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My Educon Reflection
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3 The Number
Originally uploaded by sonofsteppe.Where to begin…
Leadership has always fascinated me, from political figures on the world stage to military leaders on the battlefield to great athletes and coaches to workers in nearly every profession (including, most recently, education) and, of course, our students. Educon was many things to many people. To me, it was not about technology or networking or student voice or teaching or the Science Leadership Academy or its amazing and visionary principal Chris Lehmann … it was about one thing: leadership.
When I reflected on what had transpired over the nearly 48 hours I spent in Philadelphia with over 200 like-minded educators from across North America, the people I’d met, the pedagogical techniques I’d seen, the classroom stories I’d heard, the powerful emotions I’d felt (and seen), I thought of what it meant to be a leader and therefore what it means for our leadership responsibilities in our own districts.
I’m a classroom teacher. I don’t formally lead much more than a group of 24 students at a time but I informally lead in lots of other areas. Who knows, maybe I’ll lead something big and impressive someday. But for now, there are plenty of micro-leadership opportunities, right in my own school. That’s what I want to write about. To get started, I need to tell a little story.
In 1989, Jimmy Johnson was named the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys football team. I don’t really follow the sport (much less the Cowboys since I root for the Giants) but I do remember reading an article that came out around the time Jimmy took the reins. I don’t have the exact details about the scenario so I’m going to embellish a bit. As I recall, it went something like this…
Jimmy was being feted by the owner (and his friend) Jerry Jones at a news conference in Dallas amid flashing cameras, great media fanfare and even greater expectations. Questions were flying, Jimmy was smiling broadly, everyone was excited and filled with anticipation. At the end of the event, as everyone filed out, a leather-faced, long-time reporter and Cowboys fan gently pulled Jimmy aside. This was a person with tremendous experience and perspective, someone who knew Jimmy was replacing Tom Landry, one of the greatest coaches of all time, someone who understood the enormity of the task Jimmy was about to undertake. His words of advice:
“Just win more than three, Jimmy.”
It wasn’t to be. The new coach would go 1-15 in that first year, despite having a reasonably solid team, first-class infrastructure and his best friend as owner and boss. It was a rough start but eventually everything came together and he guided the Dallas Cowboys to consecutive NFL Championships in 1992 and 1993, becoming one of only four coaches (including Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, and Chuck Noll) to ever lead back-to-back Super Bowl winners.
And so when I thought about the overwhelming inspiration I’d experienced over the weekend, all the great things I learned, all the amazing people I’d met, and all I wanted to do when I got back into my classroom, it occurred to me that I should heed that same advice.
“Just win more than three.”
Ok, but win “three what?” Three awards? Three scholarships? Three presentations? Three lessons? Three students? Three parents? Three colleagues?
And there it was … three colleagues. In addition to my classroom teaching responsibilities, I’m also a technology facilitator (that’s my actual job title) which means I’m tasked with helping others teach more effectively using technology. For me to “win more than three,” I’ll need to focus on a few people, developing their skills, promoting their work, supporting their learning, developing their confidence, pushing their limits, raising their standards, lifting their spirits.
Session after session at Educon featured extraordinary contributions from extraordinary people, both in front of the room and in the audience. Teachers were students as students were teachers. In the end, we all were moved. Some, including one of my good friends, were literally moved to tears by eloquent expressions that painted mental scenes of unimaginable beauty, the kind of beauty we want in our own classrooms, schools and districts.
At the Day Two morning panel, many great ideas were shared, but something David Jakes said really struck me. He explained that during back-to-school nights he would draw two images on the whiteboard at the front of the room, one of a heart, the other of a brain. Referring to these organs as the typical student’s “standard equipment,” he recounted how he explained to parents that he felt it was his job to get students to use both to maximum advantage. I found that statement incredibly powerful and empowering.
As a conference, Educon won the hearts and minds of all who attended, and probably, many more who could only follow the goings-on from a distance via UStream or Twitter. What better way to show our appreciation for those two wonderful days than to work, quietly, diligently, patiently and passionately to win the hearts and minds of those around us – be they students, parents, or colleagues. After all, we are the leaders.
Who knows. With a little luck, I’ll win a lot more than three!
-kj-
Technorati Tags: educon20
Published on January 28, 2008 · Filed under: Conferences/Events, Reflections;
8 Responses to “My Educon Reflection”
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Kevin,
What an eloquent post. I agree completely that if we each walk away making a commitment to bringing others into these conversations, it can make a tremendous difference.
I’m so glad you shared David Jakes’ story and the moments that many of us teared up seeing the beauty of what was happening. That really impacted me, as well.
I twittered the other day–that I haven’t teared up about the power of education that many times in a day ever.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
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Barry said on January 28th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Kevin,
Well written. I think this is a great concept to pass along to teachers and especially principals/administrators who either might be frustrated by an overall lack of positive change or whom don’t know where to start.
Start with small numbers. Like the Prell commercial from years ago. “And they told 2 friends, and so on, and so on, and so on….”
Barry
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Kevin, thank you for the kind words about our school. In the days before Educon, some of us were wondering what the whole thing would be like. It was all very forest for the trees.
The anecdote about “winning more than three” is exactly what we focused on in my last session with Kristin Hokanson. Tired of listening to the echo chamber, we sat down and started developing an action plan. You can see the mindmap here (http://www.mind42.com/pub/mindmap?mid=687a4327-47e4-4b4b-a797-182129edeacb). I’ll be blogging about it shortly. So much to blog about. I hope you’ll join us in changing the world together.
Thank you for making me think. -
Carolyn,
Thanks. In hindsight, I could have titled this post “When is the last time you cried at a professional development workshop?” Wonder how many people would have been confused by that. Honestly, though. Moved to tears … it just doesn’t get any more powerful and personal, you know?
Barry,
Thanks. Another great tidbit I gathered, from Anissa Weinraub, a mind-blowing language arts teacher at SLA: “Breathe out to breathe in.” She demonstrated it this way. (Try this!) Breathe in. Then again. Then again. One more. Then again. Can’t take any more in, right? You have to breathe OUT to make room for more air. So we have to recognize that sometimes, something has to go OUT before more can come IN.
Mr. Chase,
Thanks. With the overwhelming amount of ideas and energy at Educon, the only logical way to get started is to begin small. I am reviewing your mind map right now. Thanks for sharing and thanks for fighting the good fight, every day, at SLA!
-kj-
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Kevin,
It was such a great inspiring weekend. The presence of great minds all together focusing on what can be and renewing our sense of purpose and goals. Never have I been to a conference where I felt quite this way during or afterwards.
I came back to one of my most unmotivated students at the start of the year commenting on how much he likes my class and has learned so much more than just filling out papers. That is all I need to hear. And other students have been saying it too.
Funny, later that day a tower went down and there was no Internet (grades due, research and wiki updating needed by groups). We had a great afternoon of discussions and student perspectives instead. (I am learning to listen).
Kevin, it was so great to meet you at Educon. You are a positive and insightful leader. Loved your post!
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Great meeting you at EduCon, Kevin. I, too, found myself journaling on the plane back home. The concrete challenge in your reflection is exactly what each of us should be doing with that energy. I included your “3″ story in my Reflection Post at Infinite Thinking
http://www.infinitethinking.org/ -
Louise,
Thanks for commenting! Those are two terrific stories to share in the spirit of educon. It really is all about the kids, and when they validate our work, in words or in actions, it supercharges us. We can use all the energy we can get! Great meeting you, too. :) Nice joint posting with Cool Cat Teacher, BTW. Keep on fighting the good fight!
Lucie,
Thanks for commenting and for the plug on InfiniteThinking (now I know why my stats went crazy yesterday, lol) … I love how you set up your post with a bit of “foreshadowing” amidst the backdrop of Independence Hall. (I used to work across the street!) Yesterday, I made my first contact in my “win more than three” initiative and can’t wait to see where it leads. Or, I should say, where we lead it, together. :-)
-kj-
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Fil said on February 1st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
KJ,
Well done. It is about capturing the hearts and minds.
There is no doubt that you will win more than three.
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