SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/31/22 - Be in the Green for Halloween and November First

Today’s Tip: Be in the Green for Halloween and November First.

Most SAM teams pick an instructional time goal for their first month that is easy to reach. Then, they increase their goal each month, like stair steps, until the reach 50%. They then level off their goal as they need some time for management tasks and, importantly, want to have some “white space” unscheduled time, each day.

As October ends and November begins take a look at your progress. Were you consistently in the Green for the month of October? If so, a slight increase for November makes sense. Be sure that the increase is not too steep. It is fine to change it.

How? Go to the TimeTrack logo, click on Settings, then Monthly Goal Set-up. You can adjust your goal for November, and every month, as needed.

If you were not consistently meeting your instructional time goal in October talk about it during your SAM Daily Meeting. It may be that your goal is too high. Sometimes it is better to go slow to go fast. Take your time. This isn’t a race. You want to focus on the instructional work you are doing and how it impacts teacher practice. You want your goal to stretch you a little…but not stress you a lot.

Another subject: The Benefits of Not Being a Jerk to Yourself

Dan Harris, former network news reporter, does a lot of work nationally helping leaders be thoughtful and reflective by using mindfulness techniques. He suggests that beating yourself up doesn't make you stronger. Instead, he suggests being kind to yourself. He doesn’t suggest ignoring your weaknesses. Instead, he thinks giving yourself permission to learn from your mistakes. Take 13 minutes to watch…it may be just what you need. Click here: The Benefits of Not Being a Jerk to Yourself

Please note: You can still register for the conference but will be placed on a wait list as all 500 rooms have been tentatively assigned. As rooms become available you will be cleared. To register: https://bit.ly/3cO5q0z If you have already registered, please remember the deadline for travel information is December 5. If we don’t have your travel information you may be moved to the wait list. Send travel information to Peggy@SamsConnect.com

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/24/22 - Connect Your Work

Today’s Tip: Connect Your Work

Your TimeTrack is your story. It shows your work and the direction you are going.

Take a look at last week. Were you in the Green? If so, this part of your story shows that you are scheduling instructional time above your goal. Are the events connected? If you saw a teacher work on Monday is there a feedback session later in the week? If you attended a meeting Wednesday are there follow up events Thursday or Friday? If so, your story shows you are thoughtfully and strategically moving toward your goal of improving teaching and learning.

Being thoughtful and strategic doesn’t happen by accident. Instead, it is the key element of successful SAM Daily Meetings. Considering what follow-up is needed for each event you did the prior work day is critical to moving your story forward.

SAMs know that if they connect your work by scheduling follow-up events each day, each chapter of your story will be better than the last.

Deadline Reminder: Travel information is due December 5, 16th Annual National SAM Conference

SamTastic Weekly Tip: 10/17/22 - Focus on Your Own Professional Development.

Today’s Tip: Focus on your own professional development.

Your SAM Daily Meeting is professional development and significantly improves your practice every day. The scheduling of follow-up work, the focus on intentionality, care for staff and use of your own time data to make better decisions to improve teaching practice is highly effective professional development.

The SAM Daily Meeting often leads to participants to seek additional resources. The Marshall Memo and Main Idea are used by many SAM team members and are provided by NSIP at no-charge. Click here if you aren’t receiving these resources and would like to:

• Marshall Memo

• The Main Idea

SAM teams love the annual national SAM conference and the exceptional keynote and breakout sessions. Demand for seats at the 16th Annual National SAM Conference has been very high. So high, in fact, we had to begin a wait list last week.

We will have over 600 attendees and guests in Tucson, February 2-5, 2023. People currently on the wait list will likely be cleared later this week as we have secured 50 additional rooms at a hotel near the resort. Also, our registration history show that some attendees who have registered will withdraw once airline information is required the first week of December.

Haven’t registered and want to come? Go ahead a register now. You will receive notice that you’ve been placed on the waiting list and will be notified when we can confirm a room.

To register: https://bit.ly/3cO5q0z

The annual national SAM conference is unique. It is designed to make you feel as if you work for Apple or Google in order to honor the great work you do. Keynote speakers are the brightest lights in business leadership, psychology and education. The conference is also a celebration of your success as a SAM team. In fact, you can’t attend unless you are doing the SAM process with efficacy.