ACSA presentation

Stay in Your LanePRESENCE AND PRODUCTIVITY

ACSA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT,

NOVEMBER 6, 2015

A little about me, and our time today.Principal, Carleton Middle School, Warren Consolidated Schools (in Michigan, 7 miles north of Detroit).

13th year in education

8th year as an administrator

Ph. D. Student, Oakland University

2015 NASSP Digital Principal Award winner

1. Harnessing the power of technology for productivity

2. Expanding the use of technology to communicate with families.

3. Growing my digital footprint

Bernia’s Basic Beliefs about TechnologyHardware should be mobile.

Software should sync.

Find the tool that works for you, and stick with it.

Try the free version for 30 days before making a purchase.

Some Core BeliefsNo one will give you more time.

A person is productive when they produce work that they believe makes an impact.

Not feeling productive leads to anxiety (feeling as though you have no control over a situation) and burnout (feeling like your efforts/work do not matter).

I was tired of

My desk looking like this.

Answering “I don’t know” when asked about my day.

Feeling like I had no control over my work.

I wasManaging, not leading.

Feeling disconnected and spending more time in my office than I wanted to.

Frustrated.

After reflection, I became obsessed with productivity.

Three important quotes

“You can only control what you control.” Dan Hickey

“Every time we say yes to a request, we’re saying no to anything else we might accomplish with that time.” Tim Harford

If you’re working out of your inbox, you’re focusing on other people’s priorities.” Donald Rumsfeld

A Book and a Webinar

Peter Bregman’s book, 18 Minutes, was transformational for me as I thought about my time, productivity, and how I managed my work day.

Justin Baeder, through a webinar on his website, theprincipalcenter.com, shared with me several productivity applications that provided me significantly more time.

Name Your PrioritiesThe school year breaks down into manageable segments.

Chart out those segments, then develop 5 priorities for each.

Instead of checking your email or listening to voicemail, revisit your priorities chart at the beginning of your day and map out what you want to accomplish. Finish your day with a look at your chart to reflect on how you spent your time, it is ten minutes well spent.

A sampleNovember 4 – December 18

Get into classrooms, provide feedback to teachers.

Work with SIP/Building Policy teams on next steps for Carleton.

Begin Principal’s Advisory Committee.

Ensure Parent Teacher Conferences can go well.

Finish State reporting/documentation for 2015. (Title 1, FOCUS School, School Improvement).

MISC.

Remember the Milk

iDoneThis

A key to being productive is the positive “shot in the arm” we feel when the work we have completed aligns with our priorities.

CalendlySyncs with your Google/Outlook Calendar.

Generate a link where stakeholders can book time with you. You receive an email and it shows up on your calendar.

Great for checkpoint meetings or for staff who like to set up formal appointments.

Evernote/OneNote“Alignment” – Who does what?

Can share notes/collaborate on agendas with various groups (secretaries, administrative team, counselors, school improvement).

Cuts down on email, at the end of the meeting, everyone has the outcomes/action items and can get to work.

What about Email?It never stops.

The most common mistake people make with email – over filing.

Keep your system simple, two to three folders is sufficient.

Nudgemail/HitMeLater – resend the message when you want it to come.

Awayfind – A VIP of VIP lists.

Feedback to teachersTo improve instruction, we have to focus on instruction.

No administrator has ever been too visible.

Time is limited, very limited.

Checklists do not impact instruction.

Wufoo Forms3 free forms

Settings to email comments to individuals

Allows me to◦ Give feedback to teachers

◦ Organize small group discussions at staff meeting

◦ Analyze my patterns

Get the word outThe future of mail/email.

To communicate with parents and stakeholders, we must “go where the people are.”

S’More$39.00 for an education membership.

1 page of text, 6 pictures, generates a newsletter.

Send the link via email/text/Twitter, post on our website.

Anyone reading the newsletter can contact me with a click.

RemindStakeholders can opt-in to receive a text message update from me.

It does not share my phone number.

The new “chat” feature allows people to respond to me, through Remind, and ask questions they may have.

Twitter, @mrberniaFree

Quick

On your phone/iPad/Computer

Available 24/7

Connects us to other professionals

Connects us to resources

You control your learning

Develops your “digital footprint.”

My digital presence has allowed me to:Grow professionally.

Recognize students and staff.

Collaborate with other educators.

Find resources that I can pass along to staff.

Make my learning and reflection visible.

Talk with authors/experts in the field.

What’s your message?Where do you spend your time?

Are you harnessing the power of digital tools to get out of your office?

Let’s Stay Connectedmrbernia.com

@mrbernia

jbernia@wcskids.net