Saturday, May 12, 2018

#46 Education Leadership & Beyond: A Culture of Love with Dr. Luvelle Brown, Superintendent of Schools in Ithaca, NY




Education Leadership and Beyond:  

Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
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!  

Podcast #46: A Culture of Love with guest NYS Superintendent of the Year 2017 Dr. Luvelle Brown

What a great experience to meet and interview Dr. Luvelle Brown for the podcast. He is doing great work in Ithaca, NY School District raising achievement levels, bringing awareness to minority inequalities, especially in leadership roles, and sharing his culture of love. His message comes through strong caring for all students while having his priorities in order: Dad, Community Leader, and Superintendent.

While prepping for the show and researching the Culture of Love in Ithaca Schools, I was celebrating my 17th wedding anniversary with my wife, Jennifer Marotta.
It made me think about the culture of love that we are building not only in our marriage, but also with our whole family. If you are married, you know it is not all rosey all the time. I reflected on the things that we do to make our marriage work: Here are a few of those reflections:

1. From my friend Dr. Bird (show #45), bring patience, love, and gratitude to one another--If your continue to focus on these three virtues, you will move past the things that upset you about one another. Be grateful for the good things in your life! Gratitude is the mother of all virtues!

2. Listen, don't fix! Hear your partner, take a breath, and don't try to fix every little thing. Leave it be. (this took me a long time, right Jenn?!)

3. Do what you say are you are going to do. When you do this, it creates consistent positive deposits in your relationship.

4. Keep him/her on a pedestal. My wife told me this after our first year of marriage that I stopped doing this. I think I became complacent, and that I did not have to "pursue" her anymore. I let the "special-ness" go and I thank her for telling me this so many years ago.

5. Build your partner up, don't break down. You support me too much SAID NO SPOUSE EVER!

6. Be committed: so many things in our society today are disposable and easily changed, exchanged, etc etc. Imagine if it was impossible for your marriage to fail? Well it should be, so make it that way! Show commitment!

7 & 8. Take adventures together and always make special time for just for the two of you!

9. Don't air your dirty laundry to others.

10. Live the life together that you want your children to have. Be the ideals that you stand for: love, kindness, compassion, passion, spirit, etc etc. Show these in your actions towards one another and those around you!


Enjoy the Podcasts: Itunes podcast link

Quote: If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

John E. Lewis
Civil rights leader, Congressman from Georgia

Book Recommendation: Love Works: 7 Timeless Principles for effective leaders by Joel Manby






Next week's guest is Matthew & Tessa Marotta: Birthday Show

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

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Blog #45: 5 Reflections of Really, Really Happy People with guest Dr. Stephen "Bird" Birchak




Education Leadership and Beyond:  

Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Podcast #45: 5 Reflections of Really, Really Happy People with guest Dr. Stephen "Bird" Birchak

This weeks sponsor:
The Coaching & Leadership Journal edited by Dan Spainhour: order your 12 month subscription today with a 20% discount for Ed Leadership & Beyond listeners: use code ELB20.  This is fantastic resource for all leaders with over 20 stories, articles, quotes,and reflections.  Leadership Publishing Team Website



Podcast link: ITUNES
Facebook live link

    Dr. Bird's website can be found here: DOCBIRD.COM

            5 Active Reflections of Really, Really Happy People

           Every time I see a new speaker, I am very excited and hope that the speaker will be a good one...Kinda like when a movie starts, you are hoping it will be a great one.  Well, I knew that Dr. Bird was going to be good as in the first few minutes he had people laughing by making some jokes and he had the whole auditorium move to the front, without having to raise his voice or do that awkward long pause waiting for people to stop talking.  He just did it very simply and gracefully.   


              Dr. Bird brought a moving message of love and compassion.  I quickly started taking notes and was thrilled to learn about being happy.  Here are his thoughts about creating happiness in your own life:

          #1:   I am free to choose my own attitude

Free from could have, should have, judgements.

“No one can take away your ability to choose your own attitude"
Viktor Frankl
After each speaking point Dr. Bird offered a "small change" that you could easily implement in your life to adapt this reflection of happiness into your life.

Small changes:  TAB: take a breath, is it a crisis or inconvenience? & quarantine your poisons.

#2:  I like my best self: What is your aptitude for self compassion? Give yourself a break. It is ok to fail, it is ok to make mistakes.
**Suicide rates have doubled in the past ten years!

Small changes: give yourself permission to be fragile, human.

#3: I see the good in others: Have a grateful perspective...invest in the beauty of life, in the good of others.
 
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, it is the parent of all others.  Marcus Tullius Cicero
Small changes: Start a gratitude journal.

#4: I am a calming influence on others.

Do you display escalating behaviors or de-escalating
I Small changes: "ITS":  It is true, is it kind, is it necessary?

#5 I love and I am loved
“Everything good that has happened to me in my life is because of love." Dr. Bird
Small changes: Follow the golden rule: love others as you wish to be loved!

Quote: "It's not a crisis, it's an inconvenience" Dr. Stephen Birchak

Book Recommendation: The Jerk Whisperer by Dr. Stephen Birchak

Next week's guest is NYS 2017 Superintendent of the Year, Dr. Luvelle Brown of Ithaca Schools

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

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Blog #44 Education Leadership and Beyond with Guest Dan Rockwell




Education Leadership and Beyond:  Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Podcast #44: Do your job with Guest Dan Rockwell

This weeks sponsor:
The Coaching & Leadership Journal edited by Dan Spainhour: order your 12 month subscription today with a 20% discount for Ed Leadership & Beyond listeners: use code ELB20

Podcast link: #44: Do your job with Dan Rockwell


In this weeks episode, we meet Dan Rockwell.  Dan is a star in the field of leadership and is doing great things with his blog, The Leadership Freak.  Dan has been an inspiration to me personally because of the content of his blogs as well as the way he writes. His writings are straight-forward, pertinent topics, and just seem to hit home with me with where I am in my life. After I interviewed him, I felt more of a connection.  Enjoy the show Podcast #44 with Dan Rockwell: Do Your Job


          This week’s content came from Dan’s March 3rd blog entitled Do your Job.  We wrote about the book by David  Halberstam entitled The Education of a Coach.  As leaders, Dan gives three tips that we can do not only to better do our jobs, yet support our colleagues and those who follow.  I found these three tips simple yet practice and purposeful:

1.     #1: Do the work:  Don’t just show the way, get your hands dirty and do the work too.  In terms of being a Principal, I don’t just talk about teaching with engagement, I try to model it in my meetings and activities with my staff.  I also try to get my hands dirty--help clean up a spill, pick up garbage while walking the building, or even cover a class.  No job is too big or small--Do The Work!

         #2:  Support others while they work: Challenge and cheer Dan writes.  I've struggled at times trying to motivate others...trying to make them the  best they can be and it has backfired.  People have gotten angry at me stating that I made them feel that they were doing a poor job.  I really like this concept: challenge and cheer!

        #3: Remove the obstacles:  Lastly, as a leader, Dan shares about removing the obstacles for others.  Think about how many people give you an excuse of why they did NOT do something.  They gave you the reasons why not?  Remove the obstacles, discuss the reasons why and get others to Do Their Jobs!

    Dan's work can be found here: The Leadership Freak

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


Quote: Not all readers are leaders, yet all leaders are readers.
Harry S. Truman

Book Recommendation: The Education of a Coach by David Halberstam

Next week's guest is psychologist and author from the College of St. Rose Dr. Stephen "Bird" Birchak

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.  For bulk orders, email survivethriveorders@gmail.com  Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Blog Post #43 How to be at your Best When it Matters Most




Education Leadership and Beyond:  Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Podcast #43 with PJHS Drama Director Ruth Gordon &stduents Shannon Klotz & Kennedy Sanok

Podcast link: Podcast #43

How to be at your best when it matters most.  Is it an interview, a first date, a big game, or the big performance of Grease opening up this weekend at our high school, Port Jervis HS in Port Jervis, NY?

It would be so easy if we could be right? Be at our best when it matter most. Then life happens--we get nervous, we start over thinking it, we get fearful that something will go wrong, etc, etc, etc.  It's like our brains get over- connected to our hormones and screws us up.  How come some can do it?--Be their best in the biggest moments?  How do they do it?  How could you do it?

Here are some tips that you could put into place TODAY.  These are from listening to the man himself, Dr. Gilbert from success hotline 973-743-4690 and from own experiences.  Give them a try.

#1  Breathe--7 seconds in, hold for 7 seconds, then breath out for 7.  Try this 2-3 times....

#2   There is no life and death, no do or die, no this is it.  If it doesn't happen in that moment, life will move on.  You may not have the same opportunity, but you will have different ones.

#3   It is OK to feel this way: nervous, anxious, excited.  That is normal.  Tell yourself: Self, it s ok I feel this way.  I am going to be fine.

#4  Meditation--Have you tried it?  Doesn't have to be all fancy in a yoga studio with relaxing music in the background.  It can just be words, phrases, thoughts that mean something to you.  Recite them gently, slowly in your head or out loud.  Trust me--You are not crazy.

#5  Rest and water.  #understated  If you feel good, you will do good.  Do a little each day vs. trying to do a lot a little of the time.

#6  Routine.  Read the quote at the bottom of the blog.  Ruth Gordon, our play director, gave me this quote from Aristotle. Do something over and over and you are bound to get better at it.  #10000hours 

      Excited for our students and music teachers at Port Jervis HS @pjhs_principals and this weekend's musical: Grease.  If you are local, come out and see the show.  The kids are great!  In this week's podcast #43 I talk with musical director Ruthann Gordon & two stars of the show Shannon Klotz & Kennedy Sanok.  Not only are they stars on the stages, they are outstanding students and young people.  Thanks for listening.

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


Quote:  We are what we do repeatedly. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
Aristotle

Next week's guest is psychologist and author Dr. Stephen "Bird" Birchak


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.  For bulk orders, email survivethriveorders@gmail.com  Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Blog #41--The Real Surviving in Surviving & Thriving with guest Pete Connors




Education Leadership and Beyond:  Surviving & Thriving  with Andrew Marotta
Podcast #41 with Pete Connors of Shabby Studios


Podcast link: Link to Podcast #41 with Pete Connors

Cancer. Music. Chasing your passions.  What a mix.  This week we meet Pete Conners of Shabby Studios and the band Mr. LoveJoy.  Pete is all three and more.  In getting to know Pete and prep for the show, I reflected back to the famous, moving speech by Jimmy V in the spring of '93.



This speech put Cancer on the map and really drew attention to the importance of fundraising for cancer research. The speech was raw & real. He was a NYer in NC and stood out in so many ways, including winning at the highest level in arguably the most competitive conference in the NCAA's.

In his speech, Coach Valvano highlighted some very important things. Things we should do everyday in our life. I feel so blessed while writing this that my family and I are healthy and have made an effort to live life full with these passions. Coach V pleaded for everyone to do these actions each day:

1. Laugh

2. Think
3. Be moved to tears with your emotions
4. Enjoy your life, the precious moments
5. Be enthusiastic. Nothing great can ever be accomplished without enthusiasm.
His ending message was probably his most important:
Don’t give up...Don’t ever give up!



This has become the line that represents the V Foundation and inspires so many.

Enjoy the podcast with guest Pete Connors. If you are interested in learning more about Lynch Syndrome and/or making a donation to Pete's fundraiser, contact Pete at: petermconnors@gmail.com

Pete also is a great musician and writer. Pete created the opening sound to the show. Contact him if you are interested!

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


Quote:  “Don’t wait until you have cancer to live the life you want to live.  Live it now!

P. Connors.


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.  For bulk orders, email survivethriveorders@gmail.com  Now available in kindle edition. Audible edition found here