The Love of a Leader...

It was time, I needed to make sure I was in-tune and staying connected to what the best schools in America are doing to meet the needs of their students.  I am responsible to the students I serve daily. Leaders must take the time to make sure they are collaborating and engaging with those who can make them better in their roles.  I look forward to learning and getting out of my comfort zone as I know it isn't about me, it is about the students who will have a better experience as a result of my learning and leading. Last week I had the privilege to attend the Deeper Learning Conference at High Tech High in San Diego, California.  It was an amazing experience that gave credence to the passion I have for shifting the traditional school experience into a real world, meaningful, deeper learning experience that I believe is critical for every child.  I am a firm believer that every child should have the privilege to experience a meaningful education that they create, n...

The life of a leader requires a love for their work.  I love what I do on a daily basis and I am thankful  for the privelege to serve in a capacity everyday that impacts the lives of students.  Being a principal requires a love for the people you serve and I can think of no greater investment than children who will run the future and teachers willing to be in the trenches.  On the 30th anniversary of the explosion of the Challenger a quote from Christa McAuliffe seems appropriate, "I touch the future--I teach."  This commitment to education does require the leader to have a vision beyond tomorrow, beyond next week, and beyond next year.  It also requires accountability to monitor classroom instruction.  I have always believed that if I wouldn't want my own child, niece, or nephew in the classroom with a teacher, then why would I compromise for the children entrusted to my care within a school and when it happens...it is hard. There have been only a ...

The sandbox may just be the easiest form of entertainment, although those huge empty boxes rank up there as well for children.  My daughter loves playing in sand and believe you me; if there is sand nearby, she will find it and bring plenty home for all to enjoy.  Yesterday, when I picked her up from pre-school she was dressed of course in one of her fun pink dresses and her fancy black dress shoes.  This girl loves fancy clothes and shoes, my joy on Friday is knowing I can wear wear jeans...not this little chick, no jeans and tennis shoes in her wardrobe any day of the week (she is four). Yesterday, after a long week in the education profession (which I do love, but there are still hard situations that can drain even the strongest soul) we arrived home and my daughter informed me she wanted to take her shoes off, but she assured me that she had already gotten all the sand out of her shoes.  We live in Florida, sand is inevitable and I really do love it!   ...

Last night I sat in a very hot gym filled with people who were watching their loved ones graduate and begin the next journey in life.  I saw many, many folks and thought of others who have impacted my own journey at some point or another in the last twenty-fives year.  My heart was full as I thought about life and how thankful I am for the journey. And then I started thinking, who would have thought... that for many years I drove a tractor better than I could drive a car, which eventually led to my love of manual transmissions...my car is a six speed and I am not sure I will ever be able to settle for an automatic.  that I was engaged in high school to the love of my life and in June we will celebrate 19 years together and I still love him.  In fact, I never thought I could love him more than I did then...but I do.  He is my rock.   that I would be an educator, my goal was to get out of school and do something, anything but school or farm. I have ac...

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for another  John 15:13.  The Love of a Leader is possible because lives were lost.  People willing to give their lives for their country.  I feel insufficient to even write about my freedoms.  Life is full of trials and journeys and I am thankful for the freedom to experience life.  Freedom gained by sacrifice should be the most appreciated and yet our free lives are often so complicated we too often forget.  I get to live out many loves of my life daily because others gave the ultimate sacrifice.  I pray that I honor them daily through my demonstration of what I love resulting from freedom. Here are a few of my loves made possible due to the sacrifice of men and women willing to sacrifice their own lives for others... The freedom to choose Christianity and live out my profession daily.  My sanctification journey  is far from over and I am thankful for God's grace.  I ...

I am back for a moment at least...I still haven't figured out how to blog regularly, when it hits,  I share.  Today, it hit.  Today was a two cups of coffee and chocolate kinda day and I will be honest a third cup of coffee could have been helpful, but out of respect to those I love most in my environment I used my self discipline and ate chocolate instead.  The morning started off with a delightful parent who attended my "Sit Down with Shannon" session and made me shine as she shared how delighted she was with the teachers and supports in our school.  Let's be real folks... as a principal, rarely do we hear what is going right.  I have a lot of skill in positive self talk and utilizing sugar to balance the complaints.  Today though started off with a wonderful and positive parent interaction and my heart was happy.  She left and then the rest of the day would begin to unfold, not as I had planned in my head while getting ready (which is the case...

How are you making a difference?  You can help here.  Join these students as they believe they can change lives and I believe they will.  It is going to take a Village to Support a Village. UNLOCK is a class designed by students at Eminence to fulfill their desire to serve others in impoverished areas.  They came to me as the principal after some discussions around the importance of service to others and expressed a desire to frankly, just do more.  Their persistency and my passion for missions resulted in an opportunity for a needed response to our Next Generation Learners who were asking for something different.  I don't think either stakeholder had any idea of what it would look like, but we all knew we were moving forward.  The first fifteen weeks of this school year have looked very different for the students in this class from the integrated approach to credits (they are earning Language Arts, Technology, and some History credits in the course...