• Home
  • About
  • Contact

The Book Chamber

~ J Clay Norton, Ed.D.

The Book Chamber

Category Archives: Educational Leadership

Are You, As A Teacher, An Advocate For Our Profession?

24 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Advocate, Appreciation, Attitude, Choice, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Emotion, Encouragement, Future, Leader, Leadership, Passion, Teacher Shortage, Teachers, Value

≈ Leave a comment

Question for the week… With there being a teacher shortage, are you, as a teacher, an advocate for our profession?

images-13

First, let me say that I enjoy being an educator. For those who know me, I hope you can say that my passion for education and educational leadership is very high. With that being said, I also know that there are times when teaching can wear you down. The list of items that go to this is endless, but that might be a topic for a future blog. Anyway…

I enjoy seeing teachers who are passionate about their jobs. But how many teachers do we see and hear who are not? That bothers me. For example, a future teacher recently told me that a high school teacher asked what she wanted to do. When she said she wanted to be a teacher, the actual teacher told her, “Good luck with that.” Why would they say that?

For the most part, society does not help advocate the teaching profession. Society will quickly tell us what is wrong with our profession and how we can do it better. I have always said that we are in trouble when we allow non-educators to make educational decisions. If we do not see ourselves as advocates for education, we leave the door open to the outside to determine our standing.

Teachers who are advocates see the end goal of education. They see growing students to become productive citizens in society. They look beyond students being “test scores” and provide an environment that is welcoming and conducive to learning. This is what passion for being an educator is about. It’s about telling success stories that are positive and uplifting. But, as we know, it’s only the negative stories that travel at a great speed…

Take this from one of my go-to “old heads” of education… “There is nothing ever printed or said about the positive aspects of teaching-with those in the profession being the most negative. The intrinsic values are rarely voiced. Being a teacher is the most valuable profession a young person can pursue, but most never hear many positive aspects that make it appealing!!! Just my humble opinion!!!”

I’ll go on and say this, if you are a teacher who cannot speak positively and advocate for our profession, please leave the profession and let those who want to be educators set ablaze the way that will light the way for many others. Yes, there are things wrong with education, just like any other business, but I get sick of hearing the statement, “You signed up for this.” That’s just bad leadership all the way around. These negative nay-sayers teachers are a disease to the profession and will create sores that fester and affect everyone around.

By nature, passionate people inspire. Why not do that for future educators? As I said in last week’s blog The Lengthening of the Teacher Shortage… Is there an end?, “We must give those who are even remotely thinking about becoming an educator a reason to be one. However, if our future teachers are in our schools today, and they are, how do you think they look at the teaching profession when they see us and what we do? It’s a question worth asking and, more importantly, answering… We must give teachers hope, for we are the only model future teachers see.”

Educators today have a choice, do we promote our profession, or do we sever the connection and let society or even other teachers determine our value? Do we love teaching to the point where we believe all children should be afforded equal learning opportunities? Or will we be defined by negative comments made by some in our profession who see teaching as a lonely, lowly job?

Punt that, I’m choosing to be an advocate and a leader of the profession that I love.

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2023 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

H.O.P.E. – Help One Person Everyday

21 Friday Oct 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Authentic, Education, Educational Leadership, Effective, Hope, Leader, Leadership, Teachers, Transformational, Value

≈ Leave a comment

This past Friday, at our weekly Civitan meeting, one of our guest speakers spoke and, while speaking, used the acrostic H.O.P.E. for Help One Person Everyday.

images-12

When he said that, my leadership radar immediately went off, and I knew I could somehow get that in a blog. So, here we go…

If we dig into the word “hope,” we find that it comes from the old English “hopian,” which means a positive expectation. To me, it sounds like “hope in,” which is what we do when we hope. We place our hope in someone, something that changes the way we want an outcome; for ourselves or others.

If everything is working nicely, hope is really not in the conversation. However, we use hope to navigate for a specific outcome when challenges appear. I believe hope goes along with transformational leadership. Many times in leadership, we want hope for ourselves. That’s not a bad thing, per se. We hope this happens or does not happens. But when we truly serve with transformational leadership, we also hope for others. We create an inspiration that transcends into many facets of authenticity.

In leadership, our role should be to help others, and we should do that every day. I see too many leaders using others instead of helping. I see too many leaders who put themselves first instead of others. I see… you get the idea. When we help one person everyday, we acknowledge and give value to a belief of greater good.

H.O.P.E. works in all areas of leadership. It also works in education. That is what school leaders and teachers should do. We have buildings and classrooms full of students. Many students who need help, not only in the curriculum of the subject but in finding value in themselves. As educational leaders, we can do that. So many students go all day without being acknowledged. So many students need positive correction to understand that they can have value. This is what educating the whole child is about, and it is one area I believe education is failing.

Hope is needed. H.O.P.E. is also needed. We all need hope, and we all need help. Transformational leadership works because when we help others, we help ourselves; how I wish more leaders understood this. When we help one person everyday, society gets better. Let’s be both hope and H.O.P.E. today. Go Help One Person Everyday.

Let’s go fight the good fight of leadership. Someone has to…

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Do Teachers Forget They Were Once Students?

09 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Actions, Connections, Consistency, Education, Educational Leadership, Leader, Leadership, Purpose, Relationships, Students, Teachers

≈ 2 Comments

Let’s open today’s blog with a question for you to ponder…

Do teachers forget they were once students?
It will be interesting to know your thoughts on this.

teacher-standing-in-front-of-a-class-of-raised-hands-dv1940073-5b42b097c9e77c00371ba22c

So, here is mine… Yes, I believe many teachers forget they were once students. Now, not all teachers per se, but I have heard of teachers who seem to be “out to get” students. And, after 28 years of teaching, I think I have seen a few also.

But why?

I’m not sure, but I have a few guesses. One would be an insecurity issue. I truly believe that insecure people want others to be miserable with them. While this transcends into a societal issue, it also becomes one in classrooms. It seems that insecure teachers often teach in a way that is domineering so they can let all the students know they are in charge.

Another reason, I fear, is that too often, teachers who felt like they were not “treated” the way they wanted while being a student take it out on their students now. While this does not undo a wrong, it does create a classroom filled with tension. This might be the teacher who brags about how many people failed their test.

As a teacher, we might be the only people in a student’s life where they see some idea of stability. Too many teachers forget they were once students, and I believe that is an educational crime that needs to be “fixed.” When we offer an inviting and not domineering environment, students, for the most part, will relax and breathe a little easier. At what point should a teacher not “do right” by their students? I believe our number one goal as a teacher, regardless of how a student feels about the subject, is to be the teacher that the student needs. As teachers, we can be demanding with high expectations; why would we ever lower them. However, this comes with the price of knowing your students and building credit with them.

Be the teacher your student-self would have wanted. Better yet, be the teacher you want your child to have. Don’t forget you were once a student. Let your students see this in you. I believe it will build a better relationship for your classes.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Value of a Mentor and a Tribute to Dr. Gerald Hasselman…

10 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by The Book Chamber in Appreciation, Education, Educational Leadership, Friendship, Heroes, Influence, Inspiration, Leader, Leadership, Legacy, Relationships, Thankful, Value

≈ Leave a comment

The opening week of school for many of us… Let’s talk about the value of mentors and influence, along with a tribute. Regardless of age, we all need them. I made a list the other night and wrote down fourteen names of people who have influenced and mentored me outside my family. I have been very fortunate to have such people in my life. I would also like to add that along with Dr. Hasselman, who recently passed away, two others also have. Of the fourteen remaining, some go way back to high school, college, the beginning of my career, and also currently; all at some time or another in the areas of coaching, teaching, and leadership. While some of the fourteen are recent over the past few years on my list, I will say that along with the others, the mentor and influence team that I have has rock star status. Each one, mentoring and influencing in different areas completing the whole.

I met G (Dr. Hasselman) in 2006 when I started my specialist degree at Mississippi College. I had spoken with him on the phone a few days before about the program, and G told me to stop by. I stopped a few days later and went to his office on the second floor of Lowery Hall. He was not in there, so I walked down the hall. I saw Dr. Tom Williams in the conference room and spoke to him. I did not know Dr. Hasselman was in the room also… I asked Dr. Williams if he knew where I could find Dr. Hasselman. The next voice I heard was, “That’s me, son.” I replied, “Dr. Hasselman, I’m Clay Norton.” Dr. Hasselman’s next words were, “I know who you are, son; go sit in my office, and I’ll be down there in a few minutes.” And that was my introduction to Dr. Gerald Hasselman in 2006.

Screen Shot 2022-08-09 at 9.57.25 PM

Throughout my specialist program and doctorate, I do not know what I did to befriend Dr. Hassleman beyond the student-professor relationship. I do not understand why he took an interest in me. I did not know, at the time, how much of a mentor he would become and how much of his influence I would develop into my leadership style. Looking back, I still do not know, but I am and will forever be thankful. Even as an adult, 34 years old in 2006 and 16 years later, I value the influence and mentoring Dr. Hasselman provided me.

One special moment for me was that Dr. Hasselman was the keynote speaker during our doctoral commencement ceremony at MC. His speech was actually about the power of influence. In the speech, Dr. Hasselman made this comment, “If you ever see a turtle sitting on a fence post, know that it did not get up there on its own.” I realize it is a well-known thought, but for me to hear him say it took on a whole new level of worth. I realized that in many instances, I was the turtle. Along with Dr. Hasselman and others who have influenced and mentored my life, I can sit on that fence post.

Since G’s passing on July 30, a few weeks ago, memories of our relationship have flooded my mind and heart. Memories that I have teared up on and laughed out loud. One day we were playing golf together, and I called him Dr. Hasselman (I had already graduated, and that is what I still called him). He looked at me and said, “Clay, we are colleagues now; G will work just fine.” It took me awhile…

So, here is my tribute to G…

I’m writing today, to tell of a person who modeled leadership to its finest degree. Dr. Gerald Hasselman passed away on July 30, 2022. I only knew G as a college professor at Mississippi College and as a friend for a total of 16 years. Looking at his resume would make you dizzy with all he had done in education, almost every possible role. I would like to tell you about Dr. Hasselman as one of my mentors and his influence on my life. On this front, I can say, without a doubt, that he is one of the best I have ever seen. In and outside of the classroom, he treated everyone with the same high expectations and values. His heart for education transcends into many lives he touched. As an educator, he valued education and serving others, and he did just that. You never had to guess where you stood with G; it was evident. Affording everyone he interacted with, with brutal honesty, respect to difference of opinions, open to dialogue, and fairness; precious and rare characteristics of leaders today. As a lifelong educator, G helped the future by influencing so many, which we need to remember to do and value as well. Education needs more educators like Gerald Hasselman because people like Gerald Hasselman are extraordinary educational leaders. Sitting in his classroom was like being in an educational think-tank with him.

So, I am sad that I lost someone I adored, admired, respected, appreciated, loved, etc. However, I can also be glad knowing that I believe I am a better educational leader because of him. Personally, I will miss G’s subtle wit and small talk about golf and the St. Louis Cardinals. G also became our family’s travel agent/guide; he had traveled almost everywhere and always knew of a good place to eat. Many a conversation we had and solved most of life’s problems. I am grateful for the time I have had being his student and colleague, as I am sure many of you are as well who had him as a professor and worked with him. His impact on our lives leaves a legacy that will ripple through education for years to come. Dr. Gerald Hasselman was my professor, my colleague, an inspiration, one of my leadership heroes and my mentor. Most importantly, G was my friend, and I will miss him…

I hope you have a mentor in your life like the ones I have had and currently do. It will make you better, regardless of your age. Allow someone to invest in you so you can invest in others. The value of a mentor is needed in all areas of life, including education.

I hope everyone has a great school year.

Go be a great educator and leader today… Our future needs it…

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2022 J Clay Norton

Want more Leadership Thoughts? Follow me on… Twitter @thebookchamber or follow the blog directly.

Want to share this leadership thought with others? Click on one of the social media sharing buttons below and help spread the good…

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • More
  • Print
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts
Follow The Book Chamber on WordPress.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Archives

  • January 2023 (3)
  • December 2022 (4)
  • November 2022 (3)
  • October 2022 (4)
  • September 2022 (5)
  • August 2022 (3)
  • May 2022 (4)
  • April 2022 (5)
  • March 2022 (3)
  • February 2022 (4)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (3)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (5)
  • September 2021 (4)
  • August 2021 (3)
  • May 2021 (3)
  • April 2021 (5)
  • March 2021 (3)
  • February 2021 (3)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (3)
  • November 2020 (3)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • May 2020 (3)
  • April 2020 (4)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (3)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (4)
  • September 2019 (4)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • July 2019 (1)
  • June 2019 (1)
  • May 2019 (3)
  • April 2019 (4)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (3)
  • December 2018 (3)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (4)
  • July 2018 (1)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (4)
  • April 2018 (4)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (4)
  • January 2018 (3)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (3)
  • October 2017 (4)
  • September 2017 (5)
  • August 2017 (3)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (4)
  • May 2017 (19)
  • April 2017 (9)

Categories

  • A Christmas Story
  • Achieve
  • Actions
  • Advantage
  • Adventure
  • Advocate
  • Affection
  • Agenda
  • Align
  • Amazing
  • Amnesia
  • Anchored
  • Andy Griffith
  • Annoying
  • Appreciation
  • Assist
  • Attention
  • Attitude
  • Authentic
  • Balance
  • Banning Books
  • Bitterness
  • Brand
  • Camaraderie
  • Captive
  • Change
  • Character
  • Charlie Brown
  • Choice
  • Christmas
  • Circumstances
  • Clarity
  • Classroom Leadership
  • Classroom Management
  • Clear
  • Communication
  • Company
  • Compassion
  • confidence
  • Conflict
  • Connections
  • Conscience
  • Consistency
  • Contentment
  • Conversations
  • coronavirus
  • Counseling
  • Courage
  • COVID-19
  • covid19
  • Craft
  • Crisis
  • Culture
  • Deciding
  • Decisions
  • Decline
  • Desire
  • Detox
  • Dignity
  • Distance
  • Distance Learning
  • Distractions
  • Dr. Seuss
  • Drift
  • Easter
  • Echo Chamber
  • Education
  • Educational Leadership
  • Effective
  • Embrace
  • Emotion
  • Encouragement
  • Engagement
  • Entertainment
  • Essence
  • Expectations
  • Experience
  • Expertise
  • Expiration dates
  • Facade
  • Family
  • Focus
  • Foundation
  • Freedom
  • Friendship
  • Future
  • Gift
  • Giving
  • God
  • Grace
  • Grading
  • Gratitude
  • Grit
  • Heart
  • Heroes
  • History
  • Honest
  • Hope
  • Hope Stealer
  • Humility
  • Idealist
  • Ideals
  • Illusions
  • Importance
  • Influence
  • Insecurity
  • Inspiration
  • Integrity
  • Intentional
  • Intentions
  • Intolerance
  • Jesus
  • Joy
  • Kindness
  • Know Your Why
  • Leader
  • Leadership
  • Legacy
  • Legislators
  • Lesson Plans
  • Light
  • Listening
  • Looney Tunes
  • Love
  • Mandates
  • Manipulation
  • Mask
  • Math
  • Maturity
  • Meetings
  • Memories
  • Message
  • Misery
  • Momentum
  • Motivation
  • NERDLE
  • New School Year
  • Obedience
  • Observation
  • Opinions
  • Opportunity
  • Passion
  • Passive-Agressive
  • Patience
  • Peculiar
  • Perception
  • Perceptions
  • Perseverance
  • Pet Peeves
  • Pitfalls
  • Power
  • Preparation
  • Presence
  • Present
  • Pride
  • Promotion
  • Purpose
  • Reading
  • Reality
  • Reflection
  • Relationships
  • Rest
  • Sacrifice
  • Sensitive
  • Servant
  • Sincerity
  • Sinkholes
  • Spring Break
  • Standard
  • Students
  • Teacher Appreciation
  • Teacher Shortage
  • Teachers
  • Team
  • Technology
  • Thankful
  • Thanksgiving
  • Time
  • Tolerance
  • Transactional
  • Transfer Portal
  • Transformational
  • Transparent
  • Trust
  • Uncategorized
  • Understanding
  • Unity
  • Useful
  • Value
  • Vision
  • Whole
  • Word
  • WORDLE

Blog Stats

  • 24,221 hits

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • The Book Chamber
    • Join 161 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Book Chamber
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: