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Ansell- Sample Collection Interview Reflection:

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Ansell- Sample Collection Interview Reflection:

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From listening to nine audio and video sample collections from Anne, Lauren and Maria, the perspectives of teachers, paraprofessionals,therapists and learners in navigating remote learning that have emerged involve trends and patterns reflective of the challenges, adjustments in routine and the connectivity with the technology as well as connectivity with students, parents, colleagues transitioning to remote learning.  Additionally, a common theme that was seen, heard, felt and communicated was the importance of finding balance and carving out time and physical space to work, teach and learn at home.

Despite the challenges, adjustment and struggles, the overall message that surfaced was one of positivity, flexibility, excitement for learning new things and new ways to teach and learn and the importance and necessity of video-conferencing and live chats!  Each sample mentioned using interactive products such as Zoom, Google Hangout, FaceTime and the importance of Google Classroom, SeeSaw, ClassDojo, etc.  A progression was evident that the first few days in the first week in particular were the most difficult to navigate and manage and each week thereafter has become progressively easier to navigate and manage.  Notable words and comments that describe the improvement seen in practicing remote learning in week three include: “Rhythm and routine” (Wills), “Balance and flow” (Jackson), “Keep on Keeping on” (Kuras) demonstrating a sense of stability, hope and trust in these most challenging times.

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Ansell- Leading in Times of Crisis Reflection:

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Ansell- Leading in Times of Crisis Reflection:

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In reviewing the YouTube video facilitated by Stephen Shedletzky from the Simon Sinek Team, “How Remote Teams Can Connect Meaningfully”, witnessing, experiencing and learning about the “huddle” demonstrated that it is an invaluable leadership tool.  Due to the COVID-19, we have all certainly had a crash course on virtual “learning” and virtual “teaching” and having to learn as we go with our teachers, paraprofessionals, students, parents and fellow administrators.  Through this experience, we are also having a crash course on virtual “leading” and using tools like Zoom and Google Hangout to host and facilitate meetings.  The “huddle”, provides us leadership strategy, model and tool utilizing technology for virtual face to face interactions for building, inspiring and managing leadership capacity, relationships, connections, networking, productivity “of the team”.   The critical takeaway is that “huddle” is a weekly ritual to connect as a team and the call is completely devoted to building relationships with each other with the focus of the “huddle” being about each individual member, the relationship and the team (Sinek et al., 2020).  As Stephen Shedletzky from the Simon Sinek Team states, ‘the huddle is about keeping our team connected, being on the same page and tight!” (Sinek et al., 2020).  I loved “seeing, feeling and experiencing” the grounding exercise, the high fives, thumbs up, jazz hands, sharing and caring, kindness, compassion and mindfulness that the “huddle” provides as a leadership tool that the Simon Sinek Team used before the times of crisis as a fundamental practice showing that this practice affords teams enduring strength, unity,  communication, connectedness and support.

In times of crisis, leadership style becomes increasingly important and critical to organizational structure, productivity and efficacy.  Leadership, especially in times of crisis, requires being knowledgeable about different styles and types of leadership and adjusting and applying leadership strategies situationally.  Crestcom (2020) suggests and highlights the qualities of adaptive leadership, servant leadership and the importance of communication in leadership in times of crisis (Crestcom, 2020).  When leading remotely,  it’s important to keep your team engaged and connected with virtual check-ins and focus your team’s attention and provide them with a sense of what they can control at the moment, such as making progress on a particular project, or responding to client inquiries (Buckingham, 2020).  In asserting the essence of adaptive leadership, Buckingham indicates, “The best leaders take anxiety and turn it into confidence” (Buckingham, 2020).  Servant leadership is about what you can do for others outside of the organization, being a servant to your own values and building a culture around you that reflects those values (Hayzlett, 2019). The principles of servant leadership can be very effective in times of crisis, Hayzlett (2019) recommends four necessary steps for being a better servant leader, they include: (1) Encourage diversity of thought; (2) Create a culture of trust; (3) Have an unselfish mindset; and (4) Foster leadership in others (Hayzlett, 2019).

Well handled crisis management can produce very positive outcomes for teams and leaders whereby strength, empowerment and a renewed sense of community that comes from getting through uncertainty together (Crestcom, 2020).  With understanding the importance of matching the “right” type of leadership for and with your team, your organization, your community will not only help you all to make it through a crisis, but you will find that you, your team, organization and community will learn from it and become better because of it (Crestcom, 2020).

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In reviewing the Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) article, “Are you your child’s teacher? Are You Suddenly Your Child's Teacher? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Help” written by Catherine Stimac and published on March 29, 2020, was refreshing to see the abundance of materials, resources and reassurance provided to parents and the promise of continued resources, information that will be further disseminated providing support and hope for parents.  In reading the article and thinking about the help being offered by the Oregon Public Broadcasting and how helpful and hopeful the article and resources are that are farther reaching than the Oregon limits.  The compilation was so very well done and it begged the questions: Is the author of the article an educator? Is the author of the article a parent? Is the author of the article an educator and a parent?  I felt the need to get the answer to those questions and I researched the author of this article and she is the Executive Producer of Educational Media Productions for Oregon Public Broadcasting. It also made me think about the media coverage in New Jersey surrounding this hot topic and we haven’t really seen anything so well done in providing helpful and hopeful resources to parents in aiding and supporting them in this fashion.  Our governor, state department of education, commissioner of education, state senators, assembly persons, county freeholders, state, county and local offices of emergency management and law enforcement, local municipalities and school district leadership are doing an outstanding job in providing hope, resources and support.  The media in New Jersey is providing plenty of media coverage that is mostly hopeful and helpful and highlights the outstanding efforts of essential employees and the resources available, but the media in New Jersey hasn’t addressed parents helping their children learn and support their children’s learning in the home as well as Oregon Public Broadcasting.

In reviewing the ABC News television interview covering the hot topic of how many are turning to video conferencing for things like work, education, and socializing with Zoom’s Chief Marketing Officer Janine Pelosi shares and discusses the impact of that change posted on YouTube on March 26, 2020 as “Zoom? The new normal video conferencing”.  This news clip brings to light how the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmental executive orders for social distancing has shifted the medium for maintaining operations and delivering work and school to a digital media platform where essentially everything is being conducted virtually and remotely and Zoom has become a very popular, widely utilized solution for schools and businesses as well as friends, families, communities and society alike.  The COVID-19 pandemic is devastating the world in every way, it has truly transformed an already bustling business into a “booming” business, but it has truly provided a functional vehicle for all to communicate and connect socially and emotionally.  Without video-conferencing, we wouldn’t be able to interact in real time for work, school, friends, families, neighbors, communities and as a society.  Social interaction is critical personally and professionally on the local, state,national and international levels and video-conferencing provides a lifeline and a much needed sense of normalcy and certainty during these most difficult, abnormal and uncertain times.  Interestingly, essentially and virtually, Zoom has gone from being a noun and has become a verb!  Let’s also not forget that there are many products available other than Zoom and to “spread the wealth” during the pandemic!

In reviewing the ABC News article, “Who will get what and when from the $2 trillion relief package:The plan provides direct payments to taxpayers, jobless benefits” by Mariam Khan and published on March 27, 2020, I feel that the most important take away from an economic, political, governmental and social perspective is that it seems that it has taken a devastating pandemic for the democratic and republican parties to come together, work together and join together in making decisions and investments for the greater good.  In terms of the media coverage about the $2T stimulus and relief packages, it seems that there is more political fodder and potential delays to distributing the stimulus and relief that there may be more questions than answers.  These are scary times and it’s hard to fathom how our economy, society, country and our world will survive.

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The demonstration of a “Huddle” meeting provided by the Sinek team and the multiple articles linked to the Leadership in Times of Crisis paper emphasized Sinek’s idea of leading with the why. In a time of crisis, it’s important to be reminded of the company’s values and serving not only the company’s clients, but also their employees. As a leader, using the idea of the Golden Circle, keeps people inspired, motivated, and focused on reaching obtainable goals (Sinek, 2020). Especially with many workers remotely working, leaders can use the company’s purpose to drive productivity and engagement.

There were several techniques resonating throughout the “Huddle” that were also described in the Leadership in Times of Crisis and If you lead people today, do these 5 things articles. Being both an adaptive and servant leader provides the mindset and skills needed to respond to difficult decisions while workers adjust to their new work spaces, routines, and responsibilities. Communication was a major theme in both types of leadership. Creating check in meetings, like a “Huddle” supports the culture of the organization, helps build and restore relationships, and a sense of consistency for your employees (Crestcom, 2020).

The “How to Reassure Your Team When the News Is Scary” article reinforced the idea of a “Huddle”. The first activity the Sinek team did was a mindful/meditation technique, which is the first suggestion in the article. This article also emphasized that clear, strong, and confident communication is essential in leadership and reassurance. The Sinek team demonstrated great communication and team building strategies. One aspect I appreciated through this demonstration was the structure and focus on the “Huddle”. Although the leaders in my district are trying to stay connected to us, there is no structure to our digital meetings. Marcus Buckingham recommends that the leaders do not let these meetings become therapy sessions. The Sinek Team addressed the needs and social-emotional well-being of their team, but still were productive and focused. Like Steven from the Sinek team said, “suffering is done alone, struggling is done together” (Sinek, 2020). During this difficult time, leaders need to inspire and empower their teams to come together and move through challenges.

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Leadership during this pandemic is essential for organizations to continue moving forward. However, being able to lead in this time of crisis requires our leaders to possess skills necessary to navigate these uncharted waters. This is particularly relevant for school districts. Our Superintendents have more than likely never endured a situation as the one we are in right now, which means that there is no example to model preparedness plans after. Perseverance, flexibility and the ability to adapt easily are leadership skills that I have observed are essential right now. However, while we are so focused on our service to our students, communities and families during this time, there is also an obligation for leaders to implement practices that benefit staff as well. The strategies and techniques referenced in the two provided sources really address how to target all audiences during our continued adjustment to remote learning.

Simon Sinek’s team idea of a weekly “Huddle” is a strategy that may alleviate a great deal of issues that could cause regression in the areas of teamwork, collaboration and sustaining a positive working, and learning, environment. The team member introduces the idea of a group meeting by acknowledging that remote work requires flexibility and could provide increased opportunities for success, while simultaneously being challenging in the areas of building trust amongst colleagues and being able to proactively work together. Recurring “huddles” can unite a team and provide time for personal connections and relationship building, as the team showcased in their model of a huddle call. The premise of such virtual meetings is to disconnect from the “work” atmosphere and entirely focus on getting to know one another and foster interpersonal relations. This practice aligns seamlessly with the work that a lot of school districts have been focusing on in recent years, particularly focusing on mindfulness and social emotional development, while also offering a solution to the concerns that working remotely in an essentially isolated environment can have on individual mental health wellness.

Crestcom’s “Leadership in Times of Crisis” (2020) points out several concerns of situations that could happen as a result of ill-prepared leadership. The largest takeaway from the whitepaper is that leadership must be adaptable in times of crisis, like now with COVID-19. This means that leaders, no matter in which capacity or field, must alter the way they communicate, acknowledge safety and wellness guidelines and be there for their workers. Servant leadership is key during a time like the present. Engaging staff in a way that makes them feel safe can mitigate many of the negative side effects remote work can have on an organization. Ultimately this comes down to leadership having trust in themselves and the innate skills to realign a mission and vision to still expect success, just in ways that will look different than ever before.

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This week’s Hot Topics are, naturally, extremely relevant to the current reality the nation is living in. It is interesting to read these articles and/or watch the snippets because this is such a fluid situation. Even content from a few days ago could contain information that has since been changed or modified. I cannot recall a situation in my 30 years alive that comes close to what we are currently living through. It is definitely a new situation that needs to be managed with feasibility and effective action steps, as the three sources this week all reiterate.

It is interesting to see that Oregon, a state that is so far and so different from New Jersey that it kind of seems like another country, is responding to educational needs in the wake of COVID-19 similarly to us. Based on the article, both state Departments of Education have implemented similar plans for school districts and expectations for remote learning for students. I thoroughly appreciated that the article acknowledged specific populations of students and families that I truly feel a lot of educators are overlooking through this crisis. The “unwired” group is one that is of particular concern to me, as this is an issue that my district has been trying to manage the best we can. I think it is quite easy for districts to be “one to one” with devices, but it is an entirely other situation to ensure that all children have internet access at home to use devices. One simply does not work without the other. The resources that the article provided for the “unwired” were helpful. Recently our DOE has started NJTV in which educators around the state can provide televised instruction for students.

The news snippet on Zoom was interesting to watch. Video conferencing has obviously become the new norm for all of us. While it is so great that companies like Zoom are ensuring accessibility by waiving their usual fees and working overtime on structural engineering to accomodate the influx of usage, this interview got me asking myself two rhetorical questions that I previously had not thought about. The first being that will companies, such as Zoom, who are now huge proponents for learning, become long-lasting stakeholders in the world of education? The second is are children the new #1 consumer target group due to remote learning?

The article on the Stimulus Package was informative and clarifying. I think that it is great our government is implementing plans to support Americans, especially those who are out of work and/or run small businesses. For a minute I was not sure if all parties involved would be able to work together to act on the passing of such a plan. I am worried that what is being provided is not enough for long-lasting survival for families and the effects this could have in varying areas of human development for both children and adults alike.

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I found it refreshing and enlightening to listen to my classmates’ interview submissions regarding the topic of remote learning. So much is unsure right now that it can be easy to feel a little lost or unsure of how to move forward with success. Being able to take in a variety of perspectives from people who I have never met, but I share the same career field with provided some clarity that nearly everyone is adjusting to the idea of remote learning in similar ways. I listened to recordings submitted by Anne, Roseanne and Nicole (April 2020). The responses that each of these classmates collected showcased different struggles and adjustments for educators. The first three interviews that I listened to were submissions from teachers who pointed out that working from home is difficult when there are children still learning from home and that student and teacher success with remote learning depends on how classrooms were structured and managed before transitioning to our new reality (A. Kuras, Personal Interviews, April 2020). One interviewee even stated “it’s day whatever” which was not only amusing, but also so transparently relevant to how I think everyone is feeling as the weeks move on.

Another dominant theme was the uncertainty of effectiveness. College professors and elementary teachers are all feeling the same anxiety and doubt of how remote learning is going to work and, most importantly, if it will translate to a successful learning opportunity for students (N. Kammer and R. Ansell, Personal Interviews, April 2020). One important piece was also the reality of teachers trying to find their purpose in the midst of not being able to be in physical contact with students (R. Ansell, Personal Interviews, April 2020). Working from home is not the norm for educators. We are used to being on the go all day and often needing to act reactively to accomodate different scenarios and incidents that occur. Being at home and teaching through digital platforms or old school paper-pencil packets does not allow for these norms.

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The idea of a “Huddle” is great one and I appreciated it being shared by the Simon Sinek Team. Fortunately,  I feel like we have done this with the staff in my building. Although we have had many “team meetings” since going Remote, we have additional “team meetings” that we just do as a personal check-in. We rarely talk about business (but sometimes that pops-up). We simply use that time to check-in with each other during this very difficult time. Sometimes we share funny stories that have happened in our homes, or shows/movies that we just started watching, or vent about the reality of social-distancing. I find that very often teachers take this time to thank each other for support and/resources. It’s nice to have these scheduled times. Personally, I offer “Office Hours” for my staff. I send the staff and email with the day/time I’m in my office with the corresponding Zoom link. It’s a time were I am on actively sitting in a Zoom room and people will just pop in and say hello or ask questions just like they would if I was in my own office. Also, I tend to get some ideas of what needs to be added to the next official meeting agenda.

According to a Harvard Business Review on “Crisis Communication”, as stated in the posted article, individuals take social cues from their group leader. With that in mind, it is critical for leaders to present themselves in a calm and rational matter. Several points were made for leaders which  included, anticipating concerns, addressing immediate needs, and offering tangible actions for them to take in order for them to gain a sense of control (Whitepaper, 2020).

Also discussed were two main leadership styles of Adaptive leadership and Servant leadership. During a time of crisis, aspects of these two styles of leadership are critical in order to meet the needs of their employees and the individuals that are impacted by their organization. Adaptive leadership calls for rapid adaptability as well as acknowledging what is necessary and what is expendable (Whitepaper, 2020). Servant leadership takes into the account the “greater good of the population”. This often means making difficult decisions that may, for example, cause an immediate loss for a small group of people in order for positive gain for the larger population (Whitepaper, 2020). No matter what form of leadership somebody may “subscribe” to, during unprecedented times, there needs to be unprecedented decisions made. It is a responsibility that is difficult for any individual no matter their education and experience.

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“Are You Suddenly Your Child’s Teacher?”  This was a great article that was realistic of the situation we are all in. For example, I appreciated that it clearly stated that, “Nobody expects you to replace formal learning”. Parents should know that they cannot replace formal education and parents should also know that teachers are not in the position to recreate formal teaching online. This was an emergency situation that the nation was not prepared for and although teachers have done an amazing job of “flipping a switch” and are providing valuable learning experiences for students, in no way are we educating our students like we would if we were in our schools. The article also had some fantastic links to valuable resources but, again, all the resources in the world does not replace the decisions that teachers make and the unlimited nuances for each lesson that personalizes instruction for each child.

The news-clip that highlighted Zoom was obviously on trend. However, this news-clip only focused on the positive aspects of Zoom. What is now coming to light are the issues, sometimes dangerous issues, with these types of video conferencing platforms. Of course, we live in a high-tech world that when such dangers comes to light there are usually quick resolves to them. Safeguards can be developed within days and applied to the platforms. And perhaps it is not even the digital platforms fault or error, perhaps it’s the lack of knowledge of the people using these platforms. Either way, individuals need to be fully educated on the pros and cons when introduced to any new resource.

As mentioned in the last padlet, I feel very fortunate to be able to continue my work from home with little change to my family income. I can only imagine the financial devastation this pandemic is having on many American families. And as I read this article, and many articles related to the $2 trillion relief package, I wonder if this massive amount of money is even enough. Although I am pleased to see the U.S. federal government is rallying to support their citizens, I can’t help but put myself in the position of those people who are relying on these checks. To be honest, one of the larger checks, which I would not even qualify for because of my household salary, would not even be enough to cover one month of expenses for me and my family.

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Parent Support:

“Are You Suddenly Your Child’s Teacher? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Help” is a great article providing resources and support for parents. However, there are plenty of useful resources for teachers as well. Some of these resources I am going to share with my own district! I have noticed many communities compiling similar lists for educators as well as parents during this time of remote learning. Especially during this unforeseen time, it's refreshing to see people come together in order to provide opportunities for students to continue learning. I also noticed that many of the school’s websites have a date posted on when school will be in session again. Although we don’t want to create a false sense of security for the community, I think having a date at least gives people hope and something to strive for.

The new normal: Video Conferencing

Zoom is a huge tool in the education world right now. Although my own district uses Google Apps, when compared to Google Meet, Zoom has several features that really helps manage your meetings with the students. Another advantage to using Zoom instead of Google Meet is that it’s a familiar technology tool for many parents. Parents are using Zoom for work too, so it's not one more thing parents have to learn to use to then help their children with. Either way, Zoom provides another way or platform for people to connect face-to-face to at least give some type of normality throughout this difficult time. So far, Zoom has worked well for many teachers as well as family members I know using the program to check in with others. There was only one instance where a teacher was having connection issues with her class, but we believe the platform might have just been overwhelmed with meetings at that time. The teacher tried it again at a later date and time and didn’t have any issues.

“Who will get what and when from the $2 trillion relief package” After reading this article, I became grateful that I was still able to work and receive a paycheck throughout this difficult time. However, I know several people who have had to apply for unemployment, which has caused additional stress as they try to continue to manage their households and children’s education. Overall, it is wonderful to see our political figures come together and help people, business, and especially medical facilities. I’m just wondering what the long-term effects are with this bill on the overall economy.

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When reviewing the audio/video responses to the posed questions, there were several points made that resonated with me as well as other uploaded responses. The first personal connection I made was listening to a preschool teacher’s perspective on remote learning. I listened carefully as she described how she made connection with her very young students using Dojo and recording her daily morning meeting messages and most importantly “just staying in touch with the families” (L. Jackson, April 2020). This resonated with me as I have a preschooler at home with me and although we have just ended Week 3 of Remote Learning, my son’s preschool teacher has only shared one video of herself during this time. Logan, my son was absolutely thrilled to sit and watch his teacher do a read-aloud. This was not even a “live” read-aloud. She simply recorded herself at another time and sent the video clip our way. Obviously, my husband and I were happy that he was happy but I couldn't help but think this simply thing could be done on a daily basis and, unfortunately, is not. My son’s teacher does send some other “lesson ideas” each day but that video of herself was priceless. Fortunately, both my husband and I are educators so we are well-versed on how to meet my son’s academic needs at home. However, my son is missing out on the personal connection he has made with his teacher and his classmates. This is something that my husband and I cannot replicate.

I also enjoyed watching and listening to student perspectives on Remote Learning. The two students I watched and listen to were quite matter-of-fact and actually quite accurate in their description on “how things were going”. They talked about how new and exciting things were and how they are learning something new each day. They acknowledged that it was “very different” and, at times, they “struggled” but overall they seemed very much accepting of it (L. Jackson & N. Wills interviews, April 2020). I feel like these student responses are another example of how children are much more adaptable than adults!

The responses from interviews by Derek Tranchina truly aligned with my experience with Remote Learning. Two of his interviews involved a Dad and a Mom who were also educators. They discussed that fact that their struggle lies more on their parent perspective and I agree (D. Tranchina Interviews, April 2020). There has been a learning curve for me as a professional but it is something that I am capable of dealing with. However, dealing with that learning curve while being home with my two children who also need constant supervision and attention is more than overwhelming. If I had the ability of focusing on one of those roles right now I think I may actually, dare I say, enjoy the experience but the fact that the two have to happen simultaneously is what I am struggling with. I do try to remind myself that this is not typical work at home experience. This is a crisis. I crisis that was not very well predicted and one that we were unprepared for. I remind all of my teachers that as well when I “meet” with them and they share their concerns, frustrations, and sometimes tears with me.

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Three major themes emerged from the interviews of Morales, Kuras, Boyle, and Tranchina (2020). As students, teachers, and parents transition to remote and virtual learning, there is a huge change in physical spaces, routines, and schedules. Working from home creates a physical challenge of trying to organize work stations that are appropriate, respectful, and productive for everyone. Both Kuras and Tranchina (2020) had great examples of student, parent, and teacher makeshift work areas for themselves and their family. With the adjustment with space, students, parents, and teachers are trying to also figure out the best routines and schedules. Like mentioned in Kuras and Tranchina (2020) parents are helping their students balance their own classwork and learning schedules as well as figuring out their own balance of their work responsibilities. Teachers are also working through balance of offering content, student interaction and connection, and being respectful of parents’ time.

Social interaction and connection was another theme throughout all the segments. All the teachers and educational supervisors who spoke about remote learning were concerned with their students overall mental and physical well-being (Morales, Kuras, Boyle, & Tranchina, 2020). Student interaction and connection is not the same as before and many educators are using technology tools like Google Classroom, Google Meet, Zoom, and FlipGrid to lessen this gap. Educators recognize how families are now the primary source of human interaction for students and have begun to create assignments that involve their families (Morales, 2020). In Boyle (2020) the high school teacher specifically addressed how the social and emotional well being of the students was one of his major concerns, meeting with students online to ensure mostly they were doing mentally well. In this time of crisis, all the interviews emphasized that content is important, but keeping everyone, students, teachers, and parents as well, mentally and physically safe was a priority.

Student self-motivation and independence is the final theme that emerged throughout all interviews. As an interview with the Curriculum Supervisor pointed out, that level of student independence is different at different ages and groups (Morales, 2020). However, it is challenging sometimes to engage the students using technology tools, especially when the students have limitations of technology equipment, but also home responsibilities. Creating that structure of independence in the physical classroom can ease the transition to the virtual classroom as one teacher mentioned (Kuras, 2020). Ultimately, as educators, we are heavily relying on parents, once again, to help and guide the learning of students.

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I listened to Derek, Lauren and Wendy’s interviews. I think the overall theme presented by stakeholders in each of the interviews was that this,  as one of Wendy’s interviewees stated, is a “whole new world” that we are facing. Many of the teachers mentioned how grateful they are to still have a job. However, many shared how challenging this is as a teacher and as someone who is also a parent. This is also a challenging time for the teachers because we had to “take off running” as one of Derek’s interviewee says, which couldn’t be more true. This pandemic hit hard and it hit quickly, leaving very little time for preparation.

Teachers, students and parents are persevering and working through the challenges. Overall, the interviewee perspectives were positive. People have had to come together and a lot of edtech companies have stepped up to the plate to provide free unlimited access for use during this time. Sue explained it well, teachers are now forced to use these tools they maybe weren’t using before, and it’s opening the eye to educators and administrators to the importance of these tech tools.

I enjoyed listening to the student perspective in Lauren’s interview. It appears students are enjoying the process although it does have its challenges. Another interviewee shared their concern regarding students and their social engagement. Lauren's paraprofessional interview focused on staying connected which is critical right now and the different ways she is working to stay connected.

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Hot Topic 1: “Are You Suddenly Your Child's Teacher? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Help.” is a wonderful article with so many tools! I plan to organize some of these and strategically share them with staff. I also know that the article was written for parents. The resources are broken up well into their specific categories. I also enjoyed clicking through and examining what other districts and states are doing to support their parents, students and teachers. Eugene School District in Oregon has put together Google Docs by grade band with resources broken up by subject, they are also translated into Spanish. It is well organized and done in a way that is less overwhelming than some others I looked at.

Hot Topic 2: “The new normal: video conferencing” was interesting since it focused on Zoom. It is definitely a wonderful resource however, over the last week they're chat rooms have become compromised with people who are hacking into classrooms and showing inappropriate things. The teachers I work with have been prominently using Google Hangout but they are both great resources. During this time it will be important for social emotional health that students have actual face time with their teachers and peers.

Hot Topic 3: “Who will get what and when from the $2 trillion relief package” is a heavy article and there is a lot too it. I do my best to keep up with these things and even in reading the article and watching the video there is so much to wrap my head around when it comes to the numbers, stimulus packages, and loan rates and such. Overall, (as someone who doesn’t know a whole lot about it) I think that these financial relief packages are great. I am beyond grateful that my husband and I are able to work, but there are a lot of people out there who aren’t as lucky. We have a lot of  friends who have been laid off or are taking pay cuts and it's very unfortunate. These stimulus packages are a way to hopefully help those in need and keep the economy alive during these tough and unpredictable times.

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I love the idea of a huddle! I think this is a wonderful concept where a team can come together and talk about personal life and build true relationships versus always talking business. Relationships are critical and as teachers this is something we do on a daily basis with students and colleagues. Not being able to see one another is tough. We have been trying to encourage an informal “check in” with students as well as with one another. I actually think that this whole experience has brought the staff closer in some way. We have a “Bayshore Staff” group chat that was intended for questions about tech and supporting one another and it has now morphed into so much more. We realize how much we rely on seeing each other each day and having all of the different characters and personalities in school (Sinek, 2020).

In the huddle they begin with a meditation as a grounding activity to help everyone become present, which I love! I also liked the reminder to turn off notifications and be present for the meeting. There are so many times we are in meetings and we are also doing other things that need to be done but it’s important to remember that it’s OK to pause what we are doing or not respond to someone right away, giving our full attention to the meeting we are currently in. The huddle is flexible but structured, starting with high fives and spreading love. This is a wonderful way to build leaders, relationships and positive vibes. They have a question of the week and this particular week was to give tips for teams that are just starting to conduct virtual meetings, they also had a story sharing segment to close (Sinek, 2020).

The three principles communication, adaptive, and servant leadership were outlined in “Leadership in Times of Crisis”. These principles were so thoughtfully laid out and explained. Speaking specifically to each of us who work in public education, higher ed, and law enforcement we have seen and experienced such change in our particular fields, and only over a short 3 weeks period. We all work for the people and with the people, so to successfully go remote we needed strong leaders, who were going to need to be flexible and understanding (CERC, 2018).

I am examining these principles from the article through my own lens, with the experience I have had so far with my leadership. Constant communication is definitely key, my principal checks in with the entire staff in the morning and in the afternoon, this makes a highly positive impact on our culture. He also became part of the staff group chat and it has really brought the staff together. He has been wonderfully adaptive and understanding. He realizes that our staff has a wide range of ability and has been nothing but positive and transparent regarding this being a learning experience for all and constantly praises staff for how wonderful everyone has been. He has also demonstrated servant leadership; he is completely unselfish, available at any time, encourages taking risks with the instruction being provided by trying new ways to provide instruction, and has built up trust with the staff by being supportive and accessible (CERC, 2018).

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           “Are You Suddenly Your Child’s Teacher?”  This article was clearly very timely. The most important think it stated was , “Nobody expects you to replace formal learning”. Parents need to understand that they will not replace formal education. As Dereck said during our Zoom meeting, for our other class, this is “emergency online teaching,” not “online teaching”. The article had links fantastic links resources but as Ann stated, “all the resources in the world does not replace the decisions that teachers make and the unlimited nuances for each lesson that personalizes instruction for each child.” I sadly thing this time will come back to “bite” education because many parents are going to see themselves as … “ I was the teacher when they were home” just like the notion “I went to school so I know how to teach”. 
 This news-clip only focused on Zoom and had a Zoom executive on the program to talk about it. Ann and Christina mention an issue with safety on these types of platforms. So I would say that the news piece was interesting but one sided.  I think Zoom is great for college level but I would question if it is best for the K-12 level. 
           Like many of my classmates, I feel very fortunate to be able to continue my work. I just got an email regarding adjunct work next Fall and that made me feel hopeful. However I think without 
high schools having their local college enrollment days registration will be low and I probably will not get as much work this Fall.   However I completely agree with Lauren, she state,  “I am worried that what is being provided is not enough for long-lasting survival for families and the effects this could have in varying areas of human development for both children and adults alike.” It reminds me of ACES ( Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a tremendous impact and lifelong health and opportunity). Strengthening economic supports for families is a way to help prevent ACES and with people losing jobs we are doing the opposite. 

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On theme of the interview themes is student interaction is now very different. Teachers are trying to meet the needs of with technology (Google Classroom, Zoom,) but there still is a difference. Though this was not in an interview, I kind of reminds me of our class discussion on Zoom that we are now on the computer so much, we need a break from the technology. As Maria noted teachers have started to create assignments that involve family since that is the human interaction students are getting.  The other theme was that present teachers are all having anxiety from K- 12. We are wondering how teaching online will provide what is necessary for student success. I know with both of my interviews I was working with ESL teachers. They felt that language learning is a social experience. Interaction is a critical aspect of education, even my planned online class have a discussion board and introduction so students interact with each other.

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Leadership most have the skills necessary to lead though unknown /unplanned events.

The weekly “Huddle” is a strategy. Repeating “huddles” can provide personal connections. To quote Lauren, “The premise of such a virtual meetings is to disconnect from the “work” atmosphere and entirely focus on getting to know one another and foster interpersonal relations.”  On a personal note, at the end of my husband’s class he invited all his student to bring their children on to the call and he had our son join as well. This opportunity to be social and discontent from the call as teacher/student strengthen the notion that they we doing something “together". It was an opportunity to be social and understand people are taking course work right with their family along side them. Related to “Leadership in Times of Crisis” (2020)  I feel this idea of my husband was a way to engage with his students in a way that “ make them feel safe and supported”. As the teacher he is the leader of the class and it is his job to have the mission and vision for the class.

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After listening to the audio recordings for this week, I must say that overall I am impressed with the optimism of the interviewees. It seems that a recurring theme was the idea of how the many challenges of this adjustment to remote learning provide us with an opportunity to learn new tools and strategies and to grow as educators. It’s a refreshing “glass half full” philosophy. This was especially true in the song recordings (Ansell), which even added a bit of humor to the mix to lighten the mood. Furthermore, after listening to many people rattle off the names of the many technologies they are relying on for remote learning, I think another recurring idea is that tech savvy people have a major advantage here. Whether it was a teacher, student, or parent, there is a sense of comfort or calm in the voices of those who seem to know how to use the technology their schools are relying on during these times.

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In the article “Are You Suddenly Your Child's Teacher?,” I appreciate the sense of calm and the reminder that the expectations for home-schooling our own children are realistic. I think all parents could use this reassurance right now. However, I am concerned about the onslaught of tech resources that everyone is being given. As a tech specialist myself, I have been very careful in trying not to overwhelm the teachers, parents, and students in our school community with lists, reminders, or emails about available resources. This article lists a ton of great ones, but it can be scary to try and navigate what, when, and how to use these tools, especially for non-digital natives. I myself have attempted to make a one-stop website for my school, where I constantly update and prioritize these tools and provide simple explanations as to when, how, and why we might use them. I think my role right now is to organize these resources, not overshare, and simply be ready to help. I think the educational technology community should be more careful with when and how we share our resources.

In the video “The New Normal: Video Conferencing,” I totally agree with Janine Pelosi’s statement that “the world is not going to be the same.” I could totally see some new changes coming to education after we were all forced to become comfortable with video conferencing and remote learning in general. Emergency school closures such as snow days, department meetings, and professional development could all have a new look after this is all over. After all, isn’t “anywhere, anytime learning” one of the main reasons why we adopted technology in schools in the first place?

In the article/video about the $2 trillion relief package, the author outlines who will get financial relief and how much it will be. After reading this, I can’t help but feel grateful for the position I am in as an educator, and immediately think of my friends and family who are in other industries. For them, the financial disruption of the coronavirus is devastating, and I don’t believe this stimulus check will be enough. Unfortunately, I believe it will be a rat race for small business owners to secure loans and grants, again leaving those with little support and technology experience at a major disadvantage. It makes me think of equity, and how the average American blue-collar business owner may not even own a computer. The middle to upper class small business owners will once again be better positioned to reap the benefits of this program.

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After listening to Roseanne’s, Anne’s, and Derek’s recordings, I noticed some common themes, as well as some unique perspectives. Roseanne’s videos showed how teachers and school leaders are attempting to inspire kids/colleagues to face a serious situation with a “we got this” attitude. The songs’ lyrics send positive messages about being resilient, handling setbacks, and focusing on the things we can control. All three singers used a humorous tone to lighten the darkness of this scary time.

Both Anne and Derek’s recordings showed both the parent and educator perspectives. Most of the interviewees shared that it has been very challenging to multitask as a parent and teacher. Several participants used the word “overwhelming.” They also mentioned that students’ social emotional health has become a priority over the work. A few participants also shared how grateful they are to have their jobs and their health, things we often take for granted on a day to day basis. Finally, the participants agreed that there are some positive outcomes to remote learning which include an increase in technology proficiency in teachers and students and how education may change for the better as a result of this situation.

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Tranchina - Leading in Times of Crisis Reflection

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Tranchina - Leading in Times of Crisis Reflection

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After watching the Simon Sinek video and reading the Leadership in Times of Crisis Whitepaper, it is clear that, regardless of the distance between us, relationships and communication should always be our primary focus as educational leaders. I especially appreciated the specific examples of how to make a virtual Zoom meeting more meaningful and engaging. The little details, such as having everyone turn on their camera, turning off notifications, using headphones to protect others’ privacy, and preparing to be fully present by getting coffee or water before a meeting starts, really go a long way in providing a valuable connection between the people present. The “high-five” and “question of the week” activities are also amazing examples of how to connect deeply on such a platform. Schools should take note of some of these strategies!

The Leadership in Times of Crisis Whitepaper also provides amazing, specific, and detailed examples of how we can successfully navigate these new, uncharted waters we find ourselves in. Specifically, knowing that psychologically, people are likely to process information differently during a crisis, is a great reason to simplify our messages and reiterate the necessity for comforting communication. Furthermore, it’s important to communicate frequently, adapt to changes quickly, band together to help those in times of need, and encourage everyone to contribute to the planning and collaboration. I have been lucky enough to have most of my leaders respond this way during this crisis, and I believe the report when it says it will make us stronger in the long run. I have also had some middle-management leaders who delayed communication and didn’t take the meaningful steps to engage me and my team in the beginning of this process. The uncertainty definitely created anxiety for me, and this article makes me feel like my anxiety was warranted. Communication and having tangible actions, as the article suggests, are so vital in times like these yet are not always common sense.

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The article from the OPB aims to assist parents in supporting their child’s education during an extended school closure. It specifically highlights resources for special education students, and those that lack connectivity, although it also describes “go to” online resources like Khan Academy and PBS Learning. After listening to my classmates’ interviews it is apparent that parents of children, especially young children who require assistance, are feeling very overwhelmed with virtual learning. I have seen similar articles and curated resources shared by many organizations who state they want to assist educators and/or families. Sadly, some of these have ulterior motives such as hoping users become reliant on a particular tool that is temporarily free so they can more easily convince them to pay for premium use later.

The video from ABC News includes an interview with the Zoom Chief Marketing Officer who discusses how video conferencing has become the “new normal.” She shared how Zoom helps people stay connected and allows businesses and schools to continue functioning. I agree with her when she stated that this situation will bring about long lasting change as far as how and when people work/learn. In my own district, teachers have shared how video conferencing has really helped both their students and themselves feel like they still have that human connection we all so desperately need.

The ABC news article on the government’s stimulus package outlines the specifics of who will benefit from this relief. The package includes funds for individuals and families making under a certain amount per year, loans for small businesses, and relief for large companies and hospitals hit especially hard by this virus. While I am glad this bill passed, I do believe there are people who do not qualify for this aid who will soon be struggling to make ends meet. Hopefully, if this pandemic continues to worsen, we will see additional aid from the government and perhaps even private companies like Amazon who have benefitted from  this crisis.

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In the white paper “Leadership in Times of Crisis,” the author outlines the importance of communication in getting your team through difficult situations. The author states that leaders must simplify their message and expectations, stay informed with reliable sources, and stay calm to minimize anxiety in themselves and others. The paper focuses mostly on the business world but it is easy to see how this applies to the education world as well. The author states that business leaders tend to focus on their clients, but during times of crisis, it is sometimes even more important to focus on their teams. I can relate to this as an educational leader. We always prioritize the students, but at this time, we must support and encourage our teachers so they are better able to do the same for their students. The paper also highlights to principles of servant leadership which essentially focuses on the well-being of individuals. This is why in our district, we have definitely shifted our focus away from accountability (attendance, grades, lesson plans, etc.) and have become much more focused on our staff and students’ social-emotional health.

The video from the company Simon Sinek demonstrates how to hold a “huddle” via videoconferencing. This 75 minute weekly meeting focuses on the individuals not the work. The Meetings begins with a mindfulness exercise, then members are allowed to give shoutouts or virtual high fives to their colleagues. Each person then gets 2 minutes to share how they’re feeling and what is going on in their lives. While I believe this type of meeting, whether done in-person or virtually is extremely important any time, it is especially important now as people face uncertainty and feel extremely disconnected from others.

Both of these resources provided me with awesome ideas to integrate into my own practice. While I hope I have provided my departments with support, resources, and encouragement, I know I can do better in terms of letting them know I truly care about them as individuals. I just held an optional Google Hangout with my Social Studies before break, and I was surprised to see how many people joined. We didn’t even talk much about work, but instead, our families, how we were feeling, etc. Dr. Greason has also been holding these types of meetings for our cohort during the past few weeks. These sessions are therapeutic and uplifting. While these are challenging times, the things I have learned through my experiences and my MU courses, will undoubtedly make me a better leader.

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 Boyle Hot topics:Are You Suddenly Your Child's Teacher? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Help.There are so many printable and digital resources in existence that can support learning at home. While these resources are invaluable, the sheer amount can be overwhelming, even as an educator. Catherine Stimac’s article, though, was anything but overwhelming. I felt that she provided just enough information and resources to help parents at home who are suddenly thrust into this new role. While many of the resources were “academic,” she also included some creative and mindful activities. I also feel that her words and advice help to put parents at ease. She assures the reader that she/he is not, and cannot realistically, be asked to replace or replicate learning that would be happening if her/his child were still in school. I think this is a good reminder for parents and teachers alike to be a little less hard on ourselves, and find comfort in knowing we are all doing our best in a scary, unpredictable situation.The New Normal: Video Conferencing I find the title of this video to be quite salient as video conferencing has become such a staple in my personal and professional life over the last few weeks. Having lived abroad for some time, taught students in China from my living room, and engaged in virtual learning in prior classes, I am well versed and comfortable in using video conferencing for different purposes. But there was always a degree of choice in those situations. It feels a bit different now, though, as video conferencing is a need versus a want. I have used various conferencing platforms, including zoom, which was highlighted in this segment. The segment also touched a bit on telemedicine, which is certainly new for me. When I had a need to see the doctor about two weeks ago, I learned that my physician’s office had just recently transitioned to telemedicine. I was actually eager to see what that would look/feel like, but we ultimately ended up just speaking on the phone because they had not fully worked out the kinks of the video conferencing platform. I am very curious to see how telemedicine plays a part in the upcoming weeks and months. What else will we be using video conferencing for?Who will get what and when from the $2 trillion relief packageI feel that the stimulus package has promise, but I have concerns about when this money will actually be distributed. According to the video attached to this article, distribution was slated to begin the first week of April. Has that happened? I haven’t read or heard much about the success or rate of distribution, just that the number of people seeking unemployment benefits is on the rise. According to Khan (2020) the stimulus package offers “direct payments for most Americans taxpayers.” Living and teaching in a diverse district, in terms of cultural and linguistic background and socioeconomic status, I worry about how easy or difficult for some members of my community to navigate the process. What about community members that are not here legally? They are in an especially vulnerable position. Though distance learning and teaching is not without its disadvantages and stresses, I am so very grateful to work in a field that I can continue to work and earn wages at this time. That is not the case for many people and families across the country, and within my own local school district. 

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 Boyle Hot topics:Are You Suddenly Your Child's Teacher? You’re Not Alone. Here’s Help.There are so many printable and digital resources in existence that can support learning at home. While these resources are invaluable, the sheer amount can be overwhelming, even as an educator. Catherine Stimac’s article, though, was anything but overwhelming. I felt that she provided just enough information and resources to help parents at home who are suddenly thrust into this new role. While many of the resources were “academic,” she also included some creative and mindful activities. I also feel that her words and advice help to put parents at ease. She assures the reader that she/he is not, and cannot realistically, be asked to replace or replicate learning that would be happening if her/his child were still in school. I think this is a good reminder for parents and teachers alike to be a little less hard on ourselves, and find comfort in knowing we are all doing our best in a scary, unpredictable situation.The New Normal: Video Conferencing I find the title of this video to be quite salient as video conferencing has become such a staple in my personal and professional life over the last few weeks. Having lived abroad for some time, taught students in China from my living room, and engaged in virtual learning in prior classes, I am well versed and comfortable in using video conferencing for different purposes. But there was always a degree of choice in those situations. It feels a bit different now, though, as video conferencing is a need versus a want. I have used various conferencing platforms, including zoom, which was highlighted in this segment. The segment also touched a bit on telemedicine, which is certainly new for me. When I had a need to see the doctor about two weeks ago, I learned that my physician’s office had just recently transitioned to telemedicine. I was actually eager to see what that would look/feel like, but we ultimately ended up just speaking on the phone because they had not fully worked out the kinks of the video conferencing platform. I am very curious to see how telemedicine plays a part in the upcoming weeks and months. What else will we be using video conferencing for?Who will get what and when from the $2 trillion relief packageI feel that the stimulus package has promise, but I have concerns about when this money will actually be distributed. According to the video attached to this article, distribution was slated to begin the first week of April. Has that happened? I haven’t read or heard much about the success or rate of distribution, just that the number of people seeking unemployment benefits is on the rise. According to Khan (2020) the stimulus package offers “direct payments for most Americans taxpayers.” Living and teaching in a diverse district, in terms of cultural and linguistic background and socioeconomic status, I worry about how easy or difficult for some members of my community to navigate the process. What about community members that are not here legally? They are in an especially vulnerable position. Though distance learning and teaching is not without its disadvantages and stresses, I am so very grateful to work in a field that I can continue to work and earn wages at this time. That is not the case for many people and families across the country, and within my own local school district. 

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This week, I reviewed interviews from Ann, Christina, and Derek. It was eye opening to see the perspectives of many of the interviewees balancing work and helping with their children’s learning. Especially challenging, it seems, for parents with young learners requiring lots of support. The greatest theme across all interviews was concern about the lack of social interaction during this time. I also saw a lot of teachers working hard to use digital platforms like zoom and flipgrid to try and offer more personalized, interactive instruction to ameliorate the impact that the lack of social interaction might have. Overall, the sentiment I got from these interviews (and my own experience) is that we are all doing our best, and we are all looking forward to going back to school. I appreciated the moments of positivity and gratitude throughout. I think it is important to acknowledge and be grateful to work in a field that I can still be working, earning a salary, and making a positive impact from the safety and comfort of my own home.

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We have talked extensively over the course of this program about leadership, specifically leadership in times of strife. We’ve talked about the importance of transparency, of getting ahead of the story, of being knowledgeable of school code and law, and much more. It is easy to lose sight of these procedures and protocols during a time of epic uncertainty, but strong leadership is more important than ever. In reading the Crestcom (2020) article called “Leading in Times of Crisis” and observing the Stephen Shedletzky (2020)  video “How Remote Teams Can Connect Meaningfully,” I learned a bit about how corporations are approaching leadership during such a difficult time. I believe that the following sentiments and strategies can be adapted for use in school leadership as well. In the following sections, I will describe my biggest takeaways from each resource. I believe that examining communication, supporting team-members, staying engaged and connected, having routines in place for frequent team meetings, and sharing power and leadership are all just as important in educational leadership as they are for the business world.

My greatest takeaways from the Crestcom (2020) article relate to communication, taking care of the team, and staying engaged and connected. This author stressed the importance of communicating credible, simplified information in a frequent and timely manner. The author brought up a great point that anxiety and fear can be incredibly contagious, but perhaps so can confidence. “You can be transparent about not knowing all the answers right at that moment, but make sure you still sound in control of the situation.” I also noticed several ways in which taking care of team members was valued. Whether it be actual members of an organization or through outreach with the community, creating a feeling of being cared for is essential to effective leadership, especially now.  Finally, the author turned to Marcus Buckingham who shared about keeping a team engaged even when it is not possible to meet in person. He encouraged weekly virtual check-ins, but cautioned against hosting a “therapy session” and advised to focus on the controllables: projects and clients.

This advice was starkly different to the virtual meeting introduced by Stephen Shedletzky at Simon Sinek which focused entirely on relationship and team-building, rather than work. In this video, the audience was granted a glimpse into a weekly “huddle” with the Simon Sinek team. It is notable that Simon Sinek has been operating remotely since its inception, so the routines and culture demonstrated in this video did not come about as a response to crisis, but rather are an integral part of the team at its core. What I noticed in the video was routine, trust, care, and communication. Also notable was when one of the team-members shared a story about her mom being in the hospital, and witnessing a nurse that seemingly challenged the authority of the doctor by saying the patient should be kept overnight. This woman was delighted to see that the nurse felt safe to question the doctor, as this type of safety is at the core of the Simon Sinek team. This was best demonstrated, to me, as Simon Sinek was actually a part of the “huddle” that I observed. I would have never known that was him unless I googled him, because there was such shared power and leadership at this meeting.

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Leadership, at its simplest, is the ability for one to direct another on a course or in a direction-the ability to influence how another behaves. Leadership entails developing trust and respect within your organization (Casstevens 2020 IACP). Leadership has nothing to do with being in charge; it is about taking care of those in your charge (Casstevens 2020).
The aforementioned is certainly a pillar in the foundations of leadership. Simon Sinek's team most definitely displayed the importance of the well being of the team by providing a weekly virtual call where the focus is on each team member.
Its 75 minutes that begins with "grounding Exercises", essentially a breathing and relaxation technique to set the tone of the ensuing 75 minutes. there is only one question posed to the group and they each have 2 minutes to provide an answer. That is huge, so one person can not take over the meeting and consume the time allotted to others.
The rewards of taking care of your people and building relationships among and with your teams will discovered during a crisis. Leaders really need to pay attention to the way people process information during a crisis and the leader should adjust the way they communicate to be most effective (Crestcom 2020). The flavor of the article, Leadership in Times of Crisis, really centered around the leader and his/her ability to communicate effectively to subordinates throughout a crisis. Whereas, the Huddle video focused on the team and the importance of their well being. Both are intertwined and should not be ignored, if a leader strives to successful.

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In reviewing the topics posted, it seems as though, we are entering yet another new paradigm in life, whether we are prepared or not. these times, COIVD-19, have pushed people and organizations into the deep end of the pool, so to speak. Society is affected both personally and professionally, from alternative work strategies or being unemployed to becoming an ad hoc teacher for your children. Even though the legislature passed legislation authorizing stimulus relief, the real question is-will these funds be enough for recipients to sustain themselves as this pandemic becomes protracted.
From the perspective of the virtual world, people of all ages have been thrust into the world of Zoom, Sype, Webx, etc., to communicate and educate. I can attest from first hand observations, that not all educators and platforms are equal. There are huge variances in delivery methods among educators and platforms they are using. Glitches in technology and the comfort level of the educators using these platforms are two examples. We have experienced some teachers who just post assignments to the point of overload to those who post the bare minimum, just for "accountability" it seems.
Although the switch has been flipped to educate the masses virtually, this modality certainly is not mainstream and once we get through this pandemic, lessons learned will hopefully bring the gaps to light along with strategies to close the gaps.