As the 2016-2017 school year comes to a close, I decided it would be fun to look back on all we did at Carver Elementary this year. It was our busiest year yet, and by far, the most fun. We laughed a lot, grew professionally and got to know each other a whole lot better. Reminiscing about the activities that shaped us as a building was simply a blast.
FALL
The change at Carver began in the fall. That's when my Twitter obsession began. Oh, who am I kidding. It's when my Beth Houf obsession began. I stalked her Twitter page constantly and by stalking her and what she was doing, I also saw what others in the world of Twitter were doing and it was inspiring. My focus as an administrator changed, and in turn, the entire culture of Carver Elementary changed. This was the time #tweetingtuesday began, as well as highfive highways/fist bump Fridays, and so much more. As I continued using Twitter, and more ideas were introduced at Carver, I could feel the pendulum swinging and I loved it.
We kicked off Worthwhile Wednesdays in the fall as well. While we had begun our mini PD sessions at the end of the previous school year, I knew it was going to be even more amazing this year and boy was I right. It only took a couple of weeks before I no longer had to ask for volunteers. Teachers were now coming to me and asking if they could present on something they were doing in their classroom. I knew there was no turning back when I saw strategies being used on Thursday morning that a teacher had presented on Wednesday afternoon. To say our Wednesdays are worthwhile is an understatement.
WINTER
As fall turned to winter, there was nothing but amazingness happening at Carver, and as I reflected on what we were doing, I knew it was time to start blogging. This was something I had wanted to do for some time, and I couldn't wait to share with others everything we were doing. So a blogger I became and I've never looked back. My high school English teacher, Gloria Ball, would never believe it. I was a shy, quiet student (yes, I really was) and most definitely, not the smartest in the class, but I took in all she was teaching and I hope I make her proud with each blog I write.
The winter saw some familiar events. Our annual Veterans Day was as moving as ever. Each year, we try to add something new and this year was no exception. A group of Carver teachers brought the crowd to their feet (along with many tears) as they sang American Tears along with 560 students. I still find myself searching my facebook page to hear it from time to time. The Veterans were also presented with a homemade red, white and blue pillow thanks to "Maw" Jones.
While we traditionally have parent nights at Carver, we decided to spice it up a little more this year. We wanted to go big or go home, so we went big. It was a hit, complete with passports and visits to classrooms to learn about different genres. All students were invited and grade level teachers worked together to provide activities more meaningful than the traditional cookie decorating that often accompanies the reading of a book. The teachers worked together to made it spectacular. Actually, when I look back on the year, this might have been the activity that started all of the team building. I knew it was only the beginning.
As the winter months moved along, Carverville was held and it was as exciting for the kids as always. We added a restaurant this year that went nicely with all the other businesses, which were run by the 3rd and 4th grade students. My favorite part was watching the big kids helping the younger ones shop in each store. So sweet!
December, though, was a month like no other. I didn't know that I would see such competitiveness when I decided to have a door decorating contest. Each team chose a theme and got to work. While I loved walking down the halls and looking at the doors (even the ones with mine and Mr. Phillips' face adorning them) what I loved the most was watching the camaraderie among the teams as they stayed after school to complete their masterpieces. The togetherness didn't stop there though. One cold evening, we all got on a yellow school bus and headed out into the community to deliver goodies in what we named our Carver Christmas Cookie Caravan. Before we headed out though, we had to take part in the latest craze...the Mannequin Challenge. Such fun. We ended December with our annual Progressive Dinner at school and again, a mannequin challenge preluded the event. It might have been on its way to becoming an obsession.
Most teachers get the winter blues, but not us. We were too busy with exciting things happening at school. We greeted the kids back in a New Years kind of way complete with loud horns, 2017 glasses and party favors. I'm pretty sure the parents who were dropping their kids off loved it as much as the kids themselves. Later on, Carver held our version of a Student Led EdCamp, thanks to Mrs. Williams, our librarian, and the fourth graders. The kids were also treated to our first No Worksheet Holiday. It was such a hit, we had another one. While I loved the Kindness Workshop, where our team members stayed after school to paint kindness pictures and kindness rocks, make kindness signs and much more, it was so exciting for me to take several students around town to deliver what we had made to community members. I hope the kids will always remember our random acts of kindness. We ended the month with the surprise giveaway of the MY BOSS THINKS I'M AMAZING T-shirts to all the team members in the gym to everyone's surprise. Why? Because my team is AMAZING.
The winter months were coming to an end but not before a few more surprises were in store. That's right. Trading Places was coming. Teachers were going to trade places with each other for the day. I think several were a little skeptical, but they did it and I hope they gained an appreciation for their colleagues after it was over. The anticipation at the Teacher Reveal Party, where balloons were popped to find the name of their assignment on a piece of paper, was one for the books. For me personally, Shadowing a Student all day was another highlight (especially the bus ride home) as was using my CATSmobile to work from in the hallways. I think the kids finally got used to me outside their classrooms. I'm not so sure about the teachers though. There was one more treat in store for me. Beth Houf was presenting at the METC conference I was attending in February. Of course I was going to attend her session. There was never a doubt. Then it happened...I actually went up and met her. Well, I introduced myself as her stalker. She was just as amazing in person as I knew she would be. Little did I know within a few months, she would be surprising me.
Spring was upon us, but there was no slowing us down. No way. At the METC conference, I was inspired by a video showing a ball pit, adults and meaningful conversations. I took that idea and made it fit Carver. The kids love hearing The Price Is Right music coming on over the intercom as they wait to see who is called down to the ball pit. I took it a step further when I decided to call teachers to the pit. They may not run down the hall clapping their hands like the kids do, but I like the think they enjoy it too. One of the best things that happened in the spring with the team, though, was the Selfie Scavenger Hunt. As I read LEAD LIKE A PIRATE and saw this idea, I decided we would do it...the very next day. And we did. That might have been everyone's favorite activity all year. Who knew driving around Neosho taking selfies could be so fun. I just thought the door decorating brought out their competitiveness. I had no idea.
May was here and so was the time to unveil what had been secretly planned for months.. the CATS Awards. I loved planning it as much as watching it unfold before my eyes. Individualized awards, a pretend red carpet, the team dressed in formals, community presenters, amazing hosts, etc. It was the perfect ending to a perfect school year. This is also when I was surprised with a video message from Beth Houf telling me that I lead like a pirate. I was speechless...but for just a moment. Oh wait. Let's not forget that I made Darren Cook an internet sensation with the awards show. He says I owe him, but I think it's the other way around.
The last week is here and we are just as busy as ever. We held our first ever Talent Show and it did not disappoint. I won't have much time to process it though, because I'm off to see RON CLARK at his academy the last day of school. What an ending to an amazing year!
I get inspired all over again, as I type this. I can't imagine our school year without all these additions. I've already been planning for the start of the next school year. Was your school year this inspiring? Have you enjoyed your year this much? What can you do to make a change in your building? What activities would you like to add? If you were to write it down and reflect would you be able to say you had the same AMAZING year in review.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Monday, May 8, 2017
And The Winner Is...
CMA's, Espys, Emmys, Oscars. All famous awards shows. However, when I hear them mentioned or see a commercial about them now, my mind will automatically drift to the CATS (Carver's Amazing Teachers and Staff) Awards. To end Teacher Appreciation Week at Carver Elementary, our gymnasium was recently transformed into a room that honored the recipients of many well deserved awards that were unique to our building and the experiences we had this school year. The awards show featured an enthusiastic announcer, two outstanding guest hosts, three talented singers, delicious appetizers, engaging award presentations by a local business owner, a pastor, retired teachers and coaches, school board members, Central Office personnel, etc. It was quite the production if I do say so myself. After the big event was over and I had time to reflect on what had been pulled off, I realized there were three important takeaways I learned from my "directorial debut".
1. Be Thankful For True Friends
True friends are hard to come by, and as life goes on that is becoming more and more evident to me, but I have some of the best and they were willing to help me pull off this crazy idea of mine. When I told Darren Cook, my friend for many years and our high school principal, that I needed a host for the awards show, he uttered three of the most wonderful words I'd ever heard him say. "I'll do it." I couldn't believe my luck. I kept asking him over and over if he was sure and he just kept saying, "Yes, I'll do it, I'll do it." He was all in and I was over the top excited. You see, I'm one of the few people who know how talented Darren Cook is and I knew if he was involved in the show, it would be one to remember. He was also quick to offer the talents of our friend and colleague Charity Williams, and I felt confident, once she heard what we were planning, that she too would help in this endeavor. I was right. They made a great hosting duo and as I watched their chemistry on stage as they sang their songs and went off script (that was only Darren) I smiled and laughed a whole lot knowing I was right all along about them. They are talented, but more than that, they are true friends, and in Darren's case, he is also now an internet sensation.
Connie Bryant, another close friend for over a decade, has helped me more times than I can count, and she came through yet again in a big way. She took care of getting the pre-awards show appetizers ready as well as making the presentation award worthy. A week prior to the show, she and I went to get everything we needed at Sam's and to discuss the vision of how everything would look. As she was talking about how she would set it up, I acted like I was listening, but in reality I was pondering how helpful and supportive she has always been to me in all the school activities we have done together through the years. She never bats an eye when I ask for help and more often than not, she offers her help as I'm telling her my plans. Her presentation that day was spot on as usual and a bonus was her delicious brownies.
My librarian (for a few more weeks) and dear friend Tamie Williams, immediately loved the idea of the awards show when I told her about it and she volunteered to put together the slide show that featured our amazing team as well as the presentation that showcased the presenters and recipients of the awards. I knew when I was working on others tasks that needed my attention, she was working on the technology side of things, and I was confident it would all be spectacular and it was. I admit the video she put together for the opening brought tears to my eyes. She's a detail person, as am I, so her i's were all dotted and her t's were all crossed. Her role in the CATS awards was impeccable.
Two of the most wonderful retired elementary principals I was privileged to work with also came to help. Barbara Hammett and Alma Stipp are two amazing ladies. When Barbara found out what was happening she asked if she could help Connie with the food. I accepted her offer immediately. When I decided to give Tamie Williams the final award, there was only one person I had in mind to present it to her. That person was Alma Stipp. While I knew she would have an issue with the title: the Alma Stipp Icon Award, I also knew she would do it for me and Tamie. Well...she might have wanted to come see Darren's co-hosting debut as well. I mean who wouldn't. My friendship with Barbara and Alma began 15 years ago, when my young, naive self became a principal amongst brilliant, experienced, veteran administrators. It was evident from my first few days on the job, I could learn a great deal from them and I was right. As they accepted me, my daily phone calls and constant questions, they filled me with the knowledge and wisdom only years in education could bring, and I will forever be grateful and appreciative to both of them.
2. HARD WORK PAYS OFF
I spent several months working on what would morph into quite a production. Any free time I had, I was working on the CATS Awards. It just kept getting bigger and bigger. It seemed like new ideas just kept popping into my head. It went from a simple idea of an awards show, to researching titles of awards, to writing the script and rewriting songs, to buying the awards, decorations, and gift bags, to securing the announcer, caterer, hosts, and presenters. There were only a few team members who knew what was going to happen, but everyone knew something BIG was in the making. While, the process was long, seeing the team's reaction that afternoon was priceless and so worth every minute that was put into it. Afterwards, I had several people ask me how much time it took and how I had time to do it all. My answer was simple. I made the time. We all find time for what's important to us and working on ideas for my staff is important to this principal. I believe the staff appreciated all that went into this event and that was enough for me. However, some of my staff had other ideas. Late into the show, Darren and Charity disappeared and came back to the microphone with pirate attire on so I knew they were up to something. I realized I was getting ready to be presented an award myself. When I went around the curtain, Darren told me to look at the screen. A video was coming on and I screamed "It's Beth Houf! It's Beth Houf!" IT WAS! She was giving me a video message. Beth Houf was telling ME that I lead like a pirate. I couldn't contain my smile. A beautiful pirate ship that said CATS Award...Lead Like A Pirate 2017 was presented to me. I was humbled that I had staff members who appreciated all I had been doing enough to contact her and get her to send me a video message, purchase a beautiful ship and have it engraved, and add it into the show secretly. AMAZING!
3. HAVE FUN WITH YOUR STAFF
Beth Houf says have fun with your staff and that's exactly what happened on May 5th. FUN! From the minute Darren Cook and Charity Williams rolled onto the stage in my CATSmobile (a desk I use to work from in the hallways) the teachers and staff knew they were in for a treat. I had asked them to dress up in formals and although there were skeptics, they did it anyway. That added to the suspense of the day, but it also let them have fun with each other. I loved hearing them talk about what they were planning on wearing and trying to guess what the big surprise was going to be. My own experience with two team members at a local shop was quite enjoyable as well. As I tried on dresses, I asked our nurse if they looked like actual dresses someone would wear to a big event. She quickly informed me, "It's not real. It's in your imagination." She didn't know what was coming at that point so that made it even more fun. We couldn't quit laughing as we tried on formals and looked for shoes and costume jewelry.
As the show began, I loved hearing the laughter as each award was presented and unrehearsed speeches were given. The clapping and enthusiasm as the music played was contagious and watching teachers' personality change right before our eyes was shocking to see, but in a good way. It was priceless. Their long line in front of the "fancy" red curtain before and after the show, let me know they were truly enjoying themselves and each other. In the weeks leading up to the surprise, I had put a daily hint on Twitter. The tweets caused many questions to be asked in the hallways and the teachers' lounge, and the anticipation was just as much fun as the actual event. As I stood there in the gym I tried to take it all in. Well... as much as a director can during their production. I believe bonds were built that day over a butcher paper red carpet, a plastic red curtain and $.99 picture frames that became the symbol for our awards. We all work so hard each and every day and we need to have some fun once in a while and on May 5th at the CATS awards in the Carver Elementary gymnasium that is exactly what we had. I challenge everyone to ask yourself if you appreciate the true friends you have? Do you work hard enough that it pays off? Do you have fun with your staff? After Friday, I know the Carver team's answer and I know, without a doubt, they will have a smile on their face the next time they hear AND THE WINNER IS.
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