The Power of YES!

Last week I participated in the inaugural #edchatNZ conference at Hobsonville Point Secondary School. 2 days, 300 teachers, inspiring conversation and challenges to keep me thinking.

 It was AWESOME!! 

After a week to reflect, the following are the thoughts which resonate with me most strongly;

I've found a place in the NZ Professional Learning Network. 

A few years ago I really started investing in my professional development by seeking out and attending all different types of professional learning on offer. But the truth is, I had to force myself to attend these events. I felt uncomfortable. I didn't know anyone. I loathed the small talk and the effort it took to try and engage people. But the #edchatnz conference was a time to reflect on just how much I've grown and how far I've come. No longer do I feel like an outsider, the conference felt like the meeting of friends, with time of reconnect, catch-up and meet a few new people. I'm so glad I persisted through the beginning discomfort of engaging in the NZ PLN because I'm reaping the benefits now - exponentially - and giving back too! 

The Power of YES 

I was lucky to be on the steering committee for this conference (a great experience in itself), which gave me some great insight into just all the things that came together to make this conference a success. And, in my opinion, by far what oiled the wheels was the answer "YES". Maurie Abraham said 'yes' you may host the conference at Hobsonville Point. Pam Hook and Mark Osbourne and Karen Melhuish-Spencer said 'yes' they would present - along with dozens of others. NEAL said 'yes' they would handle the banking side of things. Yes, yes, yes, yes ... people just kept saying yes and, as a result, the entire conference came together in 16 weeks. I have to tell you hearing 'yes' is so refreshing when many of us are so used to trying to circumvent the frequent answer of 'no' (frustration from which reduced more than a few teachers to tears during the conference). Its made me reflect on the conditions required for YES, of which there are a few. Firstly, Vision - Danielle had a vision she could articulate - the 'why should we hold a conference' was an easy selling point and the desire to chat, share and collaborate already demonstrated. Secondly, community voice - an organically created #edchatnz community was ready for a conference and in many ways Danielle was responding to #edchatnz voice! And finally, well, NZ educators are just awesome. My heart swells with pride when I see all the good will amongst teachers - plus their passion, willingness to collaborate and commitment to the best learning opportunities for our students. All in all it keeps me motivated to keep pushing for YES and believing that it doesn't need to be as hard as we often make it out to be. 

So many more great things occurred during this conference - things which will have a lasting impact on my teaching practice .... but for now I think i'll just leave it there ....

#edchatNZ steering committee

The Chief, the Tribe and the Medicine Man

Most organisations, and societies for that matter, are organised around a Chief-Tribe hierarchy. The Chief, as we know, is the leader - he may be inspiring, he may be a bully but nonetheless he is in charge of making decisions for the Tribe. Successful relationships between the Chief and the Tribe rely on mutual respect, loyalty and accountability. However, sometimes, things go wrong - and that's when you call in the Medicine Man. The Medicine Man brings his medicine - his knowledge - to provide guidance and heal relationships between the Chief and the Tribe. Sometimes he brings new information, sometimes he reminds them of ideas and values they have forgotten. Nonetheless for a Tribe to be healthy the Chief, the Tribe and the Medicine man must all function in harmony.

The Medicine Man sits outside the organisation  He offers his knowledge/medicine to the Chief and the Tribe.
He is loyal only to his knowledge.

Thinking about this model has made me reflect on the many groups I am and have been involved in. Be it family, work or social groups I can see this Chief-Tribe-Medicine Man dynamic playing out. It has also led me to conclude that I am and want to be a Medicine Man. I am most comfortable living on the fringe of the Tribe, I enjoy the solitude and I feel that it's from this vantage point that I can 'see' and offer medicine most readily. This model also resolves the tension I have felt over the past few years about my professional role. Increasingly over the past few years colleagues have said to me, "it would be good to see you in a leadership role." I think they have sensed my growing restlessness as part of the Tribe. However, the problem is, while I'm bored being part of the Tribe I don't really want to be a Chief. Now I see that there is actually a third option - the path of the Medicine Man - someone who works alongside people helping them develop and 'see' new paths. This, I think, is the role I really want to move towards, using my knowledge as my strength and most powerful tool.

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You Need No Title To Be A Leader

Last year, while on my efellowship journey, one of the things I discussed with my peers was that I sometimes felt stuck not having a title or position to allow me to lead and activate my ideas. I didn't see myself as a leader - but someone aspiring towards leadership. It was Claire Buist who said to me, "but Heather, whether you realise it or not, you are already a leader." Claire inspired me with her consistent support and professional reflections to explore and think more about my ideas about what it means to be a leader - which it turns out have nothing to do with a title or status and everything to do with sharing my knowledge and developing others. This is quite empowering as it means wherever I am in the workplace hierarchy I have the ability to lead in my role - to do my very best, lean into change and support and inspire others. Some of these ideas are shared in Robin Sharma's book The Leader Who Had No Title. In the book Robin talks about four keys to being a successful leader:

1. You Need No Title To Be A Leader
2. Turbulent Times Build Great Leaders
3. The Deeper Your Relationships, The Stronger Your Leadership
4. To Be A Great Leader, First Become a Great Person

So as 2014 begins I have a fresh outlook on leadership and my ability to affect change!!

Being a leader isn't about having a title - it's an attitude and an intention to always do your best for yourself and others. 

Tag ... pass it on

A great way to start the New Year - connecting with peers, reflecting on ourselves and planning for the year head. Happy 2014!!

I got "tagged" (nominated) by @mattynicoll - check out his awesome blog here

The blogging task includes:

• Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
• Share 11 random facts about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
• List 11 bloggers.
• Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer, and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. Don’t nominate a blogger who has nominated you.

11 Random Facts about me!!

1. If I didn't become a teacher I would have studied to become a carpenter
2. I'm quite good at line dancing
3. When I was in university I facilitated a programme where each Sunday morning we closed the swimming pool to men so Muslim women could come and swim - I've never met a group of women so strong or fun!
4. I'm an introvert. I enjoy my own company and need alone time to recharge. 
5. I came to New Zealand for only one year  - 10 years ago ...
6. Watching Shortland Street is my guilty pleasure. 
7. My best travel experience is when I hired a man named Hien to drive me on the back on his motorbike through the highlands of Vietnam. 
8. I love grocery shopping!
9. Last year I won my first indoor bowls club title. 
10. I love the satisfaction I get from crossing things off a to-do list. 
11. I really miss Canadian winters!

Answers to @mattnicoll's Questions 

1. What inspired you to become a teacher? I guess the fact that I really like learning. I actually started university studying business but quickly decided that it wasn't for me so I started looking at what else I might do and realised that all my part-time jobs - swim instructor, babysitter, day-camp programmer all involved kids and teaching and that's what I really loved!
2. What is/are the biggest change/s you made to your teaching in 2013? Personalising learning for each student. 
3. What is the best thing about being a teacher? When students get excited about learning something new or feel confident and rewarded with their learning achievements. 
4. Which country do you most want to visit/revisit next? Spain 
5. What does Christmas mean to you? Christmas means family ... and pavlova with strawberries!
6. What are your favourite films? Hmmm, many to choose from but since its just been Christmas I'm going to say Elf - I watch it every year at this time. 
7. What type of music do you listen to? Country music ... I love Canadian country music radio.
8. Film or theatre? Why? Theatre - each performance has something new to offer and there is engagement between a cast and the audience. 
9. What pet/s do you have? None, but I have some plants I'm pretty partial to. 
10. What are you looking forward to most in 2014? Watching my new baby grow
11. If you had a million dollars but had to give it all away, what would you do with the money? I would give it to micro-finance companies. I like the idea of empowering communities of people to help themselves and build businesses based on an individuals own skills and ideas. 

My 11 Questions:

1. What is one of your goals for 2014?
2. What is your favourite place in New Zealand?
3. How do you recharge after a long day?
4. What advice would you give to a beginning teacher?
5. Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
6. Who is the most influential person in your life?
7. What is your mantra?
8. What inspires you?
9. Sweet or savoury?
10. What was your best moment of 2013?
11. What is your favourite app?

Nominations:

• @sterling_amanda
  
• @sukhpabial
• @JamiePowerNZ
• @EmmaWinder25
• @MsBeenz
• @carltonwinter
• @arrow12345
• @emmerw
• @paulinehendog