Top LYS Tweets from the Week of May 1, 2011

I regularly have educators tell me that they want me to advocate for their district to provide them with cell phones, laptops and now I-Pads. And I always respond by telling them I can think of no idea that could be more career damaging. Not to my career, but to theirs. For years I have been explaining to educators that they need to use their own e-mail accounts, their own computers and their own cell phones. This is not because I don’t trust educators. This is because if you use district issued accounts and equipment, everything that you do becomes public information. And out of context, everything you receive and send will be used against you, if someone has an axe to grind. And right now, there are a lot of nut jobs out there with a perceived axe to grind. So understand, when I advocate the use of bootleg technology (cell phones, tablets, notebook computers, etc.) I want you to use your own equipment. Yes, I understand there is a personal cost involved, but think of it as a personal insurance policy as you become more integrated in the digital age.

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter. If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us. To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of May 1, 2011, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse.

1. I’m holding the final printer's proof of "The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction" in my hands. Book available for all in 2 weeks

2. Congratulations to LYS (and Game On!) assistant principal Jae Simpson- Butler. She is the new principal at Hemmingway Elementary!

3. Tonite's run thought: Great schools understand that May is the first month of the Fall semester.

4. Tonite's run thought: Elite LYS campus leaders conduct over 600 documented classroom observations a year. What's your number?

5. I’m at a large (1,000+ students) Title 1 LYS school. This year they have averaged less than 1 office referral a day. The power of Foundation Trinity & the Fundamental Five!

6. I’m at a LYS school (Austin Elementary) - initial TAKS scores increased 5 points in both math & reading. Plus, they had a 5-point increase in commended rates. (P.S. – They were Exemplary in 2010)

7. Morning meeting with teachers worried about increasing class size. They asked for solution, but didn't like my answer - Vote against republican incumbents (since they vote against us).

8. One explanation for the current quality of our political leaders: Less than 25% of 12^th graders scored "proficient" on the civics section of the NAEP.

9. The mission of a LYS Elementary School: McFee guarantees a solid academic and social foundation to inspire individuals to achieve their true potential.

10. Worried that parents won't support bootleg technology? Don't be. The Speak Up Report found that 67% of parents would buy a device for their child, if school use was allowed.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

Coming Soon! "The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction" www.TheFundamentalFive.com

Follow Sean Cain on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Upcoming Presentation Schedule

June 11 (TASB) - The Fundamental Five; Improve Now!

June 15 (TASSP) - Improve Now!

June 16 (TASSP) - Conference Breakfast, hosted by E. Don Brown (LYS travel tumblers for the first 1000 attendees, last year we ran out); Fundamental Five; Tech Tools for the 2.0 Principal

June 17 (TASSP) - PowerWalks

June 18 (TASB) - The Fundamental Five; Improve Now!