Exiting Your Comfort Zone

I recently told someone that I wake up most mornings by 5:00 am, even on the weekends. Much to their surprise they asked, “What do you do when you wake up REALLY early on a Saturday morning? The answer of course, is simple….the same thing I do when I wake up at midnight, 1 am, 3 am, 4 am, or any other time my brain frequently can’t shut down---I think about our school!  Sometimes I worry, but mostly my brain navigates to thoughts of how will we get better tomorrow, a month from now, 5 years from now!

This morning’s thought centered on Professional Development as yesterday I announced Vianney would host a Google education summit and boot camp in June of 2016!  While I was initially excited about hosting the summit, my brain could not sustain the thought very long.  It wandered, as it tends to do early in the morning, back to our faculty’s professional development in August of 2014.  I’ll never forget that day!  It was the most self-fulfilling, and personally satisfying professional development session I have ever organized. 

Looking back, I was terrified! The thought of asking my

teachers to become “Purple Cows” and to wear foolish outfits and learn teenage dances, and play, and laugh, while learning and growing closer as a faculty could have easily flopped!

It was a professional development session, I thought to myself, that would either identify and set the course for what our school could become,--no, what I thought it truly was!  Or, it would symbolize that after three years of trying new methodologies, and despite promises and signs of growth, that ultimately our faculty didn’t follow my lead and were content in resorting to their traditional ways of doing business.

I remember the hours leading up to our professional development session where I would challenge teachers to CARE, ENGAGE, INSPIRE, and PLAY and I couldn’t help but think, 

“Comfort zones are roadblocks to reform. Comfort zones kill creativity, stifle imagination, and limit our engagement with students.”

Looking back the day was a success!  The faculty and staff of Vianney didn’t just participate, they accelerated the day’s activities!  Minute-to-Win Games became conquests for institutional bragging rights!  Kickball games heated competitions for supremacy!  The Cupid Shuffle and Wobble training sessions not only filled the air with music, but laughter, enthusiasm, and smiles!  While the “rockstar” videos our Vianney family created showed they were innovative, creative, and not only ready for the challenge, but yearning for it!

And what started as morning of fear and trepidation in my heart, quickly turned in to a day of exhilaration, hope and promise!  I knew we were on the right path to not sustaining excellence, but escalating it!

And as I walk up and down the hallways of our school and see teachers using Plickers to gather student data, dressing as historical figures for “guest lectures” gamifying their classroom, allowing students to teach the class something, creating their own adventure stories, singing vocabulary songs, creating hip-hop videos to explain photosynthesis and a host of other creative learning activities I am overwhelmed with joy!

And now a new question has popped in to my head.

“Why are so many educators constantly seeking to find their comfort zone?”

We all want to find that right flow for our work and our life. And when we find it, we certainly don’t want to move out of it. And yet, I know through my experience that comfort too often kills all that is great in education!

I believe in education, we can ill afford to be overly comfortable in our classrooms, schools and systems. Getting out of our own comfort zone means pushing the envelope, further enhancing our skills and evolving our practice. And believe me, it is uncomfortable! It is uncomfortable because we are far more competent in our current methods. Furthermore, we grew up in a system that has held on to the belief (for far too long) that teachers must know everything and cannot be seen as still learning real time, while in the classroom. And, as 20th century people, we still want to make it perfect before we ever deliver it to our students.

Some individuals can slip out of their own comfort zones and find their new normal with great ease.

For others, the thought of moving beyond what they know and what they do is almost paralyzing. The fact though, is without some movement from our comfort zone, educational reform will not occur. Everybody in the educational system needs to begin (or continue) to get out of their comfort zone. This is certainly an attribute for effective leaders. As the lead learner of a Nationally recognized School of Excellence, I must be prepared to get out of my own comfort zone and lead and facilitate in ways that are new, innovative and creative.  This is something that I don’t relish but I know it has to be non-negotiable in my work.

During this school year, I would encourage that all those involved in the educational world look at ways to move themselves from their own comfort zone. To begin with, it doesn’t have to be a radical departure from your current practice but it does require a departure. Be fully aware that you will feel uneasy, but remember that learning, especially deep learning requires that uneasiness. We crawl, then walk and then run! Don’t expect to be running when you depart from your comfort zone. Expect to stumble and likely fall. But in the end, you will be better at your professional practice and students will benefit as educational reform takes hold.

Good luck getting out of your comfort zone!

Because We Believe...

Because We Believe

As we begin another school year I am overwhelmed with a sense of thankfulness. I’m thankful that so many families have seen the value in a Catholic, Marianist education and have chosen to entrust their son to our care. As a parent, we always want what’s best for our child, – whether that means their health, education, or faith. By choosing to send your son to St. John Vianney High School, you are providing them a unique opportunity to grow in Christ while performing at high academic standards. When you entrust your son to our care we promise to return you a man! A Man of Character & Accomplishment!

At Vianney, we call this Excellence You Can Believe In: an ideal that is exemplified through our students’ Living Faith, Embracing Service, Celebrating Community and Inspiring Achievement.

As the instructional leader of the school I contend that seeing is believing! What follows are some highlights of how Vianney provides the highest quality Catholic, Marianist education that YOU can believe in!

Class of 2015 Achievements

• 99% of graduates pursuing college/post-secondary training.
• College scholarships valued at $8.5 Million.
• High School Hours of Community Service: 15,000 (seniors ONLY).
• 6 Seniors received Bright Fight Scholar status achieving a 31 or higher on the ACT.
• 11 seniors recieved our Campus Ministry Award for achieving a minimum of 150 hours of Christian service beyond their required 100 hours.
• 66% of the class of 2015 received merit and/or talent based scholarships.
• 21 seniors (14%) will attend a Catholic college or university.

Living Faith

Our faith in Jesus Christ is the reason our school exists. Therefore, both spiritual and academic experiences at Vianney enable our students to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, broaden their knowledge of their faith, and connect their faith to their daily lives. The foundation of faith around which we build our academic program permeates every aspect of the school day and continues beyond it. This faith-filled environment instills high degrees of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-discipline among our young men.

Ultimately, a Catholic education should prepare students to be good stewards of God’s gifts and active people of faith who serve others, and participate in their faith and civic communities,and make a difference in the world.

This spiritual mission is carried out in many ways at Vianney—regular school liturgies, daily communion services, prayer experiences like the Angelus and 3 O’clock Prayer, retreats, classroom instruction, service learning, living rosary, and extracurricular activities including our Athletic Apostles Program. And this mission is supported by educators who are committed to fulfilling the teaching mission of Jesus Christ and who offer spiritual guidance in a faith-based environment.

Celebrating Community

If you haven’t visited Vianney lately I encourage you to do so. Once you step foot on our campus you will immediately feel our lived Family Spirit! A hallmark of our Marianist institution.

Many schools talk about an openness or welcomeness, at Vianney, we live it and find tangible examples on a daily basis of how inclusive our community has become.

Once on campus you will notice the spirit of camaraderie among students, teachers, and administrators. Vianney is a family within a family--we have shared values, common goals, and are a thriving community of faith.

Within this supportive environment, your son has the opportunity to grow in many ways. A wide variety of extracurricular activities—from academic and social clubs to athletics and performing arts—allows students to explore and express their individual gifts and abilities. This atmosphere is supported by teachers who serve as role models, coaches, and counselors and who spend many hours outside of school helping with activities, leading retreats, and assisting students with their academic, personal, and spiritual growth.

 Embracing Service
As students mature within the supportive environment of Vianney, they are challenged to take that gift of fellowship and give back to the broader community. Students visit the elderly in nursing homes, purchase Christmas presents for poverty-stricken families, deliver meals to teh homeless on Thanksgiving,give blood for those in need, host one of the areas largest Special Olympics Track Meets, March for Life in Washington, and raise money for a variety of issues. They also visit civic and governmental institutions to learn about systems, how to be good citizens, and how to advocate for their beliefs. Last year, our Vianney seniors graduated with more than 15,000 in hours of community service.


At Vianney we pride ourselves on offering many programs in which students are encouraged to develop leadership skills and civic responsibility, including service learning programs, pro-life organizations, environmental clubs, LIFE program, mock trial and debate team, and of course our leadership classes which we have proudly offered for over 15 years! Just this past year our junior/senior leadership class was approved by Drury University as a college-level class!

Inspiring Achievement

One of the great hallmarks of our school is knowing that students will emerge from Vianney with a strong education that is supported by technology and focused on the skills needed for today and tomorrow. Our students learn decision-making skills, develop high levels of literacy in language arts and mathematics, apply inquiry-based experimentation and problem solving, and build understanding and appreciation for world history and cultures. They also participate in visual and performing arts programs, build lifelong habits of health & fitness, and engage in a variety of high-quality electives and extracurricular activities.

The programs in our school exceed state requirements and are measured through regular testing. These tests show that our young men score significantly better than state and national averages.

Vianney provides a bridge to other life experiences and opportunities. Graduates of of Vianney are well prepared for college and life, and last year, 99% of seniors pursued post-secondary education. The class of 2015 earned more than $8.5 million in scholarships.

Last year we were also recognized as a National School of Excellence! This award represents the highest national honor presented to quality schools by the Cardinal Newman Society. Only the top 5% of Catholic high schools in the country receive this award. It recognizes Vianney’s excellence in the areas of academics, faith, and civic education.

The professionals who teach your sons are well-prepared to provide a rigorous and comprehensive education. Vianney’s teachers are certified, and over 80% have advanced degrees. In addition, teachers regularly participate in continuing education opportunities to keep current with innovations in education and religious instruction.

Because We Believe 

When he was Cardinal of Argentina, Pope Francis said about Catholic schools: “The education of children and young people is such an important task in forming them as free and responsible human beings….And because education truly forms human beings, it is especially the duty and responsibility of the Church, who is called to serve mankind from the heart of God and in such a way that no other institution can.”

Every day, young men at Vianney have the opportunity to learn about the person of Jesus Christ, who is the source of our hope and salvation. They are invited to know Jesus personally, to love Him intimately, and to serve Him wholeheartedly. This “good news” is the reason our school exist. Because We Believe.

It’s a privilege serving the St. John Vianney High School community! I look forward to the many blessings the 2015-16 school year has in store for all of us, because of HIS will! I promise you we will continue to develop young men of character & accomplishment that you can believe in!