Welcome to the Wolff Learning Blog!

W- Work ethic

O- Off time

L- Lead/live with integrity

F- Find your passion

F- Find a way

This past week, I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in the University of Virginia's PLE program. The Partnership for Leaders in Education (PLE) program is designed to increase the capacity of leaders in education. I am thankful to my district superintendent, Dr. Erin Keating, for providing this opportunity.  My colleague, Mr. DeLuca, also played a role in this opportunity.  I appreciate him as well. 

Before I get into the conference itself, I want to share an experience I had prior to Day 1. As we traveled down to UVA, my wife texted me and asked if I needed the bag in the foyer of our house.

Damn. I had forgotten the garment bag with my suits and dress shirts in it. Not going to lie, I panicked a little. It had been a busy week in preparation for leaving. I always make my best effort to get as much done as possible before I’m out of the office.

I had to find a way. Once we arrived at the university, I was able to find a shopping center nearby. Small problem: I also had to attend a class at the same time I needed to shop.

Next thing I know, I'm walking around the store shopping for a suit, dress shirts, and shoes while actively participating in my class via Zoom. It was a little weird, but I got the job done.

And back to the conference...

The experience of attending the University of Virginia's Partnership for Leaders in Education was rewarding, reflective, and inspiring. Collaborating with educators from around the country was extremely beneficial. Our Scranton School District team grew stronger throughout our time together. It was awesome to talk about education with a focus on kids.

A few things from the conference:

• We ate at a place called Miller's, where the Dave Matthews Band started. My wife and I went once. It was cool to be there again. DMB is one of my favorites.
• I picked up a saying: "Focus on improvement, not complaining." I love this. We often focus on complaining instead of seeking solutions.  Committing to this sounds like an idea I can get behind. 
• I learned a new term: "help-rejecting complainers." There is certainly a time to get things off your chest, but move on. Seek solutions and ask for help if needed.  I like the idea of finding solutions. 
• Change takes work, but it can happen. Others have done it.  This idea has been been proven time and again. 
• Sharing ideas about what worked for other people is a good thing.  Love this idea. 
• Sometimes the answer is in the room, and sometimes it's outside the room. I found this particularly interesting but accurate. Sometimes we have the answer within our group; other times, we need to look outside the group. Improvement is the goal—it doesn’t matter where the answer comes from.  Love this idea. 
• Getting off the porch and learning from people outside our organization can be invigorating. The same problems exist everywhere. Solutions are there. Don’t be afraid to take a healthy risk.  You know how I feel about this idea. 

Key takeaways:

• Find a way to get the job done. Scenarios will present themselves; find a way.
• Don’t be afraid to go outside your circle.
• Learn from others. Not everything will apply to you, but take what you can.
• People everywhere have the same issues you do, whether as individuals or organizations. Seek discussions and solutions.
• Solutions are not always in front of us. Put yourself out there.
• I have always enjoyed putting myself in new situations to meet new people and find new solutions.  This experience was no different. 

Get off the porch. Learn. Grow. Improve.

#wolffway