TEAM NBT

We often joke about what it would be like to all work together and truly put all of our forces together. However, after all the sharing and collaboration that goes on weekly, we are in essence running joint schools from afar!  Each time we share an idea we are FIGHTING TO WIN against tried and true/outdated practices from the past!

        http://youtu.be/paC8JcgNocU

In the beginning the whole No Box Thinking mentality was something that I thought about to help reach individuals who are not being reached by traditional methods. It then went from an idea to a practice that was used at my school and the idea actually began to take flight. The leaders on campus began to use the No Box Thinking phrase or terminology with faculty, staff and students on a regular basis. The concept began to gain traction and I knew it was time to take this show on the road to help others in search of a way to reach the unreachable. 

That's when the chat was born and with the assistance of Jennifer Roach my assistant principal we began the journey of twitter chat moderators Sunday February 16 at 6:30 p.m.  The chat would trend as high as #2 worldwide the first initial night and we knew that the concept would never be the same. This was a way that we could connect with other passionate educators from all over the world and gain knowledge on how to perfect our craft. 

The group grew weekly and we then stumbled across a brilliant mind from Arkansas that consistently brought the FIRE with responses. Then one night while chatting the FIRELADY Bethany Hill took her contribution to the next level and became a key contributor to the cause. Mrs. Hill eventually guest moderated a #nbtchat that was a GAMECHANGER for her and NBT!  

The idea that was once pegged another crazy saying from the Madhatter had now actually gained another faithful and passionate educator to breathe life into it!  This was the next level type event that helped me to know No Box Thinking had actually became a way of life for many people from around the world. You see at this point we had chat members participating from all over the USA, China, Toronto, Africa, England and now even a guest moderator from ARKANSAS!  

Now verses just being a local saying at an East Texas elementary school it was becoming a movement sweeping the World! After the guest appearance it was no way that the FIRELADY could ever go back to just being a participant. She now became an active TEAM NBT leader that would take the brand everywhere that she went!  The phrase used with faculty, staff and students at BQJ would know be uttered to her, "BE THE BRAND!"  As her nickname states Bethany Hill aka FIRELADY never disappoints and always represents No Box Thinking Phenomenally!   

The next piece for the TEAM NBT was right under our nose the entire time with crafty and unique responses to question after question. You see this component was needed in order to take us all to the deep end of reflection and force us to stretch to the uncomfortable place called CHANGE!  TEAM NBT was GREAT with the addition of the FIRELADY but now with this next addition it would make the leap to PHENOMENAL!  The addition is none other than Walter "WORDSMITH" Reap from Maryland!!!! This guy will have you think and then think again about the endless possibilities to solving this riddle known as education!  He is a true representation to No Box Thinking as he posses the ultimate questions behind the questions that open the pathways to REFLECTION the new learning!  

Therefore we are at the present day preparing for the next #nbtchat to discuss the habits, procedures, rituals, essential elements of leaders and we are being lead by none other than the WORDSMITH himself!  

I am amazed at the ability and talent that the group of individuals I am apart of display on a weekly basis. We have a virtual meeting room where we share ideas and beliefs that will hopefully plant the seeds of change in the world of education! I am humbled to be able to facilitate this interaction and grateful to Jennifer Roach, Bethany "FIRELADY" Hill and Walter "WORDSMITH" Reap for their time and efforts to ensuring each Sunday night is one to remember!

So without any further a due ladies and gentlemen please throw caution to the wind, burn your boxes, excuses and watches because the time is NOW for TEAM NBT to take over the TWITTERVERSE once again!  Join us Sunday night for what promises to be an EPIC night for reflection on the PHENOMENAL PIECES of a true NBT LEADER!