Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Inspired for a Higher CALIBER of Learning

In the past five days, I've received life-changing inspiration, opportunities to serve and profound truths to empower me and those I influence to reach for a higher CALIBER of learning! Allow me to "spell it out" for you!

 C-Collaboration - Our collaboration at the Cambridge Public Schools Educational Excellence Institute (#CPSEEI) was not only inspirational but calming, as I did not have the good fortune to attend #ISTE2014 in Atlanta! Our day of Professional Development (PD) was centered around learning from each other, inspiring each other and challenging each other to reach new heights of excellence for our students and ourselves! Thanks to Jeffrey M. Young (Superintendent of Schools in Cambridge MA), Jessica Huizenga (@DrJessHuizenga) for coordinating the day and so many engaging presenters for providing such a great day of collaborative learning! I'd like to especially thank Sheila Yates for her engaging and practical session on Mathematical Practices and Discourse. I was especially grateful to connect with Mary DeLai, our new Superintendent for Wilmington Public Schools! We followed each other on Twitter and started brainstorming for our district!

 A-Adapting - Linda Jordan led a mentally stimulating session on the importance of creating a Culture of Learning focused on Relationships, Rigor and Relevance! Her slides say it all!


L-Listening - Our dedicated and faithful group of Christian Educators (#ChristianEducators) gather every Thursday at 9pm ET to share, encourage and challenge each other. This week we focused on listening skills and the importance of listening to understand, not just to respond. We discussed 10 principles of listening, 6 biblical listening skills and barriers to effective listening.






 I-Inspiration - Our keynote speaker at #CPSEEI was the incredibly inspirational Salome Thomas-EL (@Principal_EL)! His standing ovation spoke to that! He encouraged all in attendance to be the adult in a child's life that he or she will look back on and remember the kinds words, motivation and reason to keeping going.





 B-Brain Rules  - After finishing John Medina's book on Brain Rules, I realized how interwoven sleep, exercise, music and stress are to the way our brain works. He discusses 12 Brain Rules that explain how we learn, characteristics that improve and diminish our ability to learn and how being aware of these rules enables us to take charge of our learning and the learning of those around us!

 E-Excuses - Sunday's sermon was entitled "Christian Weight Loss - Drop the Excuses!". John Harrison is an eloquent preacher and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). He was our guest speaker on Sunday, June 29th. During his entire message, he carried around a dumbbell in his hand. We all wondered about its significance. At the close of his message, as he put down the weight, he encouraged everyone to rid themselves of all excuses and allow God to work through us so we can reach more of our potential! What an inspirational and scripture-based message. Next time I hit the gym to lift, I'll be reminded to "drop the excuses" and live to serve others as I was called to do!

 R-Reflection - Our "Dream Team" for our Culture of Learning (#COLchat) on Monday's at 9pm ET with Michele Corbat (@MicheleCorbat), Rodney Hetherton (@RodneyHetherton) and Adam Hartley (@AdamHartley2014) focused the conversation around the importance of "Reflection". I've learned from this group the importance of regular reflection. That reflection, combined with feedback from our Professional Learning Network (PLN), has enabled many of us to transform our Culture of Learning into engaging learning environments where teachers and students look forward to our time together!




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