We are all set!
Interns wear your WSU Name Badge. Dress for success.
A few of you can jump from the Sweeting Van to the Kusche Mobile to be more comfortable. Same is true for those of you in Vern's vehicle that might want to jump to Jenna's for comfort.Dr. Gene Sharratt is thrilled to be hosting the WSU team on Thursday, December 4 in Olympia.
He have reserved Senate Hearing Room One in the John A. Cherberg Building, 304 15th Avenue SW, Olympia, 98504, on campus.
We have the room from 5 PM to 8 PM. The official program will kick-off at 6 pm that evening!
This will be great fun!
Go Cougs!
Thursday, December 4th @ Cherberg, Hearing Room 1, State Capitol @ 6:00 pm with Dr. Gene Sharratt (finish at 8:00 pm) Let's not be late and dress for success. Carpools leaves from PSD & 512 Park and Ride at 3:45 pm.
Reflection Format
Triangle Ÿ Square Ÿ Circle
What three important points that you have
learned?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
What is something that squared or agreed with your thinking?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What is
something still circling in your
head?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
What are three important points that you have learned? Our evening with Dr. Sharratt reminded me about the importance of goals and celebration. “What gets measured, gets done and what gets rewarded, gets repeated”. He continually challenges us to build culture through our trustworthy actions and following through with our promises to the school community. I learned that in order to create the positive culture and climate of a school, the leader MUST intentionally put systems in place. A random nice gesture is not enough, but positive habits of mind like “Catch me at My Best” or wordles for a staff to recognize one another is necessary. Lastly I learned that the Dream Act has a specific application for students, helping me to assist a senior undocumented student right now.
ReplyDeleteWhat is something that squared or agreed with your thinking?
Everything Dr. Sharratt presented agreed with my thinking, however discussing the slow economic growth following the latest recession was enlightening. It is disheartening to see the multiple families over the last five years not be able to afford a four-year university because they are not poor enough for grants. The shrinking middle class and lack of opportunity for these students will negatively impact our local economy, relying on importing skilled workers from other states and countries. When I started college in 1991, I contributed 30% of the total cost of tuition while my state subsidized 70%. Schools used to be state-funded, then they became state-assisted and at the rate we are going, they will become state-located.
What is something still circling in your head?
The topic of language has been circling in my head since last evening. Dr. Sharratt’s discussion about the use of negative or positive language when describing our students’ challenges has made me catch myself three times today. “Language drives expectations and expectations drives results” making our conscious choice of words incredibly critical to the daily work we do with students and families. No longer will I use the terms “at-risk” or “needy” or “disadvantaged”. If branding our values is essential to keeping our promise to students, then using language that reveals high expectations of all students must be our default.
I was convicted for my laziness of mind for overusing the term "at risk". Thinking I need a money jar like we had for the boys when they were little and used a put down. Each time they did they had to put a quarter in the jar!
DeleteThree important points:
ReplyDelete1. Build a culture focused on all kids being capable of achieving
2. Language creates success: not kids at-risk but kids at-promise!
3. Look at each day as an opportunity
Circling around:
Finding ways to break down barriers that allow staff to disconnect from some students who are not able to see the in potential each one of our kids
Squared away:
The importance of creating a college bound culture as early as possible for all kids and let them know that they have the potential and ability to access a post secondary education.
Go Cougs!!
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ReplyDeleteThree important points that I learned…
ReplyDelete1. NO LIMITS! Do not set limits on students. Be a dream builder not a dream crusher!
2. What is the difference between managers and leaders? Leaders invest in people and build capacity.
3. Language drives expectations; expectation drives performance. Building a culture requires using a language of promise and support.
Many things that Dr. Sharratt spoke about last night squared with my thinking. One thing I really agree with is when he said, “be value driven not rules driven.” A leader makes difficult decisions that policies cannot make. Knowing who you are and what you stand for is the key.
One thing that is still circling in my head is the success of Bridgeport High School. What an awesome learning environment that must be.
I thoroughly enjoyed the evening again with Dr. Sharratt , our cohort, and the Vancouver cohort. It's fun connecting with them. On the way back, I mentioned that now we can go another four to six months since we've had "our shot of Dr. Sharratt". It's like an injection of positivity and hope.
ReplyDeleteThree important points I've learned:
*Our students deserve courage, to be taken clear to the top. We need to build capacity in people in performance and in practice. That happens by building culture, when you build it, you don't have to police it.
What squared with my thinking:
*Politics-Don't take it personally, it's about the issues. Not enemies, nor friends. You have allies and opponents.
What is circling in my head:
*Since letterhead is branded for a consistent message, what's my brand? What's my promise?
Thank-you Glenn, Dr. Sharratt, our professors, and everyone involved with such a wonderful evening.
I had a great evening! Connecting with those around us was my ultimate positive from the night!
ReplyDelete3 important points:
- Are you a person of happy heart? How far are you taking your students and teachers? To the top.
- Most important job? Build the culture... Read the current culture first. Build trust first.
- What you reward gets repeated... People watch you!
Circling Around:
Climate is very different than culture. "Culture impacts student achievement, climate doesn't necessarily have the same impact." While I could agree with Dr. Sharratt's point about a happy place isn't necessarily a place of learning, I do firmly believe that a cold, unwelcoming climate DOES negatively impact student learning. So while the culture and climate of a building can be different things, I believe the climate supports the culture and is important.
Squared with my thinking:
I loved this: "Language drives expectation. Expectations drive performance.
What kind of language are you using?"
Three Important Points:
ReplyDelete1. Loved the circle/just like me activity. Even though I may think there is not time to do so, taking the time to get to know people before beginning the heavy lifting , will make for happier hearted people. People who don't just show up for work, but travel to work anticipating an opportunity to foster hope in someone's life.
2. There is a difference between a manager and a leader. Leaders build capacity in others to be successful.
3. I re- learned that providing access undocumented students and college bound scholars can be CERTAIN ACCESS. (Dream Act Funded, CBS funds)
SQUARED: What I agreed with.
What gets measured gets done, what gets rewarded gets repeated.��
CIRCLING: Still thinking about
It is "easier" to use common language when describing students. For example, in creating and sustaining RTI, I (we) use the term "at-risk" when describing students with academic deficits, behavior, socio-economic challenges and attendance. Gene Sharrat challenged my thinking about the power of this term. Instead, using the example of a principal in Spokane, he referred to these same students at "at promise". Language drives the expectation, and expectation drives results.
RIGOR RELEVANCE RELATIONSHIPS
What an amazing night in Olympia. This was my third trip as a part of the WSUP program and each time I have found myself humbled by the fantastic company and inspired by the content. What is so inspiring about Gene is not necessarily what says, but how he says it. Everything he does he does with a smile. His positive energy is infectious. Great leaders have a way of making you feel safe and comfortable. Gene does this masterfully.
ReplyDeleteWhat are three important points that I have learned?
• Surround yourself and your team with positive affirmations. Hearing about all of the “Wordals” on the walls of his office makes me want to visit and see it for myself.
• Leader lead people! You must be good with people.
• Never underestimate the power of a smile.
What is something that squared or agreed with my thinking?
• Everything. More specifically, the belief in setting high goals and doing everything you can to achieve them.
What is something that is still circling in my head?
• Beyond the smiles and positivity is a man that is serious about doing right by kids. The comment he made about having to let go of a large part of his staff who was not on board with the mission and vision was a reminder that great leaders mix a positive and friendly demeanor with the courage to always do what is right for kids. As I grow into the role of an educational leader this is still something that I do not know about myself. I believe in that I will have the courage to do what is right when the time comes, but I still don’t know how I will react or the feel in the moment.
I thoroughly loved the time in Olympia. I leave each time with a renewed sense of purpose and re-energized. We need to remember that there are people in Olympia fighting for education and supporting teachers, understanding the important work that needs to be done for all. Dr. Sharratt is an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThree important points:
1. What gets measured, gets done. What gets rewarded, gets repeated.
2. Are you driving to work or to an opportunity? I really like this statement and I think it supports the mind shift that each day we are provided with opportunities to shape our lives and the lives of others for the better.
3. The change in thinking with regard to language. Language drives expectations and expectations drives performance. When need to change our meetings to be about "at promise", not at risk or struggling.
Squared my thinking:
I was reminded of the important of sharing positive thoughts and celebrations of 'catching those at their best' and rewarding both the recipient and the giver. It was also great to get the reinforcer of values driving vs. rule driven. Values need to stay at the front of our priority list.
Circling my head:
The shear enormity of true life-long learning, encompassing past high school and how much the budget really effects everything. (The increase in student enrollment, class size initiatives, and the lack of funding). Continuing to research and work on creating and sustaining creative ways to engage all, despite challenges that come with budgets and recessions.
1. We are at a time where the need to focus on post-secondary attainment is of the utmost importance.
ReplyDelete2. Language is power. Use the language from those around you to change the culture or to ameliorate it.
3. Opportunity mindset.
Squared my thinking: I wonder if Gene would place a tremendous emphasis on "graduation." That is, it never really came up during his speech. I see that word tossed around and focused on a lot in many of the schools in Puyallup, and I wonder if creating a culture of "graduation" is best for kids. How can we take the shift away from "graduating," and place it more on "becoming prepared to live our dreams"?
Circling in my head is the idea that education is so lucky to have someone who is such a cunning linguist. I really think that his sophistry is a huge part of what makes him so inspiring to listen to. He knows it, too. I remember when he said he would drive 12 hours to meet with someone face-to-face to avoid using the telephone or email. This goes to show that he is fully aware that the power of his speech, the energy that comes through, and his message are all parts of what make him such a moving speaker. Even though his efforts are backed and actuated by a very highly-regarded panel, and even though his measures are supported with comprehensive data, I think that Gene's messages would be way less impacting if he didn't have such a gift for being an interlocutor. With that being said, I don't chalk up his work to mere savvy rhetoric, but there is really something to be said for a person who can speak like that. How can I take steps to talk more like Gene???