Lessons and Reflections from the Principal's Office

 A LONGITUDINAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF A SUMMER ACADEMY ON STUDENT APATHY IN THE HIGH SCHOOL.

While working on my Ed Specialist degree, the dissertation investigated the effects of a Summer Academy, examined a problem, looked into an index, built a hypothesis, studied populations and defended the published document.  
Here are those results in a 60+ page paper.  
Here are the results in a few word summary:  
Continue the Summer Academy and continue to learn.

School year cycles
The school year is marked off in seasons.  There is the excitement of returning back to school in the late summer and fall. Anticipation of new teachers, new friends and new opportunities for success. Procedures and routines develop into habits and by Halloween, we are well into our year.  Hunting season in our school gives way to Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks scream right past.  #RubberbootFriday is as much a tradition or outfit as a way of life.  Weather forecasts and the threat of #snowdays after the break requires redoubling (Does this mean 4x?) the effort some days to keep everyone focused but we get through. Scheduled 3 day weekends become make-up days get traded for  and we try to keep from going into June with our school year.  Spring break and the promise of warmer weather, motorcycle days and playing outside keep everyone driven.  State testing consumes all waking thoughts, discussions and agendas till we get to the end!  Finally, end of the year procedures, events and picnics keep us all working in overdrive till the last day before summer school starts and things go around again.

Lessons for all of us
Mixed emotions surround the last day, for students, parents and teachers alike. For some, it is stress. For others, a sigh of relief.  Others hate leaving their friends.  Some begin to wonder about meals and security.  Some just like learning and want to stay.  Tears are shed, yearbooks signed and promises made in efforts to assure each other that we can all make it without each other.  Even the principal learns. For instance, while working on yet another degree, the course load kept my mind occupied with finances, light-bulbs, research and writing. However a leadership lesson was buried behind all these distractions.

Lessons for the leader: Problems
After three years as "leader" of this building, I saw leadership in even another light. Prior to this year, I carried the belief that all I needed to do was articulate the problem with the team and the "right" decision would rise to the top on it's own.  After the discussion, we would all together see the right way and agree to this Utopian plan and walk away content and fulfilled. Throughout the year I began to notice a few discussions took longer than I thought they should.  I thought we could wait it out and consensus would occur. Sadly, this passive perspective of mine failed us.  So I had to learn to make those "executive" decisions, even when I felt it unnecessary.

Here, while riding over Cottonwood Pass west of Buena Vista Colorado, the decisions are simple:  Do we go up? or Do we go down? The input is from two people. Weather, bike condition and timing are our only variables. Decisions are simple!

School decisions are infinitely more elaborate. 

A solution: Decisions
The need for a solution was greater than the actual striving of a perfect solution and coming to an answer. We needed results versus just studying the problems in order to serve our goals better.  I began to see my role as the leader was to lead, inspire, motive but also make the final decision.  I was responsible for the outcome and not just a contributing member of the debate.  We could have the debate, discuss the options and perspectives but after allowing voices, we NEEDED a decision. I could not RUSH the answer but needed to make the call. I could not choose to not decide.  I needed to make a choice.  We would all have to abide by the results.  I could not waiver, change sides or redo the choice.  We (read I) had to grow and change and play without a net!

Manifestations
Personally, I began to realize that I did not have the luxury of waiting every time and dragging the decisions out!  I needed to change.  I needed to reduce the frustration in the staff by doing my job. I needed to make better decisions.  Making better decisions in my world means:
...Gather input better by being more approachable.
...Value diverse opinions like we value diverse people.
...Continue to examine and organize data.
...Investigate opinions of all stakeholders.
...Make the decision in a timely manner, based on all the known variables.
...Share and communicate the resolutions with those same stakeholders.
...Filling the requirements and responsibilities of the job, regardless of my personal desires.
...Serve my constituents by supplying what they need and not what I want to give them!

Anything else?  What did I forget?  (I guess if somebody has to tell me, I might not really learn it!)

Looking forward to next year, I see continued growth, change and progress throughout myself, the building, the district and our community. When we spout the mantra "learning for all" we MUST include the Principal, too. This means me!

Thank you.

Tom McCracken

Build capacity & stamina mentally & physically

“Does your program really work?”

   

Program Attendee: “Does your program really work?”

Program Presenter: “Do you work?”

In a real life McFarland USA saga, the Lindbergh Cross Country Team (aka, the pack is back, the green and gold) built a Dynasty, one year at a time.

Photo Credits, Races and Participants, please TAG.

Growing up the eldest son of a cross country coach built a foundation competition, winning and championships. Hosting these championship teams year after year with team after team left tremendous memories, lessons and expectations about the “right “ way to lead, inspire and grow.  Capacity building formed the basis or quest of each parameter and together, the team with the best built capacities ended up higher.  Physical, mental, academic, as well as cardiovascular, skeletal and molecular capacities are among the obvious as well as latent.  In an effort to not be redundant, some anecdotal and historically relevant points will follow.

Of course the physical realm is the first and typical area of attention. Coaches all expect their players to perform up to their best.  It is the coach’s responsibility to maximize the player’s potential through training, preparation and research based workouts regiments.  Repeating the same workouts the same way learned will only produce the same results.  Aspiring champions should look to other champions, glean and then tune their workouts to reach new goals.  To do what all other teams do and expect different results is a troubling sign.  We attribute that quote to Einstein.

Physical capacity is more than just running more, or doing additional workouts but knowing the purpose, reason and motive behind these workouts often times inspires the participants to exert extra effort, work even harder and widen the gap between them and opposing teams.  At this point of understanding and comprehension the physical becomes the mental.  Sports and competition are so often labeled physical but often the margins are so close and training matched perfectly, a slight mental advantage is all that is necessary. Mental dominance ebbs from many factors but confidence, experience and trust in the leader builds the first step.  Hearing a talk about why these workouts are so important, then competing knowing others is NOT doing those same workouts and recognizing their shortcomings widens the gap even farther.  In cross country for instance, it is the 5^th person to cross the finish line that often times determines the team status.  Having confidence throughout the team verses just the number 1 or 2 man demonstrates depth, the beginning of mental capacity and ability to envision or imagine or believe the event could occur.  Believing, hope, faith or persistence knowing there is a finish line, it will be crossed and we can do it faster than any others comes not just on workouts but internal belief in the outcome!

Physical and mental capacities are the obvious few, but underneath or behind them are nuanced variables that must be addressed for champions to reach a new level.  Draft Day and McFarland USA, starring Kevin Costner and Moneyball with Brad Pitt, all infer a back-story prevalent and so vital to the overall success.  In Draft Day, the star knew his goal and had to write it down to remind him of the vision.  In McFarland USA, it was the collective struggle physical that formed the team to unify them so the 7^th man rose to 5^th man status.  Moneyball reminded us that talent can be bought or grown and uncovered.

These “feel good” movies often time succeed at reminded us to persist but champions are more than just a good feeling.  Winners are not born but must be made, fermented, tested and fired in a crucible long before they stand at the winner’s circle and have their name announced.  The work, effort and practice that goes in before the contest helps determine the final results better than many other indicators but alone, they are not guarantees.

There are many more capacities to address when building champions.  Additionally, physiological, academic, experiential and a true desire and willingness to win all fall under the umbrella of a type mental capacity. These mental capacities are seldom addressed but imperative to successful competition.  Physical preparation and development of a tuned cardiovascular system, anaerobic, aerobic and cellular development and muscle memory form the building blocks but the mental understanding creates the will, drive and passion necessary to win.

Where else can we instill in our wards the big picture?  Do they know why we do something?  Do they know the purpose for our behaviors? Do we believe our efforts will work?  Are they convinced our efforts will work?

Personally, I was at a conference and the presenter was asked by a member of the audience, “Does your program work?”   He replied, “Ma’am, do you work?”  The implication was clear.  Nothing was going to make it happened automatically.  There are no guarantees. 

Capacities: Physical Physiological Psychological Mental Academic Cellular Molecular Anaerobic Aerobic Competition

Please Tag the runners and Photo Credits in the heading.

#Veteransday14: Some Gave All, All Gave Some...

The stars in the corner, the white and red in the field and the single star all mean something to this school.

Around and Back Again?
On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, From Kandahar, Afghanistan, the 687th Horizontal Engineer Company flew two flags in honor and anticipation of folks back home.  Staff Sergeant Kyser pulled the flags and gathered her belongings and everything dear to her there and traveled around the world for a surprise visit to her friends and family, especially her children and mother. She planned to surprise her children at school!  Sure enough the authentic emotion and release is recorded in this Facebook post: The Re-Union  It worked and the voice the daughter thought was around the world walked into her life and immediately brought a rush of memories, sweet communion and a peace that only a mother's voice can bring! Ironically, over 17,000 viewings were recorded in the five days following its release.  It is easy to imagine the flag traveling around the world to get here, and the memory of the flag returning dividends as thoughts returned to Afghanistan through technology.

The Stars
The flag is folded in proper formation and placed in the corner of this memorial.  The 13 folds and corresponding stanzas align with the this poem:  My Name is Old Glory

In Honor of...
The plaque in the lower right reads:

OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM

So that all shall know, this flag was flown in the face of the enemy over the headquarters of the 687^th Horizontal Engineer Company, Kandahar Airfield, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan and bears witness to the fight against terrorist forces which threaten the freedom of the United States of America and the world.

On 05 November 2014, Staff Sargent Kristie Kyser, of the 687^th horizontal engineer company flew this American flag in honor of WINFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL

Retired, Laid to Rest, From the Battle Field and back...
In the lower left corner, below the sea and to the left of the plaque, a single star lays from a flag just retired.  The history and background of this flag carries its special honor as well. This retired flag faced the enemy in battles in Baghdad, Iraq.  After intense service, it was retired November 8, 2014.  Each of the 50 stars was salvaged by the AMVETS Chapter 180, of Lincoln County and is now in the care of Sergeant Rick Myers.  After our Tribute Assembly to our local veterans, this special gift was pulled from an inner pocket and bequeathed, bestowed or otherwise handed to me! I felt honored and privileged and at the same time, unworthy.  Yet, I knew there was a great location for us to display this trophy. 

We accept...
With honor and as much reverence as possible by a group of school children and their teachers, this was read in front of hundreds as we graciously accepted this token: 

“On behalf of the Winfield Middle School, of the Winfield School District, in Lincoln County, State of Missouri in these United States, I will receive this flag and we will hold it in the highest regard, with honor, pride and reverence as we display it in our trophy case.  Thank you very much. “

Special thanks and recognition go the the planners and organizers of this annual event, the Veterans Day Assembly of Winfield School District.  Every year the Assembly seems to mature and develop as these events regularly bring over 75 veterans to the event. Students received an authentic lesson in gratitude and thanksgiving and veterans got to enjoy their little voices, excitement and enthusiasm, reminding them that all made their sacrifices all worthwhile.

History of History
In the past few years, our school, Winfield Middle School has retired a flag, complete with the burning.  We have buried the ashes appropriately the following year and now this year we received a new flag from Afghanistan.  We hope our history, although short, has made memories on our students and an impact on or veterans and an influence on our community as we strive to give back just a miniscule representation of gratitude.

Sincerely,

Winfield Middle School

A moving Anti-Bully Assembly? Really?

 Personal Narrative Style

Our principal, from elementary school.  A true #TBT photo. imagine the stress this young man got with a last name like "McCracken." 

 

October is Anit-Bully Month

We opened our assembly with a class to class contest.  The classes all came in and sat in class circles, all around the gym floor. Mr D’s class did a victory lap with the trophy and got home field advantage for the upcoming event.  Our librarian, Ms H did a great job of playing a Trivia game that eliminated groups throughout the process.  Eliminated teams sat down on the bleachers till there was only one team remaining. Mr R’s class prevailed, stood for a picture and joined in with the rest of the group.

A song, from 1969...

We opened with a talk about, “A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash.  He claims in the song that it is the challenging name that made him strong, because his father knew he would not be there to help his son along.  “It’s that name that helped to make you strong!”  One student knew the song and the author!

Sue or McCracken?

Then we talked about our principal Mr. McCracken being called “Cracker” as a little boy. It wasn’t till he connected with other students did anyone ever say things like that about his name.  In kindergarten, lessons are difficult but we talked how the challenges often really do make us stronger.  Kids taunting, teasing and saying things like, “Polly want a cracker?” demonstrated their stress.

Whisper, Whisper, Whisper!

Then, we wrote “Ms Mix, you R…” on a blank sheet of paper!  (Ms Mix is our building counselor who does an amazing job adding a calming influence to the building.  She is one NOBODY EVER says anything bad about! She is also the only one who knew about the demonstration ahead of time.)

“I’m not playing your silly game!” 

Ms L

The "Shut Down!"

Everyone got to see it before it was completed.  We completed it with a SCRIBBLE! (See photo) All the male coaches in the front rows got a chance to “read” the description, chuckled appropriately and indicated the remark was accurate, at her expense! The private part was just scribbles (*&^%$#$%^) but all the men played along and smirked when they saw it, even though it really said nothing.  I asked a female coach, Ms L, and she gave the perfect response to shut things down. “NO, I’m not playing your silly game!”  She had the confidence, moxie and emotional security to just say NO to the bullying.  

 Note: The little white corner sheet and what we said about Ms Mix! 

But the Damage was done

After laughing, teasing and joking about it, we gave the slip of paper with the insult to Ms Mix. She crinkled it up.  The paper was ruined!  We tried to apologize. We tried to make it all better but the damage had been done.  There was nothing we could do to undo the action.  Even though we asked for it back and tried to smooth things over, it was TOO LATE.    

Let's ALL Commit

A poster from The Bully Project was produced and summarized how I, the principal, was going to commit to doing everything possible to address bullying issues and keep students safe.  I signed it and asked Ms Mix to sign it as well.  (See photo)

 

 Here, everyone in the building was invited to commit to addressing bullying, asked to display empathy and sign the poster.

Let everyone in on the secret... 

 Then all the teachers were asked to sign it on their way back to class.  Students were dismissed by sections and sent back to class.  After the students returned to class, the principal went to every room and revealed to each class the piece of wrinkled up paper and what was written about Ms Mix.  We shared a brief summary about Cracker, a boy named Sue, the show stopping response of Ms L, and how we wanted our students to act!  The students were let in on the secret.  The only person that knew about what was happening was Ms Mix.  None of the coaches, male or female had any foreknowledge of the situation but within one hour, everyone knew.

Pass or Fail?

An unplanned and unexpected expression of gratitude followed. A spontaneous act of compassion erupted. Classes full of students demonstrated true empathy and created hand written cards, thanking and appreciating Ms Mix’s contributions to our school for the rest of the day!

Conclusion

Will this stop bullying?  Will this make it go away?  Will everybody be nice to each other from here on out?  Or will this allow us to have a common language to address bullying, empathy and healthy responses?  Behavior and belief are often interconnected.  We must address both in the school setting.