening, November 5th, I watched the results of our election process on television and websites like many others in our community. I was reminded of what a tremendous privilege it is to be in a country where the democratic process is alive, in a state which develops systems and designs for local needs and elections, and a school district with an engaged community of which eight members took an act of courage and put their names on the ballot to run for school board. Our district had over 10,000 voters cast ballots during this election. Of those ballots, 62% of voters supported the Revenue Purpose Statement, which was a continuation of the use of funds in order to support facilities, technology, and other structural costs for our district. Kingston Stadium's new field, track, and bleachers are an example of how we have used these funds. Summer projects for our buildings and grounds crew, like new tiling and floors at Erskine Elementary, or new bathroom...

Kennedy High School's athletic director, Aaron Stecker, asked me to be the keynote speaker at their student leadership retreat event on Tuesday, October 29th. KHS has embraced the theme, "Be Uncommon" to define what it means to be a Cougar. According to Dictionary.com,  "What does it mean to be uncommon? est. not common; unusual; rare: an  uncommon  word. unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary: an  uncommon  amount of mail. exceptional; remarkable." Exceptional. Remarkable. Wow...what does it mean when we witness something exceptional or remarkable? Something that we would not expect, and it captures our hearts so quickly that we almost lose our breath? There are posts on Facebook or Twitter that appear to fit the "uncommon" definition: two toddlers running to each other on the sidewalk to embrace or a group of soccer players huddling around an opponent on the field to help her.  My question is, how many moments of "uncommon"...

I was invited to Wright Elementary School last week by the teacher-librarian to "judge" renditions of book characters created out of potatoes. That's right! Not clay, not Mr. Potato Head figures, but actual potatoes. It was certainly an offer I could not resist...I was picturing in my mind what the potential creations could be prior to my visit. My imagination did not even come close to the amazing creations developed by each classroom at Wright Elementary! As I was greeted by the teacher-librarian, Ms. Davis, I could see the collection of characters displayed on a table. I approached the lineup and could not stop my laughter, squeals of amazement, and clapping. Needless to say, I was certainly a disruption to the library environment. There was a tremendous challenge in selecting the "winners" of the potato creations; however, the decision landed with the characters who really embraced the integrity of the original potato. Every character deserved a prize, q...

Singing Voices of Inspiration and Creation... About a week ago, an elementary teacher sent me an original song that her students created. The song was inspired from our theme of Hope Spots, and the kids wrote and sang about what brings them hope. The lyrics capture the essence of hope through a child's eyes. When they feel supported, inspired, and they believe there are opportunities and possibilities, they are ignited with hope. I do not want to steal their thunder. S o I won't specifically quote their song before an opportunity to share their song with families and their school. However, as I listened to the audio file, their teacher sent, my heart just filled with joy and inspiration. Their words came from the opportunity their teacher created for them. With inspiration and support, they can accomplish so much. Kids are absolutely amazing! Reflective Voices of Critical Thinking... I also met a third-grader who attended one of the community input sessions regarding ...

On the eve of Friday, August 30th, Kennedy and Jefferson varsity football teams were warming up on the field at Kingston Stadium as the sun was still in the sky. The stands were filling with fans ready to cheer on and support our athletes, bands were assembling, and the smell of grilled burgers permeated the air. I stood on the north end zone of the stadium, taking it all in. Although it was an entirely familiar "Friday Night Football" Friday at Kingston, there was an added notion of excitement...almost like show jitters..a quiet undercurrent of bliss. The chain team, a dedicated group of volunteers, who have operated home games since the 1980s, were discussing the new field, the track, the bleachers--their smiles and excitement were almost sentiments of disbelief. They commented on how beautiful the field was with absolute joy in their eyes. I mentioned to them that I marched on the field with a flag in my hand in the '80s...many times with muddy shoes and wor...

A little over a week ago, we held an All-Staff Kick Off Event at the Ice Arena for the 2019-20 school year. Our theme captured Cedar Rapids Community School District as a "HOPE SPOT" for our students, staff, and community. As I listened to our speakers--all employees of the school district--share their experiences of witnessing hope in our school district, I found so many new opportunities to consider what builds hope in all of us. I have spotted hope all over our district and community this past week: kindergarten students entering school for the first time and their parents making it through emotional mornings, days, and afternoons. middle schoolers hugging each other because they missed one another over the summer. a high school teacher explaining his #1 goal as closing the opportunity and equity gap for his math students through ACCESS to Algebra and a lot of instructional support. communication from staff members describing professional learning time...