9-18-2015

Mary’s Minute

“Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”

~Peter Drucker

The difference between leadership and management was a common theme in nearly every administrative class I took for my superintendent’s license.  It is true that organizations need managers to make sure things run smoothly.  This is where knowledge of policy, procedures, and budgets come in handy.  Many elements of working with people also fall under the management umbrella.  The important element in operating an organization is leadership.  At Perry Central we strive to do things right, but as Drucker points out we believe that we must do the right things.  We are fortunate to have a school board that leads with the goal of doing the right things.  Speaking for myself, I know that I make mistakes, but my quest is to treat people fairly and do the right things for our students, employees, and community.  Leadership, like everything we do, falls back to our core beliefs, so when we believe that kindness matters that effects how we treat people and run our organization.  In education there is a rule of thumb to make decisions that are best for kids, and at Perry Central we take it a step further striving to do what is best for kids and also the right thing.  Again, I know that I fail, but I will continue to strive to do the right things because that is the true essence of leadership and the heart of Perry Central.

Have a great week!

Mary

 

9-11-2015

Mary’s Minute

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.”

~ Dalai Lama

 “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”

~ Albert Schweitzer

When we ponder the “meaning of life” it can translate to a deep philosophical discussion or a fun conversation to lighten the mood.  The truth is at some point we all ponder the question, and from an educational standpoint we take it a step further to ponder the purpose of education.  Just as philosophers spend countless hours contemplating the query, educators focus many strategic planning sessions on the same basic inquiry. 

I think being happy is pretty important, so the Dalai Lama’s simple quote has great meaning to me, but I have long believed that we have an obligation to make the world a better place.  The great thing is that the two viewpoints go hand and hand since the key to being happy is serving others and being compassionate.  Finding happiness is sometimes allusive, and moments of happiness may occur in more selfish ways but true happiness comes through living a life of service to others.

How does all of this translate to education?  One of my favorite quotes about the purpose of education comes from my mentor, Jerry Harste, “Education is a metaphor for the kind of lives we want our students to lead.”  Using Jerry’s definition, if we figure out the purpose of life, we also have figured out the purpose of education.  Our focus is obviously learning, but at a deeper level it is about finding joy in learning and serving other through what we learn.

I love to think about “deep” questions – I think it helps us to realize that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and also to not take ourselves too seriously.  Education and life are complicated endeavors.  Reflection and conversation around our mission in life and our vision for education are important, but sometimes the simplest answer is the best.  What kind of people do we want to be? 

                                                                                Have a great week!

                                                                                Mary

9-4-2015

Mary’s Minute

 

“There is no substitute for hard work.”                                          
                                                  ~ Thomas A. Edison

 

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”                                                                                        
                                                    ~ Colin Powell

There are many successful people who attest to the value of hard work being a strong contributor.  I certainly am a person who believes in the value of hard work, but one thing that is not talked about as often is what “work” really means.  I believe that too often “work” is viewed as a something we must do to get to where we want to go.  It seems like too often work is viewed as a drudgery to achieve something else – money, success, or a chance to rest.  Work is not just good because it gets us where we want to go, but it is good in its own right.  There is the element of enjoying work because it gives us a sense of accomplishment, but I also strive to see the joy in work itself.  It is true that there are times we must work when we are weary or have a task that is not enjoyable, but my goal is to not see work as a four letter word.  I think that I am lucky that my parents taught me to see work as a good thing.  Both of my parents were educators, but they were also always busy working on the side, and they enjoyed it.  We spend so much of our life in a job, so I believe it is important to find joy in the work we do.  My mom, who turns 76 today (Happy Birthday, Mom!) works physically harder today than most people half her age, and she loves it.  She also has a positive attitude about life in general, and she has never viewed work as simply something you do to get somewhere else.  She takes pride in what hard work can achieve, but she also experiences joy in the journey of working itself.  I am lucky to have her as a role model, even if I can’t keep up with her!

Have a great week!

Mary

8-28-2015

Mary's Minute

When I entered the language education program at IU over twenty years ago, Jerome Harste was my idol.  He was a rock star to me, and I was in awe that I had the honor of sitting in his classes and discussing learning theory face-to-face with him.  I learned so much from Dr. Harste, who over time I called Jerry, and other professors during that time.  My philosophy of learning solidified during those important years.  Study involved pouring over books and writing countless papers, but the theory boils down to respect for learners.  

I remember seeing Jerry at a conference after I became a superintendent.  Most of his students become college professors, not school administrators. He groaned and said, "Oh no, you sold out!"  His fear was that I would be an administrator who put money and test score pressure ahead of respect for teachers and learners. When I look at Perry Central and the great things happening here I believe that we have not sold out!  We want teachers to feel supported so they can support learners. We want to respect learners as natural inquirers. We want to create an atmosphere that allows students to pursue their passions.  We want teacher meetings to focus on student learning and not test scores. 

My days of pulling all nighters in my cubby at the Wright Education Building are gone, but my awe of Jerry Harste, who now spends his days making sand sculptures on the beach is steadfast.  For him, and most importantly for our learners, I cannot let the pressures of day allow me to forget what really matters!

Have a great week!
Mary

8-21-2015

Mary’s Minute

“We do not learn only from great minds; we learn from everyone, if only we observe and inquire.”

~ D.A. Doxiadis

When we think of learning as a simple transfer of knowledge, it is logical that the best way to learn is from really smart people.  In this model knowledge is viewed as content – something tangible that can be held.  If learning is viewed this way, a good metaphor would be to think of education as a dump truck and learning as the process of filling up students with the content of the truck bed.  Thinking about learning this way is simple, but not accurate!  True learning is transitive rather than a transfer.  It is more complicated, but more exciting and accurate.  Learning from everyone by observing and inquiring is also fun!

This quote is helpful for me because it brings to light that learning is not about the content, but what we do with it.  Learning is enhanced by multiple perspectives when we the content is the springboard for questioning.  Thinking of learning this way, a better metaphor might be a lava lamp that is in constant motion with give and take. 

At Perry Central our students are learning not simply by being filled with knowledge of their “smart” teachers, but more importantly by working with their skillful teachers to observe and inquire in order to gain insight from multiple perspectives.  Our country is built on innovators, and by seeing learning as a transitive process we are helping to nurture the innovators of the future!

8-14-15

 

 

 

Mary's Minute

“Education is a social process; education is growth; education is not preparation for life but is life itself.”

― John Dewey

I spend a lot of time reflecting on the meaning of learning – after all we are an institution of learning.  I am interested in the dialogue of today, and I get excited listening to the educational theorists of today.  Yet, I still find myself drawn to the philosophy of John Dewey, an educational philosopher who was born in 1859.  Dewey believed in the social nature of education, as well as the notion that true learning is a continual process.  For learning to truly be learning, it must continue after the actual experience.  I am intrigued at how Dewey’s thinking fits with how technology has changed the way we think about learning.  Over one hundred years ago, “social” meant something very different than it does today, but the way it relates to learning is the same.  Dewey understood that learning needed to involve interacting with others through face to face discussions and reading/writing.  Today the same is true, but because of technology our social sphere of influence is exponentially greater.  Learning is still the dynamic, transformative act that it was in Dewey’s time, but because of technology the effects can be even more powerful.  Today we can connect with people across the globe, and interact through multiple mediums.  It is indeed an exciting time for learning!  I think John Dewey would be invigorated by how his theories still hold true, but are even more powerful because of technology.  Learning – what an energizing adventure!

                                                                        Have a great week!

                                                                        Mary

8-7-2015

Mary's Minute

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

                                                                                    ~ Mother Teresa

Life has a way of shaping our beliefs, and I am intrigued that instead of life feeling more complex, it actually seems very simple.  Ultimately, what matters most in life is how we treat people.  Mother Teresa sums it up nicely.  Everything boils down to how we treat people.  My brother recently said, “I used to say we should be working to make the world a better place, but over the years I have boiled it down a little more.  That means we wake up every day working to make the world a better place by being nice to (loving) every single person we come into contact with every day, no exceptions, no passes.”  Perry Central is a place that puts people first, understanding that relationships are at the core of all we do.  The school year started with a powerful message from George Cuorus, who shared with our staff the power of technology and innovation, but most importantly the power of relationships. 

Unfortunately, I missed the opening day, but I feel connected and proud of that association.  On a personal level, I feel blessed in so many ways.  This week my daughter, Zoe, has been so sick, but while she lay in the hospital bed she smiled and thanked every caregiver her entered her room.  Life is complex; we have so much to accomplish, but in the end what really matters is how we treat each other. 

I appreciate the wonderful role models in my life, knowing I have so far to go to live the “simple” life to which I aspire.  Just last week my son, Bill, commented as I hung up with a customer service person, “Mom, why did you get so aggressive so quickly?”  I am not proud of that moment – I didn’t need to get aggressive at all, especially as Bill pointed out, “so quickly.”  Maybe on the backdrop of Zoe’s illness and the opening of this special school year, I am empowered to listen more intently and strive harder to follow Mother Teresa’s lead. 

Relationships matter.  People matter.  It is going to be a great school year!

 

                                                            Welcome Back!

                                                                        Mary