Marching for Equity

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Amy's Reflections

Last week I traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Women’s March on Washington. From the time it was announced and my friend Shelley invited me to join her, I knew this would be one of the first ways I would take action after the presidential election. I also knew that this fit right in with my word of the year– challenge.

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Everything that has happened since the election has challenged me- my personal beliefs, my beliefs about other Americans, and how I want to react. I vowed that 2017 was the year I would step up to the challenge and take action whenever and wherever I could.

As a self-proclaimed introvert who does not do well in large crowds full of strangers, I also knew that the experience, though well-worth it, would be a big challenge for me.

I traveled to D.C. on a red-eye that was arriving the morning of the inauguration. While I wish I had been on one of the planes full of women in pink hats heading to the march, my plane including many people excited to attend the inauguration, and there was a sea of red hats imprinted with a certain phrase about America that I will not type. Coming from the very liberal state of California and the echo chamber I’m still fighting to see beyond, this was truly one of my first experiences hearing people talk about this election in very different ways than I have been (with my friends, family, and colleagues). I have to admit I was shocked when a woman literally called Trump “a god sent to save us” and said that “CNN was truly the worst fake news” she had ever seen.

I appreciate this experience if only for the fact that it gave me a real-life glimpse into the beliefs of the Americans who did vote for Trump and who, even after his first dizzying week in office, still believe he is the right person for the job. It also solidified my gratitude that I was able to use vacation days to leave work, travel across the country, and take part in something greater than just the election.

After landing in D.C. and meeting up with my friends and seeing the inauguration and the protests that had broken out around the city, we braved an Uber ride from Arlington into Adam’s Morgan to check out the Women’s March pop-up shop. We thought we would be able to pop in and pop out with some memorabilia to get us ready for the march the next day. Little did we know what we would find:

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There was a line of people from the shop all the way down an entire city block. We walked to the end of the line and found out that people had already been in line 1-2 hours and the line wasn’t moving fast or often. This was the first time that I realized how big the march might truly be.

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We stayed in line for awhile, admiring the local businesses that were giving away free coffee to the people waiting in line out in the cold. It was fun to feel the positive energy all around us, especially knowing we had just seen videos of angry protesters across the city. This one street was full of happy, engaged citizens who had traveled from all over to join forces and collectively say that women’s rights are human rights.

The next morning we could feel a buzz in our hotel, as women all around us were gathering up signs and warm clothes and heading out for the big event. That buzz became exhilarating as soon as we got within 2 blocks of the rally location. Everywhere you looked, there were people, mostly women, smiling, laughing, carrying signs, and preparing to march for so many causes personal to each individual.

Upon arriving, we saw some young girls with bags of free hats. These were the infamous pink hats (with another name). I took a hat because the crowd was already a sea of pink hats and I was feeling odd, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to wear it. Then I opened it up and I saw this:

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I was so blown away by the message that was shared by the woman who donated her time, energy and supplies to make this hat for the march. After reading her important message, I knew I would proudly wear the hat she made, and I would not let my own crowd-related anxiety bother me because I am lucky to have never experienced the trauma that she has dealt with. This was also the moment that I appreciated why women had chosen to take back the word that Trump has used to describe sexually assaulting women. This was one of the messages of the march- his words do not have power over us.

The message with my hand-made pink hat shows how personal this march was to each and every person who participated. At first, I was marching because:

  • I believe that women’s rights are human rights.
  • I believe that empowered women empower women.
  • I believe that no one has the right to determine how a woman handles her own body.
  • I believe that no American should suffer losing her or his civil rights because of political decisions.
  • I believe that our current government needs to know that actions against civil liberties will not be tolerated (even if the liberties in question are not being taken away from me).
  • I know that I feel safe to speak my mind because I was born into white privilege. I want to use my safety to speak up on behalf of others who don’t have a voice, who are scared to speak up, or who are unable.

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As the day progressed, I was also marching to honor the struggles and challenges that so many people, especially women, and even more so, women of color, face day in and day out. I was marching to hear their stories, to try to understand an ounce of their pain, and to let them know they were not alone.

I was also marching for my students. I’ve been an educator for 20 years, and I have worked with students from many races and ethnicities, from varying levels of poverty or wealth, and from a multitude of backgrounds. But here are a few who stand out right now.

  • I think about a student I had who was HIV positive. She contracted the disease in utero, from a mother who was a drug addict and was dead by the time I taught this student in 8th grade. I wonder if she is still healthy and I worry that she will not have access to affordable health care knowing her pre-existing condition.
  • I think about all the Mexican-American students I’ve worked with over the year. So many of my students were born in America, but live a dual life- one foot in Mexico and the other in American. They speak two languages, live in two cultures, and are now scared they will be kicked out of their homes when “the wall” is built. Some of these students cross the border regularly and this wall is terrifying to them. Some of them worry about never seeing their families again.
  • I think about a colleague of middle eastern descent who, as an educator, has experienced ethnic-based stereotyping and harassment from other educators.
  • I think about students for whom the right to a free, public education has been a gift that has brought them amazing, life-changing experiences.
  • I think about LGBTQ students, who fear for their lives and worry that they might not be able to get married, a right that was so recently won.
  • I think about students, especially black males, who worry whenever they see a police officer.
  • I think about students who often only eat two meals a day- the breakfast and lunch provided at school.

The 500,000 people surrounding me throughout the Women’s March on Washington were all marching for different reasons. One of my favorite parts of the march was seeing and hearing those reasons. The songs and chants that would just start up in the crowd gave a window into why people chose to join this movement. Hearing one person call out, “Tell us what democracy looks like,” and then hearing the entire crowd around us respond with, “THIS is what democracy looks like” gave me chills. We sang “This Land is Our Land” and “Lean on Me” multiple times throughout the day.

Here are some of my favorite signs.

 

 

I was honored to be able to join my friend and her 13-year old daughter in this amazing experience. When I see pictures of the marches from all over the world, I am so happy that I was there, in D.C. (below!), with so many others. I am proud of my fellow global citizens who took the time to stand up for what they believe in.

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Many other people have written about this topic with more eloquence and/or depth than me. If you would like read other pieces that I enjoyed, see below.

As part of my get-outside-the-echo-chamber project, I have also read articles that did not look favorably on the march, as well as articles about the March for Life that took place just the other day. I continue to challenge myself to see other sides of these big issues. Right now, I do not see this as a political (Democrat vs. Republican) issue. I am using my voice because I see civil liberties in jeopardy. They have always been in jeopardy for some people (who don’t look or sound like me), but I see it clearly now and cannot ignore it any longer.

This experience changed me. It lit a fire in me. I am determined to step up to the challenges I see before me, ready to use my words and to take action based on my convictions. I am fired up and ready to go (another chant heard throughout the march!). Stay tuned for more in my year of challenge.

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No More Inbox Ailments

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Amy's Reflections

Next in the Time Management for Leaders Series, I want to address email. Email can be the bane of our existence. We need it, we love the speed and efficiency of it, but we hate the volume and tediousness of it as well.

Most people in my life know that I hate to see that blue number above someone’s email icon on their phone. When I see a number like 10,322 (unread messages), I start to sweat and have trouble breathing. I am proud to keep my Inbox under control (and under 10 messages most of the time!). Here is how I do it.

  1. Do not be a slave to that little “ding” on your computer and/or phone  ( turn off notifications on as many apps as possible, including email at times). Set aside specific times of day to read and respond to email. Based on calendar 911, you can schedule this time into your day as needed to get started. During your specific email-reading time, follow the tips below to achieve the smallest Inbox you’ve ever had.
  2. When you read an email, make an immediate decision about it. If you need to respond,
    • write the response and send it
    • write the response and save it in drafts to be sent later (be sure to make a note on your calendar about when to send it)
    • schedule time on your calendar to complete the response (and necessary research, collaboration, etc.)

    If you do not need to respond,

  • delete the message (if it is junk, unsubscribe or mark it as junk so it never reappears!)
  • forward the message to the appropriate people
  • file the message in the appropriate folder within your email system (see #3)

3. Create folders with your email based on the type of messages you need to save. Folders can be the names of people (your boss, your team, etc.), topics (schedules, Twitter, PLC, etc.), or events (Back to School, Open House, Homecoming, etc.). They can also be task-oriented (Do This Week, Completed, Save for Reference, etc.). Folders are used to get messages out of your Inbox that you have dealt with, but that you need to save. Beware that saving every message just creates cluttered electronic filing cabinets!

4. Every six months, block out 30 minutes to go through your folders and archive or delete messages that you no longer need. In my school district, our email system has limited capacity and our inboxes often get so full we can no longer receive messages. If I saved everything, I would never get another email again! While this may sound tempting, this can be quite damaging when you miss important tasks. Even if your system (like Google) has a much higher limit, I encourage you to do this. Email folders can be just like dusty file folders in filing cabinets – full of unwanted and unnecessary stuff.

5. Avoid the “reply all” nightmare email chain. When you are sending out a message to a large group (such as your entire staff or district), put your own name in the “To” line and then put everyone else in the “BCC” or Blind Carbon Copy line. This way, even if someone hits “reply all” their message will only come back to you.

  • A side note to this, if your colleagues are unfamiliar with email etiquette, as the leader you are responsible for modeling this and supporting them in their learning. If your staff is known for inappropriate email banter, set the example with your emails and follow-up with individual face-to-face conversations.

6. Create rules for emails. In my job, we use Outlook so it’s easy to create rules to send certain emails directly into a folder. We get a daily message that says if our spam filter is holding any spam messages for us. Because I don’t want these message to clog up my Inbox first thing each morning, I set up a rule so that they go directly to my Spam Filter folder. Then, when I have time and my important emails have been handled, I can check that folder to take action. I also set up rules for the ListServs I am on. I enjoy receiving and reading blogs and newsletters via email, but I like to read them on my own time. If they immediately go into a folder, my Inbox is not overloaded and I make time to read them at my leisure.

7. Be sure to delete your junk and deleted messages regularly. I also make a point to go through my Sent Mail regularly and delete many messages. I often save Sent Mail that is important (for documentation, reminders, support, etc.), but I get rid of all the minor messages exchanged throughout a week.

8. Do not ignore email. It will pile up and get unmanageable quickly without a system. If you are going on vacation (or will be out of office for full day workshops), schedule a response to be delivered to anyone who emails you so that they are aware of when you will return and respond. If you are overwhelmed, revisit your calendar and use that to schedule time to support your email responses.

 

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[Time Management for Leaders Series]

Calendar 911

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Calendar 911

Posted on January 10, 2017 by Amy's Reflections

I’m starting a blog series called the Time Management for Leaders Series. My hope is to offer support to new leaders, leaders in new positions, and leaders who seek to grow their organizational skills in order to better support the important work of teaching and learning. Many of the topics I hope to cover have come out of authentic coaching conversations I’ve had with new leaders.  If there is a topic of interest to you, please let me know in the comments (or on Twitter!).

Time is something that we never have enough of, no matter our role. New leaders often struggle to maintain an effective and efficient calendar. The more organized your calendar, the more time you will have to do the important work you need to do as a leader.

If your calendar needs some 911 support, look no further than these tips.

  1. Use your calendar to tell the story of your leadership. Instead of large blank holes on your calendar, look ahead at the upcoming month and make a plan.
    • Schedule classroom visits now so they take priority.
    • Write due dates for all important tasks on your calendar (in the FYI section, see more below).
    • Begin with the mandatory work you must complete (formal observations, safety plans, team meetings, supervision, etc.) and schedule those before optional events.
    • I first wrote about this tip in a Things I’m Loving Friday issue 
  2. Make appointments with yourself to complete time-sensitive tasks. If I know I have to submit my site plan (or safety plan or fill-in-the-blank task) by Friday, I schedule time on Monday to work on the plan. I also schedule time on Tuesday or Wednesday to review my work or make revisions based on feedback, in preparation for the final deadline.
  3. Work smarter, not harder! If you know that your team needs and appreciates a reminder email before each team meeting, plan the time to write those emails. The emails can be pre-written and saved in your Drafts, to be sent on the appropriate date. Be sure to add a reminder in your calendar on the appropriate date so that you send them (or use the delayed delivery option in Outlook or other email systems).
  4. Don’t be afraid of the recurring feature on your calendar. If you have a weekly, monthly or annual meeting or task, schedule it to recur at the appropriate time. If you do this once for each reoccurring event, you will save time in the long run. If you keep missing the PLC meeting for the team(s) you support, schedule those as well.
    • I also do this with staff birthdays and other culture and relationship-building events that are equally important for leaders.
  5. Use the color-coding features to meet your needs. My calendar includes items that are blue (for mandatory meetings and events), green (for informational events that I will attend if I’m able, or just to be aware that they are going on, but that I may not attend), pink and private (for personal events after work hours or on days off; this could be things like exercise as well, which, if it’s not scheduled, often doesn’t happen!), and yellow (for staff schedules – my secretary enters the vacation/leave days of my staff on my calendar as a yellow FYI for me to be aware of).
  6. Use the “All day event” feature as an FYI. On most calendars, when an event is all day, it shows up at the very top of the day. I put FYI events and reminders in that section of my calendar, so they don’t show up like appointments midday. These can include: deadlines, birthdays, reminders, notifications of other things happening around campus/ department/ district, etc.
  7. Give others access to view your calendar. My team and I share our calendars so that we can easily schedule team meetings without 12 unnecessary emails and to see where a team member is if he or she is out of the office when we are looking for him or her.
  8. If you have support staff, give them access to view and edit your calendar. If you are out of the office, the staff who view your calendar can say to a visitor, “I’m sorry, she is in classrooms observing teaching and learning right now and is unable to meet with you. I’d be happy to schedule a meeting for you during _____ or ______ time”.
    • An important note for new leaders working with support staff for the first time: Take the time to sit down with your new support staff and go over how you want to use your calendar and what his or her role will be in support of your calendar. Be clear about how items are added to the calendar, what the color codes mean, and when and how changes can be made.

 

What else would you add to this list of Calendar 911 support? 

I learned a lot of my calendar skills from bosses, who were hard-working and successful leaders. I have also been trained in The Breakthrough Coach and have recently discovered The Together Leader, both of which are more formal programs that teach these time-management skills.

[Time Management for Leaders Series]

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Quotes That Resonate, Volume 5

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Amy's Reflections

Whenever I read, I take note of certain quotes that truly resonate with me, as a learner, a leader, as a writer, and as a reader. Here are the quotes that have resonated with me lately. I’d love to hear about what quotes resonate with you, my readers.

“…[women] often feel that we are not ready for the position. We will prepare, and prepare, and prepare, while men will step right into the challenge whether they are prepared or not.” ~ Sharon Contreras, Superintendent, in “N.C. Superintendent’s Philosophy on Being a Woman and a Schools Chief: ‘You Just Do The Work‘”

I have read a similar quote about men and women before, but now that I am participating in the AASA Women in Leadership Initiative, this idea is resonating with me more than ever. Why is it that men have total confidence to apply for and accept positions for which they may not be qualified, but women wait until they are overqualified? How can we coach more women educators to step into higher level roles? How can we support more educators, especially women and people of color, to feel more prepared to lead?

“Women make up 76% of teachers, 52% of principals, and 78% of central-office administrators, according to federal data and the results of a recent national survey. Yet they account for less than a quarter of all superintendents, according to a survey conducted this summer by AASA, the School Superintendents Association. But that number represents improvement since 2000, when 13% were women.” ~ “Few Women Run School Districts. Why?” by Denisa R. Superville, Ed Week, 11/16/16

As noted above, I’ve been reading more and more about women in leadership positions and I’m noting the issues more and more. This article did go on to say that California has higher averages of women superintendents. I’ve been fortunate to work for 4 female superintendents in my career thus far and have never questioned whether or not a woman could be superintendent, because I’ve seen it over and over again. I’m grateful for the inspirational women who have been and continue to be my mentors.

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CC licensed work: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/leader/?image_type=vector

“The more I thanked them for hard work, the harder they worked… I’m absolutely convinced that positive, personal reinforcement is the essence of effective leadership”. ~ Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy

I’ve been reading this book ever since I heard the captain speak at the ACSA Leadership Summit earlier this month. His leadership advice often sounds like common sense, yet is so often different from what we see and hear from so many leaders. I love this simple idea. The more you provide specific, positive feedback to staff members, the more they will strive to earn more of your feedback and praise.

“So leadership is, by its very nature, not just the purview of those with formal authority over others. One can also lead from a basis of expertise, ideas, and personality or character, and, in principle, these sources of influence are open to anyone. This means that leadership by its very nature is distributed.” ~Viviane Robinson, Student-Centered Leadership

This quote struck me because the broad definition of leadership and the potential for distributed leadership to already exist! I have read many books and articles about how leaders can practice distributive leadership through empowering others, but without this clear, articulated definition of the influences of leadership we all have the potential to use.

 

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My Word of 2017

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Amy's Reflections

CHALLENGE

This word came to me late in 2016, around the time of the presidential elections. Before I knew it would be my word, I was searching for a new direction. Mindfulness and rejuvenate treated me well in 2015 and 2016, respectively, but I was ready for something new and different.

Here is what challenge means to me and what I hope it will bring in 2017.

  • Professionally, I want to challenge myself to continue to expand my skills and grow as a leader
  • Personally, I want to challenge myself as a writer, to get more focused on writing a book and using my writing as a form of action
  • As a citizen, I feel we will face many challenges in the coming year and I am ready – I feel like these challenges will be a call to action and I’m prepared to take action

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I loved the questions I wrote to help me choose rejuvenation when needed. Here are some questions I will use to ground me in the idea of challenge this year.

  • Will this experience help me learn and grow as a leader?
  • Am I avoiding a challenge that I need to face?
  • Is this struggle really just a challenge in disguise?
  • What experiences would enhance my life this year?

Do you have a focus word for 2017?  If so, what is it? How will it support you? I love to connect to others who have chosen a focus word for the year. As always, my original inspiration comes from Susannah Conway and her creative process. I hope to blog about how challenge is inspiring me throughout the year.

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What I Read in 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Amy's Reflections

I really enjoyed looking back at everything I read in 2015, so I knew I wanted to capture my list again at the end of this year. I also wanted to beat my record of 44 books read last year, because I enjoy competing against myself!

During 2016 I read a range of professional, personal and YA literature. I actually read the first book on this list twice, once in January and again during #IMMOOC in September. In each of my monthly updates, I shared a list of the books I read and the experience of the reading. At the time, that felt authentic and easy to write. However, looking back at those updates now annoys me! I can read the experience I had and still have no idea, or memory, of what the story was about. I am notorious for forgetting a book as soon as I finish it. This is making me think that in 2017 I will do a little more summarizing for my aging memory!

I’m putting *** after each of the books I can remember LOVING this year!

  1. The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity by George Couros ***
  2. Defending Jacob by William Landay ***
  3. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
  4. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
  5. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein
  6. Somebody I Used to Know by David Bell
  7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
  8. Dumplin‘ by Julie Murphy
  9. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
  10. Fish in a Tree by Lynda Hunt
  11. Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
  12. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
  13. It’s All Your Fault by Paul Rudnick
  14. Raising Ryland– Hillary Whittington
  15. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
  16. Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology– Leah Remini
  17. Zebra Forest by Adine Rishe Gewirtz
  18. Eat- Taste- Heal by Thomas Yarema, Daniel Rhoda, Chef Johnny Brannigan
  19. Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris
  20. City of Beasts by Isabel Allende
  21. Better Conversations: Coaching Ourselves and Each Other To Be More Credible, Caring, and Connected by Jim Knight
  22. Field of Prey by John Sandford
  23. The Affair by Lee Child
  24. Crash and Burn by Allison Brennan
  25. Explore Like A  Pirate: Gamification and Game-Inspired Course Design to Engage, Enrich, and Elevate Your Learners by Michael Matera
  26. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
  27. A Wanted Man (Jack Reacher #17)by Lee Child
  28. Deep Down by Lee Child
  29. Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom by Kristin Souers with Pete Hall
  30. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  31. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  32. Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner
  33. Well Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students by Erik Palmer
  34. Untwine by Edwidge Danticat
  35. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo
  36. A Gate at the Stairs by Lorrie Moore
  37. Never Go Back by Lee Child
  38. High Heat by Lee Child
  39. The Art of Coaching Teams by Elena Aguilar ***
  40. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
  41. When Hitler Stole the Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr ***
  42. Revolution by Deborah Wiles
  43. Launch: Using Design Thinking to Boost Creativity and Bring Out the Maker in Every Student by John Spencer and A.J. Juliani
  44. *The Classroom Chef: Sharpen Your Lessons, Season Your Classes, Make Math Meaningful by John Stevens and Matt Vaudrey
  45. Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems by Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn ***
  46. Personal by Lee Child
  47. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
  48. Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand
  49. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
  50. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Shumer
  51. Make Me (#20) by Lee Child
  52. Adnan’s Story by Rabia Chaudry ***
  53. in a dark, dark wood by Ruth Ware
  54. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
  55. Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde by Jennie Garth
  56. Find Me by Lisa Gardner ***
  57. Home by Harlan Coben
  58. Sting: It Takes a Crook to Catch a Crook by Jude Watson
  59. Heartburn by Nora Ephron
  60. Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
  61. It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
  62. Interference by Kay Honeyman
  63. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
  64. Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
  65. Superficial by Andy Cohen ***
  66. Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris ***
  67. Takedown Twenty (Stephanie Plum Series #20) by Janet Evanovich
  68. #68 was a secret book I read as a favor to the author (my friend)!
  69. Sycamore Row by John Grisham ***

*44- The number of books I read in 2015 – I think I beat my 2015 list!

I’m so happy that I rediscovered some of my favorites fiction writers from many years ago, such as Harlan Coben and Janet Evanovich. I continue to enjoy listening to celebrity audiobooks and have no shame about that! I look forward to more reads in 2017 (and I look forward to the #Read17in17 community shares!).

 

 

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December Reading Update

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Amy's Reflections

The final month of the year. I love updating this list each month.

  • Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham – Have I mentioned how much I love audio books written and read by celebrities? I do (as evidenced in November, October, September, and April to name a few!). This book was written by an actress I have loved for years, from Gilmore Girls (old and new) and Parenthood. I loved hearing secret little details of her life and the cast from each of these shows. I believe if we met in real life, we could be friends. Lauren, call me, maybe?!
  • Superficial by Andy Cohen- Yet another celebrity autobiography that I listened to read by the author. This is the diary Andy kept for a year and a half and it is a ridiculously superficial look into his celebrity-filled, name-dropping, House wive-managing life and I loved it!
  • Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris – I have no idea how I ended up buying this book, but I’m so glad I did! It was a fast-paced mystery told half in past tense and half in the present. The story was horrifying (about a psychopathic husband who tortured his wife) but the race to see if or how she might escape was fun to read.
  • Takedown Twenty (Stephanie Plum Series #20) by Janet Evanovich – I haven’t read a book in this series in YEARS, so it was nice to revisit old friends Stephanie, Lula, Morelli and Ranger. The never-ending love triangle continues in this edition, as Stephanie quits her job as a bail bondsman yet again. It was a fun, simple read!
  • Shh! This one is a secret! – I read an early draft of a professional book that I am so excited to see out on bookshelves later this year. It was a fun experience and I was honored that the author, who is a dear friend, asked me to read the draft and provide feedback.
  • Sycamore Row by John Grisham – This is a follow-up to A Time to Kill, which I read many years ago (and of course saw the movie too!). As I read this, I visualized all of the actors who played these familiar characters in the movie, which made the story more fun to me. The story is about a hand-written will a white man left just before he committed suicide. In this will, he cut out all of his family and left 90% of his $20 Million estate to his black housekeeper. Even though the story takes place in the late 1980’s, this quickly becomes a battle about race and money and class, with Jake Brigance as the lawyer hired to defend this highly contested will.

 

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A Year of Blogging – 2016

Posted on December 27, 2016 by Amy's Reflections

December is often a time for Top Ten Lists, reflections, and preparations for goals and aspirations for the new year. Last December I picked my favorite posts from 2015. This year, inspired by the Five Survey I did earlier this year, I’m changing up my reflection on this past year of blogging (and four seems to be the number that works with this personal survey!). Feel free to play along in the comments!

My favorite blog topics this year:

  • Taking Action/ Black Lives Matter
  • Collections and Strengths
  • Motivation & Engagement
  • IMMOOC

My most read blog posts from this year:

The blog series that have carried across multiple years:

The top countries where my blog readers live (outside of the US):

  • Canada
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • United Kingdom

 

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A word cloud generated from my blog’s URL

 

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A Year of Rejuvenation

Posted on December 11, 2016 by Amy's Reflections

This is the second year I have chosen a focus word. 2015 was all about mindfulness.  2016 was about rejuvenation.  In February  I vowed to ask myself:

  • Will this rejuvenate me?
  • Will this bring more or less energy into my life?
  • Will I feel better (mentally, emotionally, physically) after I do this?
  • Do I need rest more than this?

Sadly, I haven’t looked directly at these questions since I wrote them. I have, however, considered the ideas of them throughout the year.

I can’t say that I am healthier than I was a year ago. But I can say that I am more in-tuned with what I need to feel rejuvenated. I no longer stress about making choices that will make me feel better mentally, emotionally and/or physically.  After the November elections, this became more necessary in my world and the world we all share.

I’ve already begun the process of contemplating what my word will be for 2017. I love following the process outlined by Susannah Conway and I look forward to unraveling a new year!

 

Rejuvenate 2016

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November Reading Update

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Amy's Reflections

This month I read a random mix of books!

  1. Heartburn by Nora Ephron – Although When Harry Met Sally has been one of my favorite movies for decades, I have never read anything written by the screen writer of the film. This is an old book, but I enjoyed reading a few lines that later ended up in my favorite movie. The main character used storytelling to ease her pain of two divorces, sharing recipes all the way. It was a simple, quick read.
  2. Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick – This was another celebrity audio book I listened to.  I love this actress but she is young and her autobiography is a small snapshot into her young life thus far, interspersed with her humor and sarcasm and neuroticism. I enjoyed it, but it was just fluff entertainment!
  3. It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff – After hearing Abrashoff speak at the ACSA Leadership Summit, I wen out and immediately bought his book and read it cover to cover. He is a great storyteller. His leadership ideas are often common sense ideas, but his examples remind us of the many ways in which we often operate outside of common sense. I appreciate his simple messages about getting to know people, providing them individual, personal praise, and encourage people to have fun at work. This was a great read with great leadership tips!
  4. Interference by Kay Honeyman – This is a YA novel that was a cute read in between deeper books this month! There are elements of local politics mixed with high school drama (sadly, not so different).
  5. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth – I listened to this audiobook read by the author. This was recommended to me by a colleague recently, though I saw Duckworth’s TED Talk on grit years ago. I like the ideas explored through her research, but this book was very dense and chock full of said research. I appreciated the connections between grit and growth mindset, and how Duckworth wove her research with Carol Dweck’s. I appreciated that a PDF came with this audio book, which I was finally able to access on my computer after finishing the book!

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What did you read this month? Only one month left in this year. Luckily, I’ve gone a little beyond my goal of #16in16

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