Saturday, July 20, 2013
Cheeseburger Festival & Chieftain Master's Golf Tournament
Today was the Friona Cheeseburger Festival followed by the FHS Chieftain Master's Golf Tournament. Friona is the "Cheeseburger Capitol of Texas", and each July the town meets downtown, throws on the feedbag, and enjoys the company of each other while trying some of the best burgers in the business. Patrons buy a wrist band for $7, with four 1/4 tabs (you redeem each for 1/4 of a hamburger...you can use them all on a full burger or 4 different types) on it and then go around the park having fun. Some folks buy three or four bands (I only had one this year...I've lost around 80 pounds since Jan 11, 2013) because there are many booths. My favorite was made by the folks at Excel Energy, a basic cheddar cheese burger with barbeque sauce and mustard. Whomever collects the most tabs wins the first prize of $1,000. Today's winners were "The Hot Mamas", yes two local moms, named Ashlee and Tawnin. I didn't have one of their burgers but it was a jalapeno burger with habanero sauce. The festival also featured classic cars, a concert by Texas country singer, and Friona native, Kris Gordon, a presentation from the cast of "Texas" (outdoor musical at Palo Duro Canyon), and a number of booths selling crafts, clothes, toys, and goodies.
After the festival the FHS Athletic Department hosted its 1st Annual Chieftain Master's Golf Tournament as a fundraiser for FHS sports programs. I had a team with two friends that I went to school with (kindergarten through college) and the dad of one of them (always good to have a ringer who can hit from the Sr. tees!). It was great to play with some old friends, and we finished with a 65, going 7 under par, which earned us 5th place. The winning team shot a 56, going 16 under par, and was composed of two local farmers and their sons. The sons are both members of the FHS golf team and one of the dads is a former professional golfer...so they were a bit stacked! One of our assistant football coaches is the lead singer for the country band Whiskey Rebellion, and they played for the crowd after the tournament finished as we all had a burger and enjoyed the music.
I lived in El Paso, TX, for eight years, and it's great having 3-4 million (El Paso + Cd. Juarez) people around with everything you might ever need being within an hours travel. However, there is something special about living in a small (Friona's population is 3,500-4,000) town where people all grew up together and truly care about one another. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Friday, July 19, 2013
The circle of life...
On September 16, 1994, God brought a little baby girl into our life: 9 lb, 5 oz, 19", blonde hair & blue eyes. From that day forward this little girls has owned her daddy's heart! Today my heart was a bit heavy as I took her to the campus of Eastern New Mexico University, where she registered for her first semester of college classes. Though my heart hurt looking at this young woman before me it was also full of joy seeing how she had grown in knowledge, stature, love, and wisdom. A major in graphic design and a minor in communication. At the registration office they told her she would owe about $250 for the year out-of-pocket...because she'd done so well academically and had earned scholarships. Thank you Jesus! I graduated from undergrad with close to $15,000 of student loan debt, I'm so glad the next ring grew farther out from the center!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
July 18, Another Day of Training...
Summertime, and the livin' is crazy! Today I had the marvelous opportunity to re-up my First Aid/CPR certifications. I just love watching videos and listening to explanations of how to help folks that get nosebleeds, nail punctures, ladder falls, heart troubles, or any other malady known to man...just not during the middle of July.
CPR is vital, if you are trained you need to be. Learning about the use of an AED is also of utmost importance. I am sure that most folks who read this will have at least one in their place of work. Familiarize yourself with it: where it is, how to use it, what it's use it, etc. I've been involved in two real-life CPR situations (one in college back in 1988 after a rush party (yep, morons were involved as was alcohol...they lived thankfully), and 2010 when I was giving CPR with a Dr. to my daddy as he died...not a good day) and an AED is life-changing, most literally. The AED walks you through the process of CPR and can administer an electric shock to the person if needed. It's just non-negotiable, you need to know how to use one.
Knowledge is power! That's what the cartoons told us as kids on Saturday mornings, and it's true today. Learn about your local AED! I just hope that you don't have to do it on your break!
CPR is vital, if you are trained you need to be. Learning about the use of an AED is also of utmost importance. I am sure that most folks who read this will have at least one in their place of work. Familiarize yourself with it: where it is, how to use it, what it's use it, etc. I've been involved in two real-life CPR situations (one in college back in 1988 after a rush party (yep, morons were involved as was alcohol...they lived thankfully), and 2010 when I was giving CPR with a Dr. to my daddy as he died...not a good day) and an AED is life-changing, most literally. The AED walks you through the process of CPR and can administer an electric shock to the person if needed. It's just non-negotiable, you need to know how to use one.
Knowledge is power! That's what the cartoons told us as kids on Saturday mornings, and it's true today. Learn about your local AED! I just hope that you don't have to do it on your break!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
EDLD 5301 - Research, Week 1 Assignment, Part 3 (2nd question) - "How Educational Leaders Might Use Blogs"
As a child I wanted to know more. Regardless of the question posed, I wanted to find as much information as possible on the subject. While working towards a bachelor's degree in music performance with a vocal emphasis my voice teacher made me do intense research for each song I sang. Prior to learning a song I had to fill out a historical research paper focused on composer, subject, form, and analysis. I also had to translate the song poetically and literally, word-for-word, from it's native language to English, so that I could better understand the composer and lyricists intent in writing the song. The only problem with this practice was that it was pre-internet. It took me GREAT amounts of time to conduct the research necessary to merely find sources of information needed to complete my study. It was my dream to have a one-stop clearinghouse of information that was readily available to me, anytime and anywhere, to help me complete my tasks. However, we live in the golden age of research as that is what we have in the great and mighty internet: Information! The internet offers educational leaders with a worldwide platform where they can share ideas, disseminate information and resources, and communicate with constituents freely.
"Journals provide administrators with a tool for reflecting on their own thought processes." (Dana, 2009, p. 87). Many people do not consider themselves writers. The use of a blog is a great way to work on this perceived problem as "thinking out loud" through the written word can lead to greater comfort and ease in the medium. Blogging a journal, which can include written thoughts, videos, pictures, links to helpful sites, and charts and graphs, helps educational leaders stay in touch with a greater number of people. By utilizing comments, the leader can further review and gather up-to-date thought data. By influencing my sphere of influence I can re-create myself, hopefully in a greater sense, in those I influence. If each of those persons reaches out to there circles of touch, then a greater influence is made. The internet provides a literal world wide web of influence capability to educational leaders!
"Journals provide administrators with a tool for reflecting on their own thought processes." (Dana, 2009, p. 87). Many people do not consider themselves writers. The use of a blog is a great way to work on this perceived problem as "thinking out loud" through the written word can lead to greater comfort and ease in the medium. Blogging a journal, which can include written thoughts, videos, pictures, links to helpful sites, and charts and graphs, helps educational leaders stay in touch with a greater number of people. By utilizing comments, the leader can further review and gather up-to-date thought data. By influencing my sphere of influence I can re-create myself, hopefully in a greater sense, in those I influence. If each of those persons reaches out to there circles of touch, then a greater influence is made. The internet provides a literal world wide web of influence capability to educational leaders!
EDLD 5301 - Research, Week 1 Assignment, Part 3 - "What I Have Learned About Action Research"
Administrative inquiry, or action research, as it pertains to this
course, is the systematic, intentional study and analysis of a campus
principal’s personal administrative practice and implementing change based on
what is learned as a result of the inquiry/research. Action research works best in a team format where groups can find a synergy of thought that will lead to a best practice outcome. This is not a short-term approach to find a knee jerk reaction to problems. By taking a long-term approach to this analysis helps to provide a long-term solution rather than a quick "band aid" approach to problem solving. Veteran administrator-inquirer Mark Bracewell sums up the need for action research: "If your kids are going to excel,...you've got to look at what they're doing. Where are they, where do they need to be, how do we get them there? That's essentially what inquiry is." (Dana, 2009, pp. 14-15)
As a student of education focused on campus principalship my first question was, "Where does this initiative take place?" Currently there are four prime areas ripe for cultivation of inquiry: University Coursework, Superintendent/District Meetings, Leadership Teams, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The need for intensive and collaborative study of the workings of our schools is one of the greater callings of a principal. Gathering students, teachers, stakeholders, and community members to "roll up their sleeves" and immerse themselves into the meat of a problem will provide administrative answers to lingering questions. Another benefit of inquiry is that the principal is able to work alongside the research team as a head-learner. No longer is the principal aligned behind the door of a front office, chasing after multiple daily problems with no real take on the pulse of the campus. As a head learner the principal can model a best practice for staff and students alike. There is no limit to the usefulness of this approach. "Never a day goes by without at least one problem, issue, tension, or dilemma arising for a principal that beckons for the deep exploration and insights that the process of inquiry can bring!" (Dana, 2009, p. 19). The only limiting factor is the "wondering" that you wish to study.
The principal's chair is a busy place. There is no end to the daily milieu of problems, tardies, fights, needs, etc. The question of where to begin can be crippling. By utilizing action research initiatives the principal can slow down their world and take an active role in the day-to-day problem solving necessary to achieve student success.
As a student of education focused on campus principalship my first question was, "Where does this initiative take place?" Currently there are four prime areas ripe for cultivation of inquiry: University Coursework, Superintendent/District Meetings, Leadership Teams, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). The need for intensive and collaborative study of the workings of our schools is one of the greater callings of a principal. Gathering students, teachers, stakeholders, and community members to "roll up their sleeves" and immerse themselves into the meat of a problem will provide administrative answers to lingering questions. Another benefit of inquiry is that the principal is able to work alongside the research team as a head-learner. No longer is the principal aligned behind the door of a front office, chasing after multiple daily problems with no real take on the pulse of the campus. As a head learner the principal can model a best practice for staff and students alike. There is no limit to the usefulness of this approach. "Never a day goes by without at least one problem, issue, tension, or dilemma arising for a principal that beckons for the deep exploration and insights that the process of inquiry can bring!" (Dana, 2009, p. 19). The only limiting factor is the "wondering" that you wish to study.
The principal's chair is a busy place. There is no end to the daily milieu of problems, tardies, fights, needs, etc. The question of where to begin can be crippling. By utilizing action research initiatives the principal can slow down their world and take an active role in the day-to-day problem solving necessary to achieve student success.
Daniel's Den was created as part of my journey towards certification as a school principal in the state of Texas. I am a student at Lamar University seeking a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. Currently I am enrolled in EDLD 5301 - Research. As a part of this course I am charged with creating a blog to follow my journey in action research and inquiry. My action research wondering will be posted this week. Thanks for stopping by and I hope that you come back often!
Your brother/Your friend,
Daniel
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