Intentional Leader: The Fruit of Focus

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 4

Trusting in our abilities to meet the challenges placed before us can be difficult without focus, determination and a great support system. In this week’s Intentional Leader on page 63, the introductory story shares how American Olympian Jesse Owens focused on his Olympic events instead of the controversial Aryan supremacy indoctrination that was occurring in Europe in 1936.

Although my challenges may not be so politically fused or so open to a global audience, it’s very important for me to use the tools and resources before me to stay organized, planned and in contact with colleagues.

Some of my FOCUS tools:

• Online calendar – accessible by any device (computer to smartphone)
• Email(s) – viewing emails from all accounts through one access point allows me to scan, share, respond quickly. I like to view them early in the morning and then as needed throughout the day.
• Task manager – there are times when I use this but I think I should try to use it more often instead of writing on a sticky note.
• Evernote – love this online and App! I continue to find uses for gathering data in many forms (audio, text, photo).
• Twitter – my PLN (professional learning network) never fails me when I ask a question, share a thought or learning something new.
• SETT and Levels of Support – talking about students, their environment, tasks in learning and finally the tools and levels of support they need to be successful. This tool helps me focus our discussions and our response for resources.

What are your FOCUS tools and/or resources? Have they changed over the last number of years?

 

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Intentional Leader: Remove Distractions to Remain Focused

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 3

Distractions. In this 24/7 ‘connected’ global society, distractions stress us out. They sway us away from our focus….and we miss out. Check out what mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe shares about dealing with our distractions and transforming our lives in being more mindful and being available, really present in life.

Distractions in education. It is important that I need to unify my attention with my colleagues attentions and activities. The main focus is on the PSD vision and it needs to be revisited from a Division perspective and School perspective regularly. I’m a visual person so I like seeing and reading the PSD vision often and I like when meetings and projects are connected to the work that I do. Clarity, transparency and focus from Senior Team members allow me to engage my energies in the appropriate areas. I also like my reflection journey with the Intentional Leader book. This weekly and daily work allows me to FOCUS on a particular topic in relation to the work that I do. There are times where these reflections lead me to more questions than answers but there are also times where I find it’s the right question and the right time.

“We spend so little time in the present moment that it’s anything but ordinary.” — Andy Puddicombe

How do you eliminate your distractions?

 

Intentional Leader: Trusted Talents Refine Your Focus

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 2

Retaining a vision for growth is no easy feat. Any large corporation has stories of CEO’s who were steadfast in their growth vision by tapping into the insights and experiences of the people around them. Having people that you can count on, who know their roles, sharpen their skills and are able to continue the similar focus.

I am ever thankful and reminded daily by the actions of the people that I work with, (the Learning Services team members, IT department, Lead Team group, PSD70 teachers and outside organizations), that I am very lucky to be working in such an open environment. It is an environment where FOCUS is key to success. PSD is filled with people who are passionate about student success. With the amount of initiatives, ideas and innovations that are evolving in the educational atmosphere, I am glad to be working with such caring, compassionate and wise people. I learn something new everyday and I hope that my presence in meetings, workshops and in conversations allow others to learning something new too.

My role is to support administrators and teachers in better understanding the curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and integration of technology. At times I even get to work with students, which I enjoy a lot! There are several skills involved in my role:

• Communication – listening, verbal, written
• Research & Development – assessment, seek multiple perspectives, gather information, identify issues
• Digital Literacy
• Multi-tasking – flexibility, adaptability, managing, multiple priorities
• Interpersonal abilities – relate to colleagues, inspire participation
• Leadership/Management skills – motivate, mobilize and coach to meet standards
• Multicultural awareness – diversity in the workplace
• Planning/Organizing – me and others
• Problem solving/Reasoning/Creativity – find solutions
• Teamwork – connect with colleagues

Of the above skills, three stand out for me as being my top three – Communciation, Digital Literacy, Planning/Organizing. These skills allow me to move forward our PSD initiatives, specifically our Educational Technology Initiatives.

Initiative	Department	Timeline	How does this support learning?
Google Apps for Education	Division Principal	2012-2014	Through the opportunities to easily collaborate and promote teamwork within the school division.
Electronic Portfolios (EduBlog)	Division Principal	2012-2014	This will help to inform assessment, build an understanding of digital citizenship and identity, help to build digital literacy, while also helping students to benefit from personal learning networks.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and cloud apps	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Providing students opportunities to learn using their own devices that they are already comfortable with. (Promotes Universal Design for Learning)
SMART Technologies	ERLC Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Engage students through effective use of the technologies
Discovery Education	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-Ongoing	Students can research reliable information and then rework it to demonstrate their knowledge in creative ways.  This can be used in a differentiated approach.
Read & Write Gold & other Assistive Technologies	Learning Services	2012-ongoing	Removes barriers to learning
Digital Responsibility/ Citizenship	Division Principal Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	This is a growing need and essential for students to understand and embrace as they are using digital resources at home and in school to communicate, socialize and learn.
Assistive Technologies	Curriculum ET Facilitator	2012-2013	Removes barriers to learning
Focus on creating an open culture	Division Principal	2012-2013	Promote Parkland School Division through publishing the positive learning experiences of students and staff through our Twitter account, hashtag, and professional learning through blogging.

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Intentional Leader: Study the Landscape

Monthly Theme: Focus

Week 1

Big picture goals and targets are important in anyone’s professional life. As I have spoken in previous Intentional Leader blog posts regarding my goals, I won’t refer to them once again, however, I came across this video below that REALLY got me thinking about other people’s perceptions regarding FOCUS.

Well, what do you think? Reform discussions, reflections and movements in education are not new. Although this video is filled with some incorrect anecdotes, it still does offer an opportunity for us to question our present educational systems.