Returning (Thoughtfully and Carefully) to School

I sincerely hope that anyone reading this had a wonderful and relaxing break over the Christmas season filled with special moments with family and friends. I’ve come to realize that is not always the reality for many of our kids and I know, that as we return to school, it will be very important to keep a broader view as we ponder the first minutes, hours, days, and weeks of the January return.

Sometimes, it’s an innocent comment meant to explore with students what happened while they were away. For those who did not experience warm and tender moments, who may not have had the moments of receiving gifts, or who may have had limited familial connections, this may re-open some hurt that was pushed aside with each passing day after Christmas. I’m not suggesting that no attention be given to kids who come from stable, blessed home environments. I believe that the quality of the relationship established by this time will let the teacher get feedback and hear the excitement that some are returning with.

More importantly, as you start back with your students, it’s important to review all of the expectations from the start of the school year that you have successfully built in to your classes and schools. Remember, students have been operating for two weeks in environments with a wide degree of allowable behaviors and some of those will need to be moderated so the positive learning environment can be quickly re-established. Don’t expect that all of the great things you did in the first four or five months will automatically and instantly return to your students when they enter today. Take the time to reemphasize relationships with and between students. Recall some of the best moments of the opening months as reminders of what is needed going forward. Be with your kids during the non-structured times of recess and lunch during the first few days as you may notice some things that can be rectified before they grow. If there are specific expectations for specific locations or routines, review those in context with your students – if you can predict it, you can prevent it.

Mostly though, let your kids know how much you missed them – all of them – and how the break also gave you a chance to relax and re-charge your batteries. This next stretch of the school year is often a challenging time. Knowing this, and taking the proactive steps to change the potential outcomes, will serve both you and your students very well. Welcome back!

Seven Keys to a Positive Learning Environment in Your Classroom

Another school year has begun (Where did the summer go?) and educators are heading back full of energy, enthusiasm, and ideas to make this school year the best ever. The reality is that the majority of educators never really took a break from their professional lives. I know this because, with the exception of the first week of July, I was busy working with educators. I also know that even when you were on a break, your classroom and school were not far from your thoughts. How many of you looked at things in stores and thought “my classroom could use that” or “Susie/Johnny would really appreciate that”? As you begin your returning rituals I know that many of you are also looking for ways to add more to your practice and to improve the learning outcomes for all students. I know you are looking for resources to have close at hand. It’s part of the reason I wrote my last book. I was charged with the task of producing a book that every educator would want close at hand and I hope I’ve hit the mark with “Seven Keys to a Positive Learning Environment in Your Classroom”. It’s probably expected that an author would suggest their book is worth a read so I’ve asked some trusted and inspiring colleagues to review it and I’m sharing their feedback below. I hope you’ll find it worth the time as well, and I am committed to assisting any colleague to bring the content to life. Enjoy!

Lisa Blackstock – Former Assistant Superintendent/Current Executive Director

It is the most important book I have ever read for a teacher to help them understand what is truly important in the teaching profession and to understand the impact that they can have - whether positive or negative - on a student. I think this book is a gold mine for new teachers.  The way Hierck has woven in practical strategies along with research/experience is so powerful.  I want all of our new teachers to have it.  There are many sections that will provide a great jumping off point for important discussions that are needed to solidify school missions.

Brian Butler – Former Principal/Current Consultant

Teacher-Student, Teacher-Parent and Teacher Team relationships are some of the most misunderstood components of having a school live out its mission.  Tom Hierck helps clarify these critical relationships and provides educators with the critical tools and resources to help us live our mission of ensuring high levels of learning for both students and adults in schools.  Put this book in every teacher’s hands and give them the immediate road map of where to begin!

In his first solo book Tom Hierck has hit a homerun! He has provided comprehensive approach and easy to apply strategies to help teachers, teams and schools teach children the social and emotional skills necessary to be successful today, tomorrow and for life beyond the PreK-12 school system.

There are many authors out there who write about behavior strategies for students who exhibit challenging behaviors.  What sets this book on an entirely different stratosphere is that it clearly articulates “The Why, The What and The How”, at the student, individual classroom teacher, collaborative teacher team, school-wide and parent level of support to give all children the opportunity to have fulfilling lives in school and beyond as adults!

The honesty from Tom Hierck in this book is both refreshing and heartwarming.  Hierck shares how his behavior as a teacher toward students at times was not always a best version of himself when dealing with student behavior. It seems to have compelled him to write a detailed and turn key guide for all educators to use in their classrooms and Schoolwide.   At the end of the each chapter his, Points to Remember and Strategies to Consider, are enough to make one want to buy the book.  This is a marvelous addition to our professional literature.

Charlie Coleman – Principal, Consultant, & Author

This concise, power-packed book weaves together research and real-life experiences that remind us of the importance of positive relationships and culture in our classrooms. Whether you are a new teacher struggling to establish routines or a veteran teacher struggling not to become jaded or cynical, this book is for you! Tom Hierck provides the reader with an easy-to-implement framework that is supported with helpful how-to strategies, case study examples and succinct points worth remembering in each chapter. Hierck encourages us all to get to know each student’s STORY. By combining the power of relationship building with hands-on structures and strategies, Hierck provides every educator with a tool kit "to be intentionally and explicitly positive, to ensure quality relationships for all students, and to be the difference makers" in the lives of kids. Isn't that what we all want in our classrooms and schools?

Anthony Muhammad – Consultant & Author

Tom Hierck has produced a concrete and tangible plan to achieve an optimal learning environment in every classroom.  Administrators and teachers who are deeply concerned about ensuring school wide excellence will greatly benefit from this book.  The ideas are clear, powerful, and practical.

Chris Weber – Consultant & Author

Behaviors such as self-regulatory, executive functioning, and social-emotional skills have never been as important as they are today. They are as important as academic skills for student success in school, college, career, and life. Tom has written a practical book that provides the tools, strategies, and thinking to support teachers in their support of student needs. Tom's knowledge and experiences in the area of behavioral RTI are second-to-none. He has produced a resource that will benefit every teacher, at every grade level, in every school.

Ken Williams – Consultant & Author

In an era where we spend more time expanding the list of reasons and factors contributing to why students cannot learn, Hierck quiets the noise, and in a practical and actionable way, reminds us of the factors we control that serve to ensure learning for all. Part of the power in this book lies in it's tried and true universal truths, with updated applications for current leaders and educators. The other powerful part of Hierck's work is that he doesn't run from all the 'factors' that make the work of educators a challenging and complex process. Instead he meets them head-on with examples, case studies, research, and suggested strategies that tip the scale of influence away from factors outside our control and returns primary influence back to the educator. Tom's easy writing style will make you believe this a quick read. But, it's not. You're going to read, be reminded of an idea or strategy, and put the book down so you can incorporate it into your teaching and leading practices. 

RALLY CAPS AND COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT

This photograph was taken at a recent San Francisco Giants baseball that I attended with good friend and colleague Michael McDowell. Besides the goofy grin on my face, I want you to notice our ball caps. Baseball aficionados will recognize the adjustments we have made as our attempt at rally caps. The Giants were down four runs to Miami and tradition dictates that fans don their rally caps to bring good luck to the home team as they come from behind. And it worked! I believe we were the reason the Giants came back to tie the game (never mind that they lost in the eleventh, we rallied the team!). The rally from behind, the atmosphere in the stadium (notice in the photo we are not alone in the tradition), and the gains made by the team to tie the game got me wondering about having the same impact in our schools. In other words, what’s our rally cap when a student falls behind?

In the book Starting A Movement, Ken Williams and I talk about establishing a collective commitment that gathers all the adults in the school in service of all the students in a school. We suggest that a collective commitment is established when two conditions are examined, clarified, and adopted as the foundation for the purpose of your school:

1. We believe that all kids can learn at high levels.
2. We make the commitment to ensure learning for every student.

This is our rally cap when a student falls behind! Let’s be clear – this is challenging work. Unlike a simple manipulation or inverting of a piece of clothing, the two conditions identified require deep commitment, a desire to collaborate, and a view that extends to all students not just my students.  They also require a departure from the well-worn, well-rehearsed narrative of naming, shaming, and blaming students or the variables (race, poverty, family concerns, new to the country) that may be temporarily influencing student progress.

Ensuring all students learn is no easy task. Here is when it becomes clear that you and your colleagues have a collective commitment, a clear purpose - when a student falls behind or is not yet proficient in the desired learning outcomes. At that time, schools that are clear on their purpose pull on their imaginary rally caps.  When you are clear on your purpose, challenge causes you to turn to each other. When your purpose is not clear, challenge causes you to turn away from each other.

One other thing about collective commitment; it can’t be forced. That’s compliance, not commitment. Your collective commitment needs to be renewed every year and colleagues new to the school need to be a part of that and provided both the rationale and the opportunity for influence. Attending the game with us was Australian colleague Sophie Murphy and her husband Darren and kids Charlie and Poppy. This was their first baseball game, which was enough of a learning curve and then we introduced rally caps. Once explained however, they joined in the fun and had a slight modification to their caps as well. They owned the challenge to rally the team and were also excited when the score was evened up.

So colleagues, school is about to start back up again very shortly. As the new school year is launched and progresses, what is going to constitute your rally cap? Let me suggest you start with WHY – your collective commitment.

Rumblings From Down Under - The Final Instalment

As this is my last post from down under on this journey to Australia, I thought I'd give you a view from down under:

The Australian White Pelican was just one of the fascinating birds we saw on the trip. The fact that these large birds can sleep high above on the lamp post perch meant we always looked up on the boardwalk.

I’m writing this final installment as I sit on the plane making the long journey (15 hours) home and reflecting on a wonderful month in Australia. From the outstanding organization of the workshops by the team at Hawker Brownlow to the warmth and hospitality of the people we met, it was thoroughly enjoyable. We got to meet with old friends that we made on their teacher exchange to Canada when I looked like this (30 years has produced some changes!):

and we got to see some things for the very first time like kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras.

It’s definitely not the place to be if you have a fear of spiders or snakes, as even the “harmless” ones can be pretty intimidating like this Huntsman spider

or the carpet python snake we saw on our walk that is not poisonous but does possess 50 to 60 sharp teeth!

It took most of the month to get used to seeing drivers sit on the “wrong” side of the car. We got so good at it that my wife was startled to see a car commercial on the plane with the driver in the “right” seat. Next time we’ll take the plunge and rent a car; although it was nice not having to worry about that responsibility during the trip.

We also got accustomed to “Aussie-speak” which is the penchant for shortening words like university to uni, Christmas to chrissie, and mosquitoes to mozzies. This includes an extensive list of words. Our friends jokingly shared with us that this was to avoid having your mouth open for longer periods of time thereby allowing more flies to get in. Oh, by the way, the flies are annoying!

One other thing we easily adapted to was the warm weather. It was no challenge to get used to temperatures in the 30s but a real challenge to land in Vancouver at 7:30 and have to scrape the ice off the windows! Heading east for the next two weeks will get me re-acclimatized to the winter chills ahead. 

As much as this was an amazing month, there's nothing better than being home with family and friends for the best holiday season of the year. We're looking forward to Christmas with a full house, full hearts, and the need for warm clothes.

Rumblings From Down Under Week 3

The third week of my journey to Australia is complete and it’s also signaled the end of my workshops. I did four two-day workshops in various locations and was thrilled with the response. This last week also provided some great insights.

The week began in Ballarat and I worked with folks at the Catholic Diocese level and with a team from St. Thomas More. It was reaffirming to see the passion and commitment to student success and the role teachers played in ensuring this.

One of the absolute constants that has been evident during my visits has been the excellent support and hospitality provided by colleagues. I have been the benefactor of people wanting to ensure a positive and educational experience for my wife and I at each stop. Ballarat was no different. After a great meal we were taken on a tour of the city. As darkness fell it was difficult to see the path of the trail we were taking to get to a good viewing spot of the town below. Their cell phone flashlights were guiding my wife and my colleague while I was stumbling in the darkness, trusting their view that all would be fine. It wasn’t until we got back to the car and somebody noticed a rank odor that we realized a problem. One person had stepped in it and the evidence was now in the vehicle. It was awesome to have to get out and find a way to clean my dress shoes! I otherwise thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

The week concluded in Yamba with high temperatures (it’s going to be tough to go back home) and high energy. This was the largest group of the four and they had a wide range of experience and knowledge that really drove my learning. It was also very humbling to be invited to share some social time with a group of colleagues.

I have learned many fascinating things during my time in Australia. One is about the wildlife. Perhaps the most unique fact concerns the wombat. They have cube-shaped poop! Wombat poop is square. They mark their territories by defecating, and it’s thought that the shape of their poop keeps it from rolling away. Growing up I was always told that you can’t fit a square peg in a round hole. Apparently going the other way is possible!

I have also come to realize that the single biggest threat to life in Australia is the breakfast toaster. This machine has had, in all seven hotels I’ve stayed in, more warning signs than any other device I’ve ever encountered! From directions on how to place your bread (horizontal not vertical) to cautions about leaving children unattended by the machines or placing the wrong bread form (no toasting croissants), this machine has terrorized Aussies beyond any other invented by mankind. I considered myself fortunate to have been able to toast my raisin bread each morning!

As we enjoy a final week in this great country relaxing in the Wollongong area with friends, we know the journey home will be exciting (because we are getting home to family and friends) and a little sad (because we'll be leaving behind many new friends made and old ones rediscovered). G'day!

Week 2 Rumblings From Down Under

Our journey shifted to Melbourne and we arrived as more horse racing was in full swing. It has been a revelation to see how the sport of kings captivates this country for a week. From the high fashion to the crowds in every eating (and drinking) establishment, the country is preoccupied. As I thought about the first day we arrived in Sydney and the scene we saw, the only similar experience I could think of was the Olympic Gold Medal game between Canada and the USA at the 2010 games in Vancouver. Just as then, the crowd here was glued to their televisions as the Melbourne Cup race was underway. You could hear the roar as the race concluded, and just as Sidney Crosby became an icon for all Canadians from that moment forward, so too has Michelle Payne become an inspiration for future jockeys.

We also arrived to Melbourne as another big event was occurring - Sexpo! The Health, Sexuality and Lifestyle Exhibition is the world’s largest adult exhibition and is designed to provide a fun and vibrant atmosphere for all adults. According to their ads, Sexpo is not just about sex, it’s about fun and the celebration of all lifestyles and sexualities. While the horse races provided all kinds of examples of fashionable head accessories, this event was rife with all kinds of interesting characters entering and exiting the event.

This was also the week where my work began and it started with a two day workshop in Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula. It was great to see how the message connects with colleagues here, and how the successes and challenges facing schools are comparable. We also saw our first kangaroo while touring at the end of the day and visiting Arthur's Seat (yup, you read that right!). We also saw penguins when we went back to Melbourne (at St. Kilda's pier) and that began many more cool animal sightings over the rest of the week.

The second two day workshop took place in Pokolbin and we stayed at the Cypress Lakes golf resort or, as we came to know it, kangaroo central! We also saw wallabies and kookaburras. The wacky weather also followed us as we had brilliant sunshine, torrential downpours, and hail. The area of the country, Hunter Valley, is also home to over 600 estate wineries and it was important to help keep the local economy afloat by sampling a few of them. Early reviews indicate that they do a fine job with the wines here!

The next week will begin with the third of four workshops, in Ballarat (home of the aforementioned Michelle Payne) and end with the last workshop, in Yamba. It's been great to explore lots of Australia and share some of it with you. Thanks for reading!

Rumblings From Down Under

The weekend of our first week in Australia is upon us and it seems time has flown by. Granted, we lost the Monday in flight but it still seems like the first few days have evaporated (unlike the rain, but more on that below). We arrived to Sydney and our taxi ride from the airport gave us a chance to see many finely dressed men and women. Just as we were thinking that Sydney does not do casual, our driver let us know the Melbourne Cup horse race was on that day and how it was a day for the entire nation to enjoy. While the men were in their suits, the women really ruled the day as we saw many creative fascinators (yes, it’s a real word!) and no two alike. This picture gives an idea to those not familiar with such finery:

The really exciting news about the horse race was that a female jockey won for the first time in the history of the event. It made the headlines everywhere as she rode a 100 to 1 long shot to a first place finish and smashed glass ceilings in the process.

We did manage to fight any attempts to sleep but I am certain my brain was still a bit fuzzy the next morning as we went to breakfast. I was enjoying our fare and decided to place some of the delicious jelly on the toast I was about to consume, Vegemite is not jelly! It is not tasty! It is a dark brown Australian food paste made from leftover brewers' yeast extract and there’s a reason why it should not be consumed besides being leftover yeast extract – it tastes horrible!

It became apparent early on in our walks that the birds in the area were very different from what we had seen back home. The photos below are just some of the examples and we’d love to have any of them identified.

As for the rain, I was doing my best “Annie” each night. You know, “The sun will come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun!” but it didn’t help. As we were leaving Sydney, it was very sunny and the warm weather was settling in. As we landed in Melbourne, the rain landed with us. I am convinced that this is just a short-term concern. “Tomorrow, tomorrow…”

More to come as this adventure continues. Thanks for following along.