Happy June 2018 Monday Moanin to everyone. For many of you this may be your first week without students or of summer vacation. 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 relaxation, it is time to get to work. The following ideas hopefully will assist as you begin planning for the summer and upcoming 2018-19 school year. Give consideration to the following strategies. Read more

Happy mid June 2018 Monday Moanin to all of you. For many of you this may be your last week of school for the 2017-18 year. These days for many students can be filled with lots of emotions, distractions, and for some, anxiety. One example for these behaviors  is that not every student is looking forward to the summer recess. Read more

Happy Memorial Day 2018 Monday Moanin to all of you. When I think of Memorial Days celebrated in the past, I am reminded of  two common themes. One is service and the other is gratitude. For today’s thoughts, I will focus on gratitude. As I reflect on this day , I am filled with gratitude and awe for all of the men and women that serve on our behalf to ensure the freedom we enjoy. Read more

Happy Monday Moanin! Yesterday we celebrated  Mother’s Day 2018 and I hope all Mom’s had a special day with their families. Most of us can reflect on how our own mom’s have influenced us as people and leaders. When I think of my mom, I am filled with many examples of how she helped shaped my life and those of my five brothers. Luckily, she still influences all of us  to this day. Rose Hickey is a  95-year-old dynamo. Her gifts are many and she still is the leader of our family. After my dad passed away in 1991, my mom modeled for all of us resiliency and strength.  It was not an easy time, yet she led us through our grief and though missing him, continued to enjoy and live a rewarding, full life. In the past two years,  she has battled many health issues and visits to the hospital and rehab facilities.In November that she moved out of her condo and into a retirement facility.  This morning, my wife and I visited her at her apartment and she is doing well.   When she was in rehab part of her physical therapy for balance, was having putting contests with her PT.  For her gift, we bought her a putter, 3 Pro V’s and new putt return machine. She was having a ball and made several putts. She is amazing and still strong and resilient. Read more

Good morning everyone and  welcome to the 295th edition of Monday Moanin Thoughts.  Over the weeks since spring break, I have met with several building administrators to listen and discuss the work they do. I have come away with many impressions and at the top of the list is that administrators are very good at identifying the challenges of their job. If you ask them how things are going, you will hear a steady stream of passion about the challenges they are facing. However, when the conversation shifts towards talking about their highlights, there is usually caution, apprehension, reflection, and then some reluctance  to share.  Why is it that challenges are easy to discuss and highlights are a struggle?  Could it be that challenges tend to be more urgent? Continued focus on challenges and what is not going well can rob leaders of the positive influence they need to lead. It is important to recognize and validate all of the many highlights that occur daily. This spring, make a commitment to provide positive ENERGY  and celebrate all of the good stuff happening in your organization.   Read more