A Reader Asks... We Need a POWER ZONE Explanation

A LYS Assistant Principal asked Lesa Cain the following question:

LC,

This is crazy, but on my campus we can’t agree on what represents the Power Zone.  If we can’t handle this, what chance do we have with the other fundamental practices? Help!

LC Response

Like Sean constantly reminds us, “Simple doesn’t mean easy.”  And for a simple concept, it is easy to get twisted up thinking about the Power Zone.  

At a recent Principals’ meeting I was attending, the Power Zone was the hot topic. There were campuses that did not consider it the Power Zone when a teacher sat at a table with a small group of students. This interpretation is incorrect.

Remember, the Power Zone is the removal of the space between the teacher and the students. With that said, when a teacher is near his or her students, teaching or monitoring, then that teacher is in the Power Zone.

A teacher can be in the Power Zone and lecture (that is teaching). A teacher can be in the Power Zone just by sitting with her students, observing them as they work.

The Power Zone is just proximity instruction, with one or more students.  No reason to over-complicate it.  

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: NASSP National Conference; The 21^st Century High School Conference  
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Shares... The Power of the Fundamental 5

A LYS Assistant Superintendent shares the following:

SC,

I was sitting in on a PLC meeting at one of our campuses as teachers were discussing the continuous refinement of the Fundamental 5 in our classrooms. The conversations were as powerful as any I have been a part of in a PLC, but there were two teacher comments that I have to share with you.

1. "I never thought about Framing my Lesson before this year.  Now, I can't imagine teaching anything without it!"

2. "The Power Zone is more than just walking around. It is walking around your class with a purpose and focus."

SC Response

Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.  The shared focus of central office, campus administrations and teachers on the daily execution of great instruction in all of your classrooms is not only inspiring, it is beginning to pay dividend that were unimaginable even just last semester.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A LYS Superintendent Shares... A Leading Indicator

A LYS Superintendent shares the following:

SC,

I had a great problem to deal with last week.  I had to "encourage" our maintenance staff to remove teacher desks from their classrooms...  We have several elementary teachers who have requested that their teacher desks be removed.  

Our classrooms are all hovering at 22 students and teachers sometimes struggle to have room to be in the Power Zone, especially if their classroom is cluttered or isn't arranged properly.  

We are really excited about the teachers willingness to sacrifice their desk, but more importantly at their willingness to change to improve instruction and be more effective!

SC Response

That is exciting news. When teams of teachers start looking for small solutions to that create big changes in practice, then you know that the motivation to improve is shifting from top-down to bottom-up.  That’s what every one of us works towards as a leader.  Kudos to your staff!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), TASSP Assistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of July 22, 2012

Admittedly, when it comes to bootleg technology, one of the biggest concern of educators is, “How do you keep students from ignoring their assignments and the teacher?”

Previously, we have discussed rules and reasonable consequences.  But in reality, it all boils down to the individual teacher (as does everything important as it relates to teaching and learning).  Teachers that assign meaningful tasks, have good relationships with students, stay in the Power Zone, monitor student work, and have good classroom management skills will have next to no problems with the inappropriate use of bootleg technology in their classrooms.  For each of the items listed above that a teacher is deficient in, the greater the chance that the use of bootleg technology by students will be for non-academic purposes.  But consider this, for that same teacher, is not the quality of instruction already negatively impacted?

If you are leading your campus with the purpose of making teachers more effective so that student learning is increased and enhanced, allowing the use of bootleg technology is an easy decision to make.  If you are leading with the idea that the instructional solutions have to work in spite of teachers, then really, the use of bootleg technology is the least of your worries.  

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own 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 July 22, 2012.

1. Simple answer to a complex question: Am I a good principal if I don't insist that we follow a common scope and sequence? No.

2. Downloaded Fun 5 Plans app with @BlessingLaura on the iPad. Going to see what kind of magic I can create! (By @patriot_teacher)

3. Progress requires ruthless self-assessment. If it's inaccurate (whatever the cause) everything that follows is wrong. Be honest, not afraid. (By @gymjones)

4. Love the Fundamental 5 book! (By @jenniferzsch)

5. Whoever said teachers and principals have the summers off is CRAZY! Education preparation is perpetual! (By @sammywyatt)

6. Would someone please explain to the community that bus transportation is not a “right.” Vote for the tax cutters and de-funders and no transportation is what occurs.

7. Short-term, Common, Formative Assessments (LYS Method): Your best source of honest, real-time instructional information.

8. Ok, AWE teachers... come and get the Fundamental 5 book!! It has arrived! Pay attention to Chapter 7... that's where we are going! Be the lead! (By @jenniferzsch)

9. What predicts performance is what students are actually doing, not what we think we are asking them to do. Task predicts performance! (By @btmerrell)

10. Correction: LYSer, Bake Barron, is the new Principal at Livingston HS. Evidently my spell check has yet to recognize his awesomeness.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Livingston ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Channelview ISD Leadership Team Kickoff, Comal ISD, Leadership Team Kickoff, Bushland ISD Staff Kickoff, Canadian ISD Staff Kickoff, Highland Park ISD Staff Kickoff, Sunray ISD Staff Kickoff, Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote), Advancing Improvement in Education Conference (Multiple Presentations), American Association of School Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

A Reader Submits... Extension of the "Power Zone" Concept

An Old School LYS’er submits the following:

I am sure it has been said before, but in the midst of my “Leadership Morning Reading” (and posting in Project Share), I was inspired by the following thought:

Sean Cain, of Lead Your School, promotes the concept of the "Power Zone" for teachers as they work in the classroom. As a colleague encouraged our teachers, "We plan on our seat and teach on our feet." The concept illustrates the need to be engaged with students in the midst of students and not from behind a desk or a lectern. The best teaching comes when the teacher can put hands on the work of the students. The same can be said for leaders in other venues. The most successful and effective leadership comes not from behind a desk or boardroom door but from working in the midst of those you are leading and serving. This is our Power Zone.

But, it reminds me, too, that we need to keep our team members in their Power Zone as well. That is where they work from their strengths and not their weaknesses. Knowing the appropriate place for each person and being in place with each person builds success so that the team setting becomes a "Power Zone."

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

LYS is currently conducting a Principal Search.  For more information, click on the link. http://tinyurl.com/LYSSearch

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary School Leadership Tale” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of May 20, 2012

I just came across an app that allows the to student alert the teacher if he or she is confused or needs some assistance. Seemingly a great use of bootleg technology and a tool that makes the teacher more efficient. Except that it isn’t.  

The power of bootleg technology isn’t its ability to replace good teaching practice (the teacher in the Power Zone, making micro-adjustments to instruction based on real-time formative assessment).  The power of bootleg technology is that it places the depth and breadth of human knowledge in the palm of your student’s hand.  Beware of the app and the degradation of teacher practice that makes your live classrooms more like an impersonal virtual classroom.  

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own 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 20, 2012.

1. The change in adult practice is the leading indicator. The change in student performance is the lagging indicator.

2. The deeper the deficits in student knowledge, motivation, and courage, the longer they have to be exposed to better instruction to improve.

3. Let me sum up your STAAR data analysis: "We know we have a lot a work to do. Now let's do it."

4. Remember, until we see disaggregated statewide data, your STAAR test results are just raw info. Good and bad are relative terms.

5. $30 million to administer the STAAR? What budget crisis? (By @cheadhorn)

6. And now the uncomfortable reality of sole teacher accountability for test results begins to set in.

7. THE critical factor in the pursuit of greatness is pain threshold. Good rarely hurts.

8. Life is a contact sport. Buckle your chinstrap and have fun!

9. Before you debate the merits of a student dress code, ask if the adults are willing to model the code. If the answer is "No," drop the issue.

10. Bigger classes, lower-paid teachers, public money diverted to private schools, $1 billion to Pearson. If you aren’t standing up now, when will you? (By @johnkuhntx)

Vote. Vote. Vote.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

The Big Easy Writes... The Importance of the Power Zone - Part 1

In response to the 12/16/2011 post, “The Importance of the Power Zone,” The Big Easy adds:

SC, 

When I read this, I was reminded of a couple of things:

"We tend to accept failure in comfort rather than risk uncomfortable success."

We must constantly reflect on what is best for kids and remember what E. Don Brown said, "If it is good for adults, it is probably not good for kids."

I have said that leadership is a calling, not a position. I think this also pertains to the entire education community. If we are "called," then we will do whatever it takes, with no regard for personal comfort, time, accolades, and the list goes on.

We are human and we all fall short. However, our great educators put kids first, ahead of their own personal agendas, most of the time.

The Big Easy

SC Response

Your point about not having to be perfect (we’re human) but we should put students first (we’re educators) reminds me of a conversation I recently had with a group of new LYS’ers.  They asked why what we teach hasn’t spread even faster than it already has. 

My answer was this, "It is not that people do not want to improve; they just don’t want the improvement to be simple." 

When the improvement is simple, many people fight the initiative. Because their ego tells them if it really is that simple, then they must not be as smart as they give themselves credit for. Otherwise they would have figured it out, by themselves, previously.  What many educators forget is that “simple” rarely means “easy.”

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of April 15, 2012

In a recent survey of students, a significant percentage of them admitted using their cell phones to cheat in class.  First, the good news.  This means a significant percentage of students admitted to using their cell phones for academic purposes.  Now the bad news, if cell phones can be used for cheating, that means that the academic task was by definition, low rigor (knowledge and comprehension).  To assume otherwise would mean that the teacher was completely asleep at the wheel and I’m not willing to concede that point.  Let me make my case.

If I’m going to use my cell phone to teach, I have either pre-loaded some basic information (the electronic cheat sheet) or I quickly searched for a fact (the electronic glance at the chapter or notes).  To get the right answer quickly and discretely (while the teacher is momentarily distracted) means that the question could not have been that difficult (from a cognitive standpoint).  To successfully answer a complex question (from a cognitive standpoint) would require more cheating time, which would mean that the teacher isn’t distracted, but instead isn’t paying attention to the class.

So here is where I’m going with this.  Don’t let the fear of cheating (which is not a new phenomena) be an excuse for banning bootleg technology in the classroom.  Instead make the use of available academic resources a criterion for success in the classroom and keep your head on a swivel.  It’s just good teaching.    

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own 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 April 15, 2012.

1. If your boss is an idiot you essentially have three options. Manage up, hunker down or leave.

2. LYS Nation, if your state representative isn't willing to fund education he or she is an idiot... so vote them out! (By @cheadhorn)

3. It doesn't matter how well you know your content, if you don't connect with students, you can't be a good teacher.

4. Teacher location during instruction may be the most powerful yet under used tool in a teacher's toolbox. Live in the Power Zone.

5. Of all the tips to improve the quality of teacher questions in class, the only one you need to remember is, “Prepare The Questions Before Class.”

6. Anyone who believes that kicking a student out of class for a dress code violation is a good deterrent has a limited understanding of child psychology.

7. Doing the right thing consistently is not easy. It is simple, but nothing about it is easy. (By @ ToddWhitaker)

8. Only half in jest. With districts having to cut bus service, why can't we give the kids who walk or ride their bikes to school a PE credit?

9. In a presentation at the ASCD Conference, Dr. Atul Gawande reported that teacher retention is 65% higher with a coaching model versus an in-service model.

10. Walking on School Street to the original site of the first public school in America, Boston Latin School.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: NASB Conference; TASSP Conference (multiple sessions); Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

A Reader Writes... Teacher Nests - Part 9

In response to the 12/6/11 post, "Teacher Nests – Part 8,” an old school LYSer writes:

SC,

I really enjoy the dialogue about teacher nesting habits and agree that it facilitates teachers staying in their comfort zone instead of the power zone. Teachers (and administrators) ought to plan on their seat but instruct (guide) on their feet.

However, I was in two classrooms today that were as sterile as an unoccupied hospital room. The room was cold, uneventful, uninviting and spoke little of student-centered instruction, imagination, engagement and appreciation. Students seemed huddled together against the coldness, which could be easily melted by a room filled with the personality of the students and the content. Student work needs to be posted, inspirational tools should be at eye level, instructional keys and suggests strategically placed and regions of engagement defined and created to be inviting to students.

Maybe we should remember to move away from teacher nests and move into learning habitats where student success is not a threatened and endangered species.

SC Response

Let’s remind ourselves of a couple of thing before we delve any further into this topic.

First, if any administrator, counselor or professional support staff member has an office that is “nesty,” that has to be addressed first, before there is any discussion with any teacher. As it relates to purposeful instructional environments, if administration and support don’t “walk the walk” first, then no one “talks the talk.”

Second, the “Power Zone” for administration and professional support staff is the classroom. Again, if administration and professional support are unwilling to spend significant time in their “Power Zone,” insisting that teachers change their practice is the height of hypocrisy.

Third, though contrary to conventional wisdom, when it comes to instructional environments, sterile is more conducive to instruction than overly decorated. What we have to remember is that the critical variable in the classroom is the teacher and the quality of instruction. No environment can overcome a poor teacher delivering substandard instruction. But a master teacher delivering quality instruction can overcome numerous environmental factors. My discussion with most teachers deals with the fact that their classroom environment diminishes their effectiveness. Which means that they have to work harder than they need to in order ensure student success. Essentially, the come to work each day to run a series of 100 yard dashes, but before they get started they strap a 50 pound pack to their back. Crazy.

However, with your comments on classroom environments you are lining up with the teaching and philosophy of Lesa Cain. The classroom belongs to the students. Everything in the room should be geared towards their needs and success. If we find ourselves creating classroom environments that address adult needs, we have to question our motives and remind ourselves of the purpose of what we do.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite (Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: NASSP Conference; NASB Conference; Region 10 ESC Fall Leadership Conference (Keynote)

A LYS Principal Shares... The Unexpected Side Effect!

A LYS Principal shares the following:

SC,

I just finished reviewing campus discipline data. Our campus discipline referrals have dropped 43% from Fall Semester 2010 to Fall Semester 2011. The major instructional difference... Power Zone (and the initial attempts at the rest of the Fundamental 5).

Thanks!

SC Response

We all know that when we improve instructional practice that student discipline improves. What is mind blowing is how small and tentative improvements in daily practice have such a measurable impact on student performance. Your results are not atypical. Most of our campuses see a 30% to 60% decrease in referrals. But you have to live it to believe it.

I was talking to another LYS Principal about your decrease in office referrals. He reminded me that his campus experienced the same drop and then shared an insight I had never considered. He said that as discipline referrals were plummeting it became easy to identify the teachers that were only paying lip service to implementing the new practices. It seems that they stood out because the change in the number of their office referrals was negligible. Which means that when teachers don’t execute the Fundamentals, they make their job more difficult than it needs to be.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
• Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; NASSP Conference; NASB Conference

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of January 22, 2012

A LYS Superintendent shares the new Bootleg Technology initiative in his district (the 31^st poorest in Texas).

DATELINE: SPLENDORA ISD

Many of our students are digital natives—meaning they have never known a life without technology. Our students live in a world of Google, Apple, and Yahoo. But too often the only place they are not free to use their natural skills in technology is in the classroom. If we as educators truly believe Splendora ISD is preparing our students to be productive in the 21st century workplace, we must open up more opportunities for our students to be exposed to technology on a daily basis in our classrooms.

Splendora ISD began this journey three years ago with the implementation of a one-to-one laptop program for all students in our college programs (Early College, Dual Credit, and CTE). The following year all certified staff were provided with a laptop. The idea being that our staff would be expected to use and be role models for our students and bring more technology into the everyday classroom.

Our next phase will begin in January 2012. A pilot program for sixth graders will be implemented that allows students to use a district-provided smart tablet. The tablets will be used for 21^st century learning opportunities. We recognize that mobile devices today play a significant role in our students’ lives. We want to incorporate these devices into our classrooms, change the way our teachers teach, and give our students the opportunity to explore, collaborate, and develop skills that are necessary to succeed beyond the classroom.

By August 2012, we will expand the pilot program and allow 7^th-12^th graders to bring and use their own devices (laptop, netbook, cell phone, tablet, etc.). With fewer resources and dwindling budgets, and by allowing students and staff to bring their own devices, the district leverages its technology in a cost-effective manner.

Additionally in the 2012-2013 school year, Splendora ISD will offer a filtered wireless network (Wi-Fi) on all campuses. Students will be expected to connect to the filtered Splendora ISD public Wi-Fi for educational purposes and exhibit digital responsibility. Learning about and being held accountable for the responsible use of either district-owned or personally owned electronic devices is an important part in preparing students to be successful in the future. We also plan to convert our libraries to electronic checkout by August 2012. In other words, we will allow our students and community members to checkout books electronically using our e-readers or their own.

Technology is integral to student achievement. It is time to embrace what you, as parents, may have already provided for your children, and by the District providing a filtered Wi-Fi network, the District can partner with you to provide students with the best academic resources available. Splendora ISD will always strive to provide the best learning environment for our students and staff. Initiatives such as Bring Your Own Technology and electronic libraries are only the first step in our journey to continuously provide opportunities for digital natives (students) to compete and succeed once they graduate from Splendora High School.

When the 31^st poorest school district in Texas embraces Bootleg Technology, what exactly are you waiting for?

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own 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 January 22, 2012, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse.

1. Tablet and e-book ownership nearly doubled during holiday season. (By @PrincipalDiff)

2. I’m visiting classrooms now. The improvement in engagement when the teacher is in the Power Zone is astounding!

3. The Closing Product is not the lesson activity. It is formative proof of learning.

4. BRILLIANT: One stereotype we have not been able to break in the United States is that ‘faster is smarter’. (By @anniemurphypaul)

5. Without deliberate practice, even the most talented individuals will reach a plateau and stay there. (By @anniemurphypaul)

6. In my experience, those who hate failure generally beat those who love success.

7. "Where we say something is as important as what we say". Wisdom from Sean Cain of Lead Your School about being in the Power Zone. (By @principalschu)

8. Just finished a promo video for my ESC 16 Leadership Conference keynote presentation. Can't wait to meet with the LYSers in the Panhandle!

9. Senator puts teachers, police officers, and fire fighters in the 1 percent. (By @eschoolnews)

10. Vouchers are education welfare for millionaires. (By @johnkuhntx)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
• Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
• Upcoming 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference