Capital

This past Wednesday I had the honor to be a part of a group of educators and leaders who travelled to our state capital to meet with the new Commissioner of Education, Mr. Tony Bennett. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss school choice, the Common Core State Standards, and standardized testing as it pertains to private schools within our state. Florida is already one of the most innovative states in our country as it pertains to both school choice and vouchers / tax credit scholarships. Mr. Bennett had former served as Indiana's Superintendent of Public Instruction until being replaced during this past election. Indiana, in part because of the work that Mr. Bennett was able to accomplish in his tenure there, is also one of twelve states to offer school vouchers.

Me outside of the Florida Department of Education in Tallahassee, FL.

Commissioner Bennett did not dance around the topics of school choice or of his offices' support of private education. He stated, "We serve you (private schools), just like we serve 2.7 million public school students." He also declared that one of his goals is to give children the "maximum amount of choices possible." 

As the principal of a Catholic school, just these two statements brought me great excitement and anticipation. He will serve my school in the same way that he serves those within a two mile radius that are public places of education. Furthermore, he supports the right of parents to choose the best educational opportunity for their child(ren). While this will not necessarily mean the cost of education following the student instead of going to a specific school / district, I do believe it means that Commissioner Bennett will fight for more and more state and private dollars to be made available for more and more students to attend the schools of their choice. 

But, this was not what impressed me most about this visit. In the world of education, we can get so wrapped up in so many extraneous things - assemblies, procedures, textbooks, management systems, instructional practices, curricular topics - that we sometimes get distracted from our real purpose. We can become overwhelmed with having too much to do and not enough time or support or energy to do it. In doing so, we can overlook what is truly important in schools: that students are performing at the highest level possible. Commissioner Bennett, who I'm sure has so many "distractions" and "responsibilities", mentioned multiple times how his main goal was doing what was best for children. 

"I do not promote more bad schools."

"I'm not for more or less accountability (for private schools who receive state money). I'm for the right accountability."

"Strip out the stuff that isn't important to get to how kids learn."

"Your job is educating kids. Our job (the Department of Education) is staying out of the way."

Commissioner Bennett seems to have a realistic approach to improving education for all students. He seems to understand that we do not need more regulations and paperwork and things to keep us from focusing on students. At the same time, though, he will demand accountability of all schools to ensure that all students in the state of Florida learn at the highest level possible. 

To me, it seems that Commissioner Bennett has a clear understanding that in addition to offering our students an outstanding education, we in private (and specifically private Catholic) schools also offer our students and families capital - an asset or advantage. 

We offer a top notch education that is coupled with faith development and an emphasis on service. We love, nurture and support our students and value the role that parents and families play in the education of their child(ren). We can educate the whole child: physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. 

May the newest addition to our state capital offer more capital to all students here in the state of Florida. May God bless you and your work in the Sunshine State, Commissioner Bennett. 

Let him begin.  

  

Time to Make the Donuts

In the early 1980's there was a commercial from a well known doughnut company in which the main character was seen waking up in the dark and uttering the words, "Time to make the donuts" even before getting out of bed. This almost robotic pursuit of doughnut making became the company's catch phrase and a series of commercials were released featuring this man who was so dedicated and passionate about making doughnuts.

In conjuring memories of that series of commercials, I have grown in appreciation for the work ethic, drive, and determination of the doughnut baker featured in these spots. Despite the weariness associated with putting out such a consistent and excellent product, the man uses a quiet yet intense strength to continue with his passion. Day and night he immerses himself in the creation of doughnuts. Even though he must be exhausted, he gets out of bed, everyday, and utters the same words, "Time to make the donuts." In an odd way, I find this phrase and this approach incredibly inspiring.

This commercial has been valuable to me because of the motivation I draw from it. However, I had no idea that the commercial and the phrase would take on new meaning this evening.

This evening, my Mom, Linda, gifted our family with a present that she and my Dad purchased before his passing. My Dad loved food. He loved eating food. He loved making food. He loved sharing food. Trying new food. Watching cooking shows on television. If it involved cooking or food, it was for him. He also loved certain foods that I'm sure had some sort of emotional connection for him. He loved the ethnic Easter food that we would get blessed on Holy Saturday - kielbasa, nut roll and poppy seed roll, egg cheese. He loved the Slovak viliya dinner that we would eat every Christmas Eve - pierogies, barley, mushroom soup, potato bread. I assume he valued these foods and meals because of the connection to not only his faith but also, potentially, to the good memories he had of eating them. Family. Friends. Holidays. Gifts. Parties.

Another food that my Dad loved was pumpkin doughnuts. In the fall, he and my Uncle Dave would talk about how their mother would make pumpkin doughnuts and how they absolutely loved them. They reminisced about eating them with over-easy eggs, so that the doughnut could be used to sop up the runny yoke. And, on a handful of autumn weekends throughout my life, either one of them would actually make these doughnuts. This past fall, in having a taste for these treats, my Dad stumbled upon a doughnut maker that would bake instead of fry these cakes. Trying to eat more healthily yet still craving these pumpkin doughnuts, my parents bought the machine and my Dad raved. Immediately, my Mom retells the story, she and Dad went to the store to buy three more for me, my brother and my sister.

It was perhaps one of the most meaningful, beautiful and valuable gifts I have ever received and I took such great joy in making a batch right away. I'm not a fan of doughnuts, and even with them being baked I would have been a reluctant participant if there wasn't an emotional connection to this doughnut maker. I love that it came from my Dad and using it will forever be a way that I can feel close to him.

It's funny what we find valuable. I have no idea how much one of these doughnut maker machines costs and I don't care. To me, it is the most expensive piece of culinary equipment I own. Likewise, I will eat doughnuts (homemade from this machine, of course) because of the connection I will feel to my Dad when I do. When I get bogged down and think of the phrase and the dedicated man behind, "It's time to make the donuts," I won't just think of the commercial and the quiet strength of the doughnut maker. I will think of my Dad.

I'll remember how he loved me with a consistent, passionate and dedicated love. I'll remember how he selflessly did so much for me throughout the course of my life. I'll remember how much he loved doughnuts, especially pumpkin ones, because of how much he loved his mom and family.

I'll remember that a price tag doesn't make something valuable. People make things valuable. Memories make things valuable. Relationships make things valuable. God makes us valuable.

It's time to begin.

It's time to make some doughnuts.          

DWD - Part 2

One of the things that Tony Dungy talks about in "The Mentor Leader" is how when he first came to the Buccaneers, his most immediate and important goal was to get the organization to embrace a culture of winning. He did this through encouragement and emphasizing the positive. My fourth goal for the 2012 - 13 school year is to ENCOURAGE.

I have tried throughout the course of the year to encourage our teachers. I have tried to be more conscious and aware of showing my appreciation for all that they do. I have tried to emphasize, highlight and celebrate the heroic efforts of our teachers. I've encouraged teachers to offer a note of praise after completing FOCUS group walk and talk thrus (FOCUS group walk and talk thrus are when I travel with a group of 3 - 4 teachers and conduct short, pop-in observations and then conduct dialogue with the group about what was just observed in the classroom). I've acknowledged noteworthy efforts by our teachers in my weekly bulletin to faculty and staff. I've tried to continue to recognize students for living out our schools mission statement during monthly morning assemblies. This year, I've even started to invite parents to come and witness the presentation of this Incarnation Inspiration award at our assemblies. I have tried to remain positive and promote that positive energy to the various groups within our school community.

I'm going to continue to try my best with encouraging people!

My fifth goal for the 2012 - 13 school year is to EMPOWER. I have asked students to help with the planning and execution of prayer services (Advent and Grandparents Day). I've had students being the DJ's at two of our school events this year (Family Fun Run and Spring Picnic). I've asked teachers to work in professional learning communities to assist in our efforts to incorporate Understanding by Design into our planning, instruction and assessment. I have attempted to have teachers maintain power and control of their classrooms and/or students by helping to guide them through various issues and problems, as appropriate, instead of solving it for them. I have given our still relatively new Dads Club a bit more autonomy this year. Our School Advisory Board is working toward an alumni event at the end of the school year. People, as a general rule, are reluctant to take on leadership positions. I have tried, though, to offer smaller tasks and more confined time frames to help people feel more empowered.

The sixth goal that I am trying to accomplish this school year is to ENERGIZE. I'd like to think of myself as an energetic and enthusiastic person. I hope that even doing something as silly as trying to compose 40 blogs throughout Lent is somehow energizing. If nothing else, maybe some of the songs that I post are uplifting.

(Cue upbeat jam):

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I have hoped to ELEVATE all that we do at ICS to a level worthy of being a Catholic School. I have tried to stay focused on Christ, realizing that He is the Reason for our school. It is my goal to ensure that always use our mission to inspire life-long learners, challenge individuals to be disciples of Christ and strive to serve others as the lens through which we make decisions, interact, speak, behave and even exist.

If we can't make incarnate His teachings, actions and life then our work is nothing more than toil and our goals are nothing more than earthly.

And all of the other goals I hope to accomplish this year are for nothing, if I don't have love and I don't make real Christ's love to my teachers, my students, their parents and families and our Incarnation community.

It's time to being.

Dreams with Deadlines

Goals are dreams with deadlines.

Similarly, I have heard that the likelihood that you will accomplish a goal increases if you not only write down the goal, but also if you mark out the steps you will follow to attain it. Furthermore, telling someone else about your goals, especially someone you trust, can help hold you accountable, especially when you would rather ease up and give up in pursuit of your goal.

In addition to the strategies mentioned in yesterday's post, I also formed a list of goals for myself throughout the 2012 - 13 school year. They are not as specific or measurable as I would like for them to be. Furthermore, I have not been very successful in remaining faithful to any of them. I wrote them down over the summer, and I offered up some specific steps for each one. The final piece, making them public, happens now.

This past spring and summer I read Tony Dungy's book, "The Mentor Leader". Having read both "Quiet Strength" and "Uncommon" I was excited to read more from one of my models in education. I'm not one to get wrapped up in celebrity sightings. Seeing Tony Dungy at a local breakfast place, though, made me giddy. Emily had to practically hold me back to keep me from ruining the man's breakfast. Even now, I've digressed too far from the point: Tony's newest book outlines 7 things that a mentor leader should do. I adopted them this year as things that I would aspire to incorporate into my tenure.

Today, I share numbers 1, 2 and 3 (I am trying to compose 40 blogs, after all!).

1. Engage. One of the things that I've tried to do this year is be more visible to the school community. I have tried to spend more time engaging our parents, our students, and our teachers. I have sponsored monthly coffees with the principal as a way to engage parents. For the first part of the school year I worked lunch and recess duties. I continue to volunteer my time as a sub and enjoy visiting our pre-morning gathering as well as our carlines. I have tried to spend more time in classrooms and less time in my office.

2. Educate. Part of being the chief educational officer of a school means that I am charged with teaching teachers about new teaching techniques, programs and/or initiatives. Since arriving at ICS two and a half years ago, I have challenged teachers to utilize Bloom's taxonomy; I've asked teachers to be purposeful with student-centered, specific and measurable objectives for each class period; I introduced Understanding by Design, which has now become a diocesan effort as well as a way that we will prepare for the Common Core. This year, ICS faculty has spent much time on assessments and rubrics. They have done a great job with all of these various projects and ICS teachers continue to impress me with their commitment to the school and its students.

3. Equip. Unfortunately, equipping people costs money and money is something that many schools do not have in abundant supply. I have tried to ensure that teachers and students have the necessary tools to do the tasks required of them. I hope to be able to continue to provide my team with more and more equipment to more successfully compete in the game of academics. I've tried to loosen the belt strap of our budget this year while still being a good steward of the school's and church's resources. It is a delicate balance.

Even as I make public only the first three goals that I had for this school year, I feel my stomach fill with humble pie. I have so much good work to do to accomplish my goals. I have fallen so short in so many ways. My deadline is quickly approaching - the third quarter is already half over.

To paraphrase Mother Theresa, yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come (but will soon!). Today is as good a day as any to recommit to making these dreams a reality.

Let me begin.

The Gateway to Knowledge

As a former yet still 6-12 certified English teacher I am quite fascinated by the language development of my children. At this point, I am amazed at the number of words Elizabeth knows - mustache, snow flake, chap stick, and speed boat are a few that I know I never incorporated into her daily vocabulary lessons. I thoroughly enjoy grammar; therefore, I have thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth's progress with standard English grammar. It is adorable that she refers to herself as "you". It also makes complete sense. Just as we call her Elizabeth, we also use the pronoun you when speaking with her. Similar to her vocabulary progression, most of her development with grammar has been the result of her own independent study. Her pronoun confusion is diminishing. The fact that I still find adorable her attempts to use pronouns correctly is not.

Back track to 3 month old Catherine, and my fascination with language development soars. Some of her happiest times are when she has the undivided attention of a face who mimics, answers and responds to her coos, goos, gahs, and bubs. I know that she's still trying to gain greater control of her CNS, so I'm sure that some of her noises are uncontrollable. Others, though, reflect her foray into language and I know that my incoherent face time with her is paving the way for her acquisition and understanding of words.

Entering elementary (PreK to Grade 8) education after beginning my career in high school opened my eyes and gave me an appreciation for the importance and difficulty of teaching students how to read. Having children of my own has furthered this awakening to include the importance and difficulty of developing emergent literacy skills in younger-than-school-aged children.

As our Diocese has prepared for the upcoming shift to the Common Core State Standards, the role that reading plays in these new benchmarks is readily apparent. Reading is to span across all subjects. Furthermore, the CCSS focuses on reading non-fiction texts instead of fiction. In the CCSS, students must develop decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills sooner and with much more depth than before. All teachers, regardless of grade level, content area or comfort level, will have a hand in helping students gain familiarity with and skill at comprehending non-fictional texts. All subjects in all grade levels should be text dependent and driven.

Most students enter school and then learn how to read. The first few years, especially Kindergarten, are geared toward teaching students how to read. Around 4th grade, the emphasis shifts to using reading as a way to learn. By Middle School, students use reading as the primary mechanism by which they continue to learn.

Reading is the gateway to knowledge. Regardless of future advances along the information super highway - eReaders, tablets, apps, touch screen, Siri - being able to read will be your ticket to ride. Without it you are stuck. With it you have knowledge, power and freedom to go wherever your mind and the words you know can take you.

The more you read, the more you'll know and the more places you'll be able to go.

Oh, the places you'll go...

Dumbo's Feather

As a way to help ensure this school year at ICS was different than the previous two, I spent a lot of time over the summer reconnecting with and tapping into things that I find inspirational (see any of my posts from the Summer of 2012). At the same time, I sought out parts of my prayer life that have been meaningful to me, but that had, unfortunately, been replaced, ignored, or forgotten over the years. Just like an athlete preparing to be his / her best, I sought after some sort of edge that would give me, even if just from a psychological standpoint, the grit, enthusiasm, optimism and faith to ensure a successful year.

In some ways, these things are no more than Dumbo's feathers. The grace of God is no less with me without these things than It is with them.

This year, more than any other, I have gone through cycles of facial hair. While not tapping into the trend that is the purposefully unshaven look (I do not have style and do not care enough to be trendy), I have used facial hair in my adult life to help me through things like finals in college and other times of trial and intense effort. In the same spirit as athletes growing a playoff beard, I have used facial hair as a way to make periods of time seem separate, special or different from times of being clean shaven. Facial hair denotes toughness. It harkens to figures like John the Baptist or Ignatius of Loyola and speaks of times like Advent and Lent. This year, without intending for this to be one of the purposes, my beards have helped me to feel closer to my dad, who had a beard for about 99% of the almost 34 years that I knew him. Even in grieving his passing, it has given me an edge.

Another, less emotional way that I have sought after an edge this year is by wearing something on my right wrist / arm. As an athlete, I would typically wear a sweat band on my arm for games and competitions. As I haven't played organized competitive sports consistently since college, my workouts can get stale and I've gone through times of being uninspired to exercise. In those times, I've turned to wristbands to help make the workout seem as if I'm preparing for something or to simulate game day itself. Even though it does not help me to jump higher, lift more weight or run faster or farther, it has given me the mental push needed to push physically. This year, I have tried to carry this concept over to my work, as well. Underneath my work shirts, I started the year by concealing sweatbands. Now, I have transitioned into wearing a rubber bracelet with the words "Catholic Education Providing Hope" on it. These small right arm accessories have helped to supply hope to me. In turn, I hope that it has helped me to bring hope to others.

Finally, and perhaps most effectively and/or importantly, I have recommitted myself to prayer. I begin each day, before getting out of bed, with the Prayer of Release:

Dear Lord, please give me a faith that expects greater things. Whatever I do, let me give it my best. Anxious in nothing, at peace with the promise that when I've done that I can that You'll take care of the rest. Amen.

Furthermore, in my back pocket I carry a prayer card with the poem Desiderata on it. It has always been one of my favorite poems and I use its message as a prayer. It has reminded me that my focus must be on God and that I must take time to feed myself spiritually if I hope to have anything worthwhile to feed to others. I have prayed more this year than I have in quite some time, which is probably the reason that anything else I've tried has seemed to be successful.

The thing about feathers isn't that they actually make you fly. It's that you actually believe they do.

And I believe (and) that is why I have found the edge.

In the Name of the Father

Catherine will get baptized tomorrow morning. I am so happy for her and so excited to officially welcome her into the Christian family. I am proud to bring her into the Catholic Church and am honored that God has gifted me with a faith that has inspired me to desire baptism for my daughters. I cherish my family - its traditions, history, members, flaws, shortcomings, love, humor, joy - both in a human and faith based sense.

I love being a Zelenka. I love being a Catholic. I love being a part of these families and all of their respective traditions, history, members, flaws, shortcomings, love, humor, joy.

My last name means "little green" in Slovak. Some of my grandfather's siblings, in immigrating from Slovakia, decided to spell their name "Za" instead of "Ze". As a certified Language Arts instructor, I embrace being unphonetic; English is such a beautifully complicated language. I revel in the fact that instead of potentially being called Junior, my dad decided to name me Michael Robert instead of after him as Robert Michael. It means so much to me to bear his name yet still have one of my own. My sister was named after my grandmothers, my brother after my grandfathers. I am humbled that my wife and my two daughters share my last name. I love that, for now, it is our last name. I love being a Zelenka.

Similarly, I love that my parents not only instilled in me a sense of family but also a sense of the importance of my faith. As I strive to more dutifully live out the tenants of the faith in which I profess every weekend to believe, I take very seriously my various roles within the Catholic Church. As a Catholic man, I hope to imitate the manhood of Christ - meek yet strong, firm yet understanding, patient yet passionate, selfless to the point of death.

As a Catholic husband, I so desperately desire a strong marriage. I am incredibly blessed to have married my best friend. I thank God every day for the gift of Emily and every day I hope that I adequately convey how grateful I am for her love, support, humor, and companionship. I love her so much.

As a Catholic father, I want my children to recognize the gift of faith. I want to present to them, as my parents did for me, the importance of a life of faith and then I want to get out of the way. I pray that I will be wise enough to know how and when to allow God to use me as His instrument and when to let Him speak directly to their hearts. I pray that I am worthy to be called the name we also use to address Jesus - father. It means so much to me to bear His name albeit in such a drastically inferior sense.

Lastly, I feel that my role as a Catholic educator allows me to combine both what I do and who I am. I would hope that even in the secular world I would still have the conviction to live out my faith. I fully appreciate, though, that my opportunities to do so would be so different in number, degree and kind. I hope and pray that I am further establishing God's kingdom here on earth. I hope and pray that the school I lead is above all else truly Catholic.

I love being a Zelenka. I love being a Catholic. I love that tomorrow I will welcome a member of my family into my family. I will welcome my daughter, who bears the last name of my father, into the Catholic Church in the name of our Father.

May God bless you, Catherine Rose, and welcome, once again, to the family.