Family

Getting back in the saddle after five days off...after pie...after turkey...is tough.  With Thanksgiving over, we have reached the first point of the school year when it gets crazy.  The number of distractions for students and adults alike is numerous.  The lights.  The sounds. The anticipation of upcoming events.  It is often hard to keep those around us (as well as ourselves) on track and focused until December 21st.

This time of year also finds us thinking of others a little more than we normally do.  We are busy making lists to ensure we get everyone the perfect gift.  We are baking treats to share with friends and family.  We become busy making plans on how to see our family and to make them feel special this time of year.

Take the time to not only think of the families you are related to, but also think about your work family.  These are the people who spend numerous hours with.  These are the people who support you and encourage you.  We all come from different backgrounds and different places, but being under this roof together makes us a family.  We may disagree with each other from time to time.  We may go stretches without talking or seeing each other.  Yet when we come together, we are family.  We are fortunate to spend our days together.  

In this "Ted Lasso" clip, Higgins has the team over for Christmas.  He makes a great toast...to remember the family we are born with and the family we make along the way.  I am grateful for this family that I have made along the way.

I wish you peace and joy during these upcoming weeks.

Just a Reminder

 Just a reminder:

• Believe in believe.
• Smell the potential of yourself and your students.
• Change can be scary.  Embrace it.  It can be good.
• You don't need to be best friends to be great teammates.  
• We are working to help our students and each other become the best versions of ourselves.
• Be a goldfish.
• Be strong.  Be confident.
• Every disadvantage has an advantage.  It makes you see things in a whole new light.
• If you care about someone and got a little love in your heart, there's nothing you can't get through.
• Be curious, not judgmental.
• Ain't nobody in this room alone.

Keep working hard team.  I am amazed by you.  I am glad to be on your team.

I believe in believe.  I believe in you.

Find Your Seat

It is rivalry week once again.  This week is the weekend of the SDSU versus NDSU game.  The Jack will head to Fargo for one of the biggest games on their schedule.

Here is a great picture of my family with the Dakota Marker last year.  It is heavy.  It is super cool.  And we won it last year.  

The Neills did not start out as an SDSU football family.  We had been to games as students and games once we were married, but after attending the first game at the new stadium we thought we could possibly be a football family.  Football season does occur at a bad time for a farmer who makes a living growing corn and soybeans.  SDSU has a great stadium, but sports in climate-controlled indoor facilities are always a plus.  We looked at the negatives but still decided to take the plunge and become a football family.

Being a season ticket holder for the first time, you often go in blindly.  You may not really know what the view looks like from your seats.  You may not know one person around you.  You may not realize how far the bathroom may be from your seats.  But as you go to each game, you develop relationships with those around you.  You let them know if perhaps you may not be at a game.  You talk about your hopes for the team.  You talk about your families.  Slowly you build relationships with your fellow fans.

Not only did we decide to be a football family, but we also decided to become a tailgating football family.  Tailgating brings with it food and an even deeper bond with those around you.  You invite strangers (and even people from other teams) into your area to share eats and conversation.  There may be yard games, there may be bets made, and there are definitely lots of laughs.  We have developed many positive relationships due to our dive into the world of college football.  

As we attended more games, we began talking about getting seats that may be a little better.  Maybe we can be a little further down or closer to the 50-yard line.  This year we decided to not only move seats but move to a different tailgating location.  I didn't think too much of it until we headed to the Iowa game and saw the group that tailgated next to us for 5 years.  They asked us if we were ready to see them again this fall.  I then got just a sick feeling in my tummy.  I had to break the news that we moved spots.  

Just when I thought I was done breaking hearts, the first home game of the season came.  How do I break the news to our seatmates?  They had put up with five years of us.  Mind you Khloe was four when we started sitting there.  They put up with pom poms in their faces, a little girl having potty emergencies, and a super fan who could sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Ring the Bells" word for word by the time she was five.

As John and Khloe went to our new seats, I headed over and broke the news to our "friends".  It was at this time that I realized how impactful these types of relationships are as they handed me a newspaper article they had been saving all year for us.  After some small talk, I quickly found my way to my new seat through tears.  We had both made an impact on each other.  Even though we only saw each other for five (and sometimes more) games a year, there was still that connection.

I sit back during this rivalry week and realize all the great relationships I have made in my life...not just at SDSU games, but in other areas.  My experiences in different schools, different work groups, and different stadiums have sparked relationships both big and small.  Relationships that make me feel comfortable, relationships that support me in my personal life, and those that support me in my professional life.  Are there a few rivals out there?  There always are.  But even with rivals, you can find a relationship built upon respect.  Your briefest interaction with a person can be large for them and for you.  

Putting yourself out there to begin new relationships can be scary.  But what new thing isn't?  Take the plunge and develop relationships with those around you. Share your interests. Share your struggles.  Share your accomplishments.  Just like picking season tickets, you may not know what you are going to get, but putting yourself out there could result in something special.

Find the time to gather with your seatmates.  Find the time to talk about work.  Find the time to talk about things that have nothing to do with work.  Find the time to talk about life.  Take the time to start building those relationships around the lunch table...around a desk...around a fire pit...or around an old camper that Gebhart Painting spruced up.

Go Big. Go Blue. Go Jacks! 💙🐰💛

Stay Calm

We would like to think that we are at the point of the year where we feel like everything is second nature.

But then the following happens:

Sick kids.

Interim Assessing.

Homecoming.

Conferences.

SLOs.

Crickets.

The littlest thing can sometimes create the biggest disruptions.  I mean, who knew that crickets being smushed in the hall could cause students to fall apart?  

When we met for in-service on Wednesday, I was proud that people are proud of themselves.  I was proud that people were proud of others.  I was proud that people felt comfortable enough with our team to admit they are struggling with students, procedures, curriculum, parents, assessment, time...

What we can glean from these conversations is that nothing can prepare you for what the classroom experience is like.  Each grade is different.  Each child is different.  Each day is different.  Just when we think we have it figured out, something we could not phantom pops up.  There are things that no amount of training can prepare you for.  We can experience joy and fear within minutes of each other.  We may be fearful of changes.  We may be fearful of not knowing what to do.  We may be fearful of difficult things.  We may be fearful of not being successful.  

My advice to you was to be confident...be calm...be firm.  I am going to add another c to that list.  Be calm.  Going into situations with your defenses high and heart rate up can result in your brain thinking too fast.  You may say something or do something that you must clean up later.  Do not be afraid to pause.  Compose yourself and then hit it head-on.  Take the time to pump yourself up to face what is thrown your way.  And when you do it; know that your team is supporting you.

Ted Lasso reminded us to make tough calls.  Do not ignore those things that are tough.  Look for help and know that your decisions may not always equal sunshine and rainbows.

I am going to take a step away from Ted for this lesson to have you listen to another sports great, Ricky Bobby (please note...there is some NSFW language in this clip).

Face the fear.  Be calm.  Tackle the cougar...even if it means ruining your Crystal Gayle shirt.  

You got this.

I believe in believe.

I believe in you.

Nobody is Bigger Than the Team

 WARNING:  Roy says his favorite word a few times in this clip.

Above is one of the scenes we talked about from "Ted Lasso" at our preservice day.  Roy and Ted are drunk and talk about Roy not playing.  It took this talk for Roy to see that sometimes he needed to put the needs of the team ahead of his needs (actually...not his needs, but his ego).  Ted needed Roy to see that it takes working together to make each other better...even those who are the best need others to continue to improve.  

Last week, we saw the importance of the team.  Many of us needed to put our desires on the back burner in order to help the team as a whole find success.  We may have had a plan for what we wanted to do for the day, but after hearing what the team needed, we put that aside and worked for the good of the team.  And boy did we get a lot done.  In the midst of a terrible situation, we pulled together and now are in a much better position than we were at 7:20 that morning.

I must admit, I was hit with an overwhelming feeling of pride when I looked down the hall and saw members of our team putting books in bags, hauling items out of rooms, and helping students move 100 pounds weights.  I had experienced some dark days prior to this and it was at this moment, that I knew it.  I knew that you were my people.  By working together, you are making me a better principal and a better person.

I hope that I am doing the same for you.

I believe in believe.

Believe

Here we are at the beginning of another school year.  For some, it is your first year in this building...in this profession.  Others can count on two hands the number of new school years they have experienced here and perhaps other places.  No matter what year it is for you, there are always feelings of excitement and nervousness.  Some days one feeling overpowers the other, but I feel it is these two feelings that get us gearing up for the year at hand.

As you enter the weekend before our year officially begins, remember those things we talked about yesterday:

• Build Relationships: Relationship building need not be huge and grand, but rather small and genuine.  The simplest of words and gestures can impact you, your colleagues, and your students greatly.
• Nobody is Bigger Than the Team:  Working together allows us to be strong leaders and teachers.  We should strive to make each other better.  Listen to each other and work towards making our team one in which we inspire each other.
• Be Curious:  Ask questions.  Read more.  Find out about your craft.  Find out more about those around you.
• Don't Take Things Personally:  It is hard, but don't let haters get you down.  Do what is best for your students.
• Be a Goldfish:  Yep.  This one and the previous one may be the two hardest things on this list.
• Optimism is Contagious:  Spread sunshine...not germs.  And if you find yourself in a germy area, it is ok to walk away.  
• Make the Tough Calls:  Don't ignore problems.  Call parents.  Get them on board with you.  Not dealing with it right away leads to bigger problems down the road.
• Believe:  Believe in Believe.  Believe in your craft.  Believe in your students. Believe in you.

I wish you all a great year.  If anyone is game for "Biscuits With the Boss", please know that I will also go for "Chips & Salsa With the Boss".   Stop in.  Talk...and remember it need not be just about school.

Want to know more about "Ted Lasso"?  Here is a "60 Minutes" story on the Ted Lasso phenomenon.

April Fool's Day

How can it be that tomorrow is April?  I have neglected to put my thoughts and words of encouragement (I hope they are that) down since January.  Was it because I was not inspired?  Was it because I had given up on trying to be encouraging?  Was it because the weight of everything got to be too much?  I think it was probably a little bit of all of those things.

April is a rough month in education.  It feels different.  There is an energy that can't be described yet at the same time a lack of energy that can't be described.  I have stated before it is always interesting when a first-year teacher comes to me, wondering what is wrong with them during this time of year.  I simply reply, "Oh...this is what we call in education "April"."

We start the month of April with a day dedicated to practical jokes.  It is a day where you second guess the things you see and hear.  You are hesitant to eat the sugar donuts in the lounge, not knowing if that is sugar or salt on them.  You analyze words and situations so not to get "caught" in a joke.  On the other hand, you may be the jokester.  You may be the one that can come up with the best pranks and people fall for them every time.  You lurk around the corner, spying to see who will be the next person to fall for your joke.  You have to push down your laughs so people don't know it is you who is the mastermind behind these good jokes.

I feel like during these last months of school, every day in feels like April Fool's Day.  We second guess what we are hearing and doing.  We may feel like there is someone around the corner, ready to surprise us with the "next thing".  We hear what is coming and we wonder "What joker thought of that?".  We may feel like we don't know who to trust...and sometimes that person we may begin to lose trust in and start to doubt is...us...

Keep the course.  Keep your head up high.  Know it is ok to ask questions and to think deeply before making a decision.  Keep doing the things to make the end of this year meaningful and powerful for our students...and for you.  Trust your gut.  Do the right things.  And eat the donut...but pick one with frosting instead of sugar.

Swim Like a Duck or Soar Like an Eagle

Boy...

It has been a week.  

I always say I know what is happening with the weather since I do elementary lunchroom duty.  Our youngest learners are like little barometers.  Yet there were no big weather warnings this week and there was no full moon.  What was it?  All I know is that it set me up with a negative attitude about the remainder of my day...and my week.

Have you noticed how the simple act of thinking negatively can definitely change how you see everything you encounter in a day?  It is hard not to begin your mindset in this way.  When we turn on the news, read the paper, or check social media, many of the first messages we receive are about things that are impacting the world negatively.  It is hard to begin the day (especially when they begin in the dark), with a smile and thoughts of positivity.  I have learned that if you expect to have a bad day, you will rarely disappoint yourself.  It is important for us to find those positive outlets to help set our minds to have a positive day.

I encountered a reading not too long ago that summed up thinking in the terms of ducks and eagles.  Duck quack and complain.  Eagles soar above the crowd.  If you are always quacking and complaining, where do you go?  If you surround yourself with negativity, those around you become negative, you may start to inhabit a place that is disorganized and dirty...you become someone people want to avoid.  But if you make some changes with your attitude, even the littlest change, those around you respond differently.  They seek you out.  They trust you.  You become an eagle and soar.  You meet goals.  You make advancements.  You make a difference.

I promise you that making a different choice in your attitude will not disappoint.  Stop quacking like a duck and start soaring with the eagles.

You can read more about this midset here:  https://www.jasonwhitman.com/2018/08/13/eagles-and-ducks-hiring/

Elvis Hasn't Left the Building

January is here which means it is time for my annual Elvis Presley blog post.  The King of Rock and Roll would have been 87 on January 8th.

In the past, I have talked about Elvis being in your classroom and Elvis re-inventing himself for the '68 Comeback Special.  The man has been dead for 45 years and people still talk about him...people around the world know who he is.  Why is that?  Elvis did things that no one else had done.  He forged a path in areas that no one had ventured before.  What he did can be applicable to us all, even though we are not music/movie/superstars.

Be yourself.  Elvis was a kid from a town in Tennessee with his musical tastes landing outside of his race.  He was drawn to rockabilly music.  He found he loved gospel, blues, and more.  He didn't look at what the establishment said he should be drawn to.  Instead, he liked what he liked and created something new by being true to himself.  

Have a passion (or two).  Elvis was not only passionate about music, but also his friends and family.  I wrote previously about the "TCB" jewelry and being part of the Memphis Mafia.  His passion was bigger than his music.  He had other things that he found joy in.  By doing so, he perhaps shined a little brighter in all areas of his life.  Being passionate about others and their well-being allows you to create a network of support.  When things get tough, it is the network that you will need.

Take risks.  Everything that Elvis did was new.  Everything was a risk.  From putting out a "new" form of music to embarking on a movie career.  Even the clothing that Elvis wore was risky (Hello?  Velour tops...pink jackets...jumpsuits).  Don't be afraid to try it because you have never done it before.  No one is an expert their first time out.  Do you know that in the first musical contest Elvis entered, he placed 5th?  What if he hadn't taken the risk to keep trying?  

Know that you will not be everyone's cup of tea. You will find as many critics as you do supporters.  Elvis did.  But what you need to look at is what are those things they are critical about.  Are you not following through with expectations?  Well...then change.  Are you trying something new and it isn't perfect yet?  Explain what you are doing and back your words up with action.  

Being yourself and having passion will in turn cause people to take a risk on you.  When people can see you "got it", they will invest in you and support you.  Can you imagine what Sam Phillips thought when Elvis walked into Sun Records?  Sam knew that not everyone would welcome Elvis with open arms, but seeing this kid's passion and talent convinced him to take a risk on a Crown Electric truck driver.  Look at the payout there.  Don't be afraid to convince people to take a chance on you and don't be afraid to take chance on others.

Enjoy a little "Aloha from Hawaii".  Talk about risk-taking, passion, and being yourself.  This concert was televised to raise money for Kui Lee Cancer Fund, was the first live via satellite performance by a solo artist, and produced one of the most iconic pieces of clothing in music history.  Don't be afraid to do something that hasn't been done before for the good of all you touch...all while wearing a kick-a$$ white jumpsuit.