Monday Moanin Thoughts #122 Introduce Yourself To Your Staff Beginning 2014-15

A Monday Moanin in  August 2014, what could be better?  For many of you the 2014-15 school year will begin in a few short weeks. As a result ,  you are probably in the planning stages of  your opening staff meeting. Around fifteen years ago I attended a week long training on William Glasser’s Choice Theory. The workshop was very powerful and the learning enhanced my effectiveness  in many positive ways. One of my takeaways was a template with five questions to help introduce myself to staff. It is a productive way to help set the correct tone, communicate expectations and  provide clarity for the school year. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts # 120 Thoughts From Summit 2014

Happy Monday Moanin to all of you. This past Thursday over 100 educators attended the Hickey Group Planning Summit 2014. It was inspiring being in the same room with such a committed group of school leaders and teams. Over the course of the day, teams from 9 different school districts and 25 different schools were focused on planning some part of  the 2014-15 school year. During the day we used the hashtag #hlgsummit14. Listed below are some of the tweets from the  Summit that will give you a flavor from the day. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts # 121 Just Asking

Welcome to another Summer 2014 Monday Moanin.  For educators in Michigan another school year will begin in a few weeks. This is a perfect time to just ask some questions regarding education. Please consider reflecting on a few of them and see if they may serve as a prompt for your summer planning and work. Here goes: Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #119 Getting Ready For 2014-15

Happy end of July 2014 Monday Moanin to all of you. Later this week, I will be welcoming over 100 educators from the Tri-County area of Detroit to the 3rd Annual Hickey Leadership Group Planning Summit. Please enjoy this archived blog from July 2013. The content is still relevant and I continue to focus on Lencioni’s six questions. I encourage your team to spend some quality reflection time on them as you begin to plan your 2014-15 school year. Have a great week. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #118 Back From Vacation Filled With Appreciation

Happy Monday Moanin to all of you wonderful educators and people. I am returning from a week of family vacation in beautiful northern Michigan. I have been reflecting all weekend trying to come up with something to write that will be motivational and helpful to leaders regarding my time away. Here is the brilliant idea I came up with; appreciate the time you have have with family and loved ones.  For the third year in a row my wife and I have taken our three children, daughter in law, and two beautiful grandchildren for a 5 night 6 day trip to Crystal Mountain a resort in Thompsonville, Michigan. My son and his wife and two children live in Tennessee, so this time away is very special to all of us. We always have  a ball and and enjoy each others company very much. Whether it is golf, swimming, kayaking, riding chairlifts, or playing the card game thirty one, it is a special time  filled with laughter and joy. It is these times that make memories for a lifetime and help to make us who we are. I wish that all of you will have the same opportunities to make memories this summer. Take the time to appreciate your family and friends.  Check you calendar and get something planned. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #117 Need A Recommendation For A Summer Read, Check Your Bookcase

Happy July 2014 Monday Moanin to all of you. Since the end of the school year several colleagues have asked me for a recommendation for a book to read this summer. During this past school year, I conducted coaching sessions with several building administrators. Many meetings took place in their offices. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #116, Get Some Rest, Then Get To Work

Happy Monday Moanin to all of you  on this beautiful late June, 2014. After a long and challenging school year it is important to recharge and get some rest. Enjoy some quality family time and have your share of fun. After a few weeks of rest and renewal it is time to get to work. The following ideas hopefully will assist as you begin planning for the summer and upcoming 2014-15 school year. Give consideration to the following strategies. Read more

Monday Moanin #115 Enhance Your Team By Working Together

Happy Monday Moanin  June 2014 to all of you.  Once again I have returned from our families annual camping trip. It takes a lot to plan and pull off a successful camping trip with 3 families and lots of moving parts. Sounds like what it takes to be a quality, productive organization. Enjoy this archived blog from June 2012. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #114 Leadership Help From Dad

Please enjoy this archived blog from June of 2012.

Happy Fathers Day!  My dad passed away in 1991 and I miss him very much. I think of him everyday and as I get older his influence continues to grow on me. An area that I never focused on until this morning ,was his influence on me as a leader. My dad was a great initiator with many outstanding qualities. Read more

Monday Moanin Thoughts #113 What? Don’t Talk About Best Practice

Welcome to another June 2014 Monday Moanin. For many of you this may be the final week with students for this school year. As I was preparing to write this week, I had an interesting discussion with my wife about best practice and effective teaching.  She has taught for 28 years and we usually enjoy a spirited discussion about improving our craft. Read more