M. Shannon Hernandez's Blog, page 12

Podcast Episode [4]: Does Your School Look Like A Prison (And what you can do about it.)

In this episode, you will learn powerful tips for creating a more loving school experience through transforming your physical school environment. It’s time to ditch the stark white walls, unwelcoming office staff, and drab hallways. You will walk away with ideas you can implement tomorrow to make your school more welcoming and engaging for all who visit and work there.

Tips from this episode:

Learn how to change the educational environment by making simple changes to the hallways, main office, and classroom
Discover ways to make the cafeteria a more engaging atmosphere, where students focus on discussion with peers and building relationships
Understand why it’s important to create a school environment that feels good when students, teachers, and parents walk through the door

Listen to this episode. 

Podcast Episode [3]: How Inquiry Based Instruction Raises Skills, Self-Esteem, and Test Scores with educator Julie Cline

In this episode, I interview middle school teacher Julie Cline. You will discover how one teacher transformed her classroom from traditional-based math instruction to inquiry-based math instruction, and the lesson for you. You’ll learn how to make teaching more hands-on and how to engage students–even with highly difficult topics–no matter what grade or subject you teach.

Tips from this episode:

Learn how to make your classroom more engaging, through inquiry instruction, no matter what subject or grade you teach
Discover how to provide students with “access points” during daily instruction
Understand how inquiry-based instruction raises skills and self-esteem in your students

Listen to this episode. 

Podcast Episode [2]: What’s Love Got to Do with Education Reform?

In this episode, you’ll learn why I believe love is the missing ingredient in education reform, and the many ways you can incorporate more love into the public school environment.

Tips from this episode:

Learn the many facets and definitions of love and how these variations apply to the school environment
Discover how to incorporate more love and compassion into the school environment
Understand why leaders should revamp school-wide policies to make the educational experience better for teachers and students

Listen to this episode.

 Join the discussion group on Facebook.

Join the discussion on Twitter using #TPEpodcast.

Podcast Episode [1]: Why Compassion, Love, and Gratitude Matter in Education

In this episode, you’ll meet your host of the Transforming Public Education podcast show, M. Shannon Hernandez, and be invited to join the movement for making public schools a more compassionate and loving environment for all involved. Discover why compassion, love and gratitude are crucial in education. Whether you are a teacher, parent, administrator, or student, your voice matters in school-based reform. Join the movement!

Tips from this episode:

Learn how love and compassion can transform educational communities and why I feel they are the missing ingredients in public school reform
Discover how leadership and administrative teams can discuss school-wide policies and make changes by gaining a new perspective and seeing things through the lens of love
Understand why teachers, administrators, parents, and students need to be heard

Listen to this episode. 

 Join the discussion group on Facebook.

Join the discussion on Twitter using #TPEpodcast.

 

Real Education Reform Requires the Voices of Teachers

(Author’s note: I was asked to write the Foreword to D.A. (Don) Russell’s book, Lifting the Curtain: The Disgrace We Call Urban High School Education. I “met” Don virtually a few months back, when I heard of the huge amount of research he had been doing–asking students and teachers questions about what would make school a better place, and what were the biggest problems they were facing in their urban schools. I knew immediately I had to hop on the phone and speak to him in person, as I could tell that we both shared the same vision and passion: Giving teachers and students a voice in education reform. It was an honor to write this Foreword–although I must admit, I was quite nervous in the beginning! I have read the book, and I know how important Don’s message is to the cause. This is one book every teacher in this country should read at least once. Thank you Don for exposing more of the truth, but in an insightful and pragmatic way.)

Teachers across this nation have had enough. They are tired of remaining silent about the testing, the “reform”, and the destructive practices forced upon them which are hurting our nation’s youth. In fact, more and more teachers are using their voices and speaking out to fight for our public education system, and above all, bucking a system that has deprived our students of an education they not only deserve, but one which is engaging and authentic.

D. A. Russell has brought to light one of the most well-rounded and comprehensive books which highlights the crisis in U.S. public education. Lifting the Curtain: The Disgrace We Call Urban High School Education is not only the result of years of research, surveys, and data from students and teachers—it is the impassioned voice of a inner-city high school math teacher who had the courage to write a book that tells the truth about what is really happening in urban schools.

Through surveys, we hear the voices of students: The worst thing about my education at this school is the class sizes, and The worst thing about education at my school is the limited availability of classes. We also hear the voices of teachers: On average, teachers receive merely 1.7 written emails or letters per year with positive comments from parents, only 4% of parents of struggling students attend parent-teacher nights, and 32% of the instructional time allotted to teachers is spent on tasks that do not contribute to a student’s education in a meaningful way.

If there is just one thing the reader will take away from this book, it is this: If we are to find REAL solutions to the problems in education, then we must focus on the REAL issues.

What is refreshing about this book is that it reports on the failures and problems public schools are facing and also includes proposed solutions. These solutions are insightful, not only because they are practical solutions from teachers who are in the trenches of public education, fighting day in and day out for their students, but they address the plethora of issues many don’t want to put in the public spotlight.

One of the biggest issues that must be addressed is the trust and integrity issues with which schools are managed and teachers are evaluated. A school can only be successful if its leadership is strong, fair, and compassionate. Too many principals have been assigned to schools across this nation without adequate management experience. When leadership doesn’t have the experience to back the decisions they are making—decisions which affect the faculty, students, and parents—education continues to deteriorate. When teacher evaluations are based heavily on principal feedback, discounting peer feedback, student feedback, and parent feedback—evaluations are skewed. Quite simply, if the administration “likes” you as a person, you pass with flying colors. But if you are deemed as too vocal or too “out of the box” in your instructional techniques, the evaluations reflect that disgust.

As a public school teacher of 15 years, a professor, consultant, author, and student-centered education activist, I’ve seen, time and time again, the very flaws of the public school system D.A. Russell presents throughout this book. It can be a disturbing read, if you truly care about what is happening behind the curtain of public education—because you are left with the feeling that the task of making things better, for all involved, is one that is going to take loads of hard work, both at the very local level (individual schools) and on a very personal level. Real reform starts with teachers evaluating our own practices, fine-tuning our methodologies, asking for student feedback about what is and isn’t working, and digging in to do the necessary work to make the classroom a better environment. Real reform also requires administrators to begin talking to their staff about what is and isn’t working, and taking an open and honest look at school-wide policies. Administrators must begin asking, How can we make this school a better environment for all? And after the feedback comes in, it’s time to form leadership teams where teachers, students, parents, and administrators work together to create school-based decisions through conversation, diligent work, and innovative thinking.

Above all, real reform requires more voices from the field of education who will talk about the  problems—with complete honesty. The teachers of this nation have the solutions, yet we are the very ones who continue to be silenced by bureaucrats, politicians, administrators, and school boards. We are the ones who know what is best for our students, and who understand the challenges we are facing day-in and day-out in our classrooms. Teachers must be able to speak openly, without repercussions from administration and school boards.    

The education reform tables are turning, and it is time for the teacher narrative to be heard. D.A Russell has written a powerful book which does just that. Through the heart-breaking and raw accounts of teachers, to the data from years of Russell’s research, this book chronicles the problems, suggests the solutions, and gives yet another chance for teachers and administrators to band together and do what’s right for our nation’s youth.

M. Shannon Hernandez, M. Ed.

Brooklyn, New York

February 2015

Tackling Public Education Reform Through the Lens of Love

As I round out 2014, I have been in deep reflection–especially in regards to my memoir–and how I want to further deepen and enhance my message. My mission is to continue making a positive impact in the lives of public school teachers, administrators, students, and parents.

I have thought long and hard about where my place is in this whole education reform movement. I am not one to “go after” others, or to constantly write pieces about what is happening in the news, or to debate policy with policy makers who haven’t a clue about what is really happening in the classroom. This just isn’t me—and the good news is that I have tons of education-writer colleagues who are awesome at doing just this type of important work!

So, after much thought and reflection, and rereading my own book and really thinking about how I want to show up and the message I want to convey in making public education a better place…I have come to this conclusion: I will be focusing on public education reform through the lens of love.

I know this is a radical idea—someone talking about love and mindfulness in the realm of public education policy and reform. Gasp!

But, I believe this is the missing link. I think that if we would just stop for a moment, and ask ourselves about the decisions we are making, even at the very local school level, and measure those decisions through the lens of love, many, many problems would be solved, rather quickly.

For example, many of my student teachers at Brooklyn College have spoken to me about their first round of parent-teacher conferences. Would you believe that several of their cooperating teachers were allotted 5 minutes per parent on conference night? Does that seem loving to you? What kind of message are we sending to parents and students when they are scheduled for 5 minute conference appointments, and then ushered out the door, so the next parent and child can be herded in? And really, what kind of relationship and valuable information can a teacher convey with only 5 minutes per parent?

This is upsetting, to say the least, and just one example of how making decisions from a place of love, at the very local school level, would produce vastly different results!

So, I am happy to announce that in 2015 I will be launching a podcast which will focus on love and mindfulness as an answer to many of the issues we are currently seeing in public education. 

I do hope you will join me as I work hard to advocate for local, school-based reform, through the lens of love.

The Power of a Great Mentor

I’d like for you to meet Ann.

I traveled back to Charlotte, North Carolina, in late October—well, actually to a small town outside of Charlotte called Concord. This is the place where my teaching career began 17 years ago.

One of my main priorities while I was there was to connect with my very first mentor. Ann was the teacher who inspired me to be always put my students first. On the days when I wanted to give up, Ann always had some kind and encouraging words to loan me—she knew that investing in a new teacher was a worthwhile and necessary cause. Ann also helped me celebrate the seemingly small successes in my classroom…because she knew that oftentimes, it is the small things that make the biggest difference.

Well, I met up with Ann and we went out for a lunch date. I personally delivered her a copy of my book, signed and infused with love. I showed her where her name was on the Acknowledgments page…and the tears welled up in her eyes.

It was so fulfilling to be able to tell Ann in person what an impact she has had on me during my entire teaching career—even when we have been miles apart. We shared stories of growth and transformation and inspiration.

And then, do you know what happened?

Ann gave me another piece of advice that I will be sure to carry with me for the next several years of my life. She said,

“You have always been a natural born leader and teacher. The education world needs your gifts. And always put love first, before anything else, just like you did with your students.”

Now, as you can imagine, this had me bawling my eyes out AGAIN, but it is such a powerful testament as to how much we can each uplift one another with kind words. It is also a great reminder that as we travel through life, the right mentors can teach us so much about ourselves and how to really make a lasting impact in the world.

[Interview] M. Shannon Hernandez on Coaching Memoir Writers

This past month I hooked up with Kevin T. Johns and was so thrilled that we got to “talk writing shop” on his new podcast:  The Writing Coach. On this podcast, Kevin speaks with the instructors, editors, coaches, and mentors that help writers and authors create their art, build their audience, and sell their work.

We shared laughter, tears, and of course, stories in this interview about my own writing successes and struggles, as well as how I help my clients tackle their writing struggles. Enjoy!

During the interview, I describe:

the benefits of working with a writing coach, business coach, and professional editor
how I turned my personal journal into a successful published memoir
the emotional experience of memoir writing
how I help writers find their authentic voice
the importance of networking to find new clients
how visual models can help the writing process
why I don’t believe in writing drills
how I keep my writing clients on track with their writing
why I refuse to haggle about rates with potential clients
how I spent my first author royalty check

I also give insight into the common challenges faced by my clients:

Creating a writing schedule and sticking to it
Dealing with the emotional process of writing memoir

Click here to listen.

[Interview] How to Have the Courage to Live an Authentic Life with M. Shannon Hernandez

I was honored to be featured on Doug Foresta’s Creating Change podcast this past month!

In this interview, I discuss:

My journey from public school teacher to content strategy coach, business owner and author.
How I learned to have the courage to overcome my fears.
What it took to give myself permission to live the life I really wanted to live.
And how I’ve dealt with the naysayers in my life.
What keeps me courageous when the times are tough.
Why I believe I don’t fail at anything I put my mind do.
My suggestions for those who feel “stuck” in their lives and are looking for more.

And, as a special bonus, I am taking listeners on a behind-the-scenes tour of my transformation from school teacher to business owner and education activist. As Doug says in the interview, it hasn’t been all rainbows–but I have stayed the course and am committed to living my life on my own terms.

Click here to listen to the podcast!

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Published Author

After just a few months as a published author, I’ve learned some things. The learning curve, at times, was fast paced and exhilarating, much like a waterslide on a hot, steamy day. At others times, well, it hasn’t been so pleasant.

These are the aspects of being an author that I wasn’t prepared for—and looking back—I’m not sure I could have prepared myself for these things anyway. Nevertheless, maybe this post will be helpful for an up and coming author.

10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Published Author

I should have had an inbound email/communication strategy ready to go once the book hit the market. Maybe it’s the nature of my memoir, which at its core deals with the hot-topic of public education, but it has been almost impossible to keep up with the onslaught of emails I am receiving from readers across the country. I’m doing my best to answer them as they come in, but in hindsight, perhaps I should have had a better plan of what types of emails I would answer. At this point, my goal is to answer everyone at least once…because well…I never wanted to be that author that was impersonal and a recluse.
The requests for interviews, podcasts, and speaking opportunities have been numerous, and that is flattering and exciting, but there are only so many hours in a day. Once again, having a strategy or standard around how many I will accept in a given period of time, would have been helpful for me. There’s much time and energy that goes into preparing for these events, so just thinking, as I did, that I can fix “x” number into a period, wasn’t realistic. I’ve learned that I need to account for time to prepare, travel time, and just my overall energy levels so that each time I “show up” for an appearance, I am in my best form!
I wasn’t prepared for the haters. I wasn’t ready for the people who not only disagree, which is fine, but do it in such a blatantly hateful and disrespectful manner—most of which is online and now public for the world to see.
The good news is, at least for now, for every disgruntled, angry person that posted something somewhere, twenty more people were there to support my message and book. I have been able to build some quality, loving relationships with people who were just complete strangers only a few months ago. Using social media as a tool to build relationships is a powerful strategy!
Marketing my book is a full-time job. I often heard that writing my book was the “easy” part—but I guess no one ever shared the ending of that sentence with me. The truth of the matter is, as a self-published author, if I want the book to sell, I’ve got to hustle. Everyday. Consistently. Relentlessly. 
My shelves are overstocked with books from authors I am meeting, either in person or virtually. This has been really eye-opening and fun! I don’t know how I am ever gong to read all of the books that keep showing up on my doorstep, but it continues to be exciting to open the packages as they arrive. (And of course, this  means I am shipping my book to them as well—it’s like a personal book club!)
When my first “1 Star” Amazon review came in, I was devastated. Mainly, this was because the person reviewing talked nothing about the book, but took personal jabs at me and my character. There’s no way, in my opinion, this “reader” could have read the book, because I was referred to as a politician, which I am clearly not. Anyway, I reached out to two of my author friends, because I was so hurt, and they both said, “Never, ever read your reviews. Ever.” This would have been good to know in the beginning!
The urge to write more has hit me hard. In fact, I would be perfectly fine moving to a cave (preferably one that had internet access), sitting in there, alone, and writing the days and nights away. The only problem? I still need to pay my bills! So, for now, I am doing the best I can to get the writing in around the work that also must get done.
Energetically speaking, being an author has taken a toll on me. If you read through the list above, I’m sure you can understand why. The good news is that I have wonderful people in my life who are supporting me, and who understand that there are some days when I just need to unplug from the world and recharge. Most of these days are filled with alone time, quite time with my husband, and snuggling my cat. There are other days when I can be the social butterfly everyone was so used to before my life became more public. Writing a memoir is no joke—the energy to tell the story, and the energy to retell it over and over again in interviews and such, and then the energy to recover from all that spent energy, is, well…real.
My heart beats faster and my anxiety spikes every time I sign a book. I am so worried about spelling a name incorrectly. My friend, Regina, helped me overcome this small dilemma by suggesting that people use a sticky note and write their name on it (at a book signing event). Then, the sticky note and the book are handed to me all at once. This has helped tremendously. I’m proud to say to date, I haven’t misspelled a name yet! (I’m knocking on wood right now.)

I’ve learned a lot in the three short months of being a published author. There’s been a mix of positive and negative aspects, highs and lows, and laughs and tears. The good news? I am embracing it all and learning more about myself every single day, and…this is probably what life is really supposed to be about, anyway.