#YouMatter Day 2014

Yesterday we celebrated our annual #YouMatter Day!

It's a day I came up with to celebrate those around us and recognize staff and family at Fields Store Elementary for the contributions they make and to remind them that they're noticed. 

The first thing we did was watch Angela Maiers message that she did for Tedx. It was very inspiring and definitely got things off on the right foot. 

After we watched the 20 minute video we talked about how important it is to let people know that you value them. 

Each student was asked to select two school employees and one personal family member or friend. They had to write a letter to the three individuals. I made special #YouMatter pages for the kids to write on. 

After the students finished their letters the took the letters to the employees and hand delivered them with the message "I wanted to write you a letter to let you know that you matter to me". They were then tasked with delivering their "personal" letter within 24 hours. 

Another thing that we did was create a #YouMatter wall. Each student was tasked with writing at least one statement on the wall recognizing someone on campus. But they were not allowed to sign their names. I wanted it to be completely annonymous praise. It was great to see the kids comments. I also encouraged the staff to take time to write on the wall too. 

I absolutely love #YouMatter day and giving students the opportunity to recognize others and let them know they're noticed. I also know that many teachers spend this day in tears because they easily forget how valuable they are. Far too often we don't take enough opportunities to praise others for their hard work. 

To all the educators and parents reading this I say thank you and that you matter to me. Together we make this work but the contribution you make is invaluable. Please know you're valued and you have great worth. 

How will you make sure someone knows they matter?

Come work with me in @NavasotaISD

For those of you who don't know, recently I accepted a position as Principal of Navasota Intermediate in Navasota, Texas!

I couldn't be more excited.  Stepping out of the classroom and into a leadership role wasn't something I thought I was ready to do yet.  I LOVE working with my group of kiddos every year.  But after my first meeting with the leaders in Navasota ISD, I knew this was somewhere I was meant to be.

All of the ideals about students, learning, and technology that Navasota is trying to achieve, completely align with what I believe!

The school I am taking over is starting over from scratch.....meaning I have LOTS of positions to fill!  We've hired a few teachers but are in need of more outstanding educators.  The campus is a 4th and 5th grade campus, and we are going completely self-contained and Project Based.  We'll be working with an organization called Engage! Learning who will help us through this project based learning transformation.

The Jr. High in Navasota has already gone full PBL, and now it's coming to the Intermediate!

I've already hired a few teachers, and I have my whole administration team in place.  If you know anything about me, you know I dream big and expect amazing things.  I can't even express how excited I am about this upcoming school year!

Are you interested in joining the team at Navasota Intermediate???  You can go HERE to apply (when applying make sure you check the box that signifies your interest in Navasota Intermediate, not just Navasota ISD.  It makes it easier for me to find your application)  And you can even send me an email after you've applied!  My new Navasota email is nesloneyt@navasotaisd.org (and YES we can do Skype/Google Hangout interviews for those who live far away)

If you're looking for somewhere that is looking to impact students, give them a voice, teach them their value, all while extending a quality education grounded in real life work and technology, then Navasota Intermediate is where you want to be! Apply Today!!

The Day @SledSweeney13 & @ClassroomChamps Changed an Entire Campus

If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time you know that I am a Classroom Champions teacher.  I couldn't agree more with the mission of this organization. They seek to connect top performing athletes with students and classrooms from across the country.

When I was accepted as a Classroom Champions teacher at the end of last school year, I had no idea the impact or change it would have on not only my students, but me.   I knew it had the potential to inspire my students, but never at the level it has.

This year my students have learned so much from our athlete, Joshua Sweeney.  Josh plays on the US Men's Sled Hockey team.  He scored the winning goal at the Paralympics this year that earned the US Men's Sled Hockey team their GOLD Olympic medal!  But even more inspiring is the fact that Josh is a former US Marine and Purple Heart recipient who stepped on an IED while fighting in Afghanistan and lost both of his legs.

In January my students submitted a video in a contest to win an "in-person" visit from Josh.....and we WON!

Yesterday, Tuesday May 6th, Josh came to visit Fields Store Elementary.

Before Josh's visit, the entire school spent time learning about him.  They watched this PBS Documentary, did research, and even created their own "I Dream Big" posters for Josh to read when he visited.

He started his visit with a school-wide assembly where ten 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students got to ask Josh questions.  His answers were inspiring, motivating, honest, and real.  For a room full of 700 pre-k through 5th graders, you could have heard a pin drop.  And the moment he brought out his medal, the crowd went WILD!

After his school wide assembly, he spent the next 2 and 1/2 hours with my fifth graders.  He shared stories from his life and let kids ask him anything.  He talked about his time in the military, what it was like at the Olympics, living with no legs, learning through mistakes, and so much more.

As I sat next to Josh, and even spent some time talking to him one on one, I couldn't believe the power of that moment.  I'm not even sure Josh will ever realize what he brought to our campus.  Not only did he bring a sense of excitement (HELLO, he was a Olympic Gold Medalist and US Marine!!), but he brought a sense of understanding.

Most of our students have never met someone with a "disability".  And to see this top performing athlete sit and talk about going through trials, doing your best, and never giving up; it just hit home.

It's been a day since Josh's visit, and still our school is a buzz.  Hundreds of autographs were signed, many pictures were taken, but most of all lives were impacted yesterday.

It was such a reminder of the importance of finding ways to bring outside experiences into our students and allow them to learn from people from all walks of life.

To Josh Sweeney I say , Thank You.  Thank you for inspiring not only my students, and my fellow staff members, but for inspiring me. My heart is forever changed with the interactions I saw you have with the students and the conversations I got to have with you personally.

Scores Are In

If you've read my blog for very long, hopefully you've been able to see how honest I try to be.  I try to share my successes as well as my failures.  I try to write to hopefully inspire but also show that everything isn't always perfect.

In the state of Texas our state exam is called the STAAR test.  In 5th grade the students take the Math and Reading test up to 3 times to pass it so they can move onto 6th grade.

Like most schools in the state of Texas, it seems all we do is talk about this exam.  It's drilled into the kids.  We wear STAAR shirts, we offer STAAR incentives, we drill and drill and drill the "importance" of this exam.  I have tried to be different.  I hardly ever even mention the STAAR test.  I refuse to teach test formatted questions.  My students learn through hands-on, inquiry based, and project based learning.

Last year after the first administration of the Math STAAR my students scored 96% passing!  I was thrilled!

This year I have worked equally as hard.  All eyes have been on me.  And despite me not mentioning the test, refusing to celebrate STAAR, and choosing not to focus on test formatted questions; I still get caught up in it all.

You see we just got our scores back from our exam two weeks ago.  I had 91% passing!  Which yes is great.  But I'm not ready to celebrate.  Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed.  I focus so hard on showing you don't have to teach a test to see success on exams and instead I dropped 5% from the previous year's scores.  I was also "beat" by other schools who do focus heavily on test prep.

I'm a perfectionist.  And before I go any further I know that one test does not determine my teaching skills.  It doesn't work for every kid.  In my heart, I know that.  But I guess it's one of those moments where everyone around you is defining your success based on a score.  And I definitely could feel disappointment from some around me when I didn't match the previous year's scores.  Or better yet, get better.

I know I worked hard.  I know my students worked hard.  And I am so proud of them for that.

I've spent almost a week even trying to put this blog post into words because I wasn't sure how I wanted to express myself.

In the end, I am so proud of the work my students put forth.  I may have dropped a few percentage points, but I try to be an optimist.  And I will choose to see this not as a judgement of my teaching skills, but as just another moment to learn from.

In the end I tell my students that only they can define failure.  My students know that if you gave it your best and you did the best you could then you didn't fail.  This test will not define them, and I have to take those same words to myself.  But this is what our education system has created.  A test that puts so much pressure and stress on not only our students but our teachers.

I can't wait until next year, when I'm the Principal of Navasota Intermediate.  Where we will NOT celebrate an exam.  We will not even mention STAAR.  The day will come where they have to take the STAAR test, and it will be like just any other day they need to take an exam.  My students will come to school to learn.  Not to pass an exam.

Today celebrate hard work.  Celebrate successes.  There's always a silver lining and there's always room for growth.

A must read: "Digital Leadership" by @NMHS_Principal

Back in July I remember meeting Eric Sheninger for the first time.  I had followed him on Twitter for a while and really looked up to and respected him.  I was attending and speaking at the CAMT (Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics Teachers) in San Antonio and saw he was also presenting.  I sent out a random tweet (assuming he'd never even see it) telling him I'd love to meet him in person.  Before I knew it we had planned to have lunch together.  That lunch with Eric will stick with me for a while, and here's why: I was still learning the whole ins-and-outs of social media and what it means to connect.  I had connected with quite a few Texas Educators but not too many people outside of my state.  When Eric, someone I greatly admired, took the time to not only meet me, but sit and have a meal with me and to talk genuinely, openly, and honestly, it blew my mind.  Eric will probably never truly realize the impact he made on me that day, but again it proved to me the power that social media can hold.

Then a few months later I was able to chat with Eric again when he came on my podcast series, EduAllStars.  And even better, about a month or so after that Eric released his book "Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times".

First off, I must say, this book is a MUST read for anyone in education.  Yes, it's primarily built for administrators, but reading it as a teacher still got me fired up and gave me plenty of ideas.  I'm even working on purchasing some books for all the admins I know!

Looking through my book I see one highlighted section and quote after another.  Eric really takes the time in this book to explain where education has been, where it is now, why we have to change, the technology necessary, changing the mindsets of others, and giving many examples of schools and districts who are doing just that!

I love the most though the many different explanations and research Eric uses throughout his book.  Especially his Seven Pillars of Digital Leadership:

1.  Communication
2.  Public Relations
3.  Branding
4.  Professional Growth and Development
5.  Student Engagement and Learning
6.  Opportunity
7.  Learning Environments and Spaces.

And Eric isn't one who's just all talk.  His school in New Jersey is also doing great things!  And yes I totally plan on attending the Edscape Conference soon!

Here's some of my favorites from the book:

"Digital Leadership is about establishing a vision and implementing a strategic process that creates a teaching and learning culture that provides students with the essential skill sets: creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, technological proficiency and global awareness."

"There is no more powerful learning strategy than to have students exposed to and tackle problems that have meaning and relevancy"

"Digital Leadership is about inspiring students and teachers to think rather than follow rule books and ace tests"

"A new system of learning that is differentiated and that connects to student passions and strengths must be made a reality"


I truly believe that Eric Sheninger's book "Digital Leadership" is a must read for people in education today!  And plus you can follow conversation about the book, by following the hashtag #digilead on Twitter!

11 Twitter Accounts You're Probably Not Following But Definitely Should

Since joining twitter I've become friends with or started learning from some incredible people.  People like Brad Waid, Drew Minock, Erin Klein, Adam Bellow, Eric Sheninger, Angela Maiers, and soooo many more.  People who have been on for a little bit and grown huge followings.  But I've also become "friends" with and started learning from people who are not only brilliant educators but also passionate ones.  So I wanted to share a few people, with a small following, that I've been learning from recently who you probably aren't following now, but you definitely should be!

Jon Harper (@JonHarper70bd)

I love reading educator blogs.  From Pernille Ripp to Jimmy Casas, but man, I have never read a blog as powerful and moving as the posts that Jon writes!  Jon is incredibly articulate and has some great associations between his family and education.  Not only that, Jon is always sharing great ideas!

Terri Eichholz (@TerriEichholz)

Terri actually found ME! haha.  Since then I've learned so much from her and had to extreme pleasure of meeting her F2F in December.  Terri is always sharing the great ideas about ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.  Not only that, Terri has also become quite the blogger too!!  Smart, articulate, and creative.  What more could you ask for?

Daisy Marino (@daisyray215)

Daisy is another I got to meet in the last couple of months.  I love hearing Daisy talk about how much twitter has transformed her career, because it's so similar to my story.  Daisy is always sharing such inspiring things and doing some really awesome stuff with her students!  I would love to see her in action!

Jeromie Heath (@TeachHeath)

I have just recently connected with Jeromie and I already feel like he's a great friend.  Jeromie inspires me every single time I see his tweets.  You talk about going above and beyond, this man is a prime example of that!  I have begged and begged him to come to Texas, but maybe one day soon I can meet this guy in person, who's inspired me immensely.

Evan Scherr (@EvanScherr)

Evan is an American educator currently in Japan who will soon be relocating to Germany.  This man is brilliant.  He has also become a really close friend of mine over the last couple of months.  He's passionate about technology and also about teaching kids to their fullest potential.  He's a must follow for sure.

Brant Farris (@BrantFarris)

Brant is an instructional technologist in Texas who I met face to face for the first time about a month or so ago.  In my short time connecting with him I have seen just how incredibly smart, but also kind hearted he is.  A wealth of knowledge and hungry to continually learn more!  This man is headed to do some great things!

John Fritzky (@JohnFritzky)

John is an administrator up north who I met while he was still in the classroom!  We started flipping our classes together.  I have learned so much from this man, and as I move into my administrative role, I can't wait to continue to learn from him.  He is incredibly gifted, kind, and a must follow.

Mike (@OneifbylandMike)

Mike is an educator in Florida!  I love following his tweets and he's got a great sense of humor!  This guy is one to watch for sure with the creative things he's doing with his students.

Paul Wagner (@pwagnerlcisd)

Paul is Tech Specialist in Texas.  This man is incredible.  He's so hungry for learning and always sharing great ideas.  Plus he's a guy you can count on to ask a question, and he'll be the one to find you an answer!  I learn stuff from Paul all the time!

Michael Medvinsky (@mwmedvinsky)

Michael is a Music teacher out of Michigan doing incredible things with kids.  Recently I got to meet him and pick his brain.  This man has got it going on and is on the cutting edge!  Love his passion and creativity.

Brad Gustafson (@GustafsonBrad)

Brad is someone I now consider a very good friend.  He's an administrator doing some INCREDIBLE things at his school.  Always positive and always trying to be on the cutting edge.  He is truly one to watch and one to follow immediately!

There are so many more I could recommend!  But recently these 11 people have been inspiring me and I wanted to share them with you!

We Forget What We Don't Always See

I've spent the last few days in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Having never visited this city before I was very excited to check out the Audubon Zoo, Aquarium, the French Quarter, and more!  And those places didn't dissappoint.  It was all beautiful.  But there was also another side to New Orleans that was on constant display.  A heartbreaking side full of pain and poverty.

As I walked the streets with my wife I was constantly brought face to face with people who had lost everything, had health issues, or were just laying out drunk or drugged.  And as I passed by all of these people I kept thinking to myself, "How did we let this happen?  Why aren't I doing anything to help people like this?"

Because you see, what I came to be reminded of was that this is happening all over our country.  In every city across America people are struggling, families are struggling.  And if we're not one of those families on the brink of living on the street, and if we don't live in a community where that is put on display, then we forget.

We forget the pain, we forget the loss, we forget the people behind those eyes.  And when I walked by a mother with two of her young children sitting with her on the street I was also reminded of my students.  How many of my students go home to no food?  Or no electricity?  How many of my students have to take care of siblings because mom or dad doesn't come until later or may not come home at all.

I guess I write this to remind all of us to stop for a moment and really look beyond what we see in our classrooms, or in our homes.  Some of our students or even friends are going through things that some can't even imagine.  Don't forget them.  Don't trivialize their trials, and don't turn a blind eye.

Let us take a moment to see the pain, to feel it in our own hearts, and together let's find a way to make things better.  Together we can change things.