Sunday, August 26, 2018

#ELB 58 What teachers want from their school leaders w/ guest NYC AP Dennis Bellantoni




Education Leadership and Beyond:  
Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Blog &Podcast #58 with guest Dennis Bellantoni,




     Isn't it great to connect with old friends?  So happy to have my old friend and NYC AP Dennis Bellantoni on the show.  I was a teacher back in Staten Island, NY in the early 2000's when I did my admin internship with Dennis.  He really taught me the ropes of handling all things that come you way in a rough MS in Staten Island.  Pleased to hear that IS 27 is doing so well these days.  I have fond memories of learning how to teach there.

   In the opening of the show, I discussed an article found in the Marshall Memo written by Jon Saphier entitled: "What teachers really want from their administrators."  I loved reading this and it reminded me of the saying that the great Tony DiMarco used to tell me:  'The best teachers are the ones who never forget what it is like to be a student and the best Principals are the ones who never forget what it's like to be a teacher."

     Saphier writes things that teachers really want from their admins:

  • Be competent 
  • Notice that I am worthwhile
  • Safe, honest, & your motives are in the interest of children
  • Act courageously from initiative overload
  • Legitimate decisions 
  • Results driven
  • Respect by listening
  • Caring and compassionate
     These are great...We as school leaders need to do a good job in these areas.  They are part of everyday work and sometimes they can get away from us.  I believe the first and last ones are the most important:  be good at your job and show people you care!

Book Recommendation: Leading Narratives by Dan Spainhour


Quote: "A lack of planning on your part does not necessarily constitute an emergency on my part"

Dennis Bellantoni


**Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring the show & blog!

Enjoy the podcast.  Order your copy of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving today!  Click here

LOOKING TO BOOK ANDREW FOR YOUR NEXT ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT?: Click here for more information.


Go out and change the world for the better!

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Andrew Marotta


Check out my book:
The Principal: Surviving and Thriving  125 Points of Wisdom, Practical Tips, and Relatable Stories for All Leaders.
Found on andrewmarotta.com, amazon, and all online retailers. Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Monday, August 20, 2018

#ELB 57 #Culture Matters with author & Principal Jay Billy #LeadLAP




Education Leadership and Beyond:  
Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Blog &Podcast # 57 with guest Jay Billy @Jaybilly2



This is the first podcast that I recorded in primetime beginning at 8:30pm EST & wow did Jay Billy bring the energy. I can see why they love him as their Principal in Lawrence Township schools. What a great opportunity for #ELB to interview Jay, the author of Lead with Culture: What Really Matters in our Schools.

Talking to Jay got me thinking about culture and all the things that go into it. Jay's chapters are listed as the following: culture, expectations, learning, enthusiasm, joy, community, celebrations, intentionality, honesty, evolving, being connected, and relationships ALL MATTER! You add all these up & to me it means: care. How can you get teachers and students to care? To care more? To give more? DO THESE THINGS and do them often. There are no financial bonuses for educators that CARE and GIVE more of themselves...just the amazing relationships and experiences that they build with students, who are craving this from their school role models. Jay lives them in his role as Elem Principal and it is contagious. I went to school the next day and was energized. It reinforced the concept I live by: It is the information, it is the inspiration!
You can follow Jay on twitter @jaybilly2 and learn a heck of a lot by following him and the hashtags #culturematters, #leadlap.

Go get 'em!

Enjoy the Podcasts:#ELB podcast live on facebook

 Book Recommendation: Lead with Culture What really matters in our schools by Jay Billy

**Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring the show & blog!

Enjoy the podcast.  Order your copy of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving today!  Click here

LOOKING TO BOOK ANDREW FOR YOUR NEXT ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT?: Click here for more information.


Go out and change the world for the better!

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Andrew Marotta


Check out my book:
The Principal: Surviving and Thriving  125 Points of Wisdom, Practical Tips, and Relatable Stories for All Leaders.
Found on andrewmarotta.com, amazon, and all online retailers. Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Friday, August 17, 2018

#ELB 56 Gettin Ready 18-19 school yr with Dr. Christine Finn, Superintendent of Shelter Island Schools




Education Leadership and Beyond:  
Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Blog &Podcast #56 with guest Dr. Christine Finn, Superintendent of Shelter Island NY Schools


Also listen on the go--Itunes link here



     What a great surprise!  I reached out to Dr. Christine Finn, Superintendent of Shelter Island schools prior to coming on vacation and she comes on the show! Lost count of how many people I've reached out to about the podcast or the book and just don't hear back.  Not only did Dr. Finn respond,  she was fantastic and I really enjoyed meeting her. Open, honest, energetic.  Shelter Island Schools are lucky to have her. 

     To open the show, I talked about getting ready for the 18-19
 school year.  What are you going to add this year?  What will be different?  Have you set goals?  Are you going to try something new?  Whether you are a school leader, classroom teacher, or whatever your role, don't be afraid to try something new.  One thing I write about in my book: The Principal: Surviving & Thriving is Tip #47 creating a yearly theme each year based around some of the things you are doing in and around your school.  Put it on the staff picture, your emails, school signs etc.  Make it something that people can rally around and get excited about.  This year in my school it is:  We are all in this together!



     If you are a classroom teacher, have you tried/looked into flexible seating?  Give it a shot and see what happens.  Certainly their is a cost there, but your can also be creative.  Add an old couch or some older high top chairs you may have in that basement.  Even just try allowing kids to stand in the back if they wanted to stand to see what it does for their learning and attention.

    Go for it!  Have an awesome school year.  #Createyourownweather!

     
Book Recommendation: A tree grows in Brooklyn (classic!) by Betty Smith

Quote: The glass isn't half full, the glass is refillable. Dr. Christine Finn


**Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring the show & blog!

Enjoy the podcast.  Order your copy of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving today!  Click here

LOOKING TO BOOK ANDREW FOR YOUR NEXT ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT?: Click here for more information.


Go out and change the world for the better!

Logo_full_color.png


Andrew Marotta


Check out my book:
The Principal: Surviving and Thriving  125 Points of Wisdom, Practical Tips, and Relatable Stories for All Leaders.
Found on andrewmarotta.com, amazon, and all online retailers. Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Thursday, August 16, 2018

#55 #ELB with Guest Chris Kreuter--8 Reasons Why Reading is so Important




Education Leadership and Beyond:  

Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Blog &Podcast #55 with guest Chris Kreuter


This weeks sponsor: 1106 Design Website for 1106 Design



Thanks to Michele DeFilippo and her company 1106 Design.  They did a great job helping me get my book off the ground and into print, online, and ready to go at all sellers.  She provided awesome customer service to me, especially as someone who was brand new to all of this: book writing, websites, etc.  They specialize in all things self-publishing: book formatting, editing, cover design, website creation, etc etc...& most important honesty, fairness, and integrity!  Give her a shout out and let her know you found her by listening/reading on Education Leadership & Beyond and she'll take care of you!  


One of the most best things I enjoy doing as a father and educator is reading with my kids--ages 12, 10, & 7. They all have turned out to be strong readers and enjoy it. Having an author on the show is always fun for me because I can learn so much from them. Chris Kreuter
wrote a great kids book that combines sci-fi & hockey...My boy Matthew loved it! Heading into this next school year, if your kid likes either sci-fi or hockey, they'll love The Intergalactic Adventures of the Rainy River Bees.

Additionally, I spoke about the importance of reading for kids and adults. One of the biggest indicators of success in school and beyond is reading reading levels and how do you improve your or your kids reading level? READ!

There is a ton of research and articles out there on the importance of reading--I liked this one found on inspiration boost: 8 Reasons by JJ Wong . JJ Wong lists these 8 reasons why reading is important:

1. Expose yourself to new things.
2. Self Improvement.
3. Improve understanding.
4. Preparation for action.
5. Gain experience from other people.
6. Tools for communicating.
7. Connecting your brain.
8. Boost your creativity.

I thought these were awesome...and very relative for all readers. I am watching my kids experience them now at their young ages. I especially like #s 3, 4, & 5. While on this journey of writing my book and creating the podcast #ELB, I have learned so much by reading articles and books on the topics to help get me started. Prepare to action. If they did it, why can't you? If there is something out there for you that you are looking to tackle next, read about it first! It's only a google search or a library stop away!


Also found on Itunes

 Book Recommendation: The Intergalactic Adventures of the Rainy River Bees by Chris Kreuter


**Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring the show & blog!

Enjoy the podcast.  Order your copy of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving today!  Click here

LOOKING TO BOOK ANDREW FOR YOUR NEXT ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT?: Click here for more information.


Go out and change the world for the better!

Logo_full_color.png


Andrew Marotta


Check out my book:
The Principal: Surviving and Thriving  125 Points of Wisdom, Practical Tips, and Relatable Stories for All Leaders.
Found on andrewmarotta.com, amazon, and all online retailers. Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

#54 #ELB Vacation Time: Make it Happen! with guest Chris Kosiba




Education Leadership and Beyond:  

Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Blog &Podcast #54 with guest Chris Kosiba

Vacation Time: a few weeks left


Have you taken a vacation yet this summer? If not, you have just a few weeks left. Time-is-a-ticken. I read a great article in the Coaching & Leadership Journal July edition about the cost of NOT taking a vacation/ Dan Spainhour writes (adapted from CNN.com) that taking a vacation can lead to stress reduction, decreased heart disease, improved productivity, and better sleep. Who doesn't want these things? Additionally, after taking a trip out west to Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstone National Park with my family in July, I added the following points: Taking vacations creates memories for you and your family, allows you precious time together, and can give you some time to think. As I write this, I am away on Eastern LI with my family with time to breath, think, and just be. Lazy afternoons and nice meals together....and a lot of throwing the kids into the pool!

Enjoy the rest of the summer and enjoy meeting Chris Kosiba. Chris is the national director of Golf at Meister Sports Management group and was my college roommate!

Enjoy the Podcasts: Live Broadcast #ELB with guest Chris Kosiba
Also found on Itunes

 Book Recommendation: The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy

**Contact me if you are interested in sponsoring the show & blog!

Enjoy the podcast.  Order your copy of The Principal: Surviving and Thriving today!  Click here

LOOKING TO BOOK ANDREW FOR YOUR NEXT ADMINISTRATIVE RETREAT?: Click here for more information.


Go out and change the world for the better!

Logo_full_color.png


Andrew Marotta


Check out my book:
The Principal: Surviving and Thriving  125 Points of Wisdom, Practical Tips, and Relatable Stories for All Leaders.
Found on andrewmarotta.com, amazon, and all online retailers. Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here