Music and Balance...

When I was seven, for some reason, I really wanted to play the piano. This was a bit surprising, considering no one in my family has any musical ability. At all. For some reason though, I really wanted to learn to play. When I asked my mom, her response was logical-"Dom, we don't even have a piano"-so, I did what any seven year old would do; I found one. My friend's parents had a huge, out of tune upright sitting in their living room that I had never seen anyone play. Looking back, it probably weighed well over 500 pounds. Somehow, I convinced them to let us have the piano and I can still remember my dad and his four of his friends rolling this huge piano down the street and into our home. My parents still laugh at this story, but what they sometimes don't realize is how much music has meant to me since. Or how much I miss playing today.

Fast forward twenty plus years. I really am a lucky, lucky guy. My wife is the most amazing person and we are expecting our first little one very soon. I have an incredible, close family. My dog thinks I am a rockstar. Believe it or not (don’t laugh!), I even recorded an album when I was in college. For the last six years, I have been doing what I love everyday; educating and working with amazing young people. Every day, I am surrounded by passionate, dedicated and driven colleagues and friends. Throughout the last year, I have worked hard to grow and learn from a great network of educators. I am fortunate for all of this and couldn't be more grateful.

However, I have to admit that for the last week, I decided to take a step back. Certainly, it's been a busy week, but that has little to do with this. Instead, I purposefully disconnected. There is tremendous value in collaborating, connecting, blogging, tweeting and learning, and as a goal I set one year ago, I have tried to learn from and share as much with my PLN as possible. And learn I have.

However, I also believe that sometimes, the most productive and reflective thing you can do is nothing at all.

That’s almost counterintuitive as an educator; we have so much to accomplish, so much to take part in that there is no way we can sit back and do “nothing.” Even as I was disconnecting, I found myself flipping through Twitter. Yet, I actively tried to give myself some time away from what I have come to love and as a result, I have realized so much...

...I realized that over the last few weeks, my students and I had spent a lot of time discussing what "success" is. College? Grades? Careers? But, the incredible thing I realized is that sometimes, our students know a lot more about what makes a successful person than we think. Just look at the three different service projects students took part in so far this break, simply because they wanted to.

...I have realized that there are so many intangibles that are important and really make people happy. This is a simple statement, I know, yet powerful. Family. Downtime. Hobbies. Friends. Just as it’s key for educators to stay connected and learn from one another, it’s also important to find a balance.

...Balance. I have realized that balance is perhaps one of the most important aspects in our lives. As educators, this is something many of us struggle to find. Particularly at this winter break, it’s all about finding that balance.

...I’ve also realized just how important goals are. Last year at this time, I made it a priority to grow my learning network, become active on Twitter and share my thoughts through my blog. I am proud today knowing that I am off to a great start. Of course, I’d like to get better and I know I will, but I am proud of the connections I have made and most importantly, how much I have learned through these connections.

So, with all of this, I look towards the upcoming year with eagerness and excitement. I look forward to helping students continue to find their voice and share their ideas. I can't wait to meet our little one. I look forward to learning, to connecting. I look forward to continue growing that balance.

And, I think I will start that right now. In reflecting over the last week, I have also realized that these last few years, I have not found the time to play piano nearly as much as I would like to. Some months, I don't play at all. It’s time to change that. Balance. Just hope my wife doesn’t mind the noise…

Happy New Year!

Are you "MAD," Bro?

You may be curious about the title of this post. Honestly, when I first heard this phrase, coined by our Journalism class back in October prior to our 4th annual Make a Difference Day, I laughed; the meaning was simple, humorous and once I learned what it meant, perfect. It really is perfect. As we were gearing up for our annual day of service, our Journalism class put together a great story covering this event and simply asked the question, “are you MAD, bro?” After a few awkward moments, some uncomfortable laughs and even one or two blank stares, they let us all in on the beauty of the phrase...are you “making a difference?”

Are you making a difference? I am not sure these students realized just how elegant that phrase was and in so many ways, really encompasses what Leyden and #LeydenPride is all about. See, at Leyden, so many people-students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents, community members- make a difference without really thinking about it. They’re “MAD” because that’s just what they do. It’s not about anything more than just wanting to help others and make a difference in our community. And, as our students do all of this, often without recognition and fanfare, I couldn't help but think about the huge difference they are making.

I thought about going back to the beginning of the year, but it would be near impossible to encompass everything our students have done to make a difference in one post. Then I thought, what about looking back at the last couple months? We celebrated “Act-tober” and without a flinch rolled right into November and now December and Leyden just kept on making a difference. However, I know I wouldn’t even be able to do that justice.

But, when I looked back at what Leyden has been involved with just in the last 2 weeks alone, I was floored; this is what “MAD” is all about. Since Thanksgiving alone, Leyden students have…

• Raised over $2500 dollars for the family of a maintenance worker who’s young grandson was diagnosed with, treated and has beaten cancer.
• Collected over 7,500 items of food to be donated to our local food bank for local families in need
• Served meals for the Leyden Family Services and their guests, taking the time to spread holiday cheer and kindness
• Come together to write over 150 holiday cards for children who are sick and won’t be able to go home this winter
• Passed out hot chocolate and candy canes to teachers and their classmates, just to say good morning
• Collected toys and clothing for our annual Toys for Tots drive
• Came out to support our Special Olympics Basketball Team for a Pack the Place, bringing along more canned goods to donate at the game
• Organized two “Ugly Sweater” contests where proceeds will go to our local organizations and families in need
• Volunteered in four of our local communities for their annual community Holiday Parties
• Rode the “Journey to the Northpole” along with over one hundred local children helping set the atmosphere and bring the joy
• Donated several hundred dollars as part of our "Duct Tape the Principal to the Wall" fundraiser with all proceeds going to our food drive

This is simply the last two weeks, and more likely than not, I have missed something! Wow. Now that the holiday season is here, helping others often comes under a microscope and the sentiment, are you “MAD?” takes on real meaning. At Leyden, you can feel the spirit in the air as more and more students are eager to help others. However, what I am most proud of is that although great things have been taking place over the last couple weeks, this is no different than any other time throughout the year. Just take a quick look at #LeydenPride and you will see that no matter when, no matter where, our students want to get involved and help others.

During this holiday season, Leyden is eager to make a difference. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t “MAD” all year round.