Principles of Principals

On November 3, 2014, behind the distractions of the mid-term elections; the Arizona State Board of Education approved the RFP from SAGE Testing Company for full implementation of the AzMERIT for Spring 2015. If you're a parent, student, or employed in education you need to know some things about this test. In it's entirety, the test is computer based.  Instead of asking your child to select the correct graph from a menu of choices, they will be asked to create a graphic representation on their own. Admittedly, it's a much DEEPER look into applied knowledge.   Utah took the test last school year with startling results .  Less than half tested proficient. Less than half . Either it's a distilled look at UT children's abilities, or the results are skewed by rapid implementation of new standards, new measures of accountability, and new testing protocols. Is Arizona ready? District's who were preparing, have had a minor shift in preparation towards th...

As a youngster of 9 or 10, I decided that I wanted to join my Dad, and his running partner Steve, on their jogs.  I fancied myself capable, and they were kind enough to indulge me. My Dad, for his bit, had completed the erstwhile running bible by Jim Fixx , and had added the complete Rocky (cue the music) workout wardrobe to his exercise paraphernalia.  Dad was all grey sweats, oatmeal & raw eggs. Committed to personal fitness. I was hooked. Our first jaunt took us outside the Aspen Glen trailer park, down a fairly steep, paved grade, and on to the gravel shoulder of Highway 82 towards Aspen  (more on this in an upcoming post).  I pedaled my stubby legs as hard as they would go in an effort to keep up. Easily distracted by passing traffic, actually afraid I was going to die of a burst lung or at the bumper of an oncoming Chevy Vega , I fell forward - hands out - into the cinders.  The meat grinder of runners and cyclists alike. Barking your han...

I thought I knew how to shoot a rifle.  I mean, I grew up hunting.  I received my first BB gun, a Red Rider , at the age of 5.  I was taught then and there how to shoulder the weapon, raise the site, look through one (dominant eye) and place the front site on the target, squeezing the trigger...and click, the BB ricocheted into my teacher's eye...hence the reminder to wear eye protection. I graduated to a .22 single shot, spring loaded, rifle, then to a .30-06 for deer hunting, always creating a field of vision that focused one eye on the target.  I was a moderate marksman...nothing to brag about, but I could target and shoot. I entered Army Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, summer of 1999. Hollywood has yet to capture what goes on there, suffice it to say, I was WAY out of my comfort zone .  Anyway... Basic Rifle Marksmanship takes up the bulk of instruction during training.  The Army is good at a lot of things, but perhaps their hallmark is task ...

At present, I'm out of work.  Long story,  and we don't have time for it here.  I've been thinking, a lot, about the things I miss about working in schools, and sort of " if I had it to do again " approach.  I believe I will get another shot - I'm very good at what I do, and I believe in second chances.   Take note... Kindness - being a school leaders is more stressful than you think.  I've been in and out of the mix enough to know the difference between job stress and principal stress.  Be kind to yourself.  Deliberately schedule time out.  Eat the foods that heal your soul and your body.  Breathe. Breakthrough - on the advice of someone I admire, I attended The Breakthrough Coaching lead by Malachi Pancoast.  Changed my whole way of looking at resource management, secretaries, and clarified my role as a principal.  Do yourself, and your colleagues a solid favor, go.  Establish a life & a career . Situa...

Yesterday we had a fight in the cafeteria.  7th graders.  I use the word typical in the sense that these things can happen in a school setting.  At my school, in all honesty, we've had 3 fights in three years, so this was an atypical occasion. Atypical has so many layers.  A boy was verbally harassing a girl.  She'd had enough, so she took matters into her own fists.  They're both African Refugees, familiar with the consequences of hatred, violence, fear, and malice. Our entire First Grade saw the fight.  "Why does this have to happen Dr. Sharp?"  "Why wouldn't that boy leave her alone?"  "What is going to happen to them?" were just some of the questions. Typical disciplinary action calls for immediate suspension, depending on district policy and number of previous offenses. This was not a typical situation. Today Seraphine visited each 1st Grade classroom and taught a 10 minute lesson on two of our school's CHOICES (Choosin...

Welcome to our family.  The joy you bring everyone is indescribable.  Having just come from Heavenly Father, I have to ask you...how's Grandpa Glen?  What does Heaven smell like?  What's the best book in Heaven?  Best food?  I know that sounds silly, but I have those questions   because you're here.  You remind me that Heaven is a real place. I'm glad you chose to come.  I'm learning how much better I want to be.  For you.  For our family. This world is a mix of wonder, joy, and a fair measure of pain and sorrow.  I want to protect you from that.  To keep you safe.  To shelter you.  But I can't. It would be unfair.  It's not part of the plan.  So...I pledge that I will do all in my power to serve you, to teach you and show you all that I can. You have amazing parents.  Your father, my son, is a worthy priesthood holder.  The spirit resides with him - he is worthy to go to the temple w...

Recently my friend brought something to my attention that stopped me in my educational tracks - and heightened my overall awareness to new levels.  I've always fancied myself a conscientious educator, but let me ask you a question, how well are we serving the needs of children who's parents are on deployment? After over two decades of service, I felt a dear friend of mine is qualified to answer so I asked her to be a guest on my blog and share her thoughts.  I'm thankful she agreed. "The military children of today are dealing with so many uncertainties....beginning with unscheduled deployments. Generally a sailor will begin a "work-up" cycle before deploying...meaning training out to sea for short periods of ...during this time...the children learn to adjust without the parent.  The remaining parent also learns to balance household/parenting/work without the help of the other parent. It becomes a crazy balancing act....and my husband and I jok...