Showing Up for Me: Reflections on Powerful Professional Learning

In my role, as the Associate Executive Director of Professional Learning for the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), I possess the opportunity to plan professional learning experiences for principals around the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). But what about my own professional learning? How do I stay current in my practice and participate in opportunities that will grow my leadership. This past year, I felt extremely fortunate to attend the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting in Cleveland, Ohio. I always describe ASAE as the association for all other associations, so it consists of a huge membership. It is so nice to attend a conference where I have no responsibilities other than attending sessions. ASAE never disappoints! Beginning with a compelling overarching theme In Unity We Strive, ASAE provides outstanding featured speakers, a robust exhibit hall, and engaging concurrent sessions. Here I profile four of the remarkable speakers that I had the privilege of experiencing at ASAE that will have a lasting impact on my work, not only at NAESP, but as a contributing member of the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NBPEA),

Amanda Gorman

Day one begins with the opening keynote – Amanda Gorman. Yes, that Amanda Gorman who is the youngest presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history, as well as an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University. She is not only an extremely talented writer, but an amazing speaker as well. One of those people that you can listen to all day because of their richness in language and expression. It is hard to believe that she began writing at the age of five motivated by her experiences as a” Black girl with a disability.”  She shares that she was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder as a kindergarten student. Sharing my top Amanda Gorman takeaways for school leaders:

1.  Be open and authentic— “Try not to manicure the aspects of yourself that make you, you.”
2. Listen carefully and think through your responses.
3. Fight the urge to speak over others’ struggles and “the faith, the humanity, and the love show up with more space.”
4. Be conscious of burnout, “There’s a tiredness that is biting at our bones—we’re constantly in this culture of busy-ness.”
5. It is essential to give yourself the occasional break— “sometimes the best thing that we can do for our leadership is not leading.”
6. Remember to fill your cup so that you can continue to fill other people’s cups.
7. Look for common ground as you respect differences— “Find the people who are different and see if there’s something that connects you.”

I am definitely fanning on Amanda Gorman and just in case, you did not know, she has also published a pair of children’s books, Change Sings and Something Someday.

Adam Kinzinger

Day two finds former United States Congressman Adam Kinzinger on the main stage. A former Air Force service member, Kinzinger served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He continues to serve his country as a pilot in the Air National Guard, with the current rank of Lieutenant Colonel. On a personal note, he shares that his dad ran a homeless shelter, and his mom was a public-school teacher. Kinzinger begins his remarks by asking us “What is our purpose?”  He reminds us that when good is the goal, remarkable things will happen for us. Here are my top takeaways for leaders from Adam Kinzinger’s remarks:

1.  One of the greatest leadership characteristics that you can possess is to always tell the truth— “If you can’t stand in front of them as leaders, and tell them the truth, then how do they get to the right spot.”
2. You must find your intrinsic value.
3. Leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in charge. 
4. Live for something bigger than yourself.
5. Fear is reality, but hope is a choice.
6. Remember that “we are the white horse people; we are the ones that we have been waiting for.”

I typically do not have the opportunity to meet the main keynote speakers, but did have the opportunity to pose for a photo with Adam Kinzinger as I was walking through the exhibit hall. It was my conference photo op moment.

Andre Norman

Catalyst speaker Andre Norman’s presentation is entitled From Prison to Harvard, and he has been to both of those places. He is the epitome of someone who turns their life, around, in a tremendous way, after spending 18 years in a maximum-security prison. His story is compelling and simultaneously inspiring. He states that he was given a vision of what his life could be and that he could be whole again. He also reminds us, “You can’t take your old life into your new life.”   As school leaders, he also wants us to realize that prison reform begins in kindergarten. Andre’s dream was to go to Harvard and in 2016 his goal is realized when Charles Overstreet gives him a job at Harvard Law School. Since 1991, Andre Norman’s firsthand experiences have helped him empower people to have authentic, unvarnished conversations that drive change effectively and advance social justice. He leaves his audience with two parting thoughts. First, not to jump over our own to save someone else’s. Secondly, “don’t judge me, just call me.”  You can learn more about Andre Norman through his podcast, The Andre Norman Show, and his website andrewnorman.com. 

Marli Williams

Transformational leadership speaker, mentor, and guide, describe Marli Williams perfectly. She lists her mission as helping you go from stuck to STOKED and helping you take a transactional presentation and make it a transformational one. She also asks what do you do for fun? So, stop, and take a minute to write down everything that you do for fun. How long is your list? Marli tells us to make play a priority. Ask yourself, “what am I doing for fun this weekend?”  That is an example of you, showing up for you. Play on purpose and create a playlist–draw an activity out each weekend. Think positively, “I get to do this as opposed to me have to do this.”  Remember that our language helps to shape our world. Think of your life like a radio station with AM meaning against me and FM meaning for me. What are the loops that are on repeat in your brain? You have control over this. Connections need to be a priority in your life so create a plan. Be purposeful, be authentic, be brave, and be curious. Finally, ask yourself what is my one-degree shift? What is the smallest change that I can make today to create the biggest difference? I will just leave you thinking on that one and for more information on Marli go to marliwilliams.com.

WOW! Four powerful, extremely different speakers, each with their own words of wisdom and advice. This is just a snapshot of their remarks but hopefully gives you something to think about as you continue your journey as a leader. A lot of people are counting on you every day, but make sure that you make it a priority to show up for you!