Wordle Works

To be or not to be PLNing...

Blogger

I knew people had blogs, but never dreamed it was so very easy to create and maintain one. I have to admit that I have not yet wrapped my head around posting so much of my personal philosophy, yet lately I have considered using my blog to advocate for children.

The charter school on our campus is experiencing unbelievable chaos. On Tuesday evening, four cars of police were called to the school to protect the principal. This principal is facing unprecedented opposition from parents and teachers, while at the same time attempting to renew the school's charter. It is a war of wills that fails to consider the element at the heart of the debate, the children.

My blog could be a vehicle for the children's interest. I am an advocate at heart for causes of fairness and equity and my blog is mine, uncensored and honest!

Twitter


Took some getting use to, but it is addicting. I wasn't using it in the beginning because I initially created my Tweet Deck in Internet Explorer and it was not working properly. It took me weeks to realize that the correct Tweet Deck was the one I created in Google Chrome. Once I did,  it was ON! I like it. Sometimes I don't tweet but I check it just because. I am flattered when people I don't know re-tweet something I sent out. There was a lot of interest in the document I sent about Black Sororities (of which I am a member) and Fraternities that clearly states we no longer pledge or haze members. Those activities are done with underground pledge lines of which the local graduate chapters and national organization's are unaware. Zeta Phi Beta's national president (my sorority) just sent an email that they are now listing the individual names and chapter schools where hazing and pledging have occurred. The national website will also list the disciplinary actions taken against those members. Hey, I'll tweet that soon.

Twitter is a one-stop shop for vast communities of topics. If you can think of it, it probably exists on Twitter. My kids use Facebook but I've been talking about Twitter so much lately that they have a peaked interest, particularly since I mentioned the HBCU's community. They all attended HBCU's. So I guess I am converting new African American users.  


Diigo


Very recently I've bookmarked websites and people of interest to my dissertation topic. As I reread some of my articles, I will use the features to help me track themes of relevant ideas that previously had me searching through mounds to papers to relocate. That, as many of you may know, is time consuming and frustrating. This tool allows me the ability to organize my work and access it with ease. It may eventually be my best friend in my dissertation journey. I am the typical absent-minded Aquarius.

Tweet Deck


Love it. Once I found my setup in Google Chrome (with help from my friend Abigail) it was easy to add communities of interest to me. Now, I still am not able to appreciate the Chats because of the limited responses and more likely because I just haven't found a chat or topic that really interests me. But don't give up on me Jeff. I'm sure there is something of value out there for me.I appreciate how easily it allows you to organize your communities of interest at your fingertips.

YouTube

I enjoy YouTube and have frequently viewed it prior to this class. I have young adults at home who share interesting videos with me. It has enormous benefit to me because I can many times view lectures or comments recorded by seminal authors in my field of interest. One can reach out and touch training videos, or motivational speakers almost anything you need in real time. I remember using an APA  formatting video on YouTube when the manual was confusing.  

i-Google


Set it up but haven't had any real use for it.

G-mail Account


Previously had a G-mail account. Excellent tool to post document and share for class, especially when face to face meetings are not convenient. We prepared and edited an entire class presentation once. It was fabulous.

Thanks for the memories

EDChat Transcript

I had the opportunity to read the transcript on  "How important are administrators? Is it possible to have good schools without them?"
The transcript indicates that a lot of questions were posed but not many answers or suggestions offered. Perhaps because of the limited number of characters allowed on Twitter, its just not possible to convey a concise proposal or thought. I didn't find much value in this particular chat, but I will look at others.

Futurist - Options & Monitor

Develop Option

Grants are generally for specific periods of time, we should develop a plan for replacing staff that may exit as the grant winds down. We should chronicle the progress and detail the process used to achieve the goal. We should create a culture where this is an expectation and a sign exemplary work. As we check-in periodically, i.e. quarterly etc. as the leader I should recognize the efforts of those who adapt the road map plan. We create a road map for any employee hired after the project has begun, particularly if that employee replaces someone who leaves the organization.

Monitor

As stated in options, we must monitor our 1-2-3 year plan periodically so we can make adjustments to continue success or fix what is not working.

Check-in with staff to make sure everyone feels valued. Ask for suggestions or recommendations to improve upon our current strategy 

My Leadership Journey

            My leadership journey has been a series of highs and lows. I have always had an opinion about the world and my place in it. My parents were not well educated people but knew they wanted a better life for their children than the life they experienced growing up in Mississippi during the depression. They had very few material possessions so their goal was to work hard, save their money and always be prepared for a rainy day. They did that and put both my brother and me through private colleges with money they saved. We did not have student loans and because we are only 2 years apart, that meant we were both in college at the same time for two years. We appreciated their sacrifice and did not waste their money.

            After college, I did a little substitute teaching, landing a long term sub position just a few months into the school year. I was place in an elementary school in the heart of the St. Thomas housing projects. My class was second and third grade repeaters with lots of special education students. Even in 1975, they were all boys. The projects were a demographic of all African American tenants, there for the school was 100% African American. The previous teacher had been white, there had been two other white teachers and all had quit. I understood the culture of these students and maintained an orderly classroom with daily instruction. I finished out the school year but decided I wanted more than this experience had provided.

            Two of my childhood friends were passing through New Orleans on their way to new transfer jobs in California, one in San Diego and the other in L.A. Each invited me to come with them. I decided to visit the one in San Diego, since we had been friends and neighbors since we were 8 years old and in the third grade. I fell in love with the slow pace and beauty of San Diego.

            Shortly after taking in the beauty of San Diego and learning the lay of the land, I was looking for work. I put in so many applications that it made me dizzy. I decided to get an employment agency to assist me in my search. At this time I though California was truly the land of opportunity and the sky was the limit for me and any African American pursuing the “American Dream”. My first interview was Montgomery Ward’s in Grossmont Center. The agency sent me, however when I arrived and the Store Manager saw me he told his secretary to tell me the position was filled. I knew the agency would not have sent me had they been told the position was filled. I walked out of the office and headed toward the elevator perplexed when a young white woman about my age ran up to me. So he whispered softly, “go to the Mission Valley store, they still have an opening for a manager trainee”. She walked away as quickly as she had come. I did go to the Mission Valley store and I was hired that same day. I was taken under the wing of an older white man who trained and protected me like I was his daughter. He wanted me to inherit his position as Merchandising Manager. He’s dead now but will always hold a special place in my heart.                                                             

            Retail didn’t pay well and I was struggling to maintain my apartment in Point Loma and car note. I learned Pacific Telephone was hiring and immediately applied. Even though I had college degree, I was offered a position as an operator. The job paid twice as much as my current retail management position, so I took it. I moved out of operator service in a year, into a Service Representative position where I remained for almost 15 years. I was denied opportunity assignments because I hadn’t proven myself. Everyone who managed me had a high school education and felt intimidated in meetings or whenever I questioned a policy or procedure. Because of that, I became a union steward. I was good at it because I took the time to do research on the situation and actually listened to both sides of the argument. I am very proud to say I got 2 people their jobs back after being fired and countless suspensions overturned and back-pay awarded. Pretty soon the union hall was getting request specifically for me to handle the grievances for employees.   I was out of the office more than I was in the office but never given the opportunity to become “ready now” for promotion.

            Our office manager wanted to roll out the company’s business plan for the Marketing Division and gathered a group of volunteers. She wanted it to have a different flavor and not be boring. One of her managers suggested that I be asked to help because I had a good sense of humor and the rest is history. I changed the rollout into a skit using Service Reps from our office and it was hilarious. Everyone enjoyed it. We had upbeat music and a fun atmosphere and catered lunch. It was the template for each yearly rollout thereafter.

            I was then given an opportunity to interview for a temporary management position in San Ramon (northern California). I got the job. Three months turned into six months and all expenses paid by the company. I was provided a condo with weekly maid service, a car, and an expense account, my family was flown up once a month and I could fly home weekly, if I chose. Upon my return to San Diego there was a vacancy in my old office. I attempted to lobby for the position by gaining the support of the existing mangers but other people who had been visible for the past six months seemed to have an advantage over me. I took my request directly to the decision maker by emailing her my resume’ and selling myself in a voicemail to her. I got the job!

            My team of 25 Service Representatives broke sales records and won many awards. I did not forget what it was like to be in their seats. I valued their contributions, recognized them often, and was lenient when life happened. By that I mean I didn’t count a minute late as most of my peers did, I listened to their reason for not trying to sell products to a person asking them to extend the bill a few more days and not disconnect their phone service, I understood that you might need a break from the incessant incoming calls after a difficult customer. Soon I was asked to head up a two team marketing sales group. I agreed, only if I could take the team I currently managed. Everyone agreed and we made history. We were number one in the state several times and my team sold with integrity. Something almost completely unheard of in the marketing world- I never had a grievance filed against the entire time I was a manger there.

            Several years later, then Pacific Bell was acquired and several External Affairs Director positions became available. These Directors were registered Federal, State and Local lobbyist and managed the company’s grants and contribution budgets. My office and cell phones were ringing off the hook with people encouraging me to apply. Well of course there had never been an African American in this position in San Diego, Orange, Riverside and Imperial counties. I applied and was stunned when I was called for an interview. The interviews were held over a weekend and we were all told we would be notified on that Monday, if we were selected. I didn’t hear anything so I thought it was over. A week and a half later I received a call with a job offer. I was offered a starting salary $15,000 less than the published salary. I questioned the offer and explained the Director’s level was not that but X. The offer was changed to the correct amount which should have been my clue that trouble was on the horizon.

            The job was heaven until my immediate boss, the Executive Director tried to keep me in the office managing clerical staff instead of elected officials. I said I was not going to be the token Black in the department and the war was on. She made my life a living hell. She lied; she gave me the worst assignments and all of the legislators who hated the company. She even called me in New Orleans while I was on vacation and claimed I did not turn in some detailed report she fabricated. My colleagues were afraid of her because she was ruthless and would get anyone who challenged her. I called a female colleague to see if she could fax the data I needed to prepare this report but instead she and two other colleagues completed the report and placed it in my drawer so I could turn it in when I returned. I realized then that my colleagues could see what was going on. I eventually filed a formal EEO complaint against. It dragged on for almost a year. I learned after she was moved that our entire staff was interviewed and they all had the courage to tell the truth. During the investigation, I received a call from an African American woman who worked for her previously in another state and she had done the exact same things to her. I was able to share that with EEO and this young woman was also interviewed.

            In the end it, it all worked out and she was buried in another state and eventually fired for pulling the same racially motivated discriminating behavior. I had two wonderful bosses after her and one of them is still a very special personal friend. He and the company have supported two wonderful projects at my current organization to the tune of $35,000 in grants over the past three years.

            My parents were visibly different on a visit to New Orleans one Mardi Gras. After having them checked by family physicians, we learned they both had dementia. I decided to leave my position and get their affairs in order. I attempted to get my teaching credential from CSUSM but Katrina happened and their house flooded and they lost everything, as did my only sibling. After getting them safely to California, they definitely wanted to return to New Orleans. They had always been planners and because I left my job to get their affairs in order I knew everything. They had both homeowners and flood insurance. So I withdrew from school and moved to New Orleans, renovated the house they still owned that I grew up in, moved them back into it while we rebuilt their house that flooded. I returned to San Diego a year and three months later and applied the Executive Director position advertised in my church bulletin. I went through three interviews, became a finalist, presented a PowerPoint plan of moving the organization forward and got the job.

            My leadership journey has been filled with roadblocks, highs and lows. I’ve learned that you should never give up on your dreams or the humanity of good people. I have learned that good people come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and nationalities. I have developed a spirit of optimism that if you try hard enough you can make a difference in the lives of others. Because of my struggles, my kids say I am their hero and that matters.   

           

              

            

Futurist Update

Revisiting my organization to identify SWOT reveals the following;
Strengths: We have an excellent reputation in the San Diego Community. We are becoming known throughout the state of California because of the State grant we administer and our successful outreach. We have dedicate staff. We remain open to constructive criticism. We use technology in tracking and reporting our results to both the State and the school district.

Weaknesses: Because of budget constraints we cannot pay for all staff to have smart phones which could provide for detail capturing of information, pictures for activity reports and email at your fingertips. However for those who do not have smart phones the texting feature allows us all to receive immediate updates in the field. We have one or two staff members who seem to repel technology. Reporting information to each entity could be improved so that the big picture is always visible to the group.

Opportunity: Develop time-lines where all parties check in an evaluate progress in relation to the big picture. Tracking stats so that we highlight them for future grant opportunities.

Trends: Create a mechanism where we monitor the success and failures of other non-profits locally and nationally so that we are better prepared to capitalize on grants that fit our mission and vision. Considering vehicles for growing our organization.

San Ysidro/Casa Familiar

San Ysidro /Casa Familiar

It amazes me that such a wonderful program is working in the San Ysidro community, but students using the system, the hardware and software contributed for their benefit are finding the refurbished equipment is far superior to what they use in the classroom. If the goal is to train our students for 21^st century communities, why aren’t we better prepared to train them with up to date technology in the classroom? Its admirable that the County Office of Education has elected to provide free internet service ( with the help of partners) to families, not just students.

I have not been in a classroom in San Diego where I saw state of the art technology available to all students. At Nubia Leadership Academy, there are about 3 or 4 computers in each classroom and they are rarely used by the teachers for instructional purposes. What would a class of 15 to 20 kids do with 4 computers? It’s absurd. The program selected what it considered the brightest students, who most probably already have a passion for technology. I am disappointed that some of slower learners or “at risk” students weren’t given the opportunity. It may have opened a whole new world of opportunity for them. We talk about equity but when we have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students who are marginalized, we elect to choose the AVID students.

There is a computer lab on our campus; however it belongs to the church. There are 15 desktops recently donated by the Futures Foundation in the lab. The school has never asked to use it. We use it in our afterschool program because our students love it. We also use the lab during summer camp. I would like to see the charter school teacher embrace technology and stop placing our students at a global disadvantage by not using technology to enhance their teaching and learning.