Building the Team

Teams are all around us...who is your favorite?

Building a team can come naturally, if you develop and work together.  My family is my favorite team, along with many others.  Teams don't look the same and shouldn't.  I'm not going to trust the Bengals to win a post season game as much as I trust my daughter's ability to treat people fairly.

Fall 2015

Teams have different objectives but the one thing they have in common is trust. 

We have been blessed to raise our family as a team.  My husband and I share the workload. We give and take when it comes to our relationship and what's best for our family.  We make sacrifices when that's what has to be done for the betterment of our family.  We praise each other when life brings us new opportunities and we are thankful when those blessings turn into struggles.  We are no different than you and what you provide for your number one team; your family.

Summer 2016

Think about your work family. Do you trust your leader?  Do you trust those in which you work alongside everyday?  Could you depend on them?  Can they depend on you?  

Different job positions have different levels of trust.  My husband works in an environment where his life depends on those he works with.  What if the trust breaks with someone who is supposed to have your back?  It's a loyalty like no one knows until you live it.  Unfortunately, it's one that is so often criticized in media by people who have no clue about the stress and uncertainty these professionals experience at every moment. 

Kind of like teaching....

It feels like moments of uncertainty and stress when we take into account the stories of all our students.  We have no control over what happens the 17 hours they are not with us, but we do control the 7 precious hours we have while at school.  In essence, their life is depending on us.  We have to model life skills, social skills, standard proficiency, differentiated instruction, 21st century skills, etc... The list is never ending.  Our society demands so much of teachers that it is increasingly difficult to fill teaching positions.  That's where building a school team is critical.  WE have to be together in this development of our future leaders!

"Just Love What You Do" is the  name of this blog for a reason.  I have loved the people, families, relationships, and opportunities I have had the privilege to work with along this path. Now I get to build my team.  I should rephrase that; We get to build Our team.  The L in leadership has to define how I choose to lead.  Everything in leadership is a choice.  There are many options when leading a team and the choices I make will either build or break the team.   So I choose Love.

Check out Krissy Venosdale

What does that look like in a school setting?  Learning with the team in new opportunities.  Listening to the team and taking in their professional opinion.  Understanding there are decisions the team is trusting me to make and being ready to make them.  Trust is reciprocal and goes well beyond the teacher-leader relationship.  Building grade level teams that unite and work together to meet new initiatives.  Building level teams that share the workload because we all have a story besides our work demands. Building district level teams that bring experts in from our own community to help us with needs.  Sending our teams out to other schools to do the same. All of this with love in our hearts.

 JUST LOVE stays with me wherever I go and in whatever I'm doing.  No one is prepared for the amount of work a new principal has to take on, but I have one outstanding team of RCS principals! They have taken me in and helped me along the way.  Thank you admin team!  Without you, I would be drowning.  I also have an amazing staff that has been patient and willing to work slowly as we move forward as a team.  Thank you Charles Team!  As we build our trust in one another I celebrate all of you for your dedication to our students and school.  YOU are the difference we need!

                        "Don't let the enormity of the task rob you of the joy of the journey." AL Long

JUST LOVE,
Kirsten

The Moment You Leave it There

It's been some time since I felt there was something to say.  I read blogs everyday and just didn't have anything, until this morning.  I was scanning through my Facebook posts and saw the updated This Life I Live blog post and heard an amazing song that brought more emotion out of me than expected.


Leave It There - Bradley Walker from Hickory Films on Vimeo.

Today is 5 months since dad went home.  These days are more difficult than expected but I feel this song came at just the right time.  I read Joey and Rory's story as dad was dying.  I felt the pain for them as I knew what was coming and couldn't imagine how that little girl was going to make it without her mama.  How was I going to do without my dad?

That's when you realize you have to "leave it there."  Dad played music all my life and I turn to music as much as scripture.  Dad's last few songs came from dreams he had during his surgery.  They are beautiful and full of God's words.  These words instantly rang true when I listened to this song this morning:

"If your body suffers pain, and your health you can't regain and your soul is slowly sinking in despair.  Jesus knows the pain you feel. He can save and He can heal. Take your burdens to the lord, leave it there" (Bradley Walker, 2016).

Dad did just that.  He turned everything over and never showed fear.  As our lives become filled with new opportunities, desires, despairs, fear, new storms... it's important to remember to give everything to Him.  The good, the bad, the unknown.  He is in control and will guide you on the path He has planned, you just have to listen and be patient.

I have another opportunity to lead.  Leading summer school, in a larger capacity of any other leadership position, has been an exciting experience.  I think it's important to continue living in the moment, just like Rory shared in his last post.  Those memories will always be with me but the burden of loss, pain, despair has to be left for Him.  The learning experience of watching a parent die turns into a character strength, without even knowing.  I find myself more dedicated to each moment everyday.

Understanding that leadership is difficult, contains many expectations, and presents many obstacles is just a slice of the experience.  The relationships created, the newly expanded empathy, the trust we have built makes the other slices become more relevant.  After all, the main objective is student success.  It's not about organized bus lists, detailed para schedules, or even cloud based resources; it's about touching the lives of every one of our students.  If we can empower our teachers with everything they need to be successful with our students, we are moving in the right direction. If our students leave everyday with a sense of community and motivation to keep learning, we have been successful.  It's about living in the moment with my staff and students. It's about compromise, compassion, caring, but most of all....LOVE.  I love my current path and look forward to learning from others as I grow and refine this craft.

It is more difficult but dad would be proud.  He was the one that pushed me to continue in my profession, to want more, to keep learning and I know I can't call to tell him all the exciting things I'm doing, but I know he's right here, every step of the way.  I'll leave you with dad's last song.  One he pushed to finish before he went home.  It has some powerful lyrics that really makes you think about the way you are living.  I hope you enjoy it!

My dad's last song....








JUST LOVE
Kirsten

Changed

Three years ago dad was beginning his first treatment, undergoing procedures for research, and sharing his message to the world. The days have increasingly become more difficult, and in these times I find myself asking how did he do it?  How did he NEVER show fear?  How could he rely so much on his faith and here I sit, broken?

Rereading some of his posts, I realized just how strong he was through it all, even in the beginning.  I listened to the Rascal Flatts song he posted about the time he was beginning radiation.  That was the only time I knew he struggled.  It was a daunting task...no, it was a horrible situation to have to be strapped to a table with a mask that makes you feel like you are suffocating. Yet, he did it with no complaints.  He gave everything to God and I find it fitting to share the song he shared during that time:

Changed by Rascal Flatts
Listen to the song here.

"I came up, out of the water

Raised my hands up to the father

I gave it all to him that day

Felt a new wind kiss my face

Walked away, eyes wide open

Could finally see where I was going

It didn't matter where I had been

Cause I'm not the same man I was back then

I hit my knees, now here I stand

There I was, now here I am

I'm changed for the better

Mores smiles, less bitter

I'm even starting to forgive myself"

In difficult times, it's easy to be sucked into self-pity and consumed with fear.  There are times that things seem so unexplainable and yet our paths are already well defined.  I must remember it's not mine to understand but give it all to Him.  

"Not a tear is waisted, in time you'll understand.

I'm painting beauty with the ashes, your life is in my hands."

-Casting Crowns

How do I bring this total trust into leadership?  Relationships.  Relationships. Relationships.  I have learned from so many that you must earn trust and be open enough to share your situations.  I must serve those around me.  In doing so, I will build relationships that will flourish so when times of trouble present themselves, we can work through them together.  I value the relationships I have built this year through dad's words.  This blog has even strengthened relationships and created talking points that would never have happened without total transparency.

As we enter Holy Week, I pray for each of you on your own personal faith journey.  Understand that there are times of despair but finding scripture and holding on to relationships will get you through anything.

Dad's words say it all....

Ted Parker

February 21, 2013 · 

Winner winner chicken dinner .. I am officially back on my feet and even thoughI have several challenging days ahead I am grateful to all of you for your love and prayers so many friends family and prayer warriors all over the country supporting me was truly amazing! My kids and my wife Angie have been my rock to lean on and a fountain of overwhelming love . I appreciate each and everyone who came to my rescue I will always be grateful to you.

Ted Parker

March 5, 2013 · Richmond · 

THE GOOD NEWS IS THE NEWS CAN'T BE WORSE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN STATED. A NEW BATTLE BEGINS. I WILL ACCEPT ALL AND ANY PRAYER WARRIORS TO RIDE ALONG WITH ME. TOGETHER ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Ted Parker

March 16, 2013 · Richmond · 

treatment 2 completed The mask is mentally challenging for me but I am not alone so all is good. Good Morning World JUST LOVE Ted

Ted Parker

March 22, 2013 · Richmond · 

No Fear Just Trust Love and Peace Good Morning World JUST LOVE TED

Just Love, 

Kirsten

Cultivating Leadership

"Ultimately, your leadership in a culture of change will be judged as effective or ineffective not by who you are as a leader but by what leadership you produce in others" (Fullan, 2001).

Dad always had a core set of employees he "raised." Many of them have gone on to lead in different stores throughout the surrounding states.  There were always two perspectives people had about dad's leadership: he's hard to work for or he has taught me everything. Working for dad and many new employees not knowing I was his daughter, allowed me to see his impact as a manager.  He worked for Elder Beerman for over 39 years and in my opinion was successful for many reasons.  

He always has the customer in mind.  He served his customers and taught those around him to serve as well.  It was always about meeting the customer's needs.  He often walked the floor and made jokes, all the while building relationships that would last a lifetime. If you didn't respect dad as a leader, you didn't value customer service.  He was quick to pick up on those that were there to clock in, collect pay, and leave.  The ones that didn't buy-in to his customer care, which often included floor sets, timely mark downs, constant straightening, and proactive approaches to everything with the customer in mind.  Ok-you get it...dad loved those who worked for him and those that shopped in his store.

What does all this have to do with cultivating leadership?  

I have just finished Michael Fullan's book, Leading in a Culture of Change. Anyone close to me understands that I am my dad's daughter.  I quickly picked up on customer service and had 19 wonderful years as a sales associate for Elder Beerman.  I loved serving my customers and building relationships.  It was not just a job for me, it was a passion.  One that I didn't pursue because of another calling to teach kids. I witnessed the struggles dad faced in leading as a retail manager.  I saw him miss times with us because of retail hours. I saw him do everything in his power to help those in need. I saw him struggle with stress of getting the job done correctly, when others failed to do their part. I saw him interact in the community to make Richmond a better place.  I saw him prepare others to lead. He served his community in so many other ways than store manager.  Now, I get to follow in his footsteps...

This summer, I get to learn in context.  I will be co-principal for RCS summer school. This provides an opportunity for me to model and mentor others.  As a school leader, it is imperative that I share the knowledge I have as an eLearning coach and continue modeling best practices of blended learning. This is so much more than an administrative position. This is my time to build deeper relationships, listen attentively to challenges, serve others in this changing world of education, and guide them with love, just as a shepherd. 

"2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:2-4). 

During the school year, there is so much time spent on processing information, solving problems, and meeting deadlines that there is little, if any, time to think. I feel this summer is an opportunity for our teachers to focus on their craft and pick an area for growth.  The end goal is to fill in the gaps for our students so they can be success in the next school year but also for our teachers' reflective practice.  I must be able to create and nurture an environment where our teachers can progressively learn how to do what they need to do.  I must focus on customer service. 

Created with Retype

Blended learning is something that is changing the way we deliver content.  Our teachers are at the gate, waiting to go out and explore, but they need someone they trust and can model what is expected of them.  This summer gives me a chance to cultivate leaders in blended learning, to form a core group of educators that can then go out to their building and lead others.  I look to dad for guidance and reflect on his leadership traits.  I continually follow God's plan as he presents opportunities for my own growth, both professionally and in my faith.  I'm thirsty for yet another challenge!

JUST LOVE what you do and find peace in His presence. Here is a song for this week's bible verse. 

Peace to you all!

Kirsten

In That Moment

Love, trust, strength, faith, but also fear filled me the morning of dad's surgery.  With family by his side throughout the week we knew this day was coming.  It was finally here and I was prepared.  Looking back, I could finally see what God was preparing me for and here it was: I needed to pray. We gathered in a room filled with love and uncertainty and in that moment it was my voice that spoke.

Rewind a couple years to a Friday morning when I was invited to join a prayer group at my school. Yes, even though many say prayer is not in schools, I'd like to smile and say how else are all these wonderful teachers making it through the day?  That's an entirely different post but here is what I found: I learned to pray.

My parents had created the foundation of faith and led by example. As adults, we have to come to this same confidence in faith to share with others, especially being in a room filled with multiple denominations.  Growing up Catholic, you learn prayers, you follow traditions, and you go through the motions.  Or so I thought.  I just needed a little push. I listened to many different prayers led by my friends and found so much more.  I learned how to pray.  I watched pray requests be denied but lessons learned.  I saw struggles with faith but growing relationships with Christ. I felt hands on me in some of the most darkest days. I saw total trust.  It's not that I didn't see this from my parents, I just saw it in a different way. God put these people in my life at just the right moment.

Back to the room.  We held hands, bowed our heads, and words flowed through me that were not my own.  I heard all my friends coming out of me.  The way they prayed was now how I prayed.  Through all our struggles, we had built relationships led by faith and prayer. All the while, God set actions in place years prior so I could stand there and pray. That prayer was filled with so much emotion that we hugged each other, tears flowing, but nothing left to say.  I was prepared and forever grateful to have the opportunity to lead in the most difficult situation I had ever been presented.

"Not for a moment, will you forsake me." A song lyric that comes to mind this morning from Meredith Andrews.  We are not on this journey of life alone.  Every action, every decision, every relationship is built with His love.  He is constant, always good, and sovereign.  In every situation he is ceaselessly working on our behalf. This is very important to remember when dealing with adversity.

As I continue on His path I have moments of clarity and moments of doubts.  I can instantly see when I've lost peace because I'm searching for something. In those moments, I try to find what it is that I need to work on.  This week I've been thinking on how to build morale as a leader.  Strong ethics and morals is the backbone of any leader.  I hear teachers telling students; "Do the right thing, even when no one is looking." Leading is no different.

Psalm 32:8 Created with Retype

We must be willing to lead with love.  "We must align our intentions with our actions and choose our behaviors" (James Hunter).  We must be willing to serve and sacrifice. Through these sacrifices, we EARN the authority to lead. When others see you model what you believe they begin to trust you moving forward. As a leader, I must bring all that I've learned as well as an established core set of values.  This week I've been reflecting on dad's journey, my relationships with others, and what core set of ethics/morals I need to be a successful leader. Just as my prayer group taught me, so do those around me.  I have been using every opportunity for growth and being the best I can be for those around me.

Trust, honesty, respect, collaboration, and reflection. This core set of values, and dad's words, JUST LOVE, I am eager to quench my thirst for leadership.  Trusting God has already laid the path and will introduce the right people and circumstances into my life at just the right moment.  Today, I am thankful for all of you and how you are helping on this journey.  It is no coincidence that you are reading this.  You are part of my journey and I am learning from you!

A special thanks to my former prayer group.  Change may have moved us apart but you all hold a special place in my heart, forever. God bless you and keep you safe and full of His spirit!

The Thirst

A couple days before that moment that changed all our lives,  I received a different phone call. One that I had been waiting on.  One that was a stepping stone for my career.

Mr. Ahaus, from Florida, called to tell me I had been selected to become the first teacher director of Third Grade Academy.  This was an opportunity I could never have imagined. Everything happened with ease, almost like a dream.  It was time to get serious about how my vision as an educator was transforming. I was about to step into an administration role. I was excited. I was terrified. I was ready to take on a challenge and lead.

I was thirsty.

This thirst to create curriculum, build assessments, collaborate with businesses around the city, build my staff, and literally paint on a blank canvas was unbelievable. I was handed the authority, responsibility, and accountability to lead a successful program, and I realized I had found my next passion.

I wanted the program to be successful. I needed the students to be successful. So my focus and dedication came to my staff.  I passionately listened to them, worked alongside them, equipped them, and empowered them to make the instructional decisions they felt were best for their students.  I wanted them to be successful, to feel the success, and to feel my thirst. Most importantly, I wanted them to feel this thirst and not stop there.

Winston Churchill said "Success is never final." We can't be happy with living in our comfort zones.  Initiatives, visions, goals, and daily choices, both professionally and personally, must continually strive for success.  I thirst to make those around me see their success, motivate them to work towards a shared vision, and empower them to get there. I find perseverance by serving those around me.

To lead is to serve. While I thirst for this opportunity to motivate others I also know it must be His will.

"Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Philippians 2:1-4) 

When opportunities, such as TGA, present themselves, that is God smiling down. Dad's word, Just Love, are in my heart and mind everyday.  I now try to fill the hearts and minds of those around me with His love. Serving others is the first step to being able to lead others.

Appreciate what God has given you in your daily moments. Live in the moment but understand you are not meant to stay in that moment. God fills us with Love for others.  Find your way to serve and watch for the intentional opportunities that He puts in your pathway.

Above all: JUST LOVE.

How It All Started...

Three years ago today we all woke up to a unique news story. A meteor had crossed through a Russian town and it was caught on video. I even posted it on Facebook that morning.

That news story started my dad's morning because he couldn't stop seeing the flashes of the meteor everywhere he looked. He had a horrible headache and felt sick, but went to work like he always did. Fast forward a few hours into the day and he was at Dr. Burkart's office getting his eyes examined. Then, in an ambulance on his way to Methodist. And that phone call mom made changed our lives forever.

Three years ago we changed the way we lived. We put love and family  first and we watched dad lead us on a new faith journey. He started posting on Facebook the message that God gave him during his surgery. Many new friends were formed and relationships were built around his Facebook posts. Social media was used for the good.

Over the last three years I've watched my mom love him unconditionally, like she always had. I watched 40 years of love just grow stronger and stronger. I watched the man I had looked up to all my life show no fear and continue to live, teach, and love.

I also watched him die.

The last few months of his life were difficult but have no place here in this post. Those that shared the time with us have the memories, the laughter, and the tears that we will always hold together. A special piece of dad that we will take with us forever.

Three years ago, a moment changed my life forever. When you live moment by moment instead of schedules and deadlines, you can appreciate life. You can find the peace. You have the time to love.

Today, I ask you to appreciate life, have peace, and just love.

All my love,
Kirsten