Ideas From Florida

This week I have been attending the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence conference in Orlando, Florida.  Blue Ribbon School Awards are based upon a measure of nine effective components and the work on implementation and achievement in each area.

As part of the excellence training we (Molly and I) had the opportunity to take part in a half-day of the Disney Institute on Leadership.  This half-day encouraged a different perspective on systems leadership.  I gained valuable information to help me improve my leadership skills. 

The first keynote speaker was Debra Phelps, mother of Olympian Michael Phelps.  I had forgotten until her introduction that she is a career educator and highly effective administrator.  She spoke from her heart regarding passion, commitment, purpose, focus, vision and teamwork.  As she presented she walked the audience through the reflective process of personalizing her message.  

Today I spent the entire morning at an elementary school in the area with incredible things happening.  I took tons of pictures.  Relax - it is all stuff we have started; Common Core integrated units, SWPBIS, technology integration, and the belief in teaching the whole child - physical eduction, movement, the arts, etc.  One of the best things was the collaboration room or data room.  The system of it was excellent and very purposeful.  I'll share with the RTI team and staff soon.

The break out sessions are provided in large part by schools who have achieved Blue Ribbon Excellence status.  I was fortunate to attend multiple presentations with both immediate and visionary strategies.  Here are a few of the 'quick' implementation ideas I picked up to share:

• Strip of Velcro under desk or edge of chair for students to have tactile stimulation as needed.  (No, not to Velcro them to their seats!)
• I'm always impressed with children of the South as they respond to adults without prompting with, "Yes, ma'am.  Yes, sir.  No, ma'am.  No, sir."  What if we taught this expectation as part of our RESPECT instruction?  I also think it has a real calming effect to behavior intervention when students know how to respond respectfully.  
• Check out Slide Shark - iPad app - to download and use the slides from your Power Point presentations.
• Check out Educreations - free iPad app to turn your iPad and projector into a smart board use. 
• When was the last time you tooted?  We will be tooting more starting in January!  

Still ahead we will have another full day of breakout sessions and finish with a dessert reception and candle light parade at Epcot.  That goes till midnight on Friday before catching an early morning flight to return in time for the parade.