Always Choose the FRONT ROW!

Borrowed this pic off a friend’s Pinterest board!  Her caption read… “Reminds me of Grammy...you can choose to live in the front row or the third row!”  AMEN!  I feel that this is a great representation of our inaugural year as the RMS Longhorns!  Just like with carnival rides…there will be many UPS and DOWNS, bumps, fears, unknowns, laughs, and maybe even a few tears.  But what I do know for sure is this…we are never gonna give up!  By choosing to stick together as a unified team and each member promising to give 100% every day…both in our work ethic and positive attitude...the THRILL of success WILL find us!  Sure there are gonna be a few hiccups along the way, but if we choose a solution focused approach to each obstacle (part of living in the front row) , we will prevail and there will be no stopping us!  The school is looking beautiful, and I know you will be super excited and proud to have a spot of your own to make RMS 6^th grade history in!  Remember, we are choosing to leave the baggage behind (it’s not allowed on the “ride” anyway) and keep an open mind for all the great things to come our way!  You are about to enter the ride of your life…a ride that is going to make us legendary in LCISD!  We are going to rock RMS next year, with fabulous teaching, out of the box exploratory classes, capturing those kids (and parents) hearts, and effectively using the data to blow the top off the scores come next May!  That’s right…we are a “Front Row” kinda crowd and want you to get the praise you deserve for all that hard work you do every day!  Just be prepared for other people to be lining up to get your seat on this ride next year especially after all your blood, sweat, tears, and a few margs pay off!  Good thing I have you tightly seat-belted in and I am not about to let ya get away…I need you!  I hope you had a wonderful long weekend and rested up for these crazy last two weeks!   Thanks for all you do for kids!  It is noticed and appreciated! J  Have a terrific Tuesday!

Perception is Reality!

This is a BIGGIE for me!  One person’s PERCEPTION of a given situation is their REALITY of the situation. That’s why first impressions are so important…critical actually.  Whether we like it or not we're built to size each other up quickly. Even if we're presented with lots of evidence to the contrary, we're attached to our initial impressions of people—which is why you should be aware of the impression you make on others. Why does this pertain to you…and me…well, we are in the process of starting something extraordinary from the ground up, and it is up to each and every one of us form positive perceptions with our kids, parents, colleagues, and the community.  Don’t think that’s part of your job??? Think again.  If you know anything thing about me it should be that I am ALL about relationships.  If you don’t have that…you have a hard time achieving much of anything else.  Right behind relationships would be high expectations…for the kids…for you…and mostly for myself!  We are going to be a staff that goes the extra mile…because it is best for kids…and meeting kid’s needs will always win with me.  No need to complain, unless you have a solution.  No need to fire off emails, post to Facebook, have a parking lot conversation, or tell parents negative comments or judgmental opinions….all of these things seems to find their way back to “the people” you will one day need for something…a reference or a favor perhaps.  It will happen…I assure you.  All of these things are forever in writing or out in the community and can and will be used against you the second you make someone mad.  If you have a tendency to do these things…find a “tone” friend…one who will help you soften your emails a bit or you can quietly vent to.  The best solution is to always discreetly take the “obstacle”  to that person so that you can work it out…if that is not possible please feel free to bring it to Veronica or myself.  We are here to help!  I will go to the ends of the earth to help and protect you, and I expect the same respect from each of you.  Let’s THINK before we make a “mountain out of a mole-hill”.  I found this article on a few simple guidelines for wowing people…which is exactly what RMS is going to be all about…creating a positive, safe learning environment for kids and teachers.  First impressions do matter so make the most of them with these five strategies.  Remember…you never get a second chance to make a good impression!

 

Five Strategies for a Fabulous First Impression

First impressions matter so make the most of them!

Published on March 26, 2012 by Thomas G. Plante, Ph.D., ABPP in Do the Right Thing

1. Be yourself... but be your best self.

Ethics are important and faking it to be someone who you are not is ethically problematic as well as just unsustainable. You can't keep up false impressions for very long unless you have an antisocial personality disorder. So, you should be yourself but try very hard to be your very best self.

2. Get yourself organized and centered before having the first interaction.

Whether it is a job interview or a date finding a few minutes to organize and center yourself will likely pay big dividends. Perhaps spending even a minute in meditation, prayer, or repeating a favorite mantra may be productive. What do you do to organize and center yourself? Recently I've used a one minute meditation in all of my classes teaching at Santa Clara University. Before class, we spend one minute in silent meditation. I've been impressed with the results and students seem to be too.

3. Pay close attention to your non-verbals.

Your words can be deceptive but your non-verbal communication tends to speak volumes of truth. Pay attention to your posture, manner, eye contact, and other non-verbal communications and ask yourself what they are communicating about you.

4. Clothes matter.

I'm no fashionista or fashion forward kind of guy by any means but it is true that clothes and grooming matter. It matters in terms of how others judge you as well as how you behave too. So, attend to your clothes, grooming, and so forth to send the message that you want to send.

5. It's never about you.

It is way too easy to be narcissistic and focus on yourself during initial interactions. Big mistake in my view. Focus on the other as much as you can. Attend to the other person by asking questions and try to see the world through their eyes. Not only will you likely connect better but you'll find yourself freer to be your best self that is likely to be more thoughtful and compassionate too.

My RMS Roadtrip...Gonna Enjoy Each Day and Not Bring Any Baggage!

Are you ready for our road trip?  When I became principal at Velasquez 2½ years ago I made a vow to always try to find the silver lining in things…no matter the situation.  Don’t get me wrong…some days are wayyyyy harder than others, and NO I don’t wear rose colored glasses…but I def ALWAYS strive to turn an obstacle into a success.  In this endeavor, I started sending my staff...which is really my at-work family a daily….yes daily…motivational email that they would have EVERY morning when they opened their email to start their day off right! I send these the night before…so if you are an early riser…or a night owl…you might be in luck… I usually send them out around 9-10pm..when my kids are tucked away in bed.  Most include a quote/video and how it pertains to me, us, our jobs, our families, many different things…just something that I feel needs to be shared!  I even share things that you will send me…that’s where many of the BEST ones come from…so send away!  I am very proud to say that I have never missed ONE day (in 2 ½ years) in sending these emails to my staff…it was definitely hard some days…but when you train yourself to find something positive in everyday…it can be done!  (It takes 21 days of consistently doing something to form a habit…did ya know that?) Scared yet????  Ha-ha  Now, I am feeling really comfortable with most of you since we have met a few times and even painted together (that was a blast by the way)…so I feel that you are ready for me to start what I am going to call my “Monday Morning Motivators.”  I am only going to start with Mondays…don’t want to freak anyone out quite yet!  (also a request from some of my former VES family…they said I need to build up your endurance...so you don’t jump off my energy bus just yet!  ha-ha)  It is very important to me that we build strong working relationships full of trust, respect for others opinions, and a passion to always do right by kids…no matter how hard it is on us.  I will always have your back and I expect to have the same respect from you.  We may not always agree, but as professionals and now family…we must address the issue…first discreetly with the person we had the disagreement then if needed, I will address it with everyone.  We all make mistakes and make decisions hastily before our brain has a chance to catch up with our mouths… me included…but how we handle those situations totally depends on our character…and that is something that is essential when you are part of the HP team! As we are starting up our RMS “road trip”…let’s make a pact to look for what is going to go “right” and leave the past in the past…that includes the baggage too…let’s not worry about a “potential” problem….until it is actually a “obstacle” to overcome.  Did you know 90% of what we worry about never happens…so save yourself an ulcer! Lol  I expect you to give 110% to the kids (academically and in building positive relationships) while you are at school, and I promise to give you the same.  I promise to communicate my expectations, ask for your input, and appreciate you to pieces!  I’m gonna end with something that a passer-by said to me last week... as we (Julie, Michele, and I) were making the labels, bagging the Goldfish, and tying them up for your last Monday meeting treat.  They said, “You know, they sell those in individual bags and then you could just throw them in a basket at the door, it would be soooo much easier.” Here’s the point….I know that already….but I want OUR JOURNEY to be “EXTRA-ordinary”... one that is fresh, new, and detail oriented to show you that I am willing to go the “extra mile” for you…because I need you to go the extra mile for our kids!  I am never about easy…and I will ALWAYS be about kids!   Thanks for all you do, and I hope you have a marvelous Monday!   Lastly, my “mush mails” that someone once named them…are written with lots of voice…lots of ellipsis…and might have a verb tense wrong every once in a while…depending on how late I write them and how many interruptions I have by a cute little 5 year old firecracker.  Sorry about that in advance…I will try and not be quite so wordy on the rest, just wanted to explain why you were getting some random quote email from your crazy new administrator!  J   Hope your weekend was amazing!