The Journey of Earning my Doctorate Degree in Education

The journey of earning my doctorate degree in education has been nothing short of an awe-inspiring experience. The countless hours of research, the rigorous academic challenges, and the camaraderie with fellow scholars have collectively shaped me into a more knowledgeable and resilient individual. The process of delving deep into the intricacies of educational theory and practice has not only expanded my intellectual horizons but has also instilled in me a profound passion for enhancing the educational landscape. I have served in education for the last 26 years, inspired by many teachers and school leaders. This has been a life-long goal and I am so grateful for all the support and words of encouragement along the way.

As I reflect on this transformative journey, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the next phase of my academic endeavor. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and a heightened understanding of educational methodologies, I am excited to transition into the role of a contributor, researcher, and advocate for improved learning experiences. The prospect of engaging in meaningful research and writing to share innovative ways to enhance the educational journey for both students and teachers fuels my enthusiasm. This next phase represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, translating academic insights into actionable strategies that can positively impact classrooms and educational institutions.

My doctoral journey has equipped me not only with a scholarly mindset but also with a deep sense of responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the field of education. I am eager to continue to collaborate with like-minded individuals, educators, and institutions to implement evidence-based practices that can foster a more enriching and effective learning environment. As I embark on this new chapter, I am motivated by the belief that education is a powerful catalyst for positive change, and I am committed to playing an active role in shaping a future where learning is an inspiring and transformative experience for all involved. If you are in that phase of discernment about whether to work towards earning a doctorate degree in education, be encouraged that you can make a difference and your voice is needed in education.

A special thank you to Liberty University for having a financially supportive program for veterans, allowing me to embark on this very fulfilling journey.

Improving Teacher Retention Within the Archdiocese of Washington Dissertation-https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5006/

May we all continue to seek knowledge in all things,

Denise

The Importance of Building a Positive School Culture

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It is a joy for me to serve in education and I wanted to share some slides from one of my latest professional development sessions. As educational leaders, it is essential that we are reflective in practices and take the time to enter the difficult conversations and modeling this for our school teams. A positive school culture can not only make a difference in building a strong educational team and retaining teachers, but studies show that a positive school culture has a direct effect on student learning. Exemplary leaders understand how to create a climate of collaboration, they must determine what the group needs to do their work and build the team around a common purpose with mutual respect (Kouzes, 2017).

As we walk through this pandemic, take the time to invest into the discussion of developing or strengthening your school cultures…it will make ALL the difference!

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

Reference

Kouzes, J. & Posner, B (2017). The leadership challenge-how to make extraordinary things happen in organizations.

Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.

Tweets by DeniseBall_EDU

Teachers Sharing the Good with One Another

I am so excited to share that Maria Chubb and Karina Lepkowski mastered educators teaching at Most Holy Trinity within the Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic Schools will be coming to share their best practices they have been sharing at Detroit area EdCamps and Archdiocese of Detroit professional development sessions on March 3rd for our Archdiocese of Baltimore and Loyola University “Harness the Power Within” Professional Development Day!

#SharingTheGood #WeAreAllOneBodyinChrist

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-

Denise

Technology, Education and Human Resource Recommended Blogs

Last week while sitting in an airport, I grabbed a magazine that featured information on Microsoft’s HoloLens. As an educational leader, I was simply blown away with the future classroom applications that could occur once this product’s engineers have worked out all the kinks and the price driven down to make it an affordable tool to use to enhance learning for learners of all ages, in school and in the workforce.

Below are some good reviews to get one acquainted with the product and provides a glimpse of what it can do and why this product is one to watch for making a change in the way we look at teaching and student learning.

Check out this YouTube Video, that is mind-blowing in educational possibilities for our future with preparing tomorrow’s leaders for any industry. Microsoft HoloLens-Transform your World with Holograms

A Look at Microsoft’s HoloLens by Sean Hollister on CNet.com

Education and Technology…Blogs to Read to Stay Current and use as a Resource

The 2016 Must Read Education and Technology Blogs by Ed TECH Focus on K-12.

The Top 10 EdTech Blogs by http://www.Brainscape.com

Educational Technology and Mobile Learning website is very cool and offers a plethora for resources for educational leaders. The site offers blogs to follow and products to use to enhance any learning environment.

Continual Learning Across the Industries

Since we should always be learning new ways to perfect our craft, regardless of industry, this is a great site for professional development and human resource  leaders as well. Learning needs to be engaging for all learners, regardless of their age or level of education. SnackNation, conducted a survey and came up with some out-of-the-box blogs that share ideas on how to make your employees feel validated and engaged in whatever it is you as a manager, leader or employer have to offer.

In an age where after a 30 second sound bite, we lose interest, gleaning some perspective and new ideas from those with whom we want to engage, so they can lead our industries into tomorrow might not be a bad idea.

Human Resource Blogs

The Top 30 HR Blogs for High Performance HR Professionals by http://www.snacknation.com

Capella University’s 6 Must Read Blogs for HR Professionals

Great Leadership -A blog for a leader/manager at any level. This blog also shared best practices and tools to use with your team. e.g. Individual Performance Plans etc.

Strategic Human Capital Management A useful resource for an HR manager or leader in any industry.

As I transition from my role as a traditional education leader as a school principal into more of an education leader within the world of human resources,  I will share all the good sites and resources I discover. Life after all, is just one large volume of multiple lessons…

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

 

 

 

Being an Agent of Change…Why is it Important

When after working 21 years within the world of education, I pause to reflect and review the amazing opportunities I have had, hopefully making a difference in the lives of students, faculty, staff and school communities I have had the pleasure of developing programs, serving, and training.

I most recently shared with my children (12 & 14) that we will be relocating to the Washington, D.C./Maryland  area. My husband has recently moved to the area with his employer and after twenty-three years of marriage, I know it is important for us to move together as one family unit. To my surprise, both my children without hesitation were excited about the “adventure” and quoted me as often saying, “life is short, let’s embrace a new chapter of life.”

Given the relocation plans, many in my life are surprised by my excitement about the adventure and all the uncertainty that relocating can bring. Many have taken the time to voice their amazement on how well my children are taking to the news and quite honestly surprised by their excitement.

Our family have spent time talking about the responses from family and friends. I have had numerous conversations on the topic of relocating with my educational leadership peers, faculty and staff. Ultimately, I am thrilled to join my husband Michael. I am grateful for the grace of life and having two healthy children.

In education, I have spent years teaching and encouraging students to embrace change as a new concept or topic of learning is being taught. I have spent years developing programs and training and encouraging educational teams to include my own faculty and staff, to change the lens in which they see their classrooms, teams and school environments, and embrace a new idea and or theory all for the betterment of enhancing the learning experience of the students placed in their care. These experiences have all been successful and repeated throughout the world by many.

In education, we are called to be change agents, and yet so often, we have a difficult time stepping out of our silos and changing the lens in which we use to see the world around us. As I embrace this new chapter in my life, I am excited as I  interview within education, various industry leaders and agencies, I am seeing just how small (and global) our world is.  I cannot wait to see which team I will join and grateful for the wonderful years of working within the world of education in Michigan.

I encourage all those who play a role in the life of a child to continue to encourage them to seek out the new, embrace the changes as opportunities and help them see global connections all around them.

I will continue to post blog entries on those topics I find most interesting and educationally worthy. I am grateful for all the feedback and the hundreds of thousands of views this blog has received.

My next blog post will be on Microsoft’s HoloLens. I have recently read a few articles on this product. You can say you read it here first, when I say that this product will change the way in which we teach and learn in the future. As you know, educational changes often move as pond water, and we may not see this product changing education best practices tomorrow or even in the next 5 years but this is an amazing product and it is definitely one to watch when it comes to enhancing education for our leaders of tomorrow.

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,

 

Denise

Denise Ball

We are Called to Inspire our Students even in the Last Few Weeks of School…Remember the “Why” in Choosing to Teach

(Picture posted on Facebook by Teacher2Teacher #T2T)

We have limited days left with our students.

What a blessing it has been to greet them each morning as they enter our building, our classroom. To be able to tell them they can learn the impossible and see that which is not visible. Be a caregiver, boo-boo healer, magician, entertainer, disciplinarian and mentor. To be a dispenser of hope and a well of motivation and inspiration. Provide them examples to model after and to strive to emulate.

What a blessing it has been to be all we are called to be to them this school year.

We as educational support staff, teachers and administrators  have modeled for those placed in our care more than we will ever know.

Hopefully, we have modeled positive conflict resolution, how to demonstrate and hopefully deal with disappointment and frustration, how to be kind in words and actions and how to forgive.

Our students have watched and listened to our words and actions.

As one who who chooses to work within the world of education, teach and inspire our future leaders of tomorrow, this is so very important for us to remember.
Let us have faith that the seeds and examples we have planted and provide will be watered to bear fruit for many years to come.

May the last few weeks of school be all that you hoped this school year would be …on the first day of school!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-

Denise

Principal

St. Augustine Catholic School

Twitter:

@dballwriter and @principal567

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Never Underestimate the Power of Believing in a Child

As educators, we have been blessed with an awesome responsibility to educate the whole child to become productive citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

As an administrator, one of the blessings of my job is to help my faculty and staff be the best they can be in the lives of those placed in their care.

Simple reminders:

*to greet students at the door and actually “see” them each day

*to remember that as an educator, we are the rational adult called to model behaviors for our students…forgiveness, flexibility, humor, compassion etc.

*it is okay for students to know that mistakes have been made or something is not “known” …demonstrate how to build the muscle of “recovery” and “collaboration”

Never underestimate the power we have in lifting up our students to new heights…if you BELIEVE they will ACHIEVE!

 

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~

Denise

A Fabulous Middle School Teacher Utilizing “Out of the Box” Techniques to Teach Peace

I always enjoy going into St. Mary’s School in Royal Oak.  The atmosphere is inviting and the teachers are friendly.  I want to share with readers, a fabulous teacher utilizing “out of the box” techniques to teach peace. Linda Irwin teaches middle school literature and even if that knowledge wasn’t known, one could tell just by walking into her classroom.

 

While visiting this past week, I coud not help noticing this awesome bulletin board as I walked down the hall in front of this classroom.  I walked in and asked Mrs. Irwin all about it.  The students are reading, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin.

 

Students are working together by individually designing a quilt square that will be added to a “Quilt of Peace” created by the entire class.  I was fortunate to have witnessed one child designing one of these squares, that was beautifully done.  When asked, the students were so excited to share insights from the book and excerpts from the great discussions they were having in class generated around their reading.

 

As a certified ELA teacher, whenever I hear students excited about reading, my heart soars!  Great job Mrs. Irwin for passing on you passion and utilizing relevant and current books to engage your students. 

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,

Denise

 

 

 

 

If you ever wonder if middle school and high school students are paying attention to business, politics and world affairs, we are in various schools and take every opportunity to ask students about their thoughts…they are very aware of the world around them… AND they have an opinion.

 

We will be utilizing the month of April to shower you with Best Practices we find as we wrap up this school year.  If you know a fabulous teacher and want to tell us about it, we will share it and celebrate with you.  We are blessed to have such dedicated educators in this country. Please join us in celebrating their efforts!

 

May we seek knowledge in all things,

 

Denise 🙂 and the entire Unlock the Teacher Team

 

Email your pics and favorite teacher bios to teachme@unlocktheteacher.com

 

Six Attitudes of High Achievers…Are You a High Achiever?

This blog is about sharing the good found in all things. Today I read a great article I found on my bookcase in a Franklin/Covey’s Seven Habits Organizer on Noe’s, Peak Performance Principles.

NOTE: Organizer belongs to my husband and I am just realizing that it is chuck-full of great inspirational and leadership advice…this organizer has various inserts that he has pulled out of his planner for the last six years to make one awesome leadership reference tool!

Noe breaks down the attitudes he correlates to those who are high achievers into six easy steps:

1. High achievers make no small plans. Although he states that big plans attract big people, he reminds his reader that a high achiever recognizes the small everyday choices that build the cornerstone for the big plans.
2. High achievers are willing to do what they fear. “You don’t conquer fear with clichés, but with action.”  Personally, I love this.  When I was stationary in one classroom, I always had the Latin phrase, acte non verbe on my wall; it quickly became class motto.  Noe states, “That fear is fraud and that only 8% of our fears are legitimate.”
3. High achievers are willing to prepare. We all can organize, plan and prepare for situations or events in our life, but Noe stresses that the high achiever, “gets more excited about what they are becoming than what they have done.”
4. High achievers are willing to risk failure. “Failure is not the enemy of success.  It is the teacher-a harsh teacher, but the best if you are going to be a high achiever…you must learn to “fail” your way to high achievement.”  Imagine if we taught this to our children, our students… what a great lesson to learn early in life.  It could help individuals deal with or look at depression, stress and the plethora of negative influences we encounter daily, in a more positive fashion.
5. High achievers are teachable. Noe explains in this article, that a high achiever seeks knowledge, spends time reading, observing and listening to those around them.  When I was in the Army, the Drill Sergeants in basic training would often state that “if you see another soldier doing something right, adopt it and make it your own.”
6. High achievers have heart. This point stresses that when we look at the plot in great literature, we usually find conflict.  However, unlike literature, the conflict that often occurs in our lives usually does not have a detailed rising action, which hints to what is ahead…it just happens, in a flash of a second and we either crumble or inhale and rise to meet it head on.  Noe expresses in this piece, that he feels that it is during these times of conflict in our lives that we can be propelled to our highest goals…if only we demonstrate courage, persistence and perspective.

If I did not find the six detailed attitudes for high achievers motivating, Noe’s last paragraph in the article definitely did it for me.  To describe the algorithm of achievement, Noe utilizes the analogy of mountain climbing.  A mountain climber would not go from peak to peak, they would reach peak, travel down again, to experience the thrill of a new adventure with climbing up to another peak.  I found this analogy motivating and a visual reminder I can use when encountering a stressful situation.

If we dedicate ourselves over and over again to the goal of climbing one peak to the next…resisting the urge to become discouraged by the task-every one of us can become a high achiever. ~John R. Noe, Peak Performance

Have a great weekend and may we all continue to seek knowledge in all things,

Denise

“All Around our Town” to Launch the 1st of March in 2011

All proceeds from the eBook for  “All Around our Town”  will be donated to St. Mary’s School in Royal Oak, Michigan.  This school has a wonderful curriculum plan that incorporates art and reading across the curriculum. 

The art teachers exhibits a passion for her craft and enjoys showcasing the many beautiful art projects created by her students. The 7th and 8th graders are so well read in this building, I enjoy stopping in to ask them what they are reading and why.  I can not wait to see what wonderful ways this building will utilize our gift.

May we continue to seek knowledge in all things-

Denise