There's More than One Way to Skin a Cat

Students writing their rough drafts outside, why not? 

I have heard the saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat" my entire life, as I am sure many of you have. Some may ask why I'm writing about this on an educational blog, but to me it is an innovative approach in my leadership style. When we are trying to come up with ways to help our students or teachers, we must be creative in our decision making process. The most fearful phase that we can say is, "We've always done it this way." To me, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. Even our best procedures, plans, lessons, or projects can always be re-evaluated to make them better. Why not take the time to explore other options or solutions to problems? The world is changing and we must be open to change as well. We as leaders can't sit back on cruise control and not take an active role in the success of all students, because the students lose out in the end.

Just when I start to think that I have run out of options, or I have been told, "no" one too many times, this saying replays in my mind. There is always a solution to every problem, it might just look different to some people. The moral of the story is, NEVER GIVE UP! Keep fighting for what is best for kids, and you will always win in the end. When you think you are at your breaking point, be creative and open to alternative ways to reach the best end result.

Always remember, that there's more than one way to skin a cat!

When you have an open mind and heart
the possibilities are endless!


xoxo,

LMR

My Projects: Passion

When we hear the word PASSION, what thought comes to our minds? Wait, don't answer that, lol.

 I have been known to be passionate in many areas of my life, but my students and young people have always been the core of my passion. It is what gets me out of bed each and every day. Knowing that I have the ability to change a life, inspire our youth, help a student, or celebrate achievements is an extraordinary high that I get to feel almost on a daily basis. How many people can honestly say that? I am aware how truly blessed I am to be able to experience my passion in the form of my career and I don't take that for grated.  Is each day rainbows and butterflies, no, but there is so much more positive than negative!

Shouldn't it be our ultimate goal to focus on our young people's passions? If they haven't discovered their passions yet, isn't it our job to help inspire them to unlock their passions and talents. Once our student's talents have been identified, then isn't it our obligation to focus on them, encourage them, and support them during this monumental time? Is this a hard concept to grasp? Do you think Beethoven took four years of science, or did he focus on his talents and passion? I am not saying that general education doesn't hold bearing and isn't important, but I would also love to see more individualized and specialized learning experiences for our young people. Exposing and challenging students to find out how to relate their lives to their learning is imperative for student success. We must listen and encourage student voice and choice each day so they will be successful in the real world.

Two years ago when I was in the classroom, my students actually put their passions in motion and created PASSION projects. My students took this project and ran with it. They were incredible!  I saw everything from one student who presented on the ocean like she was on National Geographic to another student create a fish and chicken breading and compare it to a best selling brand. The sky was the limit and my students rose to the challenge. They exceeded all of my expectations, but I had to trust them and believe in them. I transformed from the teacher to a facilitator and a coach. They taught me so much during the process and the only thing that I would have done differently would have been to have started it the first day that I started teaching! Why didn't they teach me any of this in college? If I would have known how fufulling it was for my students and I, I would have done this from day one! To all of my fellow educators, this is just food for thought.

Now, ask yourself the following questions:
Are you passionate about your career path? If the answer is, no...why not? Don't we all deserve to experience passion?  Passion drives us to be better, if you haven't discovered you passion, go and find it. Once you find it, nurture it, love it, and own it! Go out and be passionate people!!!!

Peace, Love, & Passion,

L. Ragsdale

My Projects...I Love a Good Project

I love to have a project. Something that I can dive in head first into, obsess about, and not stop until I am satisfied with the end result. I pay attention to detail, water it with love, and demand extraordinary  results. It can be anything from a charity event, a baby shower for a friend, a kindness campaign or
A STUDENT!!!!

Each of my students that walked into my classroom I viewed as a project. A project to challenge myself to see if I could breakdown their walls and barriers, and ignite the passion for learning again. It wasn't always easy, actually it was hard as hell, but I knew that it was my duty, my passion, and my calling! I found out quickly that there is never going to be a cookie cutter approach to helping students see their potential or even helping them succeed. Every student is like a snowflake, similar, but extremely unique and that is how you approach each kid. What works for one, will NEVER work for another.

So how do you start this process with a group of "at-risk" students? It was simple, beat them at their own game. They hated school, so I hated school. They hated to read, so I hated to read. They hated me, so I hated them right back.

It sounds pretty funny, but it was true. I don't really like how the traditional school system is designed, I only read what I am interested in, and the first day of school, I kinda hated them too!

Honestly, it worked like a charm! I would ask them, who hated school? They of course all raised their hands, including myself. I always laughed any informed them, that they were not in school, they were actually in a super awesome learning environment with the center being them, learning, and
knowledge. I enlightened them that learning can occur anywhere, school is strictly a building to   house the learning that is taking place. I informed them that the ONLY thing that they actually own was their mind. No one could ever take away their knowledge...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!! What high school student doesn't love power?

Why do you think 11th and 12th graders hated to read? Well maybe because recreational reading was destroyed at such an early age. They were required to read a boat load of books, take a multitude
of assessments, and what did they have to show for the countless hours of reading and testing? A pin with stickers on it for a personal pan pizza with one topping from Pizza Hut. Sounds like a rip off to me. That was my personal story that I told them of how I first started hating to read. Then I went into all of the terrifying reading stories that we all remember! Going in order, row by row reading a paragraph at a time. I strongly remember counting the people ahead of me, then the paragraphs, finding mine, and then reading it over and over making sure I wouldn't mess up any words and be
mortified in front of my entire class. God forbid if there was a word that I didn't know and you tried to bypass it and your teacher made you sound it out, that was a real confidence booster wasn't it? Or the good ole popcorn reading, where your teacher would randomly call on you to read the text and it felt like you were taking a bullet to the chest when your name was called and you had lost your place. You always knew that the teachers would discuss that in the teacher's lounge each day. I can hear it now, "I caught Leigh again, she was in the wrong spot again, her voice was shaking, and she didn't know three of her site words, can you believe that? She is such a poor reader, I wonder if her parents ever work with her at home?"

What were we really learning? How to hate reading out loud or reading in general? What is was like to be publicly humiliated during a time that you are desperately trying to figure out who you were in life? I am not sure the purpose, but those were some brutal memories for me and the funny part is, most of my students could relate completely.

They took it a step further. Instead of looking stupid, it was a lot "cooler" to act out and get booted from class. Being the bad kid was a lot easier than being the stupid kid. They knew the drill, they would sit in the hallway, miss more instruction and then repeat it the next day. We wonder why kids fall through the cracks, if they aren't in class, they aren't learning.

Once they realized that we had some of the same experiences it became a lot easier for them to let me in and realize that I wasn't some perfect freak, that was the ideal student. I struggled just like they did and life wasn't always easy.

More to come!

Leigh

In the Trenches...Tales from the Alternative School Part II

So after the pep talk with my dad, I decided to show up the next morning, as well as the morning after  that. I didn't leave for the next eight years. It wasn't an easy road, but it was so unbelievably worth it!

After the student wanted to kick my ass, she became my next project. She was never aware of that, but I was fancinated with the wall she had built so high around herself, her grit, and her actions. She was tough, I mean really tough, even all of my wannabe gangsters didn't want to mess with her. For some odd reason, I was never scared. I don't know if it was because I saw the hurt in her eyes, if I was just young and stupid, or if I knew that she needed me? Although we came from polar opposite pasts, I knew we crossed paths for a reason bigger than either one of us realized at the moment. How could I possibly help this damaged little girl?

I knew that I had to prove myself to her. She would never open up to me if she didn't trust me. I wracked my brain on ways to build trust. I finally decided to journal with her back and forth. Journaling for her became a place of release, however for me it was much different. I wasn't aware that people could actually live a life like hers and survive. Fair warning, the next paragraph that you are about to read is bone chilling.

Both of her parents were incarcerated for using, selling,  and manufacturing meth. She remembered small shacks all around her house, even one outside of her bedroom that they used to produce their poison. This isn't the bad part. When she was around the age of 9 or 10, her parents allowed men to use her body for their drugs. She remembered nights, where she was awoken by random drug heads touching her and eventually raping her. She didn't know how many there were, unbelievably some were from her own family. She was in and out of foster care for years, but usually ended up running away and sleeping in parks or wherever people would take her in. She had more grit and courage than I could ever imagine having. I couldn't even fathom waking up for school each day and facing the world, yet she did, with extreme personal courage. She woke up every day and put on her mask so she could hide from the pain and hurt that she felt. She proved to all of the teachers that said that she couldn't do it, that she could, and do it extremely well. She ended up graduating early. Once she set her mind to something, she wouldn't stop until she reached the end goal.

I like to think that I made her life a little bit better, but in all reality, she completely CHANGED mine. The stories that she told me, broke my heart, but that wasn't my role for her. She needed me to teach her a different way to live and I needed her to teach me about battles that my students face every single day. She made me a better teacher and person, and because of her, I NEVER assumed anything about any student that walked into my classroom.

xoxo,

LMR

If You Weren't My Teacher, I Would...

Two of my students during a Service Learning Project

My first few days at the alt school seemed like a blur. I think I was functioning in survival mode, and wondered each day what was in store for me. Would it be kids sneaking out the back to smoke cigarettes or the teacher next to me wanting to read my palm? I just never knew what to expect, which I of course enjoyed, and looked forward to each day. However, this day in particular left a permanent mark, to say the least.

I think it was day four and I thought I had it going my way, until I met Mandy. She was sixteen and tougher than any wannabe gangster we had in our program. The boys were scared of her and the girls wouldn't even look her way. That morning, I approached a table during breakfast. Of course, I said, "Good Morning" to each table. What happened next was something that I will NEVER forget. Mandy stood up and was nose to nose with me and said, "If you weren't my teacher, I would kick your ass." I knew at that moment I had two choices, go to the corner and cry like a baby in the fetal position, because I was terrified, or option number two. I chose the latter of the two and stood my ground. I locked my eyes with hers, and as we were nose to nose I quietly whispered, " I am a lot f#@&ing tougher than I look." She took a step back and sat back down. I walked off with conviction and confidence, but my heart was about to beat out of my chest. I went into my office, and replayed the situation over and over again in my head, questioning what I had just done.

The day seemed to drag on, until it was 3:00 p.m. I couldn't get to my car fast enough.  Once I pulled out of the parking lot, I started sobbing like a baby. For those of you who know me, know that doesn't EVER happen. So of course like most 23 year old girls, I did what we would all do, and called my mom. She was extremely sympathetic with my situation and immediately starting developing a plan of attack for me to resign or just quit. Just when I thought we had the perfect plan in place, I hear my dad in the background, yell, "Who are you talking to?" I begged her not to tell him, but then I heard her say, " It's Leigh, she is quitting her job, a girl said she was going to kick her ass today!" I knew what was coming next, and of course I was right. Next thing I hear is, "Mary, give me the damn phone!"

By the time that Buns got on the phone, I had dried my tears and knew that this conversation was going in a completely different direction. "Stinky*, what's going on?" I quickly told him the Reader's Digest version of the day' events and I will NEVER forget his response, " You are a RAGSDALE! No snotty-nosed kid is going to run off or intimidate a Ragsdale. When you go home, look in the mirror and tell yourself, that you are a RAGSDALE!"

For the next eight years I walked into that building with my head held high and never looked back. He was right. I could handle anything, because I was strong enough to do so. I think of this moment on my hard days, and it makes me smile and remember to toughen up!

*Stinky is one of many nicknames, given to me by my father*

My next post is when we visited the county jail! Stay tuned, it's a good one!

xoxo,

Leigh

In the Trenches...Tales from the Alternative School

My Grandparents
Principal George S. Pallo & Teacher Marie Pallo

As many of you know, my heart belongs to the "at risk" youth of the world (which aren't we all "at risk" of something?). I have always loved the underdog, as I admire their grit, gumption, and drive to survive. I can only assume that my passion comes from my late grandmother, Marie Pallo. I have heard countless stories of her "saving" kids and never giving up. Although I didn't have the opportunity to meet her, I feel that I am passing on her legacy, one child at a time.

I taught Alternative Education for eight glorious years in a rural school district, south of St. Louis. It honestly changed MY entire life. My students opened my eyes to a world that I never knew existed. They taught me acceptance, tolerance, patience, and many other street lessons that I needed to know. However, that came much later. First, I had to prove myself!!!

The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:

I remember being super excited for the first day of school, it was my first real job!!
I was a twenty something year old with ambitions out of this world. I was going to walk in and change lives, boy was I mistaken! I was way in over my head, to say the very least.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I looked like I had just stepped out of the pages of Vogue. I wore a tailored white shirt, pressed to perfection, a black puffy chiffon skirt, with strands of pearls and three inch heals that I could have run a marathon in. What I didn't realize, is that the school was located on the top of a bus garage, in the middle of nowhere and I quickly realized I was completely out of my league. The staff was cracking jokes about how many mice they had already killed and setting new traps. I HATE mice, they totally freak me out, so I was anxious and totally grossed out before I ever started! It smelled like stale cigarettes and diesel fuel, which I preferred over the thought of a mouse running across my shoe. What in the hell had I gotten myself into this time, kept running over and over in my mind. I was screwed to say the least.

When the first teacher greeted me, she said, " You won't wear that again, especially if you have to have it dry-cleaned. Who do you think you are, COCO Chanel?" Although I took that as a HUGE compliment, I knew that I was way in over my head, but it was too late to back out.

I took a deep breath, and walked into the common area where they all sat. They all looked like the kids out of Gangsta's paradise, but all white, with no diversity other than their clothing. They looked like they were going to eat me for breakfast, kill me, or just make my life a living hell, but as my dad always said, "God hates a coward!" and what they didn't realize, was that there was a new sheriff in town!


Until next time,

LMR

INVEST in People...NOT Programs

So many times in education and in other fields, we have an abundance of programs, initiatives, and new mandates that we have to fulfill in our line of work.  Sometimes it really sucks for multiple reasons; you don't know the, "why" so you feel as if you have no voice in the decision, or it has cycled around multiple times, so you wait for it to pass. We all know what I am talking about, if you have been in education for more than a split second.

The programs themselves mean nothing if we don't invest in the people that we are asking to carry out the tasks and that are in the trenches every day. We as leaders MUST believe in the people that we lead, so they will have faith in us as leaders. If we believe in PEOPLE, anything is possible.

The concept and struggle of "buy-in" can go to the waste side, if trust is established between the leadership team and your valued staff. Without the trust and support of our teachers, we have NOTHING!!! Those relationships must be established, nurtured, and valued. They must be based on trust, open communication, and respect. Again, relationships are at the center of any change that needs to occur. 

I was that teacher. If I didn't understand the purpose, didn't feel like my opinion was valued as a professional, or didn't feel supported or trusted by my leadership, I would nod my head yes, and then shut my door, and do whatever in the hell that I wanted. So, needless to say, "I get it!"

We as leaders need to provide our staff with the purpose of the changes, programs, or mandates through transparency, honesty, and open communication. If we fail to do so, we will not see the effective changes that we want to see, but resistance, resentment, and defiance. It is imperative to set the groundwork and pave the path to success and include our staff in the process. Inform them of changes, adjustments, or feedback so that all of us are batting for the same team at all times. Take time to listen to suggestions, improvements, and complaints, to make whatever it is BETTER!!!!

As always, KIDS must be the center of anything and everything that we do. They are the reason that we have jobs and they are the reason I get out of bed every morning. WE are in the business of KIDS, and they NEED us to show up every single day!

PEOPLE...They are PEOPLE, our PEOPLE, and we need to love each of them, every minute, of every day!

Happy Sunday Folks,

LMR

Leadership...It Ain't Always Easy

What defines a "good" leader? Most importantly, what defines an "extraordinary" leader? How does one become an effective leader that promotes change, stands up for what is right, leads without fear, and fights hard to learn and grow?

Some may say that it is a calling? You either possess the essential skills needed, or you don't?
I remember reading my report cards every year at a very early age with my parents and in the comment section it ALWAYS read:
*Talks Too Much
*Strong Leadership Skills

Lead with style. We planned to rock our fur coats!

What did strong leadership skills even look like I wonder at the ripe age of eight? I don't know, but I do know my teachers saw something in me that I didn't. Trust me, I always knew that the 'talks too much' comment was coming and I always had plenty of excuses to get myself out of the trouble I would be facing and usually the strong leadership saved me every time.


Here are four traits that make extraordinary leaders. Obviously there are thousands more, but these are traits that I feel could help me develop into an extraordinary leader.

Hat Day during Homecoming Week

Extraordinary leaders must be brave. They must fight for what is RIGHT and not stop until they have done everything in their power to enforce the change. That is not always easy, but worth it in the end.

Extraordinary leaders must have moxie. The ability to act with courage and determination, with a "whatever it takes" attitude!

Extraordinary leaders must have grit.  A strong backbone for whatever group you are leading forward. Someone that possess grit, will lead with tenacity and determination.

Extraordinary leaders must have passion. A passion that is so clear, people want to follow you, believe in you, and support your same passion.

Leadership ain't always easy. It is not supposed to be. You are the one that makes the difficult decisions, takes the heat, and reap the benefits of success and failure.

It is not for everybody, and sometimes only the strong survive. I strive to be an extraordinary leader one day at a time. I promise myself that I will be transparent, loyal, trustworthy, passionate, loving, compassionate, reflective and ALWAYS put KIDS first. If all of the decisions I make are what is best for KIDS, I sleep really well at night.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT!!!

Happy Monday Peeps!!!!

LMR

Today, I Cried...

Contentment & peace

It is on rare occasions that I will cry, but today, I cried...

I cried because I missed my Nannie.
I cried because I am scared.
I cried because I can't comfort all people that are suffering.
I cried because I still have faith in this world.
I cried because I believe in change.
I cried because I don't have control of our current situation.
I cried for our youth.
I cried for the future of our country.
I cried for the families that are hurting.
I cried for the victims.
I cried
I cried for the people who think violence is the answer.
I cried for all of the people that don't understand.
I cried  for change.
I cried for people to choose LOVE over hate.
I cried for our police.
I cried for every human on this planet.
I cried.

The innocence of this smile, keeps me going.

I completely understand that crying over things that are out of my control will not fix any problems or change the world. I had a moment of reflection today going through old birthday cards from my Nannie and Granddad and became extremely emotional. I always believe that it is good to have a good ole fashioned cry every now and again, so that I did. I missed the comfort I felt while taking a nap on their sofa, talking about my day and their unconditional love for me. I had no worries or cares, and the world seemed to be so far away from me in those moments. Do people still feel like this sometimes? Does peace of mind and contentment still exist? I know that it is a struggle for me some days, unplugging from technology and the world, to try and clear my head of all of the chaos that surrounds us 24/7.

Pure bliss & no worries!!

I am mainly worried about the future of our young people. What example are we setting for them? My Facebook is blowing up with outraged opinions on the current state of our country, but I am not seeing any action taking place. What are we going to do to change it? How are we going to be warriors for peace? Who needs to ensure the world to still have faith in humanity? I know that I don't have the answers, but maybe you will?

Words to me don't mean anything. It is our actions that define us. I am fully aware that I am writing this blog and going to post it on Facebook which is contradicting my above statement, but I am using it as a platform for reflection, discussion, and insight into our current situation. Maybe because of this post,
people, including myself, will start taking more action for change and peace.

With the new school year approaching I want my students to feel love, security, acceptance, comfort, stability, and a culture of kindness when they walk into our building. How can I create that? I don't know just yet,  but I can promise you, that I will die trying. I made a promise to myself, to do better for each student that walks in our doors!

The bigger question is, how can we ensure that they feel like those same things in their homes, communities, and the world? It starts with us, it starts with one, it starts now!

Peace,

LMR

It's All About the Relationships!!!

When your kids come home from school each day and you ask the famous question, " What did you learn today in school?" and you receive the classic answer, "nothin!" Do you get a little frustrated? I am sure that my parents did, because they asked my brother and I that same question every day after school. Wouldn't you like them to discuss the projects they worked on, the new adventure that their teacher took them on, or how they discovered a new talent or passion? I know that is what I liked to share with my parents. How do we create these experiences for our young people? It starts with building RELATIONSHIPS!!!

In my opinion, building relationships with students, teachers, parents, and the school community is the most important component is a student's success. How do we teach that? Can you teach adults to build relationships with students in a way that they feel comfortable being risk-takers, explores, and knowledge seekers? Is it even humanly possible to teach people how to build meaningful relationships?

I reflect on my life and the relationships that I have and I compare mine to a plant. I must water the plant, pay attention to the plant, and love the plant, if  I want it to grow. I know it is a simplistic analogy, but it makes sense to me. If I don't water it, show it attention, or nurture it, it will not survive. Isn't that true of many of our relationships?

Think about ALL of your relationships that you have in your life that you have built or let go. Your significant others, friendships, family members, clients, co-workers, and so many more. What makes them healthy? What makes them meaningful? What makes some of them withstand the test of times, but others are somewhat easy to let die? You are the only ones that can answer those questions, but I am going to share my thoughts...

If we maintain healthy relationships with people that we care about, it aids us in having a happier life. If there is friction, lack of communication, no compromise, or a plethora of other issues, eventually it bleeds into our everyday lives. Poor or struggling relationships can tarnish so many areas of our lives that we care about, whereas, healthy, loving relationships can improve your quality of life.

So just think about it...If your child has a teacher that can't, won't or doesn't know how to build a solid relationship with a child, how will that year effect them. A teacher sees a student roughly 175 days out of the year for about 6 hours a days in grades K-6, which is 1,050 hours of their LIFE. If that your son or daughter has a teacher that doesn't build a relationship with them, it can be detrimental to their learning journey. That is such a scary thought for me as an educational leader, aunt, and lover of public education.

Long story short...we as adults understand the importance of maintaining healthy relationships and the overall effect it can have on our lives, so why aren't we putting more emphasis on teacher/student relationships?


Think back to the teachers you had in school. Do you remember the ones that you scored high on their tests, or the ones that believed in you, pushed you, and inspired you? In today's society it is so much more about meaningful relationships than it is content. Content should always come second to the child.

After teaching "at-risk" teens for so long, they could tell me the exact day they started hating school. How sad is that? It literally made my heart hurt for them, and then I spent months trying to inspire them to love learning again. Typically a life-changing event had occurred in their personal life, then they got behind in school, and didn't have a strong enough relationship
with their teacher to feel safe enough to inform them of their situation.

I truly believe that ALL kids LOVE to LEARN, WE as educators have to continue to support and encourage them during their journey.  So, if you have strong relationships, remember to nurture them, and if you have a wilted plant, it's never too late to bring it back to life.

With all of the hate in this world, let's be kind to one another and spread the love :)

Happy Trails,

LMR

I Don't Speak, Because I Don't Feel Safe

Do you remember a time that you have been in a meeting, classroom, or any group setting and you had a really awesome idea or opinion, but you didn't speak up? You leave that environment and wonder why you didn't have the courage to vocalize your idea? Why? Is it  your personality? Or is it something bigger than that? Could it be that you don't feel psychologically safe?

What does that even mean?

If we do not create an environment of safety and security, students will not feel safe enough to share their hopes, dreams, or cries for help. We MUST create a learning environment that students can share openly about their fears, concerns, goals, questions, or excitement. Think of the countless number of kids that don't share their truth with us because of fear, feeling unsafe, or being made fun of! WE MUST CHANGE...Psychologically safety must be ingrained into our culture in schools, homes, and life.

How do we create such an environment, some may ask? For some of us it is easy, for others in can be quite difficult. As adults and humans if we show our flaws and mistakes, kids are more acceptable to do the same. If we create a culture of risk-taking and not being afraid to fail, they will follow suit. It is my true belief that kids and students need to view their teacher, parents, or important adult figures as humans. As people that have made countless mistakes and are still successful today. Surround and expose our young people with adults that have recognized their mistakes, embraced them, and used them as a catapult for change.
Suggestions:

Don't be a DREAM squasher, be a DREAM builder
Embrace uniqueness
Encourage kids to share their past experiences
DON'T JUDGE
Relate to them
LISTEN (I mean REALLY listen)
Share your life with them
Prove to them that YOU CARE!
Treat them as if they were your own child
Provide positive feedback
LAUGH
LOVE THEIR FLAWS
Promote creativity
Build something
Cook something together
LOVE THEM!!!


We are not perfect. We fail, we struggle, we win, we lose, we love, we cry, we smile, we learn, we grow, we explore, we create, we encourage, we embrace, we try and be the best WE can be every day. Why aren't we sharing our stories with our young people? Taking time to remove our costumes and expose our wounds to help them understand it is going to be okay?

Are we so obsessed of what we look like on social media, that we have forgotten who we really are? We post these pictures of our vacations, flowers from loved ones, and all things that seem to be "perfect" in our lives. Our young people are forced to do the same. Pose a thousand times for one post on Instagram, with 13 different filters being applied??? Is that real life?

Long story short...We need to stop and listen to what our young people want and need. We need to allow them to take risks, fail, learn, and grow. We want to teach them perseverance, with a, "never give up" attitude. Our young people deserve to feel safe when talking to not only adults and teachers, but their peers. They need to speak their minds and work together to make this world a more safe and secure.

It is up to US, to help them on this journey, that we call life. Watch your words, they can hurt.

BE AWESOME
BE YOU
BE YOU
BE YOU
YOU ARE EXTRAORDINARY

xoxo,
LMR

In a Time of Tragedy...BE KIND

This is our #CTKindness Campaign at our school. We hope to make a difference in schools, the community, and the world.

We MUST MODEL Kindness and LOVE for our young people, if we want to change the world. We have to take a stand, have moral courage, and DO THE RIGHT THING.

Our world is in major need of love and kindness to overcome the current state of chaos and hate.

IT STARTS WITH YOU.
IT STARTS WITH US.

BE KIND in your words and actions.

We can post supportive pictures and posts, but it is our ACTIONS that make the difference.

Please challenge yourself, your family, your friends, your school, your church, your neighborhood, and even strangers to BE KIND!

#CTKindness

Big Love,

Leigh

NEVER. STOP. LEARNING

My Grandpa George S. Pallo

As most of you know, my Grandpa George S. Pallo was a High School Principal for 30 years in the consolidated town of Park Hills, formally known as Flat River. He was an advocate for ALL students and a true pioneer in education. He told me almost every time that I saw him that, "No one can take away your knowledge." He truly believed that statement, as he continued learning and growing until he left this earth.

He started his first book when he is was in his mid 70's. Not only did he tell us to never stop learning, he modeled it for us. Through his inspiration and dedication to knowledge and learning, I am able to write for each of you today. He taught me many valuable lessons in life, but most importantly, that I have a voice, and I should share it with the world. Also, that knowledge is what brings change into the world.

LEARNING?

Learning is such an enigma, isn't it? I mean, it goes from young people learning their A, B, C's, to sex education, foreign languages, to managing money, to life in general. The list is infinite for sure!

Does learning look different for kids and young people than it does adults? I don't really have the answer to this question. I think it depends on what you are trying to actually learn. If you are focused on answers, then it probably does look the same, but if you are striving to learn from mistakes and experiences, it may differ a little.

Do we really take time to LEARN from our mistakes? I mean, really dig deep and search within ourselves to identify our mistakes, weaknesses, and what changes we need to make so we learn from it? If we are not learning from our mistakes, what are we doing? Continuing to make the same mistakes over and over again, never learning and changing, but becoming stagnant, bitter, and resentful? It is easier to blame our mistakes and short comings on others, so we don't have to focus on them. By blaming others, are we ever addressing the situation at hand, growing from it, or not only taking ownership of our mistakes, but promising ourselves that we WILL LEARN from them the next time?

Take marriage for an example: Convo between wife and husband (a super simple fix)

Wife: You are on your phone too much and we never talk anymore.
Husband: What do you want to talk about?
Wife: I don't know, just get off your phone!
Husband: Okay, picks phone back up and scrolls through Facebook & Twitter
Wife: You never help out with anything around the house.
Husband: What would you like me to do?
Wife: It is all finished now, I did it all while you were playing on your damn phone
Husband: Repeat

What should the husband do? Probably put down his phone? Learn from his mistakes? Probably get bitched at less? I am not sure, but how many times have we had this conversation?

If something bothers someone that we love, we need to reflect, LEARN, and GROW from our mistakes, so it makes it easier on all of us!

My Grandpa George & Grandma Marie 

As I said earlier, LEARNING comes is so many shapes and sizes, but the good news is, it's not too late to LEARN.

LEARN from your relationships
LEARN from your experiences
LEARN from your heartbreaks
LEARN from you celebrations
LEARN from your past
LEARN from your parents
LEARN from your teachers
LEARN from your bad bosses
LEARN from the homeless person
LEARN a new language
LEARN how to play the guitar
LEARN how to be kind
LEARN how to be transparent
LEARN how to cook something new
LEARN what to do differently next time

Challenge yourself to LEARN something new every day.  Just remember, NEVER. STOP. LEARNING.

Get Your Learn On,

xoxo, LMR

If Your Life Ended at 17...

I have been doing some major soul searching over the past few weeks, after one of my students was shot and killed over something out of his control. He was 17. Yes, I said 17. A seventeen year old boy took his last breath two weeks ago.  A young man that hugged me every day off of the bus, that had the best manners I could imagine, and the kindest heart.

Is it fair? What purpose does it serve? Why him? These are all questions that I may never be able to answer, but I must find peace in my heart and soul for it to serve a purpose in this world, to honor him.

I started thinking about all of the things that we focus our energy on; making our house payment, who just bought a new vehicle, our jobs, things that we can't change, things that our out of our control, our jealousy for others, and the list could go on for days, then it occurred to me, NONE of it matters. None of it.

What if you died at 17? How would you have been remembered?

What matters in life? Why are we here? What is our purpose?

Most people say, family. That's a cool answer, but what about your family matters? For me it is having off the wall conversations with my Uncle Bear about Mediterranean diets, to his old worker named Corn Dog, or my nephew putting a worm in his sister's hair at her graduation party and laughing until he had tears in his eyes, or sitting with my mom and dad telling stories on the veranda about life and laughing and enjoying EVERY moment of it. Having a fish fry and me telling Boo and Ms. B. about my students and how they nicknamed me "The Sheriff."  Spending as much time with my girlfriends that I consider my family, eating, telling old stories, jumping off boats like we were in the junior high, still having bunking parties, and laughing until our stomach hurts in a crowded restaurant eating brunch.
I could go on and on, but the point is, enjoy it. Enjoy it in the moment. Stop and enjoy.

Life is short. Life is precious. Life is ugly. Life is beautiful. Life is what YOU make of it.

Life is short, so live it.

Life is precious, so embrace it.

Life is ugly, so learn from it.

Life is beautiful, so enjoy it.

Life is what you make of it, make it COUNT.

Change the world and fight hard to do it. Inspire and motivate others to do the same.

My challenge to you is this; reflect back on your 17 year old self. Have you changed? Have you grown? What advice would you have given yourself? I really want you to dig deep, it's not easy. I know what I see and I'm not proud, but I am just blessed that I have lived long enough to change my life, and Iv'e got a long way to go!

I hope you all have an awesome day and make a promise to yourself that you will, MAKE IT COUNT!

xoxo,

LMR

Kindness: How Being a "Mean Girl" Changed My Life

This blog post is dedicated to all of my current students and all of my past classmates.


What does it mean to be kind? Is it a smile? A high five? Opening the door for someone? Or just living by the "Golden Rule"? I am still trying to wrap my mind around it today. I have dealt with several issues revolving around students being ugly to one another, just mean behaviors that can easily be fixed or eliminated. Being mean is something that has gone on for generations, but that does NOT make it acceptable or something that we want to continue. To write this post, I had to dig deep, open old wounds, and take a hard look in the mirror.


I had to take a journey back to when I was their age to really try and find a solution to this ongoing problem in our schools, our community, and society as a whole.


As I reflected back to my high school days, I am reminded about a time in my life that I was not as kind as I should have been.  When faced with situations that I had a choice to be kind or mean, I chose to be mean. Maybe because I wanted to seem "cool" or to fit it, but I know that I didn't always choose to be KIND. I was a jerk!

If I took a survey or polled my fellow classmates that I attended school with I am sure that I would cringe at the results. I would honestly hate to hear what they thought of me at that time in my life. I may have actually been considered a "mean girl." It really makes me sad to think that I made other people feel less than awesome and didn't take time to just be kind to them. Why did I think it was acceptable to be rude?

I often told my students in my classes that they wouldn't have liked the person that I was in high school. I didn't act or behave how I was raised. My parents and my entire family believed in kindness and acceptance. They taught me right from wrong and not to be mean or cruel. Although I knew all of these core values, I would still chose to be ugly and unkind.

If there is anything I could go back and change now looking back, it would be how I treated others growing up. I would also apologize to my mother (she is a saint) for my smart mouth and ALL of the other things that I put my parents through. I would apologize to the neighborhood kids that we didn't allow on our teams or always picked last, the girls that we called on "three way" to make them talk bad about others, the nicknames that we called people, the pranks that we pulled, the terrible rumors that I spread, the girls we wouldn't allow to sit at our lunch table, the people we didn't invite to our parties, the boys that I kissed that had girlfriends, and the other countless inconsiderate things I did to KIND and innocent people. Sounds really bad doesn't it...I know, I lived it and created it!!!!

I know that I said that I would take it back, but I honestly don't think that I would. I can't change what I said or did, but I can help change and inspire the current and future youth of our world. I can relate to the "meanies" but I can also empathize with the victims, which were my students for years. I know what it is like to make bad decisions and maybe it is my job to help counteract it at a greater level. Maybe I was supposed to be mean, to help save students from making the same mistakes and regrets that I made? Whatever the reason, it is not a excuse. My past behaviors are scars that I have to work through and deal with as an educator and as an adult.  They are my choices and I choose to forgive myself and dedicate my life to helping others, paying it forward, and being KIND every single day.

I guess my hope is that I can change the world through the simple concept of KINDNESS? I do think it is possible!!!! I think when I started the KINDNESS campaign, "#CTKindness" it was my way of giving back and asking for forgiveness. If I can promote KINDNESS to our young people maybe it will change the current culture of our school, community, and the world.

My best advice for ALL people, not just our young people, would be, " BE KIND TO EVERY CREATURE THAT YOU MEET"

P.S. The person that said, "sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt me", is full of crap (pardon my french)!

Choose your words carefully, because you never know who is listening or what the person is going through in their life.

Finally,


BE KIND
BE KIND
BE KIND

As always, I am humbled by the people that take time to read my thoughts:)

Peace out girl scout,

Leigh

"We Weren't the Only Kids" [Dance On Film]

This is a beautiful dance piece about Bullying. It was choreographed by my dear friend. All young people need to watch this and reflect. Extremely moving and eye opening. Enjoy!

Digital Citizenship: Are WE Teaching or Assuming & What the Heck is it?

Aaron B. teaching me how to blog

How many of you know what the term, "Digital Citizenship" even means? Let's back up, how many of you have even heard the term before? Many of you remember when we were in school or even today in elementary schools, CITIZENSHIP programs? They could be in the form of grades, ratings, stars or whatever other symbol that was chosen to provide students, parents, and the school community with an idea of what "great citizens" our schools were teaching us to be. We were taught about trust, honestly, caring, and the "golden rule". Well many things have changed in our current school system, and the digital age of technology has integrated into our homes, schools, and hands.


Young people are now faced with challenges that we never would                                               have dreamed of, when we were in grade school or even high school!

In my high school, we didn't have to worry what was on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat, we wrote notes and got film developed at Wal-Mart, we did not "post" anything. Now within seconds a picture can be shared with thousands of people around the world. I thank God everyday that my friends and I didn't have Smartphones! I would have either been dead or jail. I am proud to say that I was a dinosaur! lol

We expect or ASSUME our young people to behave or act properly while using social media or technology as a whole, yet we aren't telling or teaching them what our expectations are. We are hoping and wishing that our young people or even some adults don't do anything to harm their reputations on the Internet, yet we don't provide appropriate behaviors, examples, or boundaries. We are being reactive instead of proactive this the growing issue. We are all taught manners either in our homes or for some, they needed to learn manners at school. Either way, WE WERE TAUGHT!

We need MANNERS on the Internet too, people. I know it seems strange, but we know that it is true. Wonder what the queen of etiquette, Emily Post to say about some of the posts, opinions, or pictures that people post?

Kindness project at the Alt. School

As an educator and leader, I know the importance of embracing technology to enhance learning, yet I feel that we all need to be sensitive in what we put on the World Wide Web for the ENTIRE WORLD to see! We must be aware of our words and actions and how it might effect you, your loved ones, or complete strangers.

In my current role as a High School Assistant Principal I had a tough week with social media. Some of our students posted a "Burn Book" on Instagram with grotesque and derogatory comments of some of our most beloved students. It was sad and hard for me to read. Although, this was a terrible incident, I took SOOOOOOOOOOOOO many positive things from it.

1. Once students saw this, they contacted Instagram and it was removed, not once, not twice, but three times.
2. Within an hour two accounts were created called, "Love Books" to counteract the hateful things that were said on the burn book pages. The LOVE books spotlighted all of the positive and beautiful attributes of our students.
3. We started a grassroots effort of "KINDNESS"
4. Our students were challenged to say nice things to at least 3 people! It has truly had a ripple effect.
5. It taught a valuable lesson to MANY of our students

Good Choice Bracelets #WWMLD
We are ALL in this together! 

One student commented," Ms. Ragsdale, the LOVE Books gave me faith in the humanity again"  another stated, "it made our school stronger and more positive".


Long story short. We ALL need to learn was is appropriate and inappropriate behaviors online and continue to respect others. We NEED to educate our young people and remind them on as constant basis to be aware of the damage that they can do if they don't "THINK" before they hit send.


I am sure that I will continue to post about "Digital Citizenship" and it's important in our school systems and society.

My former kids, because I miss them like crazy!

HAPPY Friday ALL, and remember to be KIND to one another! Just BE NICE!

Innovation Wednesday Challenge
#TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork

xoxo,

Ms.Leigh M. Ragsdale

We are in the Business of Kids!

There are always so many changes occurring in the education world on a daily basis, but through all of it, one thing still remains the same...KIDS! I could go on and on complaining about the changes in testing, grading, programs, technology, discipline, and whatever else we complain about, but at the end of the day it is simple, KIDS. Kids should ALWAYS be the center of everything. Every decision we make, every time we walk into our schools, every time we greet them at the doors, every time they fail, and every time that they succeed. THEY are what is important. If we continue to FOCUS on KIDS, and only kids, everything else will fall into place. 

When you reflect back on your positive experiences in school, what sticks out to you in your brain? Is it how well you scored on your unit tests or state mandated assessments, all of the work sheets that you turned in or didn't, or how about all of times you raised your hand to use the restroom? If you said yes, you are a freak, we love you anyway, but that is just bizarre. I think it is safe to say, that it is the wonderful teachers that that come to your mind. The teachers that taught you things about yourself and life and were constant role-models and cheerleaders for you. A certain teacher that took time to invest in you, get to know you as a person, and also allowed you to form a relationship with them. A teacher that saw something in you that no one else had noticed, pushed you to be better, or inspired you to be a risk-taker. The moral of the story is that YOU remember the relationships, challenges, celebrations, victories, or defeats, not the content. 

I am not saying that content isn't important. Content will come once the teacher-student relationship has been formed. If we teach our students to be problem solvers, knowledge seekers, risk takers, power thinkers, and creative leaders, the content will follow and our kids will excel. 

As educators we are professionals. It is our job and duty to grow, change, excel, change again, and repeat. WE are in the business of KIDS. That is our responsibility to show up everyday as EDUCATIONAL WARRIORS for our kids. We must fight for what is best for them and NEVER give up on them. Kids have changed, that translates to, WE MUST CHANGE WITH THEM! 

If you have children ask yourself this question:

1. What type of teacher do you want your child to have?

       a. An Educational Warrior

       b. An advanced worksheet pusher

We must all remind ourselves that we are in the business of KIDS. They are our future, we must love, encourage, and support their dreams and passions on an hourly basis! 

Every time we make decisions, I ask myself this, "Is it what is best for kids?" If the answer is no, then I seek a more fitting solution. 

Kids and learning, growing and changing, living and laughing...all beautiful things! 

Happy weekend folks! 

#KidsFirst

#TeamRagsdale

Leigh

My Grandma Pallo and all of her grandchildren "KIDS"

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work!

We as adults work together on just about everything. From our relationships with each other to developing ideas that change the world, the more brainpower we use the more we gain. We
encourage committees or strategic planning teams to make the best decisions possible for our schools, governments, businesses, and just about anything that matters to us; yet we don't do this with our young people?

How many of our students still sit in rows of desks, turn in their own assignments, and typically work alone on everything that they do? I would assume most of the classrooms that you see look exactly like this no matter if it was your classroom 50 years ago or your own child's or hell grandchild's for that matter. Why isn't anyone questioning this? Is this how us function in the "real-world" as adults? How many of you go into your line of work and think to yourself, "Geez I am so damn excited to sit in a desk that I don't really fit in, in a row, for at least 7 hours?" Doesn't that just get you all fired up to do your best? Hahahaha...I know the answer to that one!

We wonder why the drop out rate is increasing, students are bored, and my biggest fear is when I continue to hear our brightest and most successful kids say, "I HATE SCHOOL"!!!! I want to pretend to be shocked, but honestly I'm not. How would you like to be a student? I feel like it would pretty much suck!

Think about this...

When you are at "work" and you forget to do something, or you have a sick child and need to leave, or whatever else may come up, how many of your co-works say, "Go, we've got this" This environment is built on respect, support, and professionalism ideally, but we all know that it happens. We work together as a TEAM to help each other out. You sometimes pick up the slack when you need to, knowing that you've got each other's back!!!!

But, if a student forgets an assignment, is taking care of his/her elderly grandparent, doesn't have electricity, is homeless, or whatever else might come up, do we work with them the same way? Do we have their back? Some teachers do, and I love and admire them for the relationships that they build, but some DON'T. If it is late, it is late, and YOU get a ZERO!!!!! Isn't that inspiring for a student to hear.

I just feel that it is imperative to teach our young people how to work together as a team. That is why I support extra-curricular activities and coaches so much. You WIN as a TEAM and you LOSE as a TEAM. That is a HUGE message and life lesson for our young people to develop while in their crucial years of development.

Trust me, I understand that we can't work together on everything and we must focus on the best YOU that YOU can be, but I think that we need to at least consider it, think about it, and model it for our young people.

It takes a village...

Happy Sunday Folk,

Leigh xoxo