When Pigs Fly. The Time is Now! - March 31, 2020

When Pigs Fly. The Time is Now!

By, Michael Earnshaw

March 31, 2020

@EduChefEarnshaw

I think it’s safe to say that the World has been thrown out of their comfort zone. It’s been weeks now where what we considered our “daily lives” is long gone, and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the graffiti decorated tunnel. Many are working from home. Those that are still working have extremely different conditions, or even roles and tasks than what they were expecting when hired on. Schools are closed across our country and teachers, students, and parents and guardians are tasked with delivering instruction and keeping a loving relationship going. Streets are empty, store shelves barren, and many of us have not had any face to face contact with anyone else than those we reside with. Many of us can’t even see the border of our comfort zone anymore.

This blog is not going to focus on the dreary world many of us are now stuck in. Instead, I want us to look at the gift that this pandemic has granted almost all of us with. Yes, you read that right. There is a silver lining in all of this and we have much to be grateful for. Too many times have I heard individuals utter the phrase, “I don’t have the time.” This phrase usually comes after a discussion about taking care of or doing something for ourselves or learning a new skill.

Guess what, we now can no longer say, “I don’t have the time.”

With “Social Distancing” in effect for what seems like an ever moving target, we have more time than ever imaginable. 

Yes, many of us have our own kids at home that we need to assist and guide through “ELearning” or “Remote Learning”. We are holding “Office Hours” while we work from home. Let’s be honest and realistic. Do you still only have the same amount of time for yourself as you did back in February? I’m going to bet that the answer is “No.”

We’re already out of our comfort zone. We now have that time that we always claimed was missing. Now is the perfect time to do those things that you’ve always wanted to do. Those passion projects, the skill, a new habit or hobby, connecting with that loved one you haven’t spoken to in months or years, Hell, putting down the phone and connecting with those in your own home! Now is the time to do what we have not been doing but knew we should be.

Been wanting to get in better shape, be healthier? You’re more than likely cooking at home a lot more than before. Prepare healthy meals for you and the family. Need fresh air after being locked in the home for hours on end? Set aside time to go for a walk every day. Set a time goal, 30 minutes, or a mile goal. You’ve wanted to run that 5K or Half-Marathon? Dust off those running shoes and start training. You don’t need a race scheduled, you’re doing it for yourself anyways! Those dumbbells that are currently used as door stoppers when you open the windows on a beautiful Spring day, take them in the garage and follow one of the FREE workouts being offered by almost every fitness organization out there. Don’t know where to start? Ask me, I’m more than happy to help guide you.

Have some thoughts or ideas you’ve wanted to share with the world? Start blogging, podcasting, vlogging, or all of them! The tools are out there and they cost literally nothing. I have not once paid for any of my blogs to be posted or our podcasts shared. You have the time to learn and guess what, the world, your audience, has the time to read and listen. Speak your mind, share your thoughts. I guarantee that there are others that are thinking it but like you, are afraid to speak it. What is there to lose? Things are different, do something different that you’ve wanted to.

Do you feel your lessons for students have gotten boring and stale, lost their luster? Get connected on social media. There’s Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, where you can see the amazing lessons others around the world have provided for their students. These are the lessons you’ve been dreaming of doing. While you’re checking out their page don’t just take your own notes and assumptions, send them a DM, ask a question. I guarantee they are dying to connect with others and have conversations about their passions and bring a little normalcy to their lives. They would love to reminisce and share the story of how the smiles and laughter their students brought to fill the classroom during that activity you dream of doing with your students.

The time is now. Don’t look at this shelter in place period as a time to seclude yourself off from the world. Better yourself, expand your mind, spirit and soul. Work towards those secret goals you’ve kept putting off but always knew you needed to do. There is literally an app for EVERYTHING! Search what you want, it’s out there. If it isn’t, search a hashtag on social media and you’ll find someone. Ask. Now’s the time to learn, expand, and connect.

Imagine our world, when all of this is lifted, and we return to our “normal” the difference this world will be if we take advantage of this gift of time we’ve been given and improve our lives. Imagine how much better this world will be when we return to it and have bettered ourselves.

It’s only when we take care of ourselves that we’re any benefit to those we serve. The time is now! 

Gym Shorts - February 11, 2020

Gym Shorts

By, Michael Earnshaw

February 11, 2020

@mearnshaw158

I took a “Brain Break” today and allowed a few minutes to tick by as I scrolled through Instagram. Yes, I know, we wouldn’t want our students to take a “Brain Break” by checking social media, but I consider it a little mid-day PD. I stumbled across a quote that got the wheels in my mind spinning. It’s actually attached itself to my mind and keeps reappearing, making me think more and more about its message. Here’s the quote:

sometimes it’s better to just let things be, let ppl go, don’t fight for closure, don’t ask for explanations, don’t chase answers, and don’t expect ppl to understand where you’re coming from. you got to keep fighting for you bc no one got you like you got yourself

Deep, right? I know. Now I can write about 17 blogs based off of this quote, and I just may. Like I said, it keeps nagging me like that mosquito bite in the summer that you thought was finally done itching, until you subconsciously began scratching again like a rare non-de-clawed house cat.

Tonight I’d like to share with you about a pair of running shorts of mine. They’re black and gray, Under Armour. I’ve had them since 2013, the year of my first marathon. They cost about $50, which was more than I’d ever like to pay for a pair of running shorts, but because I was planning on running for 26.2 miles for the first time I wanted to have a quality pair of shorts on my wheels.

The marathon training plan I followed was 18 weeks long. These shorts were purchased about 4 weeks into my training. I wore them for at least one mid-week run, every long run of the training plan, and finally the marathon. They held up and were definitely one of the nicest, most comfortable pairs of running shorts I ever donned on my legs.

Since that marathon in October of 2013 I have run four more full marathons and numerous half-marathons. Training plans have differed. Nutrition plans have differed. Running routes and playlists have differed. There was always one constant...my black and gray Under Armour shorts.

These shorts have been with me for every long run, every official race, and hundreds of lower mileage runs over the years. Until September of 2019.

“I got you something today when I was shopping,” was what my wife said as I helped to unpack the groceries she had just brought home, praying to find some tasty plant based junk food.

I gazed up at her. I was intrigued. “Oh yeah Babe, what’d you get me?”

“These!” and she pulled a solid black pair of running shorts out of a plastic bag.

My lips refused to part, yet a million letter combinations I can’t share in an educational blog were slam dancing in my mind. After a lifetime of 24 seconds passed, I had an inquiry.

“What are those for?”

My wife gave me the look like I’m an idiot. “Uuummm...to run in. Have you seen the shorts you run in, they look like Shredder from Ninja Turtles did your laundry. I just don’t get why you don’t wear the other pairs you have.”

“Because they aren’t the same. I’ve had mine forever. Fine. Alright. I’ll try them out. I guess I could use a new pair. Thanks, I do appreciate it,” and I gave her a kiss.

I did try these shorts out for a run. In fact, our first run together was 15 miles, so we had a good 150 minutes or so to get to know each other. We didn’t need that much time, after about 10 minutes I knew I had made a new friend for many miles to come.

So how does that quote I read on IG, my old worn out running shorts, and education go together? Simple.

Educators need to throw away what doesn’t work. 

Teachers that have been in the game for years have lessons that they have taught to every class they have ever had. They are comfortable with this lesson, they believe it’s their “Go To”. It was a hit, a success, an Oscar winner years ago and every student should be oh so blessed to get to experience it.

I’m sorry to say, not every movie that has won an Oscar still holds up, or ever did. Times change, audiences change, interests change, and the world changes.

My old running shorts were a security blanket, something that I had emotional ties to. I didn’t want to let them go. I thought they were the only pair of shorts that could get me through a multi-digit mile run or race. They aren’t. They’ve had their fair share of runs and it was time to put them away in my dresser and enjoy the comfort of a run with a new pair.

I’ve accepted that it’s alright to get new running shorts frequently. I don’t have to keep wearing the same pair over and over, mile after sweaty mile. I’ve learned to let go of what I was so comfortable with, figuratively and literally, and upgrade with the times. I didn’t realize how ineffective my original pair was until I tried on a new pair. My lower body is so thankful for the switch.

Educators, try new lessons, take new approaches, create new experiences that are out of your comfort zone for your students. Times have changed, students have changed, and now it’s time your lessons change.

All of my new(ish) shorts were dirty the other night I went for a 5 mile run. I grabbed that original pair out of my dresser, excited to relive some memories. Only the memories quickly faded as I realized these shorts were not the same after so many miles. They’ve run their race, past their expiration date. After I got home and ripped them off I vowed that was our last run together. I’m at peace with that. I’m letting go and not questioning why.

Educators, is there a lesson that it’s time to say goodbye to? 

Record Store Day - January 27, 2020

Record Store Day

By, Michael Earnshaw

January 27, 2020

Tuesday was always my favorite day of the week. Once I hit my college career I did everything in my power to ensure that if any of my courses had to be taken on a Tuesday I chose the ones that were in the later morning, afternoon, or evening. This wasn’t because many of the local establishments ran Monday evening specials where we could get pitchers of Killian’s for $3 and hang out throwing darts until the “Loser Lights” came on. No. Tuesdays were always the day I would set an alarm to be up no later than 8:30 regardless of what nightly hour my foggy head soldered with my bag of feathers. When you’re in your early 20’s, celebrating late summer nights with friends, early wake-ups would typically be around noon. Not on Tuesdays. 

Tuesday had something special that no other day of the week could ever touch. Tuesday was record release day! Music has always been a major part of my life, getting me through good times and bad. Music is the glue that has held so many strong friendships and memories together all these years.

Ever since I graduated high school in ‘98, there wasn’t a Tuesday that I wasn’t eagerly waiting at the stickered up door of my local independent record store minutes before they unlocked. I couldn’t wait to cross through their majestic threshold and get my hands, and ears, on all of the newest releases that would transcend me to a much better place. Music was my drug and I was picking up new soundtracks for my life that contained tunes that would serve as the backdrop for many memories with dear friends that I still treasure today. 

The days following Tuesday were special as well. These were the days I spent learning and studying all of the lyrics to the newest CD’s blaring through my Pioneer CD player in my Pontiac Grand Am. I analyzed the stories and messages my favorite punk bands were screaming about, drawing connections to earlier lessons they delivered on previous records, and tying it to the current state of our world. I admired the passion and love of what they had put out for me as much as the memories I made with my friends discussing the beauty of the music. 

Why am I sharing my love of picking up new music on a Tuesday and then spending the remaining days of the week studying and analyzing these messages? Because this is exactly what we should strive to have our classrooms resemble. My love for picking up new music weekly, and then understanding everything I could behind it, is how our lessons should be designed for our students. 

There’s so much talk of creating experiences in our classrooms, engaging our students in a love of learning, bringing our passions to them through our lessons. This is exactly how my weeks were structured with my love of music. Some weeks only one great record was dropped, others I was picking up three to four. Our classrooms are the same. We can’t expect teachers to have out of the box lessons every day of the week. But they can bring at least one every week. One lesson so strong, so different, so engaging, rigorous, and out of the box that will have their students salivating for the next gem the following week. 

Once we become comfortable creating these experiences for our students, the juices are flowing. Like anything, the more we practice the better we become. That’s when you’ll seem to be dropping more than one record a week for your students. Some will be bigger, like a full length LP, while others may just be a short little burst, like when a band releases an EP of 4 or so songs to build anticipation before their next proper release. 

We’ve now come to a day and age where CD sales have dropped significantly. Many of the independent record stores I loved have closed their doors for the last time. Music is still a huge part of my life, and I still look forward to new releases every week. Instead of getting in my car and driving to those stores I long for, I now pick up my phone first thing every Friday morning and go to my Spotify app to see what is new and start studying. 

Times have changed, the process has changed, but my excitement for new music, which is now Friday, and my love for studying the lessons and messages hasn’t. 

How often are you releasing new records for our students? The day of the week doesn’t matter anymore, but new releases must drop regularly. 

WATER - #OneWord202 - January 7, 2020

WATER

#OneWord2020

January 7, 2020

By, Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

In 2019, I chose to forgo resolutions and instead live by the #oneword phenomenon. I was excited about this new approach, but a little apprehensive. How could just one word bring me a fulfilled, joyful, 365 days? 

Throughout the last few weeks of 2018, I contemplated and pondered what #oneword I would hold in my heart throughout my relationship with 2019. This was an elephant sized decision for me, and I didn’t want to pick a word that wasn’t meaningful or brought unattainable goals. It wasn’t until January 8, 2019 that I had my #oneword2019.

The word that I lived by this past year was BELIEVE. Click the word to read it if you haven’t yet. 

I truly BELIEVED that my #oneword2020 would come much easier to me this year. It was now the second time I’d choose to live by #oneword, which basically makes me a semi-pro. To my unbelieving surprise, it was not any easier. In fact, #oneword2020 was much more difficult than I ever would have BELIEVED. 

For 2020, I wanted to choose a word that built off of 2019’s. 2019 was one of my best years professionally and personally. Dreams and goals that I have had since I was a young punk rocker, waxing up parking blocks at the corner bank after hours, grinding, railing, and blunt sliding over that block with our skateboards for hours on end Friday nights. I lived 2019 BELIEVING that I was going to break out of my comfort zone and make an impact in the world. I’m pleased to say that this has happened, but it’s only just the beginning.

WATER. This is my #oneword2020. I chose this word because I simply can’t just BELIEVE what I want to happen anymore. That part is over. Those dreams, those goals, have already begun to blossom. The seeds were planted in 2019. Now it’s time to feed them to watch them grow for years to come. 

WATER brings life. Seeds are planted. Trees, plants, flowers, crops, all need water to bloom into their full potential. Writing, podcasting, speaking are all seeds that begun in 2019. I BELIEVED I could do those, and do those I have very well. Now is the time to WATER those seeds, and witness them expand further, touch more educators than I ever imagined possible. 

WATER is strength. WATER can cut through rock. It can carry the heaviest of semi-trucks like they are weightless. I need to be the strength for my family. I need to advocate for my son, who has special needs. I need to be the protector of my daughter, to guide her to choose the right man that will treat her like the princess she is. I must be strong for my wife, carrying my weight and more so she is not overburdened with carrying our family.

WATER is persistent. It will continually flow if we allow it to. I cannot stop feeding my dreams and goals. I must not build a dam or turn the faucet to “off” when it comes to what I must accomplish personally, familial, and professionally. 

WATER takes on many forms. When the temperature drops, WATER transforms to ice. Heat and we have gas. Depending on the situation it is put in, WATER adapts. I must begin to more fluidly adapt to my situations. I cannot take the same approach with every individual and every conversation I enter. There will be fun situations and conversations as well as ones that are uncomfortable and difficult. To be the leader our staff and students deserve, and more importantly, the husband and father my family deserves, I must adapt and approach each season with the proper form. 

WATER is a symbol of health, of wellness. We must consume it daily to survive. It cleanses our bodies, both internally and externally. I must take my health seriously. I’m turning 40 this year. Long gone are the days when I can eat whatever I want and still think I can perform at a highly efficient level while running marathons, attempting a PR lift in the gym, leading and serving my staff and students, or just being an active dad and husband. It’s time to consume WATER to fuel my drive to reach my goals. 

I’m ecstatic for 2020. I know in every being of my body it is going to make those dreams I haven’t even had yet come true! My body is tingling with excitement just imaging what is to come! 

Or, it may be the 120 oz. of WATER I’ve consumed today. 

Struggle Island - December 3, 2019

Struggle Island 

By, Michael Earnshaw 

December 3, 2019 

@mearnshaw158 

I stared at the illuminated document displayed on my screen, seven items listed, yet my eyes fixated only on #3, Struggle Island. A sinister smile overtook my face and that inner voice let out his best Mr. Burn’s laugh, the kind where a plan comes together in his mind. I awoke my email app, attached the document as a live link with a faux paperclip, and punched "Send.” Now the waiting. This would be the longest three days, but the anticipation would be well worth it.  

I couldn’t even keep track of how many staff members came up to me over the course of the next 72 hours, all asking the same questions.  

“What is Struggle Island?” 

“What are we doing with Struggle Island?” 

“Do I need to know anything?” 

“What should I bring?” 

“I can’t wait for this faculty meeting!” 

That’s right. I had our staff salivating at the thought of our next faculty meeting. In other schools across our great nation, many principals spend their one hour a month after school with their staff reciting bullet points on a PowerPoint behind them. Many, if not all of these bullets, could easily be sent in an email or newsletter without any verbal explanation and I guarantee that the professional staff they oversee would understand what the directives were. I do things differently. I know I don’t want to sit and just read facts to our staff after a long day inspiring our kids, so why in the world would our staff want that either?  

“You shouldn’t have to worry too much. I would just make sure you’re comfortable, make sure to get a good night’s rest, and eat healthy. I’d suggest working out or getting a run in that morning, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want to be exhausted,” was my reply. Then I’d creepily stare at them, with that sinister smile taking contorting my face.  

We are constantly telling our teachers that long gone are the days when students sat in straight rows, writing rote notes from what the teacher produced on the board at the front of the room, reciting the same information students could read for themselves. Today’s classrooms need to be engaging. Teachers need to build anticipation and excitement into their lessons to have our students bursting back through our doors each day. Today’s lessons need to include collaboration, problem solving, higher level thinking, engagement, and fun. All of those are ingredients to a mouthwatering lesson. If you don’t believe me go read Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess. Or better yet, go see him keynote or present and tell me you don’t think fun, engagement, and anticipation have a place in a successful lesson.  

I don’t expect our teachers to bring bland, antiquated lessons to their students, so why should I? No educator is excited to stay an hour or two after school when they’re exhausted. As principals, our staff meetings are our classrooms, it is our time to engage, inspire, and motivate our staff. It is a time to get our staff collaborating and problem solving to bring the best, life changing education to our students. That will not happen by them listening to me drone on through a PowerPoint. As leaders, we need to bring our passions and model the style of lessons we expect our staff to bring to our students.  

After going through the first standard items on our agenda, such as the passing of the Gracious Grizzly and 1st grade presenting on how to implement Bead Counters, we arrived at item #3! 

The room grew silent as if someone hit the “Mute” button in the room. All eyes made their way to me. I heard Mr. Burns’ maniacal laughter echoing in my head. That sinister smile overtook, I gasped a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Seconds felt like eons. I closed my eyes, placed my shaky hands on the desk in front of me for support. I tilted my head towards the ground and closed my eyes.  

“Ok. It’s time we go to Struggle Island. You’re not going to need to bring anything with you. Your belongings will be safe here, if you’re lucky enough to return. If you don’t make it back we’ll be splitting up amongst ourselves what was left behind, unless you labeled everything or have a will. Unfortunately, there’s no time to get it together now. Is everyone ready?” 

There were many smiles filling the room surprisingly, some began cracking their knuckles, and others stared at their closest comrade, searching for safety and sending S.O.S. messages via Morse code.  

“Alright, follow me,” were my last words before we landed on Struggle Island.  

I slowly walked out of the LRC (Learning Resource Center) and headed to our back playground. The sun was shining on this October afternoon. There was a strong eastern wind, swirling leaves and debris across the field that added to the feeling of despair as we prepared our trip to Struggle Island.  

Before our staff could begin conversing and getting comfortable, I began shouting.  

“Alright, everyone needs to form a circle, a nice tight circle. You want to be close enough to hold the person next to you’s hand. You don’t have to, but you may want to. You have ten seconds to form this circle.”  

Without speaking, our staff formed their circle. As I scanned the perimeter of their circle, a few were holding hands. 

“Welcome to Struggle Island!” I shouted with both of my arms outstretched to the Heavens. From the bullseye of the circle I declared, “Right now we are all safe!”  

“If you remember, two weeks ago I had asked everyone to come to the front office and anonymously fill out an index card with an issue you are facing in the classroom. You then placed them in this manila envelope.” I held up the envelope as high as my right arm would allow.  

“Inside here is all of our struggles. What I am going to do is remove a card, one at a time, and read it aloud. If you are facing that same struggle, you are to take two steps backwards. When you do that you are now in the murky, shark infested waters, with no idea of how to get out. If you did not take two steps backwards you are safe on the island. If you are safe on the island, that either means you have never encountered this struggle, or you have a solution to it. If you are still safe on the island, I ask that you throw a life saver to your colleagues and share what has worked for you or ideas on how they can find a way out of their struggle.”  

Two weeks before, so our staff could not put two and two together, I asked in an email for them to come to the office and write a problem they were facing and needed help with. I wanted it anonymous to get true problems that maybe they would normally be afraid to admit they were struggling with. This helped to build anticipation as to why they were doing this. They had no inkling as to why I was asking for this. Then, about two weeks later, I sent the agenda with item #3 only stating, Struggle Island. As far as I know, nobody made the connection.  

I had received many positive praises from staff after this activity. It helped to drop the facade that everyone is perfect. Many staff also saw many of their colleagues in a new light, building a strong bond and camaraderie with the vulnerability many shared and helped with that afternoon.  This activity helped to share that all of us are facing issues we need help with. It helped to tighten the bond that we are all here for each other, and in turn our students. 

All of us, no matter our years of experience or title, face struggles. We all encounter obstacles that are way too daunting to get around on our own. We need to drop our egos and ask for help. Many of our answers are down the hall from our own offices and classrooms. If they’re not, reach out on social media. There are so many connected educators that your solution is out there. You are not alone. To be the best, not perfect, but the best for our kids, ask for help. We’re here for you.