A New Year, A New Beginning

Martha Layne Collins High School

A New Year, 
A New Beginning

As we start another journey together, the excitement is tangible.  That buzz will really begin to take off this week as Seniors and Juniors come in to take care various items.  This was a short summer; but we will be ready to start what is lining up to be an amazing year at MLCHS.




With SCPS' new Strategic Leadership Plan in full implementation mode, there are many opportunities for which we must be ready.  As a teacher who chooses to be in Shelby County, we will model "Inspired Learning."  We will demonstrate "Inspired Leading."  We also must live an "Inspired Life" because we are doing something we love!  So how will you model these?  By being you!  You are an amazing team of teachers!  As we gather together for the last Leader In Me training on August 4-6, let's arrive with a mindset that is open to how this can empower our students as we intentionally develop our students' GRIT.

Over the summer, I took some time to reflect on where we have been, where we are now and where we are going, it has become apparent that we, as a school, must do the following this year:

1. Model and Celebrate Risk Taking
2. Competitively Collaborate
3. Be proud of where WE are, but know WE have a way to go
4. Share!
5. Build Relationships Upon Relationships, Then Create More Relationships 

Too often, teachers do not feel safe to take risks.  If we are moving forward (AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD) we are going to have to be free to take some new risks (10 Things a Tech Savvy Teacher Does).  We will always be about relationships!  It's who we are!  But have you thought about how you will teach "happiness"?  The definition of innovation includes the word "different."  We will be looking for and celebrating those who are trying "different" things with their students, not just in technology.  

Follow @MikePaul on Twitter, Google+, or just check out his blog: PikeMallTech.com
Follow @MindShiftKQED on Twitter, Google+ or just check out their blog at:  http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/

Upcoming Dates at MLC:
Aug. 4-6     in the LMC     Leader in Me from 8:30-3:30
Aug. 6-7     offsite             Link Crew and Student Council Leadership Retreat
Aug. 8        at MLCHS      8th Grade Orientation
Aug. 7        on your own    Safe Schools Online Training (Can be done anytime before school starts)
Aug. 11      at MLCHS      TPGES:  Developing Your Growth Goal/Data Teams/B2SB  12:00-7:00
Aug. 12      at MLCHS      Opening Day 8:00 AM
Nov. 4        at MLCHS      Data Retreat