THE MIGHTY OAK TREE

Learning from nature is an insatiable endeavor. We learn so much from creation. How natural systems have an interdependence, how animals care for each other, and our symbiotic relationship with our home, the Earth. I’m regularly surprised by the lessons we can glean from nature. Take trees, for example. What can we learn from the oak tree?

I learned something interesting while watching a video about woodworking on YouTube. The woodworker was cutting down, or more technically, ripping, a piece of oak. The main topic of the video had absolutely nothing to do with ripping wood. It was about creating a jig - a template of sorts to aid woodworkers. The woodworker ripped the oak plank into the size that he needed for the project at hand. What happened next has stayed with me since.

Speaking from my own experiences, trauma manifests itself in SO many ways. Stress is probably the most obvious manifestation, risky behavior, and mental illness being others. The current pandemic adds isolation, increased anxiety, and a litany of other issues for those who live with trauma. Getting to the point, trauma looks VERY different from person to person. Some of us can manage it well. Others suffer visibly and require additional supports. Therein lies the lesson derived from the mighty oak tree.

What do you think of when you hear the word “oak tree?” Do you think of wine, whiskey, or mezcal? Maybe you think of barbecue or acorns and natural beauty. The oak tree is hardwood, meaning that it is denser compared to other woods. Woodworkers covet it for its beauty, strength, and longevity. In fact, most woodworkers prefer a simplistic approach to create with oak because of the majesticness of its wood grain, color and look. On the surface, oak looks strong, capable, and beautiful. Similarly, those that suffer from trauma, on the surface, may look quite able, but “underneath,” the opposite may be more accurate.

With every year of growth, a tree can experience many obstacles. From sickness to lack of growth. Unfavorable climate, internal weakness, and many other issues. And still, the tree continues to grow - regardless of the circumstances. Sometime later, when the tree is foraged and turned into lumber, its grain tells a story. What can appear as a strong plank of oak can be quite the opposite. As the aforementioned woodworker ripped the plank of oak, the cut off (the piece of wood that was removed from the plank) was visibly different. The color and grain were the same, clearly. However, the cut off was no longer true - it was not perpendicular to the plank it came from. The lack of symmetry was not related to the cut, rather the stress the wood was under that only became visible once it was altered - cut away from the plank.

That was the moment of realization! The distortion resulted from years of stress that had grown into the oak tree, only showing itself once the tree was altered. I think trauma is EXACTLY the same. All of us have experienced some form of trauma in our lives. Some so much more compared to others. And yet, just like the oak tree, we continued living on - growing in life. Possibly, unbeknownst to us, growing in life with engrained stress. Waiting, only to manifest itself later in life. But it isn’t all somber. Not by a long shot!

After acknowledging the stressed cut off of oak, the YouTuber used the wood to make the jig. The piece of oak still served its purpose, even while stressed. Another moment of realization! Living with trauma is NOT the end of the story. As distorted as we may be because of recent events, life issues, or other circumstances, we still can fulfill our purpose. Humans and our issues are clearly not as simple as a piece of wood. However, we can still derive hope and joy from the lesson. The woodworker used his mastery of the product to turn the stressed cut off into a purposeful object. Now more than ever, we need to do the same! We need others who have mastery - mentors, coaches, friends, and family, to help us manage our lives' stresses. We too have a purpose. Despite our negative experiences, we can show our beauty, strength, and longevity by staying connected to those that love us and nurturing ourselves to gain the determination we need to be stable and strong.

We learn SO much from nature. The mighty oak tree is no exception!

12/20/2020

To “ROCK” We Must Connect

I can probably find the date, but it’s not as important as the moment. I was presenting at the 2020 ACSA Classified Educational Leaders (CEL) Conference in Hollywood. We were discussing leadership. I was enthralled with the idea of being open and vulnerable. At the same time, afraid of what would come of it. Early this year, I presented a synthesized version of my leadership approach, which I called “The HUMAN Approach.” I shared with the group in Hollywood about milestones in my life and provided some insight into how I’ve learned to manage those moments. Towards the end of my talk, I made the group a promise. I told them that I would put my HUMAN Approach to paper in the form of a book.

Now, several months later, managing the circumstances created by COVID-19, I seem to be reinvigorated with the idea. Later today, I’m presenting at the California IT in Education (CITE) Conference. My talk is entitled “The COVID Effect.” We’re going to discuss several crucial aspects of leadership through a lens of strength, not deficits. I feel it is important to our mental health to remind ourselves of what we’ve been able to accomplish. It’s healthy to re-live those moments, to use them as strength for the next time we’ll need that energy and skill.

This morning started great! I slept relatively well. I went for a 2-mile run and did some core exercises. During the run, or maybe it was yesterday - days meld together since COVID, an idea came to me. I realized that to write a book, one must write. Not a novel thought, but an important realization. I learned the lesson years ago when I was tasked with taking a lead role with marketing at my district. I eagerly searched on Google, “How to take better pictures.” Yes, I learned about the Rule of Thirds and other important theories about imagery and photography. However, most of the beginner's advice was, “Take A LOT of photos!” I believe the same is true for writing. To hone my skills, I need to write and read as much as I can.

So there it is…I’m here updating my personal webpage because I’m taking an important first step. Realizing how to start. I’m a few hours away from presenting at the CITE 2020 Conference. I’m nervous about sharing my ideas, but I also came to another realization during my morning run. I realized that we “rock” at what we do because others “feel” and “hear” the beat of our drum. To “rock,” we must connect! If I want to continue to “rock it,” I must be vulnerable, and I must connect. Here it goes universe! I’m taking the proverbial leap of faith and working to allow myself to land where I land.

11/18/2020

#Screencasting

The proliferation of handled computers, a.k.a., smartphones, make video creation easier and more accessible to millions of people. Today's students enjoy sharing their stories via video. In my opinion, probably more than any other generation.  Because of the popularity of YouTube, Snapchat, Kik, and other Apps, video is an integral part of engaging mobile applications and an ever-increasing art form we all have strong attachments to. 

Video creation is great. Students love making videos. Naturally leading to the question of how can educators incorporate video creation into their lessons without feeling like they're doing "one more thing?" The answer is screencasting. If the device you are using has a front-facing camera, you're in the home stretch. Screencasting is the process of recording oneself and the contents appearing on the computer all at once. Have you ever seen an instructional video discussing how to fix a software program or figure something out on the Internet or while using a particular application? Guess what? That's a screencast. 

Sure. At its core, screencasting is basic. That isn't a bad thing necessarily. Introducing video to students can be daunting. Technology decisions, curriculum applications, delivery methods - all real issues educators face when deciding to incorporate video. However, screencasting can teach students, through practice, how to create a good quality video. How so, you say? One word, reflection.

We know the power of reflection. If a student can explain a particular subject in his own words, chances are the student is retaining new information and is making valuable mental connections with that information. All good things! Why not use the engaging power of video to enhance that reflection? The task is simple. For lower-grade students, ask them to reflect on the camera for a specific amount of time. Applications like "WeVideo" and "Screencastify" make it easy to create screencasts using Chrome devices. Students can even save the video directly to their Google Drive. Or submit the video via Google Classroom or post it elsewhere. 

The beauty of screencasts is that it can be leveled or scaffolded. As students become more knowledgeable, the task can increase in rigor. The screencast can include a review of the material being discussed. The screencast could be used as part of a video that can be created using video creation software, for example, WeVideo. Want to increase the rigor even more? Try using a green screen. 

Video creation is a powerful and engaging tool that can increase fidelity to the standards while exposing our students to new tools and creative methods that will help them throughout their academic life. 

"Everything is copy." 

Art has a visceral effect on me. I find the power of stories intriguing. The movies "You've Got Mail" and "When Harry Met Sally" are classic films. Until today, my only experience or connection to both films was that of a consumer. I've enjoyed them, quoted them, and think of them fondly. It wasn't until I saw a documentary written and directed by Jacob Bernstein, son of acclaimed writer and director Nora Ephron, that I made additional connections to the mentioned films and their creator.

Nora Ephron was born in 1941 and died in 2012 of leukemia. Nora was a wife, mother, writer, and film-maker. Her life-story inspired me. Very rarely is such authenticity shared with the world. I don't know if I would have the strength to spend the last days of my life as she did, but I hope I can honor those I consider dear in a similar manner Nora did. In a television interview, Nora discusses her love of food. She goes on to say, "When you are actually going to have your last meal, you’ll either be too sick to have it, or you aren’t gonna know it’s your last meal, and you could squander it on something like a tuna melt, and that would be ironic. So it’s important ... I feel it’s important to have that last meal today, tomorrow, soon." (Huffington Post, 2012)

We've all heard the saying, "tomorrow isn't guaranteed." Some of us choose to remember that. Others ignore it or choose to live differently. As for me, I'm uncertain which applies. However, today I choose to have "my last meal" - to live my life as if tomorrow isn't assured. I was pleasantly reminded of that fact while watching the documentary "Everything Is Copy." 

ENFP

Part of my personality is being in a constant state of wonder. It's sort of magic how others can look at a sunset and have a completely different experience compared to another person. 

MOMENTS