Not Giving Up!

Although we have never met, I have followed Adam Welcome for some time on social media. I have read his books and have been inspired by his work. This past year I was humbled to have him join the Aspiring Leaders cohort that I created a few years ago. Adam is always posting motivational snippets, and a recent one was the punch in the gut that I needed.

Here’s the background story….
I have my school administrator’s license and after countless applications, resumes and even interviews, I have not landed that coveted position. This past year, I thought “I’m done. I’m truly happy with what I’m doing, so I’m going to keep refining that”. I even thought “Heck, I’m *sorta* close to retirement (then found out I wasn’t), I’ll finish, move to the beach and start something new”.

Then Adam posted about how when he first started speaking he did it for free just to get his face/name out there. His recent videos have talked about working twice as hard to get what you want. What really got me was a video saying “he just doesn’t give up”.

Why am I giving up?

Why am not continuing my “Dream Big”?

So I recently reached out to a few friends for advice. No more giving up for me!

Although I hold my administrative license, this fall I am pushing myself to do another “internship” on my own. I have contacted people to get this ball moving. Yes, I remember how busy I was, but I’M NOT GIVING UP! I’m willing to put in the hours and work with others to make connections and see what I need to do to move to the next step in my career.

So, thank you Adam and ALL my supporters who I’ve reached out to recently, and the ones who will be contacted in the future! We’re going to #DreamBig!

Why YOU should be a mentor!

Mentoring often occurs organically once a new school leader enters your building or district. You take them under your wing, you help them through the paperwork, you’re the listening ear that they need. It’s a friendship that forms and often lasts for years.

But have you considered reaching out and mentoring ASPIRING school leaders? Guiding them and encouraging them prior to them entering the field? You MUST! Here’s why:

• Aspiring School Leaders learn pedagogy and theory in leadership programs. It’s YOU as practicing school leaders that can share with them the day to day “real life” of a administrator.
• Remember your first year? Wish you knew something more prior to going in? Now’s your time to give back and help others!
• You know what you’re looking for in a fellow administrator. Share this so the TOP candidates are out looking for jobs. GROW our profession.
• Think of a person who has made a huge impact on you - now pay that forward.
• It’s such a HUGE gift to give that takes little time each month. Make a phone call, Vox, do a Google Hangout, email. Relationships matter and help mentees tremendously!

Mentoring is a small thing that adds up to BIG rewards to a future leader. Are you ready? Do you support building greatness for our students by bringing top leaders into schools? Can you commit to having this authentic, helping relationship for the next ten months? No set times, you and your protege decide what works best for you.

We have a cohort of aspiring leaders ready for you! We are in need of leaders in ALL areas!!

--- Not ready to mentor, but still feel you have something to offer --- 

We also host short webinars for these aspiring leaders. If you would be interested in sharing your experience this way we would also appreciate your support.  Sign up or suggest your area of expertise!

Mentoring does change lives! Sign up here -- http://bit.ly/AspiringLeadersMentor18

This is the second year of our amazing support program -- check out what we did in year one: www.dreambigmentorship.com

Aspiring Leaders Cohort 2018 - 2019

Are you an Aspiring School Leader? Are you following the #NAESP and the #NCP conference through social media and thinking “that will be me someday?” Then THIS cohort is for you!

According to the National Association of Secondary School Principals, “the demand for elementary, middle and high school principals will grow 6 percent nationwide” over the next four years. 

Do you feel prepared? Having a mentor at any stage of your career is so beneficial, but often doesn't happen after student teaching, unless people personally seek a mentor out. Time constraints and location can often prevent strong mentoring relationships from being formed.

Today, online relationships are often how we connect for personal growth and learning - edchats, blogs, webinars and personal PLNs --- strong mentoring relationships can also be built through these same digital means!

There are SO many great leaders across the United States that are willing to reach out and support the next generation of school leaders! Our goal is to support aspiring leaders through a series of webinars held by some of these inspiring top leaders.

Webinar topics include:

• Interviewing tips
• The “behind the scenes” of administration
• Tech tools and tips for growth
• Work/Life Balance
• Resume / Cover Letter Building

In addition to the FREE webinars, we want to match experienced leaders up with future leaders in mentoring relationships. We have personally experienced and know the value of mentorship and know it doesn't have to occur face-to-face. Tools such as Voxer, Google Hangouts, etc will be utilized to make these unique relationships happen.

Could you use the support? Know someone who could?

Even if you are thinking about only watching the webinars, please take a few minutes to register below. This will help us see what webinar topics would be most helpful to you as an aspiring leader.
http://bit.ly/AspiringLeadersMentee18

Still not sure? Check out what we did last year - www.dreambigmentorship.com. Almost half of the active participants in the cohort landed admin roles this year!!!

ARE YOU ALREADY A SCHOOL LEADER????? Sound like giving back and helping others? Join us -- YOU are exactly what we need to make the program successful!

Sign up today to be a mentor or a webinar host.

http://bit.ly/AspiringLeadersMentor18\

Interviewing Tips (Aspiring Leaders Webinar)

Last week some of the Aspiring Leaders mentors (Dr. Asia Armstrong, Theresa Stager and Karen Wood) shared their best tips for interviewing on a must see webinar (will be posted soon on www.dreambigmentorship.com/webinars)

Their tips are definitely worth sharing to all job seekers though! Check out these tips to ace your next interview!