313 - Grow Unique Educators! - with Ron Madison

As we kick off a new school year, it is an important time to reach out to all teachers to help them be successful. We can aid in their growth throughout the school year and that will continue through their teaching of the students. We’re joined by Ron Madison, an instructional technologist from Michigan, who strives to aid in the growth of ALL the educators he works with.

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Podcast Team
Hosts- Katie  Ritter & Justin Thomas
Editing Team- Michael Roush, Justin Thomas 
Social Media/ Promo Team- Annamarie Rinehart, Lisa Kuhn, Maggie Harris
Creative/Content Team- Justin Thomas, Brooke Conklin
Producer- Justin Thomas

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Transcript

Justin Thomas: 0:00

Calling on instructional technology coaches Forward Edge has launched a new hub for coaches to find strategies and resources to use for their coaching. The EDU Coach Network provides a place for instructional coaches to come together for Coach specific professional development, building a community and finding mentorship. Moving through the school year, the network provides a place to casually seek resources for joining with bookclubs Twitter chats, webinars and workshops, along with much more, join the EDU Coach Network by going to Ed edu Coach network.com and join the coach community today. Aloha, I'm Katie Ritter. And I'm Justin Thomas. And this is the restart recharge Podcast, the podcast like coaches for coaches, we bring the tips and tricks to help you in your everyday work as an instructional coach or whatever they call on your school. So hopefully you're gonna leave this episode today feeling just a little bit less on your own coaching Island. And welcome back from our little summer break. We're into the second half Everybody get ready for the school year to start. Exactly. Yeah, and as we kick off this new school year, it is important to take some time to reach out to all teachers to help them be successful. We can aid in their growth throughout the school year and that will continue through their teaching to their students. So we're joined with Ron Madison here and instructional technologist from Michigan who strives to aid in the growth of all the educators that he works with. So let's welcome in Ron he is instructional technologist designer with Genesee ISD in Michigan, he is also a digital coach, a our voice Academy participant a presenter, also a educational author through edgy match publishing and also a musician. So we're excited to see how this is all going to kind of come together here through experiences and how this all works with how Ron works with the teachers. So welcome, man. Ron. Welcome, Ryan. Thank you so much. I don't know if I should have did my little drumroll because you talked about musicianship first purse, but I love it.

Ron Madison: 1:56

To do what I did to classical music because I work with the Joffrey Ballet intensive for over 12 years and get to a modern piece. My oldest son will be 20. So it was 20 years ago because my wife went into labor when we finished that production. So Wow. Hi, that's all Yeah, I was doing performance. She was having labor pains, all that kind of stuff. And after the second show, she takes and said Now it's time to go. So

Katie Ritter: 2:20

I had a girlfriend that lived in Atlanta when she was pregnant with her first child and she ate this eggplant. There's a restaurant that has like a famous eggplant recipe they posted on our website, everything's you can make it from home, because they swear it makes people go into labor. But I've never heard of, you know, a particular song song making anybody go into labor. So that's a good little trick there. Yeah. If anyone wants that, I still have the rights to that modern piece where we had the piano and we made the drums do whale sound. All that kind of stuff. So yeah, had had had a lot of fun with that. Awesome. So a little something better listeners never getting back. Okay, well, Ron, we are going to dive in here. And so you and I had the pleasure of meeting at McCall. This past swell, I guess last school year. This is confusing, because we're actually recording earlier in the summer. So I'm very Yeah.

Ron Madison: 3:17

So yeah, took 23

Katie Ritter: 3:20

Yeah, but the timeline out for me. So yeah, March of 2023. And, you know, we just kind of ran into each other and got a chance to just start talking. And I just really loved hearing what you had to say and how you inspire the teachers and the students and really kind of anyone that you work with. So I was excited to get you connected with Justin, to get you on the podcast here because I just hope or I know and that listeners will enjoy just kind of hearing your story and some of the anecdotes and the tidbits and Justin did an awesome job teeing you up to kick us off on new school year. It's a perfect time here to give everybody a little bit of last motivation before the school year starts. But for you to elaborate a little bit on your introduction there. Can you just talk a little bit more about what does the work that you do with educators look alike in your school district as an instructional technologist and designer.

Ron Madison: 4:17

So with that being said, what I do here in Genesee County, Flint area for people know, let me have a sip of water.

Unknown: 4:28

That makes

Ron Madison: 4:31

Yes, for anyone who knows a slide. Oh, wait a bit. I get that. That's right. It is filtered, ladies and gentlemen. But no, I've been in education over 29 years. McCall thank you for coming. I'm a former treasurer of that organization executive board member. I stay very active throughout the state of Michigan and beyond as an instructional coach designer designer pieces we created edgy paths which is an online Horse free for any and all educators, I don't say teachers, I say educators because even bus drivers and paraprofessionals have the opportunity to continue and expand on the growth and learning to do with that. So I'm glad to be a part of that launch of what we have. Yes. So with that, in Genesee County, we have over 22 districts. And so I get to service all of those and beyond because I'm a part of our regional piece that goes throughout the statewide so I'm I'm part of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee with that the EA Sports, I'm the first person that brought eSports, to educators here in Genesee County, tying them in with universities and whatnot. So now we do professional development, we now are doing an initiative to get jump starts with Nintendo switches that we have going through, they're not a gamer. But see, I have the mindset to see potential going beyond like, work with video productions and districts help teachers right there. year next year, we used AI like, what did you do that? Yeah, the lesson plans because they realized we had two hours. And they said help us. So we use that as a guide by asking the correct questions. But they did the work. So then we were able to tweak it, move it for that. And then I took them on tours by building their network with other educators who have successful video production teams, then I go visit them and support them like that we'll be building up a network. My day varies from day to day like yes, today recently, because by the time this airs yesterday really won't be the reality.

Katie Ritter: 6:37

Bizarro is

Ron Madison: 6:40

Oh, recently, meanwhile, however, they used to do it back in the day, ladies and gentlemen, television, when you couldn't stream it, you had to wait for the commercial. But so some local folks with museums, different ideas, people came across me when I used to work with them and said, Ryan, help us with some ideas so we can get sustainability. That target was middle school. So we threw out some ideas with that. And also tying it in with the integration of technology, going cross curricular. So what I get to do is on a regular basis, is to help people brainstorm, and I try to stretch their brain far beyond what they can ever touch. And then we prioritize and bring it back down to what they're actually going to have the ability to do for that season. But also know, hey, you have potential to do so much more. So I'm an encourage or not a discourage or for teachers like I tell them I'm your Vanna, I'm your cheerleader, I'll do the backward slips for you. To get you encouraged to try it out. You can invite me out to your classroom, if you want me to team teach with you, or to teach for you to be an example of what's going on from things from coding using the spearos 3d printing the virtual reality like I have the prisons. So we're doing algebra, geometry. Now, I'm dumber than a box of rocks, but at least I have the tools to be successful

Justin Thomas: 8:04

with you, if it's on NASA.

Ron Madison: 8:07

You know what I'm saying? And so we work with them. z space is a new one that has the like a hologram to do it that way. So people don't have to get involved in the Oculus and different things like that, because some people get woozy and disoriented. So we're working in one way. Yeah, I'm one of those so. So exactly. So when people said, Ron, do research, how do we get the skilled trades tightened? So I just dig all the way in, and I run people hard. Some companies don't make it. Like I tell people, This is how I operate, especially when I go to conferences or work like that. I said, if you suck, I tell everybody. If you're amazing. I tell even more people, if you're average, I won't remember your name. By the time I turn away. Where do you fit in? And they have less than three minutes to me. I'm seriously you know, because when I'm at conferences, I work hard. I build networks, I help inspire people, but I don't have all day to have the smoke blown, you know, and teachers don't have that time. So I've really tried to be a great filter. I don't do voluntold I like to share and inspire people to go deeper. And when we do that we reach far beyond what they get ever imagined. Like I tell students, staff, teachers, community members, I don't spoon feed. If you can lift the spoon up yourself, I expect you to do that. That's my expectation, when I kick in is to help you break through that ceiling to go to that next level. But if you just get the L on your forehead, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I get a couple of nicknames you know they call me to box breaker to think outside of the box. But if you keep wanting to go in that box, then I turned into FedEx and ship you in that box out of the area. Because no educator would tolerate that from their students. And with teachers and administrators realize that like Ron, you don't I don't change my tone. Just because an admin comes in, I teach with the same energy, the desire and the drive for one person as I would for 1000 people, because it makes a difference. I let people know I had a time that they sent me what an educator who said she couldn't do tech? They said, well, RAM, why don't you go work with? So I went and she's balling this board, I can't do a stop, stop. Show me what do you know, my job is to give increase. By the time we were done, we had an increase, we had it mapped out, it blew their mind that they got to show growth. But what they really needed to be encouraged and stopped comparing to where everybody else is. Where's your starting point? And let's increase that people are at different speeds. We're not monolithic. So don't teach them like that same thing with our students, show them the potential to succeed, versus how quick are they to fail? You know? And so that's what I love to do. I believe that's a calling on me. And I do it as much as possible. Well, obviously, you just this leads right into our next question. With this being kind of a calling to you. Yeah, great segue skills there too, for you. Just for you. I'm just I'm so excited. You've already dropped I've we tried to like take notes. As you know, we're interviewing people and you've already dropped so many fun catchy one liners on just for our listeners. I feel like you're all alone production.

Katie Ritter: 11:32

Yeah, I'm, I'm curious on the where even come up with the FedEx shipping? You know? I'm definitely stealing the FedEx one for sure.

Ron Madison: 11:41

But no, when you think about that, so how many educators do you hear complain about their students? Right? Right. So one of the things that I do, like when I open up, this is copy written under me, but I said, Look, today is a no stress session. I don't have stressful sessions. It doesn't matter what the topic is. It's all our mindset and our attitude. Smile, show three teeth, they don't even have to be together. If you're not in a good mood, lie to yourself, it won't be the first time. But we're gonna have an amazing day and quiet as a capitalist. I know in most states, having fun while you learn is illegal. But today, we're going to break those barriers. So let's have some fun, let's have some great medication left is like medicine, we're going to have a double dose today. Let's rock and roll. And remember, I already told you I'm the box breaker. So we're going to think outside of the box. And then when I talk about it, but if you desire not to think outside of the box and stay in the box, then I turn into FedEx and ship you and that nonsense out of the area. And then I say why is that? Because you as an educator wouldn't tolerate that from your students to not participate, to not give their all? I'm not comparing you to anybody else. But are you here to learn if even if you were voluntold? Then tell me, I get paid the same if you're in the room, or if you're not, yeah, you hear what I'm saying? So it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I'm all good. If you don't want to learn nothing. Hey, bye, bye. It's great. But we're gonna rock and roll. And let me tell you, I've had attitudes change all the time. I remember one time I did a session when everybody just got pink slip the day before. And you want me to do a session? Well, I read body language. 80% is nonverbal. People were passed. Yeah. So before we even talk about doing a session, we got stress less, so I have to defuse that. Ladies and gentlemen, okay. We got seven minutes. Say what you got to say, this is a brave space. This is where we go. Because believe me any crap that you say, I'm gonna flush it afterwards, and we're gonna be done with it. Yeah, no, that's smart. Sometimes you just need to let people get it out a little bit so that they can focus. Yeah, and I'm not regulated. If you have to sign in sign in, do do what you have to do. But I'm going to do my part. Because if you can't participate because they weighed you down, that means you need a sick day, you're sick and tired of whatever it is, but be that real. But if you're here, let's lean in and do what we have to do. Again, we're adults, I really talk about the profession of being a professional to treat people in that manner.

Katie Ritter: 14:20

I don't think that happens enough in education. Yeah, I totally agree with you. So I want you to kick off every presentation that I ever have to get from this point.

Ron Madison: 14:34

I will be your Steve Harvey.

Justin Thomas: 14:38

I love it. I love it. Yeah, well, now we're going back to initially I mean, this is all fantastic. But where did this passion grow? Like where do you kind of really start to get this mindset that you needed to get out there and really start to work with these teachers kind of your your beginnings into this kind of set for an instructional coach. Yeah, I mean, you see, you see no barriers. Yeah. Well, one of the things that

Ron Madison: 15:00

I went to school for music education. Okay, so I thought I was gonna be a band teacher. So I do music outside of like, I think the largest audience playing on the keyboards is 30,000 People at Ford Field during primetime stuff that we have through there. I did drum corps. So similar audience goes through there on projects and things like that, that I do, you know, high end, when people need a keyboard player or a drummer or someone to design into arrangement. They'll call me if it works in my schedule. I don't play for just anybody. I'm very selective. I'm old. I can be picky. You know, I got my stuff. That's right. But in the schools, I was hired for special ed, you know, and it was only part time. And when I first got in, I mean, I couldn't get a job at McDonald's. They said I was overqualified. I said, call me an idiot put me on fries, man. I'm trying to work, you know. But then then I got into an amazing school. And it was a creative art school. So though, I wasn't shining in what they hired because they had music people. But me being young doing tech stuff, and people just like, Ron, you pick this up? Yeah, being special ed inclusion, I was in everyone's room. So I could see a little bit of what was going on. And then we came into a one to one pilot program with U of M. And one of the teachers was was very seasoned as I would like to say, and she knew it. But she was open for our kids to learn. But she was like, I can't learn tech. And when it came to the deadline, the principal pulled me to the side and says, We can't fail. Figure it out. I said, well, where's the manual? We don't know. So literally, I went to pray, Lord, you're going to have to tell me something. So we come out. Well, anyway, we nailed it. People. How'd you figure this out? We had some other tools that was in the building. I talked to the vendor. Next thing, you know, they said, you figure this out? Yep. So we're using with our kid, they did a conference like McCall and invited me to come out as an educational voice. Next thing, you know, they invited me three years in a row at different locations like God, you're amazing. Oh, that. That's what they said. Not me. You know, anyway, I have issues.

Unknown: 17:07

Yeah.

Ron Madison: 17:10

But but as we work through that, doorways kept opening to help with the tech. So the next thing you know, they said, Hey, you're going to be a webmaster. We're going to teach you how to do this, Hey, we're going to teach you how to do this. And I would just be open to it. And then the district created a position for me to be an instructional coach. I left that district as the interim tech director, literally, when a pink slipped everyone, they were given accolades for what I did national, you know. And still to this day, that district has people that refer to me and can tell you, I know initiatives that he does. It's stuff that Mr. Madison has done for our district that people still know me. So throughout the county, people know, I went above and beyond and did kind of things that other people didn't do. But I have mentors that pour so much into me, Sean Massey, I have to give her kudos even though now she's in Texas. But she took me up under her wing. She was hard, hard, hard, but taught me everything. To be who I am, I would not be the same person in the area of instructional tech, which gave me that confidence to keep pressing through and just bring excellence and all that I do. And no holds barred, I do not hold my head down about it. And I'm excited. So now I encourage other educators how to be rock stars and do it. They know I will never cause them to feel like a speedboat. If they want to present and I encourage them always. I'm right there. So if they get stuck, they'll point to me. I don't even have to know the topic. But I'll jump in until they're able to breathe enough. And to move forward and to keep going and to strive to bring excellence again, that's where that spoon, we go breaking through the ceiling. And we reach a whole new dynamics, touching the universe. That's what we do.

Katie Ritter: 18:56

I love it. Who doesn't want to work with Ron?

Ron Madison: 19:00

It's about three people. It's about people that's in the box. So FedEx they got labels, they say we are not expanding. We don't grow. We don't do this. We're agile label on them. Yeah, fear people. I tell them fear is false evidence appearing real. So we really have to bring clarity to what's really there. I did a TED talk. And it was called refuse to be poor. Poor stands for purposely overlooking opportunities repeatedly. I try to break that that people aren't missing the opportunities that are there for them. The thing I don't have to be ashamed, I don't have to be intimidated to teach people what I know. Because even though we can do it exactly the same, we all have a different fragrance just like our fingerprint is a little bit different, even if identical twins don't have the same print. So if they touch something you still know which one had their touch to it. So when we do that, I try to tell people don't hold back. Give it your all, you know, I want my cup to overflow with people that I'm working with. Because why? Because it's going to trickle to other people. I don't like a dry room. You know, when you set up the room and you come in my room, when I'm doing presentations and stuff like that music is dropping, it's for a reason it puts people it already reduces that stress. You've been in those places where it's, you can feel it any I mean, you walk into a room, and it's like, this is tense and something someone All right, you know, how do you shake that off? Because you really, you're not going to concentrate on what you need to learn. If your mind is racing on something else, if your mind is racing on stress of life, how do you move forward? Let's show you.

Katie Ritter: 20:48

Exactly. So Ron, I would love to hear like what advice do you you know, you are such a breath of fresh air and I could see anyone that you are working with, you know, it's hard to not be, you know, start to believe in yourself to write like, okay, yeah, I am going to break this barrier. And if I don't, you know, this guy isn't going to judge me, and everything's gonna be okay. And we're going to move forward. But I'm just curious, you know, that that's the kind of, you know, we we hope that all of our coaches can kind of inspire that and other people. So if you could give some advice to our listeners, which are primarily instructional coaches, to help them kind of have this this mindset and this, this belief, and people are exude it. What would that what would that look like from you, for people to maybe put on this, this positive cheerleader hat? If that's not their nature, right? Because I mean, this is part of this, I feel like is, you know, you and your personality, and you are, you know, your energy you bring it. So for somebody who's maybe not innately this super energetic person. And in this this mindset that you have, what advice do you have to them to help them bring it in the way that you do with your teachers? Now, I know because they don't have the visual, as you guys see a design that I did with Batman and Superman and across it says, hero,

Ron Madison: 22:18

I use this on the 3d print, these are things that I randomly give out to my rockstars, letting teachers know that you are a hero. The other thing about it is the mindset is this. First of all, you don't know everything. You know, there's multiple ways to get the same result, I'm taking you down one path. So don't feel like if your student was having a different perspective, today, this might be the path I have to take you down. Okay, so don't shut down the pathway. I'm taking you even though there are other pathways. So we're knowing that I don't know everything, there's multiple ways to get the same result. Okay? My perspective doesn't necessarily mean if it's right or wrong. But today, I'm getting paid to tell you this pathway that we're going on, right? So I'm gonna make sure my check clears it's beautiful. So I'm gonna help you to make sure that you get yours. So how you can do this, the more diverse you are, the better the equipment that you have to offer, the more tools in your tool belt. So listen, with a third ear, to your audience, know your audience base. I can say the same thing but use different Burbage based on the audience. to the community, I say things differently to the students, they were talking in kindergarten versus seniors in high school, or the administrators, or that first year teacher or that seasoned teacher that says I don't do tech. Those are fun. Those are because I say challenge. I bet you I can prove that you do use tech might not be comfortable in the route that we're taking you and started talking. How do you get gas? How do you pay for food? Do you make phone calls? On what device? You know? And they start? Well? Yeah, yeah, it's used everywhere. But now, if you stay in fear, to where you're incompetent on using that, technology doesn't care, it's still going to continue to go. You're going to be the one that loses out. I definitely don't want you to have the big L. I want you to go for the W let's help you when do you know your students might be able to help you stop trying to be the lead teacher for everything and facilitate? Because if the kids haven't mastered then they can teach others. People like wait, wait, hold up. Hold up. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. You can only fake so much for so long. Yeah. If you don't know the equation, you don't know the equation. You might have to use whatever language it is. But if you understand that, then that means you can teach other so how to be able to show that so telling the coaches for one and some of some of the coaches, they have to do the evaluations others don't. My teachers, no, I'm not doing your evaluation. So again, I can be your cheerleader. I can be your advocate when you're talking about hey, Ron, it's one forensic science coming in saying, Hey, I see you need this. Well, what about my dark camera? Yeah, the pixels is terrible. Yeah. What about this? So they're sending me stuff? Can you help me find this? Yeah. Is that my area of strength? No, but I know who to contact. I can be the middle person and go into this, we'll get back with you. And we'll help you out with that. Help you get it going. When they know they have a support. You don't have to know everything. They know you have their back, and then they'll welcome you in all the time. The teachers that I've worked with know, Ron will do all that he can for us, he won't lie to us either. You know, hey, can we have a raise? Oh, absolutely. How much do you want? Yeah, ya know, comedy special. That's not true. No, I don't sign that check. So when you let them know the truth, and what areas that they have to get things done, and they understand that, hey, we can fight for that this year. They won't allow any more purchases in this fiscal year. We're done doing it. So you have to wait till the next window. Let's write a proposal of that. Why is that important? If I put you on a pilot, are you actually going to show me now? You know, I can see the backend reports? Yeah. So why are we fighting for this? And so when people start to realize that, again, it's the relationship, the relationship can do far more than just stuff. If you're just texting and email and never really connect with that person, never really know their personalities. I'm not an introvert, as you can tell.

Justin Thomas: 26:44

Didn't know.

Ron Madison: 26:46

I know I've been crazy. Drumroll, please. But But when I'm around a person who needs the time to process? Do I allow them to have that time? Or do I think Wait a minute, I need a response right now you need better No. Again, really hear the person and find out. And one of the other things that I'm working on even better at is, before I move forward? What did I think they said, and get confirmation? Is that Is that what you just stated? So are you saying that you're not comfortable with technology because you don't feel that you've been successful? And now that they're telling you you're required to use a digital tool for conference calls, and to record and document and to present that when you have students also physically in your room, and virtually you don't know what to focus on? Did I get that clear? And then wait. Well, well, yes. That's what I said. Or no, Ryan, I'm not saying that. I'm just saying I don't know how to click on it. What's my ID? Oh, great. So you said you need your ID and how to log in. So let's focus on that. And then we'll have a tip sheet that you can get get that so those are quick things? We're getting close to that time I watch that too. Oh, no, no, no, I love it. I went rogue a little bit just because I I just I want our listeners to soak up all they can from you. But we are going to take a quick break from our sponsors. As your badges the anytime anywhere badging program to learn edtech tools and strategies is now open for individuals to sign up. Whether you're an instructional coach looking for new ideas to share or teacher wanting to implement more technology in your classroom. Edgy badges is the answer. Individuals can now sign up for both the free or premium account by visiting edu badges.com. And as a listener of the podcast, you can get $20 off your premium account by using promo code podcast. So visit Edu badgers.com and begin earning your badges.

Justin Thomas: 28:46

The Google educator bootcamp is a 13 week comprehensive series that will prepare educators to complete the Google for Education Level one or two certification. This series provides teachers with professional development on their own time to complete tasks that are built around showcasing their proficiency and understanding of the Google workspace for education tools. For more information on the Google educator bootcamp, visit Ford hyphen, edge.teachable.com and begin earning your Google certification. All right, welcome back to the restart recharge podcast, just indicated here with Ron Madison and, Ron, you have had some amazing quotes to put anything out there but media teams gonna go crazy on this one? Oh, yes, they are. There's gonna be all sorts of amazing quotes from you, but also some very vital and inspirational messages that have also come through with that as well. But, Ron, we'd like to finish our episodes with our top three tips. So we asked you, Ron, what are your top three tips for inspiring that growth for coaches working with those educators that like you said they might claim I don't know anything about tech. I don't know what to do. But how can they Coaches provide that growth and working with them and really provide the inspiration, as you've pointed out, and showed throughout this podcast to get those teachers and educators to really understand that, yes, I can grow in technology

Ron Madison: 30:15

stay truthful and honest and willing to fail forward. Any science project that you do, you can't say you actually did the research, and you only try it at one time. So failing forward, and stretching it. And if and I will challenge a person, did you really try if you never fail? That's one, two, listen, I love that. Listen to your audience, not just the words coming out their mouth, listen to everything. The body language, the environment, all of these different things that you can take. I mean, when you're in the room, what kind of tech do they actually have? Or whatever tools and materials do they have? And don't they have, because they can be telling you that they have an absence of things. And so you're making all these great suggestions. And they can't do any of those. So make sure you're listening and then aware of what's happening. And lastly, if you want someone to be positive, bring it back. Yeah, I have fun. And you can do this exercise. You can do this at home. I like to go to stores and restaurants and have a crappy server and see if I can correct them a smile. I have a friend. We're like brothers, we I mean, we will get in there who can make them smile first. And I'm telling you, you can have some challenges. But seriously, you work on it. Because you think about it. Have you ever had that student? What is going on? You don't know. And they might not be able to tell you what's going on. But something is just not right. That colleague that coworker, something just isn't right, that administrator something just isn't right. But can you crack that shell to change into a positive environment? They talk about what lights you have, you don't have to be that bright. But if it's pitch black, just a little flicker will still illuminate that room. So you can decide, are you going to be positive or negative? That's why I say I'm encouraged or not a discouraging. If you're crap, I flush it get crap out of my way. I don't I don't want to hear it. I don't if you're gonna do it, I'm gonna time you. Right, I got some crap to dump on. You got seven minutes. Let me hit the clicker. Because after that, then I'm gonna give you ways to resolve and move past that. No matter how hard it is. Let's give you some encouraging things, we might need to come back to that. So are we listening? Well, my principal, they never do. Okay. So you've been voluntold everything that you got to do. So one thing that they told you to do that you didn't want to do, but you did it with excellence, and you shine and you weren't complaining? You know, you don't get bonuses for whining and complaining, they canceled that program. So what are you gonna do? You know, that's why I tell people lie, show three teeth, they don't even have to be together. If you're not in a good mood. Tell yourself you are. Keep a joke in your back pocket for yourself. Dagnabbit I mean, come on. Think about it. Yeah. And you can change lives. When I told someone, I said, Well, 2022 was a rough year for me. People said, what? I never knew that. I'm thinking, I'm just like, Oh my gosh. But people said I would have never known. And I realized because I make myself shift so much to say, Dude, lean in, bring it, you bring it, you have value to bring to people that you're around. And because of that, it gets poured back into me. So again,

Katie Ritter: 33:46

willing, you know, to fail forward, listening, and bring the positivity for yourself because you can change your environment that other people will leave out that way as well. I love it and I to two things, so many things that you said. But two things that I did start listening to the next thing that got me all excited. One, I love the idea of you know, even if you're just a solo coach in your district, right, probably even better. So you're not necessarily like talking about your coworkers. But make a little challenge for yourself. Right? You know, if you're going to work with a challenging colleague, and you know it, you know, that can suck the energy out of you, right? Even if you go into it positively, they suck the energy out of you. And so I like the idea of even just having a little challenge with yourself. You know, I'm gonna make them laugh today or um, you know, how quickly into our conversation can I get them smiling? I love that spin. Yeah, that you put it to approach some of our more challenging colleagues on the day to day and then I also love your strategy of I know I commented on this earlier, but I just think you know, so many of our coaches will you know, and have in the past come to me about specifically coaching cycles that they do with teachers where they're, you know, meeting with certain teachers On a regular basis for a long period of time, and how the teachers just, you know, it just becomes kind of a complaint session and they struggle getting them back on track. And so I've given them a lot of strategies before to try to help mitigate some of that by love your idea of, you know, just giving them a few minutes, you know, and just saying, like, Hey, you get seven minutes or however much time you have, if you don't have seven minutes is too much of your time. But like, just give them time, maybe that's a good strategy to if you have somebody who just needs to vent, get it out before they can really roll their sleeves up and get back on track. So I like that too, for our coaches to take away and maybe try again with some of those more challenging folks that they might encounter this school year. Can I add something to this? Yeah, please. Especially if you're not, let's speak for that coach, that is soft spoken. And they have those people complaining, find some positive ringtones. If you don't make your own, I make my own.

Justin Thomas: 35:56

Ron.

Ron Madison: 35:59

Wonder you will see, he was like, Dude, if I had a piano right now, I'd be laying it down right now, ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you something that's going on. Anyway, we'll be at Royal Oak in July anyway. So enough of that. But literally, if you put a three minute timer, and have it loud, that's a positive piece, because you gave them a countdown. And so really, you get to politely say shut up. We're done. Because you use a timer. Hey, I'm gonna give you two minutes, I get it, you need to vent and click it. And then that did it. And so again, for the introvert that's like, I don't feel right. You know, I put some spoofy comedy. Time's up. That's right. Hey, now let's do it. I'm telling you, you can create these different things. And again, you're shifting the mood, you respected them, but they're also gotta respect you. I tell people all the time, we don't have to like each other as bonus round. What we do is respect the position. I tell it with students, staff, community administrators, it doesn't mean that's all bonus round, because that's a skill that we also need to teach one another in life. You don't just quit your career, because you come across a person that's a jerk. Some stay some lead, but it doesn't matter. Am I gonna allow a jerk to steal my joy? No, they had before. But I realized, you know what, I didn't fight back enough. It's a fixed fight. I win. But I have to stay in the ring. Yeah. So that's why you would tell them, how do you set it up? If you already know that teacher, we know. You know, if you're really listening, you know which one is go. You take that deep breath, you have your Dr Pepper, water, whatever you need. Drinks that's proper on an educational campus anyway. I don't I don't want to I don't know who's promoting

Unknown: 37:43

it exactly.

Ron Madison: 37:45

But you have those positive things going on. And you hit those timer. So you're letting devices work for you. So people know, hey, I got this much money. Okay, so we're going to go into the next segment that we work into, I think we can get that done in eight minutes, if we need to reset that time, and bow and I'd had my funk, boom, boom, and all this kind of stuff. So we keep going. So random people like me, don't just get so far off on a tangent that you can't bring it back in. You know what I'm saying? And respect people's time. When you get to that end of the time, hey, we didn't quite cover everything. Would you like to schedule a follow up? You know, I'd also like to assess even if we do a self assessment right now, you know, give me a thumbs up if you felt this was a good worth of your time or thumbs down, or if it's just sort of average. And I really need to improve on that. And you can tell me some different things. I might be hurt. But I do need to need the truth to be better for you. Because it's not about me, how can I better serve you? And that's when we go through that and then shut up, you ask questions and shut up. It's a beautiful thing to shut up. And I tell people all the time, you know, the loudest person typically isn't the smartest person in the room coming from the loudest person in the room. So I've actually done two things. I did a classroom management tip, right? I just told the loudest people aren't the smartest, but I put it on myself. So if anyone did you just call me like I just called myself love. And I am loud. I know the decibel levels, but I do that on purpose. Because Am I pointing at you? I started off telling you this. You didn't show me that behavior first. But I can pivot and I'll show you how to move quick and how we keep going. When you start acting stupid like you don't want to listen to what I got to say I don't speak slower I turn it up because now I'm just massaging your brain you'll get some of this stuff later you'll phone a friend somebody to help you out use a lifeline I don't have a flip. But I'm still going to have a great time. Like I said when you try to make people smile seek and I can see when their lips starts to quit no no holding it. I'll tell them holding it and no no don't remember, maybe you big and bad. Smile for me and then they laugh even more. But are you crazy? No, I'm not crazy crazy. Get you medication, um, unique. So you got to know the difference, you know? So anyway, that's enough for Ryan. Oh my gosh, that is

Katie Ritter: 39:58

another great nugget to it. love the idea of in group PD, like don't rush through it, maybe use that as a good into go follow up with the people who are in your session and have those more personal one on one sessions to so, so many good nuggets, Ron, it has been really a joy getting to talk to you. And I'm again and I'm just so excited for our listeners and the rest of the coaches on our team here, Forward Edge to get to hear you know from you, firsthand as well, too. So feeling inspired by you and cheeks are hurting from

Justin Thomas: 40:34

once again. So thank you for that. And obviously this is airing in August as this you know, we've recorded this in June. But are there any upcoming conferences during like the fall, maybe even into winter that you'll be at?

Ron Madison: 40:51

Either in Michigan or around the Midwest or all across the country? We got listeners everywhere. Right now I'm debating if I'm going to go back to TCA, or FTTC. To do that I attend our Michigan Association of computer users and learners, McCall. Each year that's in March this year we are in great, we're in Detroit, it's a blur. We do the dance back and I think we were we were in Detroit. Yeah, it was Detroit, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, and 2024. So, sure, I'll be there. I know. Part of that will be on the eSports probably some of the virtual and maybe the AI pieces of that or just coaching, like they recruited me this year and said, Hey, teach coaches. So because of being a board member, former board member and things like that, they asked me they know I'll jump because I really want to see the expansion happening with that. But those are the top three that I'm knowing of right now. And we'll see what else happens. So absolutely, yeah, I hope people get to check you out. And McCall is definitely a great conference. So even for our listeners, not in Michigan, it's a really a pretty good conference. We've been to a lot of regional ones. So it's a good conference. If you're looking for a new place to go. You can definitely see Ron there. Yeah, absolutely. And we the first time I went to McCall actually was in Grand Rapids, and it's a fun little city. Yeah, it's beautiful. You're actually yeah, river that goes through. Yeah, absolutely. So thanks again, Ron, for joining us here on this one. Reminder, we're gonna be back into our two week time period. So join us in

Katie Ritter: 42:30

another great episode. I'm certain of it coming up in two weeks. Yeah. So be sure to subscribe to restart, recharge, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also check us out at restart charge podcast.com. And follow us on all the social media at Ahrar. Coach cast. So feel free to reach out to us and let us know if there's any topics that you want us to discuss. You can do that through any of those social media channels as well. Yeah. And Brian, we didn't ask you is there any social media or any way that if our listeners want to follow you or get in touch with you, how can they do that? The best way is on Twitter. Okay, Madison underscore ra, ma di s o n underscore r o n. Hit me on Twitter and I'll reply back. Awesome. Thank you. And that brings us where we need to press the restart button

Justin Thomas: 43:18

to getting better you batteries and leave feeling equipped and inspired to coach fearlessly with the restart recharge podcast a tech coach collective you are on a roll. She keeps changing or nuances here at the end. It's like a set set thing we did for two years and now she's just throwing these wild cards at me

Unknown: 43:49

in the audio This is a weird call oh

Ron Madison: 44:00

I'm glad to be on your podcast. You guys are amazing. You guys had me laughing and sorry for my randomness All

Katie Ritter: 44:09

right, well, thanks so much for your time and good luck with all the tow truck situation yeah. Oh yeah. That's what my my my dog dead. Yeah, girl. I think it's common.

Ron Madison: 44:20

Oh my gosh. Oh, the garage.

Unknown: 44:22

Vehicle.

Ron Madison: 44:24

Yeah, so it is great. So thank you again and I look forward to hearing especially what the spooks you guys have to share those with me here. Yeah, we'll be in touch. All right. Take care.