The Truth as I Understand It

I'm With Her

2016-05-06T11:28:00.000-05:00

My politics are progressive and I am a feminist. I love Bernie Sanders and the progressive economic agenda. I am extremely excited about our progressive movement – what an amazing group of energized people working together to advance our shared ideas!

Unfortunately, I get a lot of nastiness when I share that I am a Hillary Clinton supporter, which I have been surprised and hurt by. I’ve had friends, colleagues and family members question my progressive values. Some have resorted to trolling my social media accounts instead of connecting with me personally. As a person who is comfortable with the uncomfortable, I am doing my best to learn from this process while avoiding being angry. Some days it’s not easy, but I keep plugging along because it’s imperative we come together if we truly want to make progressive change.

So, how do we include and inspire others to join the progressive movement? Here’s what I’m working on and I invite you to join me (I am far from perfect, so please note that mistakes will be made).

How can we be more inclusive while advocating for a progressive political agenda?

Be mindful of the language we use.

Language has power, so let’s educate ourselves and do our best to use non-discriminatory language. If you find that someone is using bigoted language, kindly point out their error without attacking the person and making folks feel like they are “bad” – focus on the behavior, not the person. It may be tempting, but do your best to not reflect negative behavior back by using bullying language. Instead, reinforce positive behavior to help build confidence. As the old expression goes… You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.

Have issues-based conversations with friends who are interested.

Invading someone’s personal space by making a rude comment isn’t the way to engage people and get them to change their minds (I have done this and immediately felt guilty… there was a reason I felt that way – I was being a bully – not proud of this BTW).

Use humor.

If tension is high, make a joke to lighten the mood. It gives folks time to take a breath and relax a bit. There are pitfalls to using humor, such as the use of insensitive or hurtful jokes. For example, if someone has recently died humor is not an option. Yes, it was too soon.

**What’s the difference between Being Sassy and Being Rude?**

Being funny or irreverent about an issue can be effective when you are seen as bold and confident; however, when paired with harmful adjectives those attempts to engage backfire. An example is calling out elected officials using a bit of sass versus hurtful adjectives:

Creating space for others.

For me, leadership is about intentionally creating the space for others to thrive and to shine. It’s beautiful when someone shows that you are valued by leveraging power and privilege to create space. It’s easier to come to consensus with someone who values what you have to offer, even when they don’t agree with you.

There’s plenty more where that came from, friends.

Peace to you and yours –

Jackie

Consent

2016-02-29T18:26:00.000-06:00

I never imagined I would share such an intimate snapshot of my life with everyone.

Why was I crying when Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the Oscars last night? Weeping through the impassioned cry of Lady Gaga.

You see, there’s this little voice in my head nagging me to be brave and frankly, I am sick and tired of ignoring her. She warns me that I must accept that some will be critical… judge me… think less of me. Many see me as a woman full of courage and strength. I have worked hard for you to see that… I’ve been hiding parts of me.

I am taking down this wall of shame brick by humiliating brick and it begins with memories I cannot escape.

I’m waking-up. There are noises around me: music, laughter. It’s dark, hot. Laughter, whispers…

“Feel it, she’s wet. She likes it.”

My head is fuzzy. Why am I lying down? What’s going on?

A masculine voice says, “Go ahead, feel it…”

Two hands are touching my vagina. There is a finger inside of me.

More laughter. “Quiet, she’s waking up.” Another finger is inside me.

Am I imagining this? Why are they touching me? Jesus! Get up! I can’t move… so groggy.

I don’t know how long I was on that bed on the second level of a house in a small town in Wisconsin. I remember that “friends” were driving around and we decided to stop at one of their houses because no adults were home. We were sneaking things not legal for us to have.

I was 17.

Shattered… Confused… Embarrassed… Ashamed.

I blocked it out.

I did not tell.

Such a wholesome, strong, capable girl would never LET that happen.

We cannot continue blaming people who have been sexually assaulted.

We cannot continue to let them blame themselves.

I cannot continue to blame myself.

I did not consent.

Empathy... Leading to Compassion... Leading to Altruism

2016-01-21T22:01:00.002-06:00

We often confuse empathy with pity, sympathy, and even compassion. They are different; the former are reactions to the plight of others.

For example, pity is a feeling of discomfort at another's distress and often has condescending overtones, while sympathy is a feeling of concern for someone accompanied by a wish that the person be happier. Sympathy entails a more profound personal engagement than pity; however, does not involve shared emotions. On the other hand, compassion is more engaged than empathy, and is associated with an active desire to alleviate another's suffering.

With empathy, we share emotions; with compassion we not only share emotions but also elevate them into a universal and transcending experience. Compassion, which builds upon empathy, is one of the main motivators of altruism (selfless concern for the well-being of others).

Adapted from Heaven and Hell: The Psychology of the Emotions by Neel Burton

Focusing more effort on possessing empathy by placing ourselves in "someone else's shoes" and attempting to understand how others feel, will help us form more compassionate responses to the suffering of others and may lead us down the path of altruism.

Moreover, offering genuine empathy... leading to compassion... leading to altruism can bring needed change to our shared world.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Season's Greetings

2015-12-28T19:39:00.000-06:00

Season’s greetings from mild-weathered Minneapolis, which seems to be the only place in the U.S. where climate change is producing LESS volatile weather patterns. We were blessed with another mild summer and a long, pleasant autumn. We will see if the pattern continues in 2016.

Our 2015 had a somber beginning with the January passing of James’ Grampa Orwig. He was an ever-flowing river of physical, moral, and intellectual vitality, and we were blessed to have been able to enjoy some of his 95 years with him. His passing came months after his 2nd daughter Elizabeth concluded her long battle with MS. Grampa’s memorial service in June in Kentucky was a wonderful opportunity for the extended family to gather, celebrate, support, and grow together again.

Our summer was marked with multiple adventures. In Kentucky we hiked Indian Fort Mountain with family, then hiked 9 subterranean miles in Mammoth Cave National Park. We enjoyed great weather for our week in Michigan, but our BIG adventure was driving to Maine to explore Acadia National Park for two days with Kurt, Catherine, and Rachel Schmidt. The long drive east included passing through Toronto and more significant stops in Montreal and Quebec City. Acadia was an understated delight, seeing the sights, climbing the granite, tasting the treats, and communing with the Schmidts. The route home included rural roads in New Hampshire, watching the Perseid Meteor Shower in Killington, VT, and visiting Joanna, Michael, and Sophia Daeschner in Rochester, NY. If the climax of the return voyage was our visit to Niagara Falls, then the denouement was the night at the waterpark in Ohio. The 11-day odyssey marked the first time any of us had driven from our home to one of the coasts, and it was a powerful experience to stand atop Cadillac Mountain, surveying the Atlantic, before pointing our vehicle West for the voyage home.

Sixth-grader Katie collected many new experiences this year. Early in the year she had a role in a local theater production, then had her first (mind-blowing) opportunity to ski in the Rocky Mountains. Katie took golf lessons during the summer, developing a nice swing in the process. This fall she started middle school (loves it) and ran on the cross-country team (wow!). Add in 2 weeks at Camp Miniwanca during the summer and Katie had a year full of adventures and growth!

Second-grader Preston has been flexing his academic and athletic muscles, showing an aptitude for learning in both arenas. His league sports are baseball, soccer, and (for the first time) basketball, with skiing, golf, and tennis filling spare time. His reading level has been impressive this year, as has his growth as a swimmer (special thanks to Grandad, Cousin Neil and the hotel pool in Kentucky!).

Jackie's increasing interest in public policy drove much of her activity during the year. She is administrating several social media accounts (including her own) and has built some stature within the progressive networks in Minnesota. She also decided to re-enter the workforce and accepted a non-profit role as Director of Communications for EVOLVE Adoption & Family Services.

James turned 40 and was talked into playing in several soccer matches with old teammates despite retiring from the game 5 years ago. It was fun, but his body didn’t seem to enjoy the experience as much as he did. He reveled in the family summer adventures before experiencing some professional upheaval as Ecolab cut back on innovation plans. While his period as a free agent has been a period of intense learning, networking, and exploration, even the luster of less-frequent face-shaving is wearing off. With a job offer on the table at the time of this writing, James is confident he’ll be sinking his teeth into new professional challenges soon. He’ll also be finalizing our plans for a trip to the Grand Canyon this summer!

We wish you a joyous holiday season and a 2016 full of faith, wonder, and contentment.

Blessings of peace to you and yours ~ The Craig Family

The Holidays are Going to Hurt

2015-12-08T21:22:00.001-06:00

Because love does not end with death, we feel pain. Pain and grief are a natural part of life: a sane response to the physical loss of losing someone we love. The pain makes perfect sense and the holidays are going to hurt.

Grieving is a very personal experience and there is no "normal" timeframe for grieving. It's important to allow ourselves time to process feelings naturally. The reality of pain cares nothing for order or stages, even though it's commonly referred to as stages of grief. Loss is painful and messy. Please do not use stages to dictate if you are "grieving correctly" or not.

When coping with sudden death or lengthy grieving, expect to feel depressed. Those feelings may wax and wane over time and are normal responses to extremely stressful situations, they are not personal flaws. Many find solace in developing a network of supportive friends and companions. However, if we continually avoid support and disconnect or isolate ourselves, we may be heading towards major depression.

Important Note: If you have previously struggled with depression, the death of someone close to you may bring depression to the foreground. Complicated grief can be so persistent and complex that it lasts for years. Anytime you experience thoughts of suicide, or become unable to complete basic daily routines, please seek professional help.

Is there a way to make the holidays work?

People who love us are going to want to create a special holiday; however, often what others think is needed can be overwhelming. We need to give ourselves permission to say, "No." It's important to check in with ourselves often and if leaving a gathering is helpful, we can simply leave.

Support one another.

Empathy and compassion may help reduce suffering by opening us to the healing and growth personal connections can bring. It's important for us to honor the pain we are experiencing. Hear each other. Don't try to fix. Let each other cry and be in the moment with each other.

Blessings of peace to you and yours -

Jackie

Blocked By My Minnesota Senator

2015-08-10T21:25:00.001-05:00

As a citizen who cares deeply about the future our children face, I actively engage with political representatives both locally and nationally. I am especially motivated to communicate with those who represent me. It's my pleasure to share that most representatives, even if they disagree with my politics, are at minimum polite and responsive (often dismissive, but I'll take it).

You can imagine my feelings when I discovered that my Facebook friend, Dan Hall, blocked me on Twitter (insert sad face here). I don't actively engage with Senator Hall on Twitter, so I am left wondering why he'd be bothered enough to block my ability to read and respond to his posts. I guess dissent is not allowed in District 56... And here I thought constituent engagement was a good thing.

Being a curious soul, I thought it would be helpful to look at our past in person interactions to see if I had done something to upset him enough to block a constituent.

All I can think of was an office visit to discuss environmental legislation this past session. Several of his constituents joined me in asking him to be more responsible with our precious environment by supporting forward-thinking legislation. The most interesting part of the visit, in my opinion, was Mr. Hall's initial assumption that the group of informed and concerned citizens in front of him were lobbying folks without connections to his district. Here's how it went down.

Mr. Hall greeted us with a smile as we made our way to a small conference room. The friendly welcome was appreciated because speaking out can be intimidating. A few of us shared our concerns about the health of our environment and what improvements we were there to support. Senator Hall's smile morphed into a sneer as he inquired where one of the speakers was from. From the look on his face, it seemed Mr. Hall was surprised, but not delighted, to be speaking with a constituent from his district in that moment. He then ask us to raise our hands if we were his constituents. When most of the group raised their hands proudly, Senator Hall's face fell. He composed himself, made small talk, congratulated us for taking time to visit, and took our information. He posed for a photo and became my Facebook friend after this meeting, so I'm guessing this is not the cause of me being blocked.

Lest Mr. Hall feel targeted, we also stopped by Representative Roz Peterson's office that day. She invited us into her office with a friendly smile (much appreciated). She listened as we shared concerns about environmental legislation not being effective at protecting our shared resources for future generations. Mrs. Peterson then explained that our environmental standards would be a tough sell to businesses. I suggested that Minnesota businesses could be environmental leaders, elevating our state's reputation and desirability. Yet another of my representatives' faces fell. She argued that business interests were not in line with tougher environmental legislation. Again, I combatted the premise that Minnesota business leaders could be champions instead of blockers of environmental protections. Representative Peterson then suggested that we speak to Pat Garafalo about environmental legislation (pretty certain owning a Tesla does not make one the go to environmental rep, but okay). I've been quite vocal about my disappointment with Representative Peterson's votes since that visit and she hasn't blocked me. Shoot, her political strategist and husband even follow me on Twitter.

So, what could it be that pushed Senator Hall to block this constituent? Maybe it's because I recently took a stand to support Planned Parenthood because there's a bunch of lies being spread about their services and funding. I certainly owe them a lot for the healthcare they provided me as a young woman lacking financial means to pay out of pocket.

Checkout these screenshots of Mr. Hall's Twitter account and decide for yourself why a vocal constituent like myself would earn a block.

Peace to you and yours (and even Dan Hall) - Jackie

Journey to an Inclusive, Supportive, and Loving Community

2015-08-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

It is beautiful witnessing the moral emotions of community members and our natural instincts to protect family. We all witness examples of time and effort gifted to those we consider part of our inner circle, which ultimately strengthens our connections.

Our challenge is to broaden our reach by harnessing these collective emotions to evoke action for the greater good and thereby strengthening community connections.

To conquer this challenge we must start seeing our community as our family, so the gifts and protections we share are inclusive and love abounds.

Let us join together to discard our judgements and prejudices, while understanding how history impacts current realities. There is power in owning and learning from past mistakes.

This challenge is one of many on our lifelong journey to shape an inclusive, supportive, and loving community. I look forward to sharing this challenging journey with you. Please tune in and engage mindfully.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Why Not ERA?

2015-03-21T17:16:00.001-05:00

It's your friend, Jackie, rabble-rousing again. This time, I'm advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in Minnesota.

Here's a bit of insider scoop. The ERA Minnesota push initially included a Republican woman, who later removed her name because the big boys didn't want her to push for equal rights. I don't know about you, but if leadership in my party tried to shutdown my rights, I'd push even harder.

Here's a quote sharing the history of ERA from Betty Folliard, a former state representative and Founder of ERA Minnesota.

"The ERA is a non-partisan issue. Alice Paul, a Republican, wrote the ERA in 1923. It was supported by every subsequent Republican president up until Ronald Reagan and was actively promoted by two former First Ladies: Pat Nixon & Betty Ford. For decades it was part of the GOP platform."

Ladies, support the ERA as a matter of principle. This is non-partisan when party leaders stay the heck out of it. We are women and will not be oppressed. Unite, support, and protect each other.

Feminism is about supporting the choices we make, despite our differences, because we all are working towards the same goals. We desire the best for our families and communities. Let them not divide us. Judge not and spread the love and joy of inclusion. Join together in a resounding voice for equality.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Safe & Supportive Schools For All

2015-03-03T15:31:00.002-06:00

As those who know me have invariably heard, one of my favorite sayings is, "There are more differences within groups than there are between groups." This can also be flipped to, “There are more similarities between groups than there are within groups.” This post is about one of the many similarities I share with most of my friends and family members: the value of protecting the safety of all children.

The people I know, respect, and even love vary widely on a broad political spectrum. Please humor me for a moment and remove our political agendas and move directly to our base feelings about protecting all children. Let’s see those mommy and daddy bears that come out when we find someone has harmed our children. Stay with me my friends... I’m going to talk about sexual orientation.

For most people, sexual orientation is not a choice. Some would argue it’s not a choice for anyone, but I’m going to stick with a source I trust: the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA’s description of what causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation is as follows:

“There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”

Are you still with me? Here’s an exercise to test our empathy skills.

Imagine yourself in a romantic embrace with someone of the opposite gender you are not attracted to. Want to stretch yourself? Imagine a similar situation with someone of your same gender. Uncomfortable and confusing, huh? Now, imagine you are a child trying to understand these feelings.

This is how the ACA explains how people know they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual:

“According to current scientific and professional understanding, the core attractions that form the basis for adult sexual orientation typically emerge between middle childhood and early adolescence. These patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction may arise without any prior sexual experience. People can be celibate and still know their sexual orientation--be it lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual.”

Another similarity many of us share is that we are followers of Jesus. I’m being completely genuine and honest when I share that it’s been a struggle for me understanding how the lessons of love and tolerance I learned from the teachings of Jesus have been twisted politically to spread intolerance. It’s even harder for me to comprehend that there are still human beings out there who would rather harm children by exposing them to bullying and even worse, bogus conversion therapies, than support a child's sexual orientation.

Here’s why am I bringing this up now. I advocate for all of our children being protected with strong bullying prevention legislation guaranteeing them learning in a safe and supportive environment. Too many children face harassment and even violence, leading to serious mental health issues and sometimes suicide-related behavior.

Right now, there is a bill in the Minnesota Senate (SF221) to exempt a large number of school districts from implementing the Safe & Supportive Minnesota Schools law (passed last April). There’s an identical bill in the Minnesota House (HF102).

Safe & Supportive Minnesota Schools law being signed by Governor Dayton.
Photo by Glen Stubbe

To protect the safety of all children, please contact your local representative and senator and let them know you do NOT want our Safe & Supportive Schools (anti-bullying) law watered down. Thank you for sticking with me… your pestering, progressive friend.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Investing in Public Education

2015-02-17T14:15:00.001-06:00

In light of a Star Tribune analysis showing a widening gap between success of white and minority students, I have updated a past blog post.

Star Tribune "Charter schools struggling to meet academic growth"

Our history shows that we value children and the education they receive. We put a high priority on learning for all and support education as a fundamental right in Minnesota (and most other states):

The stability of a republican form of government depending mainly upon the intelligence of the people, it is the duty of the legislature to establish a general and uniform system of public schools. The legislature shall make such provisions by taxation or otherwise as will secure a thorough and efficient system of public schools throughout the state.
(Minn. Const., art. XIII, § 1)

What a wonderful society we live in!

We care so deeply about our children that in the 1990's we decided to try something new - Charter Schools. In fact, Minnesota was the first state to pass a charter school law in 1991. I am an advocate for trying new things and hope that we continue to do so as a society. I am also a firm believer in accurately measuring success for society as a whole. After 20 plus years of many charters being exploited by for-profit entities, we have learned that much improvement is needed, especially in the area of equity. The push to privatize and profit attacks the very people we need to support (our teachers and students). Here are some examples of areas we need to improve:

As we learn from our past policy decisions, many suggest we reinvest in our public education system instead of siphoning money to for-profit entities. One particular champion of public schools is Diane Ravitch. Visit Diane Ravitch's Blog for up-to-date articles about education and follow Diane on Twitter @DianeRavitch.

"Diane Ravitch was one of the strongest voices in the school reform movement—advocating for school choice, charters, and No Child Left Behind. But less than a decade ago, Ravitch had a change of heart. The reliance on standardized testing, she now says, has caused schools to ignore the "humanistic" elements of education." Quote from Diane Ravitch on Education Reform, Chicago Tonight by Michael Lipkin, November 20, 2012 (video included).

It has been truly rewarding to see the benefits of investing in public education as a Minnesota resident living in Lakeville. I am continually impressed by the ingenuity and leadership of our teachers. A great example is Impact Academy - Lakeville Area Schools were able to keep this program in-house instead of it branching-off as a charter school competing for public funds. Impact Academy currently benefits one of our grade schools; however, many families are excited to see the model implemented across the district. I am excited about programs that offer true choices to all families. True choice includes transportation and access for all students. We have a long way to go my friends.

I sincerely believe that continued investment in public education will provide the best return on investment for our children and the future of our great nation. Let's work together to create a public school system that is transparent, accountable (for real results, not simply teaching to tests), and enjoyable!

Peace to you and yours -

Jackie Craig

For your reference, here are a few studies showing investment in public education pays-off for America (there are plenty more):

ROI from Adult Education

Early Childhood Education for All

National Conference of State Legislatures

In Support of Universal Preschool

2015-01-26T15:30:00.000-06:00

There is a relentless effort to defund public education, to turn public money over to unaccountable private hands, and to abolish collective bargaining and due process. As supporters of public education, we must rally and stand together. It’s time to organize, strategize, and mobilize in solidarity with our teachers because we trust them to sound the alarm against unwise education policies and to lead the way toward education innovation.

There are those who say I care too much about what teachers think. Well, they’re right. I do care. They just don’t care enough. They don’t care that our front line professionals are being ignored in the so called “education reform movement.” They don’t care that pitting teachers against one-another in competition negatively impacts motivation instead of fostering cooperative environments in our schools that improve educational outcomes and support retention of teachers of color in our classrooms. They don't care that teachers are forced to "teach to the test" instead of teaching children in a more personalized manner. They don’t care that teacher voices have been purposely left out of the decision-making process in favor of venture capitalists and for-profit firms who are salivating over the education market.

And why is it that our economy continues to improve, but public school spending still suffers? I’ll tell you why. There is a well-organized crusade to privatize and profit off the education of our children. And guess who suffers most from these kinds of policies. You guessed it, those who need us most: low-income and disadvantaged children. The socioeconomic status of families has a profound effect on children’s education. Many of our teachers work with children who are living in poverty, often lacking sleep, proper nutrition, and stable family lives. We must invest in the public education of all children to support equitable economic and social growth and put an end to policies systematically disadvantaging children.

That’s why the time is now to invest in free public preschool for all. High-quality, developmentally appropriate preschool supports cognitive and socio-emotional development, which are important building blocks for reversing some of the effects of economic inequality. As a community, it is our responsibility to make sure that every student has a chance to excel, both in school and in life. In fact, school success has been linked to college attendance, career choice, increased wages, decreased use of social safety nets, and decreased involvement with the criminal justice system. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather invest in public education than our “zero tolerance,” “get tough on crime,” and “war on drugs” policies that have led to racially discriminatory incarcerations and the resegregation of our communities and schools.

And considering that it costs us over $40,000 per year for each person we incarcerate in our state prison system, compared to the less than $11,000 average per student cost, I’d say the fiscally smart approach is to invest in public education.

This kind of responsible investment in our children, supports healthy, safe, and equitable communities. By empowering our educators in the classroom and insisting on policies that benefit all children, we can deliver the responsible, robust public schools that our children and our communities need.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Jackie Craig is running for Lakeville Area Public Schools Board of Education… and here’s why!

2014-06-05T19:06:00.001-05:00

James, Katie, and I moved to Lakeville from Saint Louis Park when Katie was a toddler. We researched the Twin Cities metro based on the following criteria: housing value, ease of transportation, and school excellence. Lakeville was at the top of our list and we were able to find a home that fit our needs at a reasonable cost and in a great location. We were thrilled with the community’s dedication to exceptional education and excited about being part of one of the fastest growing cities in the metro.

Us picking blueberries in Michigan last summer.

We enrolled Katie in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) through Lakeville Area Community Education and the experience was so wonderful, I decided to donate time to the ECFE Advisory Council in a marketing role (2007-2008). In 2007, we welcomed Preston to our family and I remained on the ECFE Advisory Council, serving as Vice Chair (2008-2010) and then as Chair (2010-2011). I was invited to participate in Leadership Lakeville, sponsored by Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, as Chair of the ECFE Advisory Council. Both were amazing experiences! Collaborating with community members and school staff to have an impact on our community was extremely rewarding.

Both Katie and Preston benefitted from quality classes at Small Wonders Preschool through Lakeville Area Community Education. Once again, we were thrilled with the high level of learning and excellent staff members. Our experiences with Community Education during sporting and other educational courses continued to be rewarding. Engaged children excited about play and learning are an asset to our community in many ways. Early childhood education programs are vital for building communities filled with families who are able to avoid use of safety net programs and trouble with the law. Other community benefits include improved graduation rates and higher employment earnings.

Click HERE to Learn More

Katie attended Crystal Lake Elementary School for both kindergarten and first grade, while Preston remained in Small Wonders. Our involvement continued to build and we were pleased with our community and the services we enjoyed as active members.

When Crystal Lake Elementary was closed due to budgetary concerns, it was a tough transition; however, as partners in our community we did our best to remain flexible and positive. Katie moved over to Oak Hills Elementary for second grade and after a year of volunteering, I decided to become officially involved in the Oak Hills Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The co-president role was open, so I figured I might as well dive in headfirst!

I learned a crucial lesson about being inclusive while serving as PTO president. I was reminded that not all people have had the experience our family has had. Not all relationships have been positive and not every education experience is without turmoil. My understanding comes from my perspective alone and it is important to listen to and empathize with the experiences of community members. All deserve the respect of having their voices heard because it will be as a community working together that we continue to prosper, making Lakeville one of the best places to raise a family.

My family enjoying the Chart House's patio this spring.

What makes an effective school board member and what skills do I possess that qualify me to represent our community?

Vision

I support the Lakeville Area Public Schools vision of world-class, personalized learning ensuring the success of all students and am capable of measuring the success of our district and our superintendent against our goals.

Transparency

You will always know where I stand on issues. I also advocate for all open public meetings to be live feeds, including study sessions. An important role of the public sector is to debate publicly in accordance to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law.

Communication

I enthusiastically participate in discussions about the direction of education in Lakeville and beyond. I am an active learner who is interested in ideas from everyone in my community that progress our community forward.

Leadership & Collaboration

I have been leading successful teams for over 25 years. From high school and college level captain roles to senior management and volunteer leadership, I have led success through development of capable team members.

Budget Management

My professional experience includes fiscally sound government program budget management and reporting. The Minnesota School Finance Guide is an excellent resource.

Student Focus

My priority is to focus on what is best for all students and their achievement. Complying with laws regulating public education and advocating for community input is imperative.

Public Education Advocacy

I am an active advocate for public education at the local, state, and national level and am able to collaborate with diverse populations.

Us visiting the Soudan Underground Mine State Park.

James and I look forward to being proud parents of Oak Hills Elementary students for 2014-15 with Katie in fifth grade Ignite! and Preston in first grade. Blessings for a safe and fun summer to you and yours!

REMINDER - Please vote in Jackie Craig as Lakeville Area Public Schools Board of Education member on November 4, 2014. Thank you!

Fair vs. Equal: Pattie Morales (Milwaukee Teacher & Guest Blogger)

2014-06-02T21:11:00.000-05:00

About Me:

I have been teaching in Milwaukee Public Schools for the last eight years as a regular education and inclusion teacher. I live in the Enderis Park neighborhood of Milwaukee with my husband Juan and our three children: Stuart, age 10, Gabriel, age 4, and Isabella, age 1. My experience with special education also extends outside of the classroom. Stuart has been diagnosed with ADHD, Mood Disorder, and Tourette Syndrome.

Pattie with husband Juan and their children (by age) Stuart, Gabriel & Isabella.

Fair vs. Equal

Education advocates are quick to insist that academics need to be differentiated so that all students can be successful. Learning in the classroom should include strategies that meet the needs of all students, whether that includes technology, music, oral representations, or visual representations. Teachers are directed to use the Multiple Intelligences during instruction and to offer multiple options for assessing a student’s understanding of a concept (e.g. multiple choice test, essay, project). There are professional development opportunities throughout the year for educators that focus on this topic. If there is a generally accepted understanding that not all students learn or express their understanding in the same way, then the leap can be made that not all students respond to behavior systems the same way.

The concept of a fair vs. equal behavior model is not new, however, it has not received the amount of attention that differentiated academics has (most likely because behavior concepts aren’t part of a standardized test). When teachers create a behavior plan for their classroom, it is often based on the school’s general plan. In Milwaukee, most schools have adopted the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support model (PBIS), which emphasizes being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. How the classroom teacher interprets these rules in their classroom is often very different throughout a single building. This standardized behavior model offers consistency, which is important, but it doesn’t offer the flexibility that students (especially students with special needs) require. In a typical classroom, students are required to sit straight up in their desks, stay silent during instruction, and are given increasingly harsher consequences for each infraction of the rules. The idea behind fair vs. equal, is that just like with academics, students don’t respond to the same set of rules and consequences in the same way.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not suggesting that teachers should have a separate set of rules and consequences for each student. That isn’t even remotely attainable. What I am advocating for is a better understanding of how our students respond to behavior systems, what their behavior triggers are, and how to reach them in a positive and appropriate way. This means that not all students will receive the same level of consequence for the same behavior, but that each person’s consequence will be fair and reasonable for the individual.

How does fair vs. equal look in a classroom?

A regular education student who has no previous behavior issues refuses to take their seat. A reasonable consequence would be moving down on the behavior chart or flipping their behavior card. On the other hand, a student who does have previous behavior issues may need more attention to the antecedent (event that precedes the action), than an immediate consequence. Having this student flip their card or go down on the behavior chart will often escalate the problem. Taking the time to identify the antecedent before deciding on a course of action will often not lead to the same consequence, but it will be what the student needs, which makes it the fair consequence.

To sum up what has been a longer blog post than I intended (and truly, I could go on for much longer, as I happen to truly like this particular soapbox), I will leave you with the poster that hangs in my classroom, as well as a link to another blog post about this topic.

Thank you to my guest blogger (and sister), Pattie Morales, for taking time out of her busy schedule to write an awesome guest blog for me!

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Why I Do Not Agree With Drug Testing Safety Net Program Recipients

2014-05-14T08:07:00.003-05:00

I am about to share the true story of part of my childhood to help people understand who has the potential for "paying" for the very real challenges some adults face. This is one of the many reasons I do not support drug testing for families who rely on safety net programs. Please open your hearts and minds.

My mother and stepdad brought two wonderful babies into the world 35 years ago. Mom delivered the twins naturally (they were over 8 pounds each, mind you) and breastfed them in a spectacular fashion (sorry, no photos of that). See how adorable!

Thanks to Mom, those girls were well fed!

My stepdad suffered with PTSD from serving as a Marine in Vietnam (he was 19). He struggled with substances and other issues that I won't detail here. Addiction, when untreated, can have terrible effects on families.

My family was struggling to make ends meet and needed to use safety nets provided by our government to sustain us. I am not exaggerating to share that we sometimes only had peanut butter and saltines to eat. Even as we started to make ends meet, we received government cheese, powdered milk, and other supplies that helped stretch our family funds.

This was us back in "the day."

Was it just that we were able to use food stamps while my stepdad was struggling with addiction? I argue that it most certainly was. He paid a high price for serving our country and I argue that it is imperative that we support all of our veterans (sorry for my little side-rant).

I remember the feeling of walking down to the local grocery store with funny looking money to bring groceries home. It was embarrassing to not have "real" money, but I was hungry. Thank you to our government for not making me go without food and for keeping me healthy when my family was struggling. We may have fallen on tough times, but we survived. I won't even go into the details of how White Privilege helped (how about that... side-rant avoided).

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Human Beings Are Not Disposable

2014-05-13T09:13:00.001-05:00

Admittedly, my sense of humor has a broad range; however, my comfort threshold becomes less lenient when communication implies that there are human beings who are disposable.

Disposable humans because they lack knowledge, are hateful... are different in some way than you or me. No human, no matter how far they differ in opinion, culture, or any other factor is disposable.

Picture from - TheHumanityProject.com

As a society, we can do much better (myself included) if we remind ourselves of this before we "rage" against a person instead of an idea we disagree with.

Being passionate about a cause, no matter how just the cause, is not an excuse to attack another human. Attack the idea, share your frustration through humor and other means of communication you are comfortable with.

I challenge myself and others to disagree respectfully. Humans have plenty in common, even as we disagree on multiple issues. For me, the real challenge will be doing so while preserving my healthy sense of humor.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Avoiding Gossip on a Work Team

2013-02-22T20:10:00.001-06:00

Have you ever noticed that when you have not put enough time and energy into communicating properly, gossip tends to circulate? I’m not talking about the type of gossip where someone is being unkind behind your back. The type of gossip I am writing about is: communication about others involving unverified details. This kind of gossip often happens on work teams when communication is lacking, when conflict arises or when there’s a power struggle.

What makes avoiding this type of gossip so tough?

When a team has not established clear decision-making and communication protocol, gossip often “fills in the cracks”, especially when frustration or misunderstandings occur.
Most of us talk an issue through with a trusted person before bringing it to another person.

Make sure the person you are engaging with is removed enough from the situation to avoid poisoning a work team.

The fact is, gossip can often be about things that matter and should be addressed.

Finding the appropriate venue of communication, using a direct and candid approach is most beneficial.

Why avoid gossip on a work team?

Gossip can wreak havoc on morale and productivity.
Gossip can cause resentment and become a barrier to effective communication and teamwork.

Helpful tips to avoid gossip on your team:

Establish clear expectations regarding decision-making and communication protocol.
Communicate fully and clearly on a regular basis with those who depend on you for information and/or results.
Encourage people to go directly to the person impacted by the issue they are discussing with you.

This is helpful when you are not an involved party or the person has skipped a step in protocol.

Consistently in this blog, I research and write about personal development. The issue of work team gossip is a communication delicacy each of us face and I am no stranger to both sides of it. It's my hope that sharing my ongoing efforts to make self-improvements will also benefit others with similar ambitions.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Communicating Your Message

2013-01-31T09:23:00.002-06:00

Have you ever sent a message only to find out it was received completely the opposite of your intent? Lately, I have done that and it can be embarrassing, not to mention quite frustrating. I thought it would be a great time to brush up on my communication skills. Hopefully these tips will be helpful to you, as well.

Thinking about your message:

Be certain the message is true and well reasoned.
Substantiate the message using solid logic that is specific, consistent, clear and accurate.

Writing your message:

Condense communication to essential facts.
Put it into a form the receiver can understand.
Once the message is received and understood, a comprehensive discussion begins.

Sending your message:

Create clear communication channels.

Must be understood and supported by the entire organization.

Be certain all pertinent information is included each time you communicate.

Continue to remain concise.

Select the right communication medium.

This influences the effectiveness of a message.

It helps to make the communication about others:

Avoid making it about you (your opinions, your positions or your circumstances).
Address the audience’s needs.
Show understanding for their concerns and add value to their world.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Leadership Success

2012-10-11T20:52:00.003-05:00

I believe successful leaders create positive change by helping people see what is achievable and working with them to get there. I am continuously working on my leadership skills and have a few tips to share (as a review for myself, as well).

Understanding & Valuing Roles

Each team member needs to understand his or her role in upholding your mission.
Value and show appreciation for the roles others play in the organization.

Managing as a Team

Management needs to build on each other’s strengths, while communicating respectfully and honestly.
The ability to challenge one another requires trust, and when done appropriately produces excellent outcomes.

Open Communication

Opportunities for sharing ideas need to be accessible for all team members to be involved.
True open communication requires that people feel safe when making their ideas known.

Everybody needs to trust they will be heard.

Avoid Micromanaging

Build agreement of what equals success.
Be sure team members understand their roles and have the right tools to conduct their duties.
Focus on results, not how they were achieved.

It’s not about doing it your way, but about successful completion of the task.

Ask for and be open to feedback, so you can regulate your level of assistance.

Fix What Needs Fixing, Not What Works

If something truly works, leave it alone.
Focus on the things that are not working.

When it comes to advice about successful leadership, there are many theories and opinions that are beneficial. Please share yours!

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Respectful Disagreement

2012-08-22T15:12:00.002-05:00

I was reading some Facebook posts recently and was dismayed by the generalized, sweeping comments about groups of people when someone is not in agreement with that group. Rather than ignoring the feelings this brought out in me, I decided to put my thoughts to good use in a blog post about respectful disagreement.

We don’t all agree on everything. There, I said it! You know what, it’s perfectly fine that we do not agree when communicating with others: often disagreements are what broaden our world. Is there a way to disagree more respectfully? I think the following tips will help anyone who is interested in respectful disagreement.

Avoid making it personal. If you are upset about something someone has done or said, try to take the personal feelings out of it and remember that you are mad at the idea the person is raising (not the person).

Use “I” statements. When communicating how you feel, avoid using “you” statements. For example, telling someone you are not comfortable being pressured for a decision can be stated as, “I am feeling pressure to make a decision about something I am not ready to move on at this time. Can we please shelf this until later?”

Do not put down someone else’s ideas and beliefs. Resisting the temptation to berate someone or make derogatory comments will help you get your point across instead of making someone so mad they are unable to hear your argument.

Use respectful language and tone. Our use of language not only affects the way we view ourselves, but the way others see us. Consider putting those good manners our families taught us to good use.

Listen to the other point of view. By listening to every possible side of the story, not only are you more educated about a certain topic, but you can better defend your stance as well.

Remain calm. It isn't easy trying to keep negative emotions under control during a disagreement. Our fight-or-flight instincts flare, as we impose our will over the other person or give up and leave the discussion. Having a disagreement with someone can be a healthy way to a solution if everyone is able to remain calm.

Make it a habit. The more often we are respectful in our disagreements; the more it becomes a habit. As agreeable interactions become natural, the more frequent they will occur.

Everyone involved benefits from the positive outcomes associated with being respectful when we disagree.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Liking Yourself

2012-07-03T07:48:00.003-05:00

I was thinking about what I like about myself and what traits I am working to improve. What are the common threads that have added to my self-esteem? What I have found – is the more I care about others; the more I care about myself.

Think about a person whose personality appeals to you. Someone you find very likeable. What do you like most about this person? I’d be willing to bet that it isn't physical appearance or achievements, but rather the way he or she treats others.

If it’s a healthy self-esteem you desire, treat others well. The way you treat others makes you likable, even to yourself.

If there is something you’d like to improve about yourself, take baby steps to make changes. It’s healthy to make adjustments and grow… just be certain to like yourself along the way.

And remember, the more you care about others the more you'll be able to care about yourself.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Networking Tips

2012-05-08T15:08:00.002-05:00

One of the best networkers I have ever met happens to be my husband, James. I asked him to share a couple tips for networking success, so here they are:

Be brave! Networking can be intimidating because often you are asking someone for something precious: his or her time.
Always conclude a meeting by asking the person whom else they think you should talk to. This may lead to your next opportunity.

Remember - Networking is about building relationships with people who will be happy to tell others about who you are and what you do.

Avoid a common oversight – Be certain to follow up!

Send an email, text or note to thank your contact for their time. If you have a connection for your contact, share this information. Be sure to follow up on the leads provided to you. Then you can follow up AGAIN by sharing how that meeting went with your initial contact.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Seizing Opportunities

2012-05-03T15:48:00.001-05:00

This week I had the honor of speaking at the Kickapoo High School National Honor Society banquet. The topic I presented was seizing opportunities to accomplish the things that you desire most. I decided to recycle some of the presentation for my blog, so here it goes.

To find those things you most desire, I have included a short exercise. The results of this exercise change over time, so I suggest doing this with yourself whenever you are working on personal goals.

Exercise:

Imagine that I have a magic wand. This magic wand removes all kinds of barriers – money, family, peer pressure, education and all other expectations. Any barriers that pop into your head are completely washed away with this magic wand.

Think about something you’d love to be, or do with your life.

Remember, the magic wand removes all barriers; this can be something out of your wildest dreams.
This should also be something that brings you great joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Think to yourself about this wonderful thing you would like to be, or do with your life.

What specific steps can you take to get there?

You know what’s interesting about most of those barriers that we come up with inside our heads, those barriers the magic wand removed. By far the greatest barrier most of us have against achieving our goals is not in determining what inspires and creates passion in our lives, but rather our unwillingness to get out of our own way.

To help you get out of your own way, I’d like to share 8 keys to capitalize on opportunities:

Take 100 percent responsibility for your life - Do not give away your power to someone or something other than yourself.
Live your life with purpose - Do what you believe you were put here to do.
Be willing to pay the price for your dreams - Successful people find out what it's going to cost to make their dreams come true. Then they find a way to make it happen. Most importantly, they don't complain about the work it takes to achieve their dreams.
Stay focused - Every day we’re bombarded with hundreds of tasks, messages and people all competing for our time. This is why the ability to focus on your goals is so critical to achieving those goals. Focusing requires giving up some things in the present because you know the time invested will pay off big-time down the road.
Networking - One of the quickest ways to become successful is to find out what the best are doing and learn from them. Finding and nurturing a mentoring relationship and making time to connect with people in your field is a monumentally valuable use of your time and efforts. It’s also one of the best ways to get interviews.
Write out a plan for achieving your goals - Writing an action plan for how you're going to achieve your goals is one of the best ways to achieve those goals. Plus, it helps you remain focused.
Never give up - It may sound simple, even obvious, but when you're truly committed to achieving your goals, giving up isn't even an option. You must be willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Certainly, you re-evaluate and modify goals, but NEVER GIVE UP!
Go after what you want NOW - Top achievers know they don’t have forever, but rather than seeing it as something negative or depressing, they use it to spur them on to go after what they want as energetically and as passionately as possible.

(Adapted from 8 Success Secrets from Motivational Experts by Michael Jeffreys, May 2003.)

Having had the pleasure of working with the only blind man to summit Mount Everest, Erik Weihenmayer, I have come to a more clear understanding about genuinely eradicating barriers to achieve your goals. Although climbing Mount Everest may not be your dream, there are and will continue to be dreams and goals that seem like mountains to you. I’d like to remind you to SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES that will aid you in climbing your personal mountains to make your dreams come true. Achieve your most prized goals.

And remember, opportunities come in many different forms: networking, jobs, volunteering, arts, athletics, and leadership. The list goes on and on. Keep imagining what you most desire (remember to use that “magic wand” to remove the barriers in your path). Then put steps in place to achieve your goals.

Your ability to recognize, cultivate and capitalize on opportunities will blaze the trail to your future.

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Motivating Yourself

2012-04-13T15:44:00.000-05:00

The topic of motivation is hitting close to home for me, especially considering I would like to blog at least once each month and have yet to write a blog for March. After a bit of reflection, I noticed an error (or two) in my blogging plan. I forgot to take some important steps. I created a goal – to start a blog, but did not set specific goals that were clear, achievable and would help me remain focused.

My new plan:

Write down clear, enjoyable goals that I really want to achieve.

Keep goals specific and include action steps to help avoid procrastination.

Commit to my goals while remaining flexible.

Changes happen that we cannot control, what we can control is how we deal with those changes. Allow room in my plan for the unexpected without letting myself be sidetracked from writing.

Add social pressure and positive influences.

Communicate plans to someone who will hold me accountable in a helpful, non-judgmental way.

Schedule time in an environment conducive to accomplishment.

Create a comfortable space and avoid excessive interruption. Add dates and reminders to my calendar.

Revisit my goals to evaluate progress.

Ensure I remain on the right track and that my goals are realistic. Learn from mistakes and celebrate progress.

Here’s my favorite tip to avoid overwhelming myself: K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Sweetie!

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Kind Words

2012-02-11T11:57:00.000-06:00

Last night we were dining out in Saint Paul and noticed a couple with two young children seated nearby. The little ones were sweet and not overly loud, with smiles on their faces the whole time. Of course, they required attention because that is one thing you can always count on children to need. The father was shushing them throughout the meal and seemed worried about disrupting others dining around them. I sensed the mother becoming stressed toward the end of their meal as the youngest (probably around 14 months) was getting restless and needed to move out of her seat. Having been in that situation and knowing how uncomfortable it can be, I decided a few kind words might be appreciated. I approached their table with a smile and shared that I found their children delightful and very well behaved and went immediately back to my seat. I could literally see the tension leave the mother’s body as she breathed out and her shoulders became more relaxed.

Using kind words:

If you are complimenting someone, be specific. For example, I love that blouse on you. It complements your eyes beautifully.
Use genuine words and expressions – people can sense when you are not sincere.
When complimenting a stranger, be succinct – offer kind words and get back to what you were doing.

Receiving kind words:

Be grateful when someone offers you a compliment. It is kind to let folks know you welcome being appreciated.
Avoid rejecting the compliment or downplaying kindness. (Example of what NOT to do – A friend complimented me on my hair and instead of simply being thankful, I couldn’t stop myself from rambling on about how I was not happy with the color.)
When someone offers you kind words, offer some back if warranted.

How have you used kind words today?

Peace to you and yours - Jackie

Romance – Holding Hands

2012-02-08T17:36:00.000-06:00

Do you remember the feelings teenage you had when holding hands with someone you cared about romantically? The first time a boyfriend held my hand with affection (and continued holding it when his friends were around) was certainly a big deal to me. Truthfully, it still is. I welcome my husband showing affection with a simple and loving gesture such as holding my hand. It is especially nice when being introduced to friends and colleagues because it communicates our relationship without words.

Men are not the only ones who can show support and caring by taking their partners’ hands. For example, I tend to be extroverted (understatement of the week) and find that in certain social situations taking my husband’s hand is a gesture of support he appreciates.

TIP - To avoid getting your feelings hurt or creating an awkward situation, it is wise to communicate your level of comfort with holding hands in public. It is important to respect each other’s feelings about public displays of affection. There is usually a middle ground both parties will find comfortable.

Romantic benefits of holding hands:

It can be a subtle form of sensual physical intimacy.
It gives us a sense of protection and safety.
It expresses closeness and comfort.
It has the connotation of a committed connection between two people.

Non-romantic benefits of holding hands:

Holding hands with a parent, grandparent or child shares that you value her/him and are present in that moment with him/her.
It can send the message that someone you care about is accepted and is not alone.
Holding hands fulfills a basic human need for touch and can reduce stress.

When was the last time you held hands romantically with your partner? When was the last time you held your parent or grandparent’s hand to show how much you care?

Peace to you and yours - Jackie