Principal Kafele: It's NOT an Achievement Gap. It's an Attitude Gap!

At 7:30 a.m. Principal Kafele was already pacing back and forth in the ballroom like a tiger. Few people were in the ballroom, and I could tell he was READY to get going! He graciously took a selfie with me and other attendees while the time passed. Having been to quite a few sessions on educational equity by now, I wondered what new he would add to the discussion. I was not disappointed.

The man has PASSION and a religious missionary's zeal for young men of color. If I could describe it here I would, but what he exuded went beyond words. There was an URGENCY and a CONVICTION in his eyes, his stride and his voice that I've never encountered. He radiated an energy and intensity that made me question my own.

He began by saying that we did not get where we are by effort. I was skeptical until he added, "We got here by ATTITUDE." The attitude of belief in ourselves, led to goal setting, led to actions, led to hard work, led to resilience when the going got hard, led to tenacity, and finally led us to our career path and vocation. The work ethic and all the other eventualities sprung forth AFTER we formed the attitude. Achievement is not the problem. Our young men do not realize how extraordinary they are or the unlimited potential they possess. If we keep telling them, they will believe it eventually. They need to get fired up about themselves.

The gap exists between those students who have the will to strive for academic excellence and those who do not.
We can teach them to strive for excellence. We can teach them to tap into their greatness and their will.

1. First, capture their attention: Speak to him in a language and ways that are relevant to his life. Paying attention to you must be EARNED by your demonstrating relevance and respect. These things build a willingness to hear what you are saying.

2. Your students attitudes matter! Youngsters have to be fired up about themselves! Get excited about themselves. They need to know there is more to their life than sports and rap.ATTITUDE does not let anything interrupt the game plan. Get them excited about learning. Go in with a mindset that you, as a teacher, are going to DESTROY the competition...the negative attitudes! Starve them for air...give them no time in your room.


3. Your attitude matters. Teacher attitudes, admin attitudes, all staff attitudes MATTER. Are you all fired up about the children? Is that what gets you going? Are you fired up about teaching and learning? Are you fired up about your own personal growth as an educator? What are you reading right now to improve your practice? Are we excited by the process of getting better at our practice?

4. Your classroom climate and culture matter. Energy and attitude in the room are determined by YOU! What do students feel when they walk in your classroom? Is it "WOW"?  Is it a "good" place where kids can take off their masks? Magical? Empowering? Do students feel like they can learn there? Students need to feel welcome, be greeted and valued. You are welcome! What do you need? At this point, I thought a lot about the Wal-Mart greeters and their purpose. They want you to feel welcome. They want to know if you need help finding anything. It is their job to create CLIMATE for your visit. Work on the BAM! Students should feel that the classroom is about THEM. They should see themselves everywhere they look. They should hear their own voice. This should be a haven, a home, a safe place. Culture is the lifestyle of the classroom. How do you operate/ Who is included? Who is not? What are the norms?

5. Your classroom brand matters. (I think I was daydreaming a bit at this point. I'm uncertain about it.) It had to do with how outsiders see your school, your classroom and you.

6. Your intentionality matters. Dispose of "striving for excellence"...we are excellent INTENTIONALLY. We set ourselves up to win. We are excellent by design.

• What they hear: our words inspire, say what you say with conviction and passion, multiple times, intentionally build and fire up
• What they see: your philosophy, excellence, student work, acknowledgement and celebration of the individual
• What they feel: the emotion, the passion, caring
• What they experience

If all of that isn't enough....Principal Kafele has over 100 videos (2-6 minutes that address at-risk males) on YouTube. He has videos for TEACHERS on YouTube. He has videos for principals on YouTube. All of it FREE; all driven by his passion!!

https://www.youtube.com/user/bkafele

If I were teaching, I'd have my class watch several a week! They "work" for girls, too! ha ha ha I am going to begin watching the teacher videos and will recommend ones that are good! I bought two of his books......

A+ Principal Kafele