Defining Success Podcast

with Zeb Welborn

Menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
  • Episodes
    • Stitcher
    • iTunes
    • UR Business Network
  • Guests
  • Sponsors
  • Hire Us
  • Connect With Me
  • Become a DSP Insider!

Episode 11: From Social Media Opponent to Social Media Expert | Principal of New Milford High School Eric Sheninger

Leave a reply
http://traffic.libsyn.com/definingsuccesspodcast/Defining_Success_Podcast_-_Eric_Sheninger.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Eric Sheninger is the Principal at New Milford High School and used to be a social media opponent. After reading an article in his local newspaper, Eric changed his tune and is now one of the biggest advocates of social media and technology in the classroom.

Eric Sheninger

Eric Sheninger

Recap:

“Eric is the Principal at New Milford High School located in Bergen County, NJ. He is passionate about establishing and fostering learning environments that are student-centered, collaborative, flexible, and prepare all learners to succeed in the 21st Century.

As an educational administrator he firmly believes that effective communication, listening, support, shared decision making, and the integration of technology are essential elements necessary for the transformation of school cultures. Eric has emerged as an innovative leader in the use of social media and web 2.0 technology as tools to engage students, improve communications with stakeholders, and help educators grow professionally. Eric is a NASSP Digital Principal Award winner (2012), PDK Emerging Leader Award recipient (2012), winner of Learning Forward’s Excellence in Professional Practice Award (2012), Google Certified Teacher, Adobe Education Leader, ASCD 2011 Conference Scholar, co-author of “Communicating and Connecting With Social Media: Essentials for Principals” and “What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Science”, writer on education for the Huffington Post, co-creator of the Edscape Conference, sits on the FEA Board of Directors, and was named to the NSBA “20 to Watch” list in 2010 for technology leadership. He now presents and speaks nationally to assist other school leaders embrace and effectively utilize technology. His blog, A Principal’s Reflections, was selected as Best School Administrator Blog in 2011 by Edublogs.”

Eric fell into education by accident. He was planning on becoming a marine biologist and was working on his masters while he began teaching at the graduate level and he realized that teaching was his passion. He then went back to school to get his credential and became a full-fledged high school teacher.

After five years, Eric made the shift to become an administrator because he thought he could have a larger impact. As a teacher, he saw many things that he would like to change and that’s one reason why he decided he wanted to become an administrator.

As a teacher and educator Eric really wanted to promote student-centered learning where students are actually in charge of the learning process and teachers try to facilitate the learning process. As an administrator, Eric tries to develop a system of learning that relates directly to the students and aims to make them successful.

Eric explains that teachers would use direct instruction to where teachers would lecture to students and that’s how education was handled in the past which was great for an industrial society, but as we shift to this new economy in the 21st century, it becomes essential to alter the way we teach. As technology develops and becomes a part in the majority of lives, why not adapt the teaching styles to make it easier for everyone. As marking tests and assignments is a large responsibility for teachers, having them look into a free online grader, to help them through the assessment process. From scoring papers, scanning forms and giving individual feedback, a large portion of the teacher’s work is pushed along by the help of technology.

Another aspect Eric advocates is having students involved in activities that involve critical thinking skills, team work, problem-solving where students create their own solutions and the teacher assists them along the way to help promote the learning process.

Eric was a social media opponent.

Prior to becoming involved in social media, Eric read an article in the The Staten Island Advance, his local newspaper that changed his career path forever. Prior to reading the article Eric thought Twitter was a place where celebrities competed to see who could get the most followers and the people who were on there were posting meaningless things like what they were eating or what they were up to.

Eric realized that he could get real-time information to stakeholders and update them on what was going on at his school. He then began to see what other people were doing in the educational community and began to alter his ideology in regards to the type of education he wanted to take place at his school. Once he opened his eyes to social media, Eric then began to find more and more uses for Twitter.

Eric Sheninger

Eric Sheninger

Eric has created what he calls as the six pillars of leadership 2.0.

  • Communications
  • Public Relations
  • Establishing a Positive Brand Image
  • Professional Growth Development
  • Student Engagement and Learning
  • Discovering Opportunities for His School

The ideas, the strategies, the feedback, the discussions and conversations that we’ve had with a global education community has forced us to look into a mirror to ask us if we’re doing the best that we can.  It’s led to positive changes and positive transformations in the education community.

Prior to using social media, Eric had not achieved any recognition for his work as a principal, but after infusing himself in social media, Eric has achieved accolades, written books and all because he was able to use the tools of Twitter to create a better school for his students.  Through social media Eric was able to share the story of his school and staff which helped gain the school recognition.

Eric has learned some personal best practice tips, has developed a strong global presence for his school, and has improved his school.

Eric’s been able to create a strong digital footprint for New Milford High School in the global education community.  Anything he puts online is creating a brand for himself as a professional and for his school.

Sometimes Eric gets really excited about some things and has rushed to get the word out about it and he’s learned to make sure to tell people in person first before he posts things to the Internet that should be discussed with shareholders first.

Everyone is connected to one another via social media tools and the disconnect you face will make your business and your role more and more irrelevant if you’re not engaging with your stakeholders in the spaces that they’re in.  Everyone is in social media spaces for businesses or professional purposes in some form or another.  It’s about forming positive relationships where at the heart of those relationships are conversations on how we can do what we do better.

Eric thinks there needs to be more autonomy in the educational system today.  School districts and states should be able to create learning environments that focus on learning skill sets like communication, collaboration, creativity, global awareness, problem-solving, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and technological proficiency.  And to create those structures to use those essential skills, you can’t do it when you’re in a system that you don’t believe in.  There’s a big discrepancy in resources devoted to schools.  The more oversight there is at the federal and state level, it moves us further away from the country we used to be.

Eric would recommend you not be a social media opponent.

Engaging Discussion Questions:

  • What changes would you like to see in our educational system?
  • What do you think about social media?  How valuable is it?

Links to Great Stuff:

  • Eric Sheninger – “Eric is the Principal at New Milford High School located in Bergen County, NJ. He is passionate about establishing and fostering learning environments that are student-centered, collaborative, flexible, and prepare all learners to succeed in the 21st Century.”
  • New Milford High School – “Welcome to New Milford High School. Our mission here at NMHS is to provide your child with the best education possible in a way that is engaging, authentic, student-centered, innovative, integrates technology, and promotes an appreciation for life-long learning. We are an academic institution committed to excellence. This commitment requires not only respect for the differences in students and staff from widely diverse cultural, economic, social, racial, intellectual, linguistic, and educational, backgrounds but also a sustained effort to use that diversity to achieve this commitment.”
  • Staten Island Advance – SILive.com is Staten Island’s largest local website for news, sports, entertainment, jobs, autos, real estate and information. In addition to serving as the online home of the Staten Island Advance, SILive.com offers forums, blogs, and business listings on where to go and what to do on and around the Island.
  • Welborn Social Media –
  • The Tutoring Solution – Q & A with Eric Sheninger – Here is an interview I conducted with Eric Sheninger which I posted on my tutoring blog back in February 2011.  It’s amazing how much can be accomplished in such a short amount of time.

Success Quotes:

  • “Success is defined as doing one thing extremely well, better than anyone else before moving on and trying to tackle another initiative.”
  • “The more people that get into social media spaces and have conversations about how we can improve our professions, the sky is the limit.”
  • “If you can engage one more person through social media that’s a win for me.”
  • “I want to be the best Principal I can for New Milford High School.”
  • “Extend my ideas out there to the world, to pick apart, to reflect upon, to borrow, to adapt and . . . we are now able to share all the great things that we’re doing here at New Milford High School.
  • “I firmly believe that (social media) has made me more effective at what I do.”
  • “Social media has really been a catalyst for change here at New Milford High School.”
  • “I had not had any significant achievements or accolades until I developed a social media presence.”
  • “Look at the world around you. Social media is the world.”
  • “I was adamantly opposed to social media, not just for professional purposes, but personal as well.”
Facebooktwitterlinkedinmail
This entry was posted in Episode 011: From Social Media Opponent to Social Media Expert and tagged A Principal's Reflections, Adobe Education Leader, ASCD 2011 Conference Scholar, Bergen County, Best School Administrator Blog, Communicating and Connecting with Social Media: Essentials for Principals, Defining Success Podcast, EdScape Conference, Edublogs, Education, Eric Sheninger, Expert, FEA Board of Directors, Google Certified Teacher, High School Teacher, Huffington Post, iTunes, Learning Forwards Excellence in Professional Practice, NASSP Digital Principal Award Winner, New Milford High School, PDK Emerging Leader Award Recipient, Social Media, Student-Centered Learning, Technology, The Staten Island Advance, The Tutoring Solution, Twitter, Web 2.0, Welborn Social Media, What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Science on April 7, 2013 by Zeb Welborn.

About Zeb Welborn

Defining Success Podcast, 19th Hole Media, Welborn Media, The Tutoring Solution

View all posts by Zeb Welborn →

Post navigation

← Episode 10: The Business Breakthrough | Entrepreneur On Fire Host John Lee Dumas Episode 12: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? | Steven Sashen from Xero Shoes →

Episodes

  • Defining Success Podcast Success Stories
  • EBooks
  • Episode 001: An Introduction to the Defining Success Podcast with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 002: Exploring Your Options | An Interview with Kim Nelson of Daisy Cakes
  • Episode 003: Personal Branding | Rich Hammond from the Orange County Register
  • Episode 004: An Entrepreneurial Mindset | Charlotte Clary from Ice Chips Candy
  • Episode 005 – Having a Business Mind | Ashley Majeski of The Ashley's Reality Roundup
  • Episode 006: Blog Writing to Learn | Erin Klein from Kleinspiration
  • Episode 007: Listen and Become a Great Teacher | Vic Braden from VicBraden.com
  • Episode 008: The Business Obsession | Tamika Newhouse from Delphine Publications
  • Episode 009 – Building an Online Golfing Community | Ken Lee from Bunkers Paradise
  • Episode 010: The Business Breakthrough | John Lee Dumas from EntrepreneurOnFire.com
  • Episode 011: From Social Media Opponent to Social Media Expert
  • Episode 012: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made? | Steven Sashen from Xero Shoes
  • Episode 013: Adjust Your Sails to Increase Your Sales | Nick Ruiz from RecycledGoGetter.com
  • Episode 014: Build Your Business with Friendliness and Hospitality | David Kramer from Los Serranos Country Club
  • Episode 015: Exposing People to Their Passions | Principal Collin Miller from Sparks Middle School
  • Episode 016: Taking Action on Your Great Idea | Steve Pennington from Complete Cambodia
  • Episode 017: The Flexibility and Price of Being a Business Owner | Jennifer Davis from Scrapbook Expo
  • Episode 018: Use Twitter to Build Relationships and Grow Your Business
  • Episode 019: The Importance of Learning From Your Mistakes | Brian Roberts from In-Store Radio
  • Episode 020: The Importance of Youth in Golf and In Business
  • Episode 021: Come From a Place of Giving | Esther Kiss from EstherKiss.com
  • Episode 022: How to Be a Go-Giver | Bob Burg Author of The Go-Giver
  • Episode 023: The Impact of One | Alejandro Reyes from Get Internet Famous
  • Episode 024: Collaboration and Success in Your Business | Mike Lednovich from True North Executive Development
  • Episode 025: Build Your Reputation with Growing Recommendations | Beau Hodson from Transparent Mortgage
  • Episode 026: Breaking Out of Your Shell | Kate Hughes from Vision Fore Success
  • Episode 027: The New Way to Read – Snippet | CJ Alvarado from the Snippet App
  • Episode 028: The Power of Purpose | Pete Sveen from the Think Entrepreneurship Podcast
  • Episode 029: Relationship Marketing is Viral Marketing | Christopher Mance II from Nichevertising
  • Episode 030: The Language of Success | Greg Clowminzer from GregClowminzer.com
  • Episode 031: Everyone Has a Success Story | Rey Ybarra Author of Conversations with Shark Tank Winners
  • Episode 032: You Must Believe to Succeed | Justin Desmond from Mayfly Mafia
  • Episode 033: Be of Service to Others | Chris Brogan from Human Business Works
  • Episode 034: The Stages of Acceptance for a New Technology | Warren Whitlock from Social Media Radio
  • Episode 035: Making Your Customers a Part of Your Business | Johnny Hakim from Greenskeeper.org
  • Episode 036: Help Young Adults Build a Financial Foundation | Larry M. Jacobson Author of Growing Success
  • Episode 037: Balancing Your Work and Personal Life | Alex Navas from AlexNavas.com
  • Episode 038: Having Multiple Passions is OK! | Eighty Bug from 80bug.com
  • Episode 039: Liberating Genius | Angela Maiers from AngelaMaiers.com
  • Episode 040: Building a Creative Community | Henry Valdez from Creative Minds & Visions
  • Episode 041: Take Action and Adjust Along the Way | Lain Ehmann from Layoutaday.com
  • Episode 042: Engagement vs. Automation | Rick Mulready from the Inside Social Media Podcast
  • Episode 043: New Businesses Must Set Goals | Will Mitchell from StartupBros
  • Episode 044: Build a Buffer When Starting a New Business | Bridget Brady from TheVoiceGenius.com
  • Episode 045: Listen to Your Market | Steve Fluke from EZee Golf
  • Episode 046: Real-Time Marketing | Author David Meerman Scott
  • Episode 047: Network Like Jesus | Author Dr. Joseph Castleberry
  • Episode 048: Tap Into an Existing Audience | Host of the Shark Tank Podcast – TJ Hale
  • Episode 049: Just Show Up! | Photographer Chris Carlson from the Associated Press
  • Episode 050: Bring Yourself Into Your Career | 4th Grade Teacher Karen Krupnick
  • Episode 051: Explore Your Options by Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 052: Build a Following on Pinterest | Author Jason Miles
  • Episode 053: Personal Branding by Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 054: The Little Voice Within | Shelly Ehler from ShowNo
  • Episode 055: An Entrepreneurial Mindset by Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 056: Unique Selling Proposition | Jeff Krantz from KrantzTraining.com
  • Episode 057: Blog Writing to Learn with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 058: Power of Positivity | Author Cornell Thomas
  • Episode 059: The Best Teachers Listen with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 060: Golf is Social | Kevin Flanagan President of USGLL
  • Episode 061: Develop a Business Mind with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 062: Don't Get Attached to Outcomes | Creativity Coach & Author Dr. Eric Maisel
  • Episode 063: Being Obsessed with Your Business with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 064: Pinterest and SEO | Host of Oh So Pinteresting Podcast Cynthia Sanchez
  • Episode 065: Creating an Online Community with Zeb Welborn
  • Episode 066: Incorporate Mobile Marketing Into Your Business | Greg Hickman Host of Mobile Mixed
  • Episode 067: The Learning Experience | Fred Shoemaker from Extraordinary Golf
  • Episode 068: The Social Golf Course: Part 1
  • Episode 069: Evaluate Every Decision | Griffen Halko from Stay Designated
  • Episode 070: Don't Let Your Ego Get in the Way | Virgil Herring Author of The Golf Journal
  • Episode 071: Overcoming Career Disaster | Melissa Krivachek from Briella Arion
  • Episode 072: The Social Golf Course – Part 2
  • Episode 072: The Social Golf Course Part 2
  • Episode 073: Connect with Influential People | John Corcoran Host of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast
  • Episode 074: Radio Golf Show & How A Job Can Allow You to Pursue Your Passion | Danielle Tucker from RadioGolfClub.com
  • Episode 075: What Makes a Social Business | Michael Peshkam Founder and CEO of Xincus
  • Episode 076: Gamification Makes Learning The Golf Swing Fun | Nancy Dunn Kato Published Author and CEO at SwingPlay.com
  • Episode 077: Thriving out of the Recession | Richard McKinnon President of System 1 Inc.
  • Episode 078: Start a Small Scale Business to Test Your Idea | Ben Alexander Founder of Balloon Distractions
  • Episode 079: Social Media and ROI | Brian Basilico owner of B2b Interactive Marketing
  • Episode 081: Twitter and Relationship Building | John Sparks Owner of Online ImageWorks
  • Episode 082: There is No Secret to Success | Sushant Misra Host of Trep Talks
  • Episode 083: Continually Learning and Volunteering | Peter Rogers Commercial Photographer and Chino Hills City Council Member
  • Episode 085: Taking Initiative | Michael Ghandour18-year-old owner of MAKO Program
  • Episode 086: Take Action & Create Your Dots | David Ralph Host of Join Up Dots Daily Podcast
  • Episode 087: The Importance of Body Language | Dr. Nick Morgan Owner of Public Words and Author of Power Cues
  • Episode 088: Being Present with People | Dr. Mollie Marti Director of the Community Resiliency Project and Author of Walking with Justice
  • Episode 089: Use a Media Kit to Stand Out | Farnoosh Brock President of Prolific Living
  • Episode 090: Adversaries Into Allies | Bob Burg Best-Selling Author & Convention Speaker
  • Episode 092: Leadership and Trust | Wally Hauck Author of The Art of Leading and Stop the Leadership Malpractice
  • Episode 093: Networking and Follow Up | Mark Sieverkropp Co-Host of Happen To Your Career Podcast and Author of Project: Success
  • Episode 094: Don't Dwell on the Past | James Maioho Author of Winners Give Up!
  • Episode 095: Delivering the Wow | Corey Poirier
  • Episode 096: Outside Your Comfort Zone | Niveen Salem Multi-Level Marketing and former Chevron Executive
  • Episode 097: Giving Recognition | David Long founder of My Employees and Author of Built to Lead
  • Episode 098: Try New Things | David Horne Entrepreneur Marketer and Writer
  • Episode 099: Going After Your Goals | Jake Bramante Founder of Hike734.com and National Park Guide Creator
  • Episode 100: Success is a Lifestyle | Frank Ortiz from A Shot at Happiness
  • Episode 101: Tribal Marketing | Daryl Urbanski
  • Episode 102: Passionate Blogging Leads to Success | Ricky Potts
  • Episode 103: Integrity and Unstoppable Success |Dr. Antipas Harris
  • Episode 105: Create Moments that Matter | Andy Hayes from Plum Deluxe
  • Episode 105: Travel Wisdom | Ladan Jiracek
  • Episode 106: Capitalizing on Great Ideas | David Frood from The Thinking Corporation
  • Episode 107: Why You Shouldn't Chase Squirrels | Matt Wilson from Under30Experiences
  • Episode 108: From Scarcity to Abundance | Ellory Wells
  • Episode 109: King of Your Mental Domain | Chris Burns
  • Episode 109: The Value of a Social Share | Olga Mizrahi Author of Sell Local
  • Episode 110: Feed a Starving Crowd | Author Robert Coorey
  • Episode 111: Time Management Tips and Tactics | Tom Dowd Author of Time Management Manifesto
  • Episode 112: The Entrepreneurial Work Mode | Pamela Slim
  • Episode 113: The Three Ways You Can Make Money Online | Nick Loper
  • Episode 114: Follow Through on Your Promises | Jaime De La Torre
  • Episode 115: Hit the Ball as Hard as You Can | Larry Welborn
  • Episode 116: The NEW Defining Success Podcast
  • Episode 117: How to Use Help a Reporter Out (HARO) | Michael Kawula
  • Episode 118: Ten Top Tips for Direct Sales | Vicki Fitch
  • Episode 119: King of Your Mental Domain | Chris Burns
  • FREE STUFF
  • Guest Updates
  • Host of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast
  • Interviews with Zeb Welborn
  • Press
  • Shark Tank
  • Special Offers
  • Special Requests
  • Success Recaps
  • Successful Connections
  • Uncategorized
  • Welcome to the Defining Success Podcast
  • Zeb Welborn on Success

About Zeb

Passion leads to success, happiness and fulfillment. My mission in life is to inspire others and give them the tools they need to become passionate and spread their passion to others.

I have created two separate businesses, Welborn Social Media and The Tutoring Solution. My sister and I started Welborn Social Media in June 2011 and have helped numerous companies share their passion in order to grow their business. The Tutoring Solution gives me the opportunity to promote learning, education and instill passion in our students. We have tutored students all across Southern California.

Other activities I enjoy include playing soccer with my brother, bowling with my family, training for triathlons, and going on bucket-list dates with my fiancé.

Recent Posts

  • DSP Chosen by Inc. as a Podcast That Will Make You Smarter, Better, and Wiser
  • Episode 120: Break the Rules If There is a Compelling Reason To Do So | Jay Blasi
  • Episode 119: King of Your Mental Domain | Chris Burns
  • Episode 118: Ten Top Tips for Direct Sales | Vicki Fitch
  • Episode 117: How to Use Help a Reporter Out (HARO) | Michael Kawula

Recent Comments

  • Jonathan Thang on Episode 93: Networking and Follow Up | Mark Sieverkropp Co-Host of Happen To Your Career Podcast and Author of Project: Success
  • Steve Phillips on Episode 102: Passionate Blogging Leads to Success | Ricky Potts
  • Ellory Wells on Episode 108: From Scarcity to Abundance | Ellory Wells
  • Ellory Wells on Episode 105: Create Moments that Matter | Andy Hayes from Plum Deluxe
  • Suzi Moret on Episode 105: Create Moments that Matter | Andy Hayes from Plum Deluxe

Archives

  • December 2015
  • June 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
Proudly powered by WordPress