Angela Maiers Educational Services, Inc.

Attention Leaders: YOU MATTER! #LeadershipChat 2/7/12

Angela Maiers — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:47:41 +0000

For the past year, my Tuesday nights have been filled with insights and inspiration from the worlds top leaders who faithfully gather on Twitter for one of the most powerful and productive chat streams on Twitter: #leadershipchat

The chat is co-hosted by author and CEO of C-Level Strategies, Inc, Lisa Petrilli (@LisaPetrilli) and The Connection Agent, Steve Woodruff (@swoodruff) , and each week they challenge and guide us through the questions that challenge us to be the best leaders in our fields and industry.

I have learned a lot from this super smart crew, and I am very very proud to be part of this community. It is what makes this Tuesday night even more special to me. I have the distinguished honor of being a featured #leadershipchat guest and cohost.

We have an exciting show planned for Tuesday Feb 7, 8pm EST entitled : YOU MATTER: Two Words Changing Leadership and the World

I am equally thrilled to be joined by the authors of the newly-released bestselling book, Have a Nice Conflict. Authors Tim Scudder, Michael Patterson and Kent Mitchell, who have written a brilliant road map for better understanding and navigating conflict, and for using this knowledge to be a more effective and successful leader who matters!! I highly recommend it! Buy it today! (Not an affiliate link).

Lisa gets us thinking about the role these two words have in our lives and in the lives of those we lead and serve:

I believe the concerted and consistent use of the words, “You matter,” by leaders in an organization, and actions that reinforce this message, can change a company. After all, according to a Gallup survey of more than 1 million employed US workers, the Number One reason people quit their jobs is a bad boss. Imagine if people began to be told by their boss on a regular basis that they matter… Knowing that in an organization people are your biggest asset, this change of mindset would make a tremendously powerful and positive impact.

Do you agree?

I hope that you are able to share your thoughts live with us.

Whether you lead a team of one or a force of thousands, we are all leaders in some way, #LeadershipChat is It is THE place to be this Tuesday evening:

Topic: YOU MATTER- Two Words Changing Leadership and the World
When: February 7th at 8:00 pm Eastern Time
Hosts: Lisa Petrilli and Steve Woodruff
Where: Twitter

To Read More About the YOU MATTER Movement, check out the following resources:

To Read More About #LeadershipChat check out this post and awesome video produced by my friend and #LeadershipChat mate, Judy Martin of Work/Life Nation

See you Tuesday night!!

Twitter Chats and Cocktail Parties (brandimpact.wordpress.com)
My Business Vision (brandimpact.wordpress.com)
Are You Getting Ahead? (brandimpact.wordpress.com)
“Follow Your Lead? What’s In It For Me??” (brandimpact.wordpress.com)
Lisa Petrilli: 3 Critical Career Advancement Strategies for Introverts in Business (huffingtonpost.com)
Leadership in an Era of Digital Darwinism (briansolis.com)
Are you too busy to grow? (leaderchat.org)

The Courage to Teach

Angela Maiers — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:01:55 +0000

I am just finishing the final edits on the New Habitudes book (coming very very very soon!)

My editor asked me to post some reflections on the chapter of Courage; as it is one of the hardest “Habitudes” to articulate and teach.

I am sharing these with you in hopes that you will add to my pepective and understanding.

What gives you “your courage to learn and teach?”

Here’s how I see it:

My Reflections on Courage

The heart of education is an education of the heart.

The root of the word “courage” is the Latin word “cor,” meaning “heart.” The English word “core” comes from the same Latin root. So at its core, teaching is about developing courage.

Unfortunately, much of our teaching is devoted not to the heart but to the mind and the hand. We develop the intellect to solve a differential equation, to analyze and evaluate literature, and to classify differences between rocks and minerals.

The lessons in this chapter serve not only to compliment these intellectual objectives; but to remind us of the need to educate the heart, developing in students the courage to propose a new explanations, the courage to ask a new question, and the courage to share their contributions with the world.

The heart of teaching is the teaching of the heart. In order to teach, we need courage to overcome our fears. Consider and reflect on the following statements of courage.

I have the courage to…

ask brave and genius questions
learn new, complex things and relish in the journey of the unknown and yet to be discovered
yield trust and control to students by listening, honoring, and recognizing their unique contributions.
engage in discussions that challenge our deepest convictions and ignite our hidden passions
play with purpose and passion
know YOU MATTER!

What say you?

TODAY’S LEADERSHIP MANTRA: Courage. (martingysler.com)
Find Time to Build Your Brave Muscles With a Daily Courage Workout (solo-e.com)
Courage (onemealeachday.wordpress.com)
Courage is Being Courageous (catangeliscommunications.com)
“Men Don’t Follow Titles, They Follow Courage” (leadershipdad.com)
Courage to be ‘enough’ (emotionaleducation.wordpress.com)

The 5 C’s of Passion Driven Leadership

Angela Maiers — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:49:13 +0000

“Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I had the distinguished honor of giving the keynote address this week at the mid winter conference for the Utah Association of Middle and High School Principals. What a pleasure it was to be in the presence of such passionate and dedicated leaders.

It was the perfect place to debut a new framework for leadership and systems improvement I have been working on called:

The Five C’s of Passion Driven Leadership

View more presentations from Angela Maiers

I believe passion to be the single most important asset we have as educators, education leaders, and educational organizations. Passion differentiates us consistently over time, and it needs to be nurtured, evolved, and invigorated by the people entrusted to keep it true and alive.

Here’s a peek at the presentation and the talking points for what turned out to be a fantastic and ”passion driven conversation”

Clear Direction: The future may be made up of many uncertain factors but the passionate will not only survive ; they will thrive. Let’s make sure we paint a vivid picture of that future immersed in choice, leveraged with opportunity, and fueled by passion.
Clarity Focus: Ambiguity is the enemy of change. The resistance we feel in moving people forward dissipates when we articulate the steps and behaviors need for the entire community to move towards achieving its vision, mission, and goals.
Capacity: Everyone has the capacity to learn therefore everyone has the capacity to change. It is important not to ensure the work ahead is “easy” but to make the hard work they will be doing easier by promising the conditions that build confidence and competence are present in every experience and interaction.
Credibility: We live in an information abundant but trust-scarce world. People want to know they can trust the individuals who define and design their future. To garner that trust, leaders must “go first” so that we are able to grant those who follow us the things they desire most – empathy, familiarity, insight, and compassion. Show them do not tell them what the future holds- Go there first!
Courage: In times of big, complex change; it seems logical that we need big complicated solutions. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Less is more. The courageous leader is not the one who says yes to every new program, initiative, and invention. The courageous leader says no letting go of all that does not matter.

These 5C’s taken together are what set apart a good school from a great school. Any leader who decides to adopt this level of intensity and conviction will be valued and admired.

I closed the speech with the following call to A.C.T. which stands for:

A.- Action

C – Change

T- Time.

As you consider each of these passion driven principles,on any of these principles and practices which ones:

A – take immediate action on

C- consider letting go of, changing direction or course

T- devote the most time, talent, and resources to

Passion is not a nicety it is a necessity. It’s important that we recognize them, nurture them, and let them know that they matter. To all the passion driven leaders I have the honor and privilege of working with and learning from, I have two final words for you:YOU MATTER!

RESOURCES:

To support the passion driven leaders willing to commit to this work, the following resources were shared:

Books Referenced in the Talk:

Passion Articles:

Passion Driven Leadership and Learning Webinar – Save the Date!

Angela Maiers — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:07:45 +0000

As a part of their Leading Innovation-Driving Change Conversation, Mass CUE is hosting a special webinar series prior to their spring conference annual event. I am thrilled to be kicking off the passion driven conversation, and I am inviting you to join me!

We know that education and work driven by passion awakens us to new learning and a world bigger than ourselves. Passion makes us curious, compels us to dig deeper, and sustains us as we persevere towards answers to questions that matter most.

Explore with us how the principles and practices of a passion-driven work: disciplined study, fostered imagination, active participation and community contribution, can and will transform the teaching, learning, and lives.

The amazing, Justin Reich and Tom Daccord, Co-Directors of EdTechTeacher will be our moderator. Please check out their work below:

Project Manager, Distributed Collaborative Learning Communities Project

Doctoral Candidate, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet and Society

Blogs: EdTechResearcher.org and http://edtechteacher.org

Twitter: @bjfr and @thomasdaccord

Save the date: Thursday January 26, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST on EdTechTeacher Blackboard Virtual Classroom

Registration is now open: Information and details here.

Related articles

Guest Post: Educating Students Toward Their Passions (angelamaiers.com)
Honoring Genius Now! (angelamaiers.com)
Chase Down Your Passion Like it’s the Last Bus of the Night! (learningisgrowing.wordpress.com)
London: “Let’s Start an Education Revolution!” (eduventurist.org)
Assisting the Learner to Think Like a Professional (usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com)
Top 10 Requirements of Good Teaching (catechesisinthethirdmillennium.wordpress.com)
Student Voice in Educational Reform (usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com)

Project Yesu: Kids CAN Change the World

Angela Maiers — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:05:41 +0000

I am thrilled to share this very special guest post from eleven year old Mallory; sixth grader and world-change agent.

You will be amazed and inspired as you hear her describe the day she made the decion to change the world.

In October 2011 I sat down to write my Christmas list for my parents, I looked around my room and I realized there was nothing I needed, nothing I wanted. But the more I thought about it, the more I thought about the children in Africa, and how they weren’t going to get Christmas presents, and there was a lot of things that they needed. So, I sent my mom an email with my Christmas list, one thing on it, to help Africa.

See, in August of 2010 the Ugandan Orphan Children’s Choir came to my church to perform, and I got to meet the children, and they were amazing. They were so loving, and just wanted to hug me and hold my hand. My mom had also started doing work for a couple of organizations that helped in Uganda, so she had taught me about the children there.

The day after I sent the email my Mom and I sat down and talked about what I wanted to do, and how I wanted to help. I contacted Amazima Ministries and Project Have Hope and I told them what I wanted to do, and I asked them how I could best help them. That is how Project Yesu was born.

My goals at first were simple, I wanted to raise $600 to sponsor 2 children, one from Amazima and one from Project Have Hope. When you sponsor a child, it pays for food, medicine and sends them to school. I also decided I wanted to send Christmas cards to the children in Uganda, I mean who doesn’t like to get a card, it makes you smile. So I drew two different card designs and I contacted a local printing company and asked them if they would donate the printing of 650 cards, they did.

So I started to tell people about Project Yesu, and my mom helped me start a blog so people could read about it. I met with my Children’s pastor and asked if our youth group could help me with the cards, because I wanted them to be personal, so I needed a lot of help to write out 650 cards. I also spoke to my youth group, and told them about Project Yesu and about the children in Uganda and asked them to help me raise money.

Every week I set up a booth at my church to tell people about my project, and the word spread.

In only 8 weeks I raised over $2,400 and I was able to sponsor 7 children. It was way more then I had originally planned on and it was great. I got to meet some wonderful people, and tell them my story. I was invited to go to WAYFM a Christian radio station because they learned about my project, and I was even on TV. The NBC station out of Nasvhille did a story on Project Yesu.

I read a quote one day from Mahatma Ghandi that said, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. That’s what I want to do, I want to be the change, I want to make a difference, I want to help people. Everyone thinks kids are selfish or that we’re just kids and we can’t do anything like this. I want to show people what a difference one person can make. If someone, because they heard about me, or met me, decides that they can be a change too, then it will spread from me, to that person, to another person and so on.

Kids have good ideas, and you know what? We don’t know all the reasons why it won’t work, we just know we what we want to do. I know with Project Yesu, I am making a difference, not only in the lives of the seven children in Uganda who now have food, medicine and can go to school. But I am making a difference in the lives of my family, my friends, my teachers and even people I have never met before.

I want Project Yesu to continue to spread and grow, and to do that I need people like you, who are reading this post to spread the word and to help me. My goals for 2012 is to raise $4,500 – who knows maybe I’ll double that this year or even triple that and be able to help more and more children in Uganda. I plan to travel to Uganda in December of 2012 to hand deliver the Christmas cards to the children, to meet my sponsored children and to love on the children of Uganda who have changed my life.

If you want to know more about Project Yesu, or how you can help you can find me on

Facebook www.facebook.com/projectyesu
My sitewww.projectyesu.org.

I am selling T-shirts and wristbands to raise funds, and I am also looking for families, groups, classrooms or anyone to be a part of the “Be The Change” campaign by collecting coins to donate towards Project Yesu.

So I have accepted the challenge to be the change….will you?

Partners in Learning – Global Forum 2012

Angela Maiers — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:55:29 +0000

Two months ago today, I embarked on an what has turned out to be an experience of a lifetime. I traveled to Washington DC to cover the 2011 Partners in Learning Global Forum live on Twitter. (You can check out that Twitter stream here.)

To get a sense of the essence and energy of the week, take a moment look at this short video and browse through the event photostream which beautifully portrays the fascinating projects, engaged collaboration, and transformative learning that happened when 700+ teachers, school leaders, education and government officials from more than 70 countries come together to share their vision of what’s possible in education.

I was not only inspired by the hundreds of amazing projects presented by teachers from across the globe; I was reminded of why I became a teacher in the first place. Somewhere between the discussions of the skills and strategies we must teach and the standards we must hold ourselves accountable for, we forget the essence of our work; to change lives and change the world.

My friend, Johnny Kissko , 2011 award recipient, said it beautifully in his reflective post here:

“I am most in awe of the sincerely passionate people at this event and their vision on how to develop lifelong learners and relationships of significance, both in the classroom and beyond.”

These feelings were validated and resonated loud and clear when Anthony Salcito, Vice President for Microsoft Education, addressed the crowd:

At Microsoft, we believe that education can change the world. We recognize that teachers play a direct role in education and influencing the lives of students. Each year, millions of teachers contribute to the learning and development of students across the U.S. They instill life lessons that live on well after education is complete. Teachers have the ability to build communities. I know…I’ve seen it happen.

Here were my first tweets of the opening keynote address:

It was both impressive and exciting to see hard working educators get the recognition they deserved, not only during the Awards Ceremony, but throughout the week. No detail was left to chance and no teacher was left behind thinking: Does the work I do matter?

I am thrilled that I had a chance to sit down with Anthony during the event (and yes give him that hug!) and he shared with me his vision for continuing to ensure that this message of YOU MATTER reached teachers everywhere.

Through his new blog, Daily Edventures will be sharing the stories of “everyday heroes” in education worldwide. Each day he will include an interview and information on how these brave leaders are making meaningful changes in their community to ensure a brighter future for the next generation through education.

Microsoft’s commitment to supporting, recognizing and inspiring educations around the world, left excited and energized about the future. If you are not a member of the Partners in Learning Community already, sign up today!

Just this week, Microsoft launched the revamped Partners in Learning Network, a worldwide collaborative network and resource designed to encourage the communication and sharing between the world’s brightest and forward-thinking educators. You will be amazed at the resources you will find.

You can read more about the updates to the New Network and recent developments in 21st Century Skills research here and at EMEA Press Centre.

Thank you Microsoft for a wonderful and invigorating expereince, and thank you to my college and “tweet crew” Alfred Thomason, Doug Peterson, Lee Kolbert, Olie Bray, and Johnny Kissko for making the week even more special.

Reflections from Microsoft Pil Global Forum 1 of 5 – Anthony Salcito Keynote [#pilgf #msftpil] (olliebray.typepad.com)
Microsoft Partners in Learning Aims to Inspire Teachers (wired.com)
Reflections from Microsoft Pil Global Forum 5 of 5 – Building Networks [#pilgf #msftpil] (olliebray.typepad.com)
My Takeaways from the Partners in Learning Global Summit (dougpete.wordpress.com)
Microsoft donates $1 million to train teachers in Africa (bizjournals.com)

The YOU MATTER Manifesto

Angela Maiers — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:23:57 +0000

My friend and mentor Seth Godin says, “only reason to give a speech is to change the world”, so that is the context and the inspiration I share this message and manifesto with you:

2 Words Changing The World

These two words can change your mood, change your mind, and have the power to change lives and the world world if we understand and leverage them in the right way”

Angela Maiers TED Talk June 2011

YOU MATTER.

I am not telling you something that you don’t already know – Mattering Matters.

In fact, I’m sure you will agree that it is of the utmost importance to tell our families, our customers, clients, and community – they matter.

But who tells you?

Before we can convince anyone else that we matter we must first convince ourselves. This is not a desperate attempt to justify our existence nor glorify our importance. Knowing we matter is key to our existence as important to our survival as air, food, and water.

Consider this Manifesto an acknowledgement of your significance and an official reminder that ….

1. YOU ARE ENOUGH

Do you even realize how much difference you can make? You don’t have to be rich or famous; there is not age limit or specific skill set to acquire. Your presence- your essence- your passion is enough.

You already have what it takes to make the world a better place. Making a difference to the world may seem like an enormous task, but it is in fact the collective effort of everyone to make small contributions with a lot of heart. You are just what the world is waiting for.

2. YOU HAVE INFLUENCE

Knowing you can make a difference in the world is sometimes scary to accept. To realize you can literally alter the path of the world is a bit overwhelming. Yet it’s important to accept the influence you own.

Whether you accept it or not, you’re changing the course of humanity. The degree to which you do so it entirely up to you.

3. YOU ARE A GENIUS

Seth Godin defines genius as the act of solving a problem in a way no one has solved it before. It has nothing to do with winning a Nobel prize in physics or certain levels of schooling. It’s about using human insight and initiative to find original solutions that matter. The question is: Have you ever done that? Read on…

4. YOU HAVE A CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE

“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” – Author Unknown

Your painting can bring a smile to someones face. Your poetry can lift someone out of a deep slump. Your passion can lead to the creation of something magnificent. The size of the contribution you make is is not what matters most. What counts is the effort.

We have a responsibility to seek ways to contribute, large and small.

5. YOU HAVE A GIFT THAT OTHERS NEED

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” – Buddha

Happiness and love are the two greatest gifts you can give to the world. Too often, we’re too indulged in our own gratifications we forget there are people in this world whom we can make a little happier and feel more loved.

These interventions, ideas, and ideals are the gifts we can give to society. And as the saying goes, “The more we give, the more we’ll receive.”

6. YOU ARE THE CHANGE

“Be the change the world need to see” Ghandi

Sometimes it is in the small encounters with others that we recognize twe matter, that our presence is important. A shared smile, an unexpected kindness, leaving each encounter with another positive.

It is in these small moments we find opportunity to make the choice to matter. In doing so, we create the relationship, we create the change. We make the world a better place.

7. YOUR ACTIONS DEFINE YOU IMPACT

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank

Action is the worlds greatest currency.If you choose to remain passive in how you live, you still have an impact. If you choose to remain quiet on issues that drive you, that too influences humanity.

There is no one best time to start to make a difference to the world. You don’t need to wait till you have the time; you don’t have to wait till you make more money; you don’t have to wait to let someone know they matter. Start with these two words, and you will will know how much that little efforts counts today.

8. YOU MATTER!

To matter means to be of consequence, of importance (but not self-importance;) significant, relevant, worthy of note and of crucial value. To feel appreciated and valued, marginalized, abandoned or ignored. The world may not always affirm this. Your employer may not always tell you that you – and the work you do – are valued. You friends and family without knowing it may not communicate the importance of your presence in their lives.

But that doesn’t mean that what you do and who you are doesn’t have a profound impact on the world.

It does. And you do.

In the big scheme of things – you make a difference. A big difference. The world would be a very different place – a lesser place – without you.

About this Manifesto:

The YOU MATTER Manifesto is more than just a cheerful sentiment; it is a call to action. Empower yourself and realise the importance of contributing to the world by living your genius. Work on that talent and know you are responsible to put to use the gifts that have been entrusted to you. Mattering is a process not an event. Take your dreams and your talents seriously.

Consider and Share:

Let’s make our time together matter! This is only the beginning!

#SMManners Twitter Chat – Doing Business Above the Line

Angela Maiers — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:54:30 +0000

Morals? Ethics? Being open, authentic, transparent?Sure, we’ve all heard them. It’s ubiquitous when it comes to conversations about business, education, and social media success.

These are all practices important to being “Above the Line” and the topic of one of my favorite Twitter Chats: #SMmanners

I am excited this week to be co-hosting #SMmanners with the Twitter Chat King himself, Mr, Jure Klepic.

Our guests will be Brent Williams (@1BrentWilliams) and Andrew B. Clark (@TheBrandChef) ; two of the co-founders of Above the Line America.

They will be discussing the importance of doing business “Above the Line” and the important tenants of

Abundance
Authenticity
Accountability
Action
Appreciation

topics that both educators and business organizations will find fascinating.

Here are details for the chat:

Date: Tuesday January 10, 2011
Time: 10 PM EST
Hashtags: #SMmanners and #Abovetheline

If this is your first Twitter chat, check out these great getting started tips:

For more information on and upcoming chat topics and #SMmaners follow the amazing Dabney Port (@DabneyPorte)

Founder of #SMmanners , #SlumberParty & Co Founder of #SMgirlfriends

Related articles:

Welcome 2012 – How Will You Make It Matter?

Angela Maiers — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:43:08 +0000

Hello Friends and Happy New Year!

Like many of you, I am reflecting on the last 365 days and making “My TO BE” list for the coming year hoping to ensure that 2012 is a year that matters. There are literally hundreds of books, posts, and pieces of advice that we use to raise the bar in our professional and personal lives.

So many of these things make sense (eat right, exercise more, limit the chocolate, etc,,) and we fully intend to be diligent in their implementation into our habits and lives. And yet, somewhere between Jan 1st and Jan. 1st, we don’t quite make the mark. (Speaking from personal experience!)

The most important lesson I learned in 2011 is the life we wish for comes not from doing something big and drastic but rather by committing to do one small thing a day that really matters to/for someone else.

I am making that a renewed commitment in 2012 to everyday, for 365 days, to let someone in my life know that they matter to me. A few seconds of your time could mean the world to someone.

Lets make sure that everyday in 2012 is a day that matters!

Happy New Year!!

If video does not automatically play - Click to View Here.

The Top 11 Posts of 2011

Angela Maiers — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:54:49 +0000

As 2011 comes to a close, I wanted to share with you the top posts of the year as a way to celebrate the conversations we have had and honor the insights and ideas you have shared.

It was hard to pick just 11; so I selected the posts that you the readers reacted to most through your tweets, likes, comments and shares.

I love what I do and love the interaction I have with this amazing community of learners. Keep letting me know what matters most you and what I can do to make next year even better together!

Angela Maiers Educational Services, Inc.

Attention Leaders: YOU MATTER! #LeadershipChat 2/7/12

The Courage to Teach

The 5 C’s of Passion Driven Leadership

Passion Driven Leadership and Learning Webinar – Save the Date!

Project Yesu: Kids CAN Change the World

Partners in Learning – Global Forum 2012

The YOU MATTER Manifesto

#SMManners Twitter Chat – Doing Business Above the Line

Welcome 2012 – How Will You Make It Matter?

The Top 11 Posts of 2011

Top 11 Posts of 2011

1. You Matter- 2 Words Changing the World

2. The 12 Most Important Ways to Let People Know They Matter

3. Honoring Genius Now!

4. Permission to Play..Please?

5. The Power of Noticing

6. 5 Ways to Tweet Like A Champion

7. 12 Most Important Things to Know About Kids Today

8. Superman Ain’t Comin’ and Why That’s a Good Thing

9. Social is the New Search

10. Jobs of the Future – Will Our Students Be Prepared?

11. Celebrating Teachers – A Collection of Online Resources