Monday Mush

This seemed appropriate and funny as we start our first round of STAAR testing tomorrow for a couple grade levels! 

I wanted to thank you for being diligent in what you do…we were able to not be anxious about a “test” because you did your jobs so well every day….thank you for not passing down anxiety onto the kids, and I know that will increase their performance.

Kids know the information…they know the strategies….but more importantly they know your heart and your love for them.  That is a win regardless of the STAAR results. 

I hope that this week you are able to find a way to still make a difference in a kid’s life….find an unexpected way to have a conversation, play at recess, or eat with them at lunch.  Kids stress about lots of things, and I bet we would find that they are not only stressed about school and STAAR, but probably 50 other things.  We can show a lot by slowing down our own worries and fears to just be there for them.

Thank you for all you do every day for kids.  You have given so much for them.  It is amazing to think of the impact that you are making on the lives of so many.  These kids will leave us one day, and they will have more opportunities to build on their knowledge as based upon the love of learning you gave them.  70-80% of them will have jobs that don’t exist today.  They will be doing work that hasn’t been invented yet and they will be making a difference in the world around them.  You job wasn’t to make them successful on that bubble sheet….it was to make them successful in that job or in their life.  We have great kids with great hearts, and I appreciate all you do for them every day!

Happy Monday!

Friday Flush

Love this quote…I need to read it quite a few times.  There are many, many times that I have quotes or stories that I need more than anyone.  I have used this one before, and I think it is probably one that I need the most. 

It reminds me of something I would call a “grand parent quote.”  One that maybe you heard so often you stopped thinking about it…one that almost sounds too cliché like “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” or something.  But, quotes in that category are compelling because they are simple, catchy, and right on the money. 

Too often, we get distracted by all things that are shiny, and it seems are lives are getting more full of shiny things.  We are pulled by work, family, hobbies, and a long laundry of to do’s that don’t seem to stop.  But, what matters isn’t on that list.  That to do list needs to get done, but it shouldn’t be our goal each day.  Relationships should be.  That is why we chose the field that we are in.  You didn’t decide to be an educator to grade papers, answer emails, or run copies….you chose it to make a difference for kids and invest in their lives.  When kids know that you are there for them and truly care for them, the other stuff becomes easier.

Just remember that today only happens once…those people around you aren’t always going to be there in the same way.  We can capitalize on that moment by being ready for it.   When someone interrupts your “plan” or your to do…remember that people are the most important thing.  We can learn from others, and that relationship is what actually makes us a team. 

I hope this weekend is a time of relaxation for you.  I hope you are able to reflect on being all there wherever you are.  Thanks for being a part of this team!

Happy Friday!

Monday Mush

If only it were that simple, right?  I do love this quote…you know I still want to write the worst shortest self-help book that is called “Just do it.”  This quote could be on the back cover….it would also technically be longer than the book.

Sometimes, in life we see things we don’t like.  It could be about ourselves…our job…our kids….our car….our lawn….our (fill in the blank).  We spend so much energy and so much time feeling bad about that “thing.”  We feel pressure to change it and shame when we don’t….we feel a desire for better but are drawn to resisting change.  We like the known quantity that we get with “now,” and we dread the work that goes into to finding the “that.”

What are those things in your life that you want to change?  What are the things that take away your joy?  What are the things that make you feel shame that you still haven’t changed? 

I think it is time to wake up and make the change. 

I often joke that about the silly “just do it” book because that is the first step.  Sometimes decided what type of diet or what type of conditioning isn’t the most important first step.  It is deciding to do something that creates a change. 

I hope that each day we are better than the day before….I hope we see the need for change and do that when we truly want that…

I appreciate all you do every day….thank you for all of your hard work!

Happy Monday!

Friday Flush

Forbes magazine just researched and released the “top 20 most important tools” in history.  Yes, I know what you are thinking…”People got paid to research that?”…yes, I guess they did….so now we can move passed that.

Now the ground rules were that it had to be a tangible object.   It couldn’t be a tool like “your mind,” “language” or “love.”   I found it interesting that they claimed, if they left it that open, language and knowledge would for sure be among the top.  

I could take this in several directions…but I wanted to point out a couple of my observations:

1.       The abacus and the pencil are in the top 5.  That shows the power of what we do each day.  The tools of our trade are the most important in the world.  Both are driven by and to create more intellect.  The pencil is a tool that takes what is in our brain and preserves it for all time.  It allows us to not be bound by the audience that can hear us…it truly allows us to share ourselves with the world.  I think we should remember the power of that pencil in our teaching because we are training children to use their mind and abilities in a way that connects them with others.  The abacus gave us a way to organize numbers and utilize math concepts.  It is the predecessor to the slide ruler, calculator, and ultimately the computer.  Organizing numbers is a vital skill that actually transformed history and cultures.

2.       All of these items are somewhat “simple.”   They are also items that changed the world.  They made life easier or made us more productive.  They were the basic building blocks of more invention, and they took us giant leaps from where we were.   I was struck by the fact that one person took the time to see a need and meet that need.  Then it actually transformed history.  So one person…most likely nameless to us…changed our world.   There are things that are out there that someone just needs to invent…they may be simple, and they may change the world.  Our kids need to have the background knowledge to understand science, math, and language, and they need to understand how to see a problem and look for a solution.  They need to think out of the box enough to be a problem solver.  I am sure all the guys holding a sharpened stick kinda laughed at the first guy to throw a hook in the water until they realized he wasn’t going to be hungry. 

This weekend reflect on the power of what you do…your audience….their potential.  We have an important job that uses important tools.  Don’t forget that.

Happy Friday!   

Happy Monday -- Success!

Welcome back!  I hope that everyone is super rested and fully ready for a great final stretch of the new year.  This is an exciting time of year because we are starting to see those light bulbs kicking on and burning brightly. 

I thought this quote was a wonderful perspective….it truly is why we do what we do.  We want to create the drive, talents, and skill sets for students to be better than we are!  That takes a lot of selflessness to accomplish, but that is the heart of who you are.  You serve this kids everyday to give them a better shot than they had without you and maybe a better shot than you personally had.

We want to teach children that they CAN do because there are people that truly believe in them and won’t stop pushing them forward.  EVERY child has a next step, and I know that you look each day at how to help each way take that step.

I appreciate your heart and your work ethic….I appreciate your drive for SUCCESS.  Our kids will be successful, and it is 100% because you are driven to make sure they are not only proficient at a skill, but they are masters at it.

Thank you for all you do….you are teaching success daily, and that is a slow lesson.  Make sure you take a step back and see how far your kids have come this year solely because of you. 

Happy Monday!

Friday Flush -- Spring Break -- Rest time!

I think that is enough said….you made it to Spring Break….it is officially time to rest!  You have earned it.

I appreciate you guys….I hope everyone has a tremendously restful and fun Spring Break….resting is for sure a part of being productive…don’t work too much, so that you return tired.  We need you ready for the final stretch, so enjoy turning off work mode for a while. 

Usually on a Friday Flush,  I ask you to reflect or think about or share about…..but this time….just rest…no thinking….

Happy Friday and happy spring break!

Monday Mush -- Teamwork

I really laughed at this picture.  Found it on the internet, so you know it has to be legit.  I think there is probably no better picture of teamwork than is being displayed there. 

Both of these boys are probably stuck in a store while parents are shopping.  So they could stand and play…but that get tiring….they could sit on the floor, but that is just too far from the screen.  So they devised this kid plan.  And, in a brilliant fashion that my personal kids wouldn't do, they share time!  They actually take turns!   So they both have a time of discomfort to help the other, and they both have a time of increased comfort because of the other.

That speaks volumes to what we do here for each other and for kids.  Sometimes there are ways to do something by ourselves, but that gets tiring or it keeps us too far from our goal.  So we need a plan.  We need a team mate.  We need someone to support us and go through some extra work or discomfort to help us, and we need to be willing to go through the same thing to help them out. 

Are we willing to go out of our comfort zone to make something a little bit better for someone else?  Or do we just think “oh they will be fine on their own” or “I am not doing that”?  Do we accept the help from others, but shy away from giving help? 

Teamwork doesn't mean the task is easy….it doesn't mean that it is easy on everyone at the same levels.  Think of the stereotypical geese analogy.   When they fly in the “V” pattern, the front goose doesn't have it easy…that actually have it much, much harder than everyone else.  Then, it is someone else’s turn.  So collectively, the entire trip is easier based on teamwork.  I doubt they have a goose timer too, so that each goose does exactly the same amount of time.  They each do what they can handle, and they each accept their part. 

I hope this week is a week of respect and teamwork.  Think of those that might need help and help them….even if they could do something alone…maybe there is a way to bring them comfort that they need you for.

Thanks….and Happy Monday!