Monday Mush "Here Comes the Testing Season!"

Ok, so I feel like this week I might need this!   Seems like the best way to get my caffeine fix for what will be a great and wild week, I am sure.  As we look at this week coming up, I had kind of a different type thought that is a little off the beaten path. (You could at least fain a surprised look here...)

I am a Virgo…I know that much…I have NO idea what that means, but I do know my “label.”  I only say that because I am not usually one to look deeply into the mystic side of our being.  I would usually claim to be too left brained for all of that.  However, there is some amazing parts of our personality, universe, and interactions that science can’t yet put a handle on.

Have you ever just “known” someone was having a bad day?  I mean like been in the elevator with a total stranger and just knew they had a horrible day. You just caught their negative energy. Or maybe there is someone that you know that says all the right things, but you would never trust them.  You just have that certain feeling about them.  Maybe there are people in your lives that make you better….not because of what they say or give you…but because their energy is positive.  It makes you desire to be around them.  Their energy connects with you on some level you can’t explain…. (yes, I know, that sounds Star Trek like, but you know there is some truth to it)

I know it is a far stretch for some of us, but think about your “energy” or your “aura” this week.  Are you worried, anxious, fearful, or tired?  That is “vibe” you give off no matter what your words or actions say.  Are you excited, positive, and ready to face the week?  That will be felt by those around you.  There is no hiding your “energy….”  Scary, huh?

The connection is obvious here….your energy makes all the difference to these kids, especially the test takers…they need to “feel” your security and your positive energy.  I don’t know any way to fake that energy either, and I haven’t seen any energy pills on the market (although I am sure if you google it…) .  The only way to give off energy is to truly believe deeply in what you are wanting to convey.  If you believe deeply, you are going to have a horrible day…you probably will.  And chances are those around you will too.  I can’t guarantee that just being positive will make your day better, but it sure stacks the deck in your favor better…and those around you will thank you too.

Happy Monday.

"Friday" "Flush"

Ok, so tomorrow is a “Fake Friday” for the Easter break, so here is your Friday “Flush.”  We like short weeks, so hopefully you have a great long weekend that allows you time to do what you enjoy and relax!

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

 

I like this quote because it shows us the importance of wanting our students to be explorers…we want them passionate….we want them excited to learn.  I think as a teacher one of the saddest things was hearing a parent say, “oh they don’t say much about school at all.”  I think it is awesome when I hear my own personal kids dying to tell me about some great project, activity, or subject they learned.  Usually, it is from the passion of their teacher.  If the teacher was excited about it, they feed on that.

This long weekend, think about teachers/mentors that made you ponder about things at night.  THAT is teaching…if they are thinking about it outside of school, you won!  So, think of ways that you can inspire others to take what you teach and want to know more.  Have avenues for them to question, explore, and learn more.  You can show them just enough about a topic, that they may just surprise you and teach themselves.  That is the premise of a “flipped classroom.”  That is one where they learn at home, and we facilitate their practice and questions at school. 

Thanks for your dedication to these students…I appreciate your ability to cause students to think outside of the school day.  Thank you for what you do every day. 

Happy “Fake Friday!”

Monday "Mush" March 25th

“You don’t have to convince yourself to do everything….just the next thing.”  -- unknown

 

I run, but I am not a “runner.”  I actually hate running, every single step.  I have heard that eventually you really start to like it…I am not there yet.  But what I hear from runners that do the marathons and half-marathons is that eventually you have to truly tell yourself “just one more step, you can do that much” over and over and over.  It isn’t about the last 3 miles, but it is about the next step.

I talk all the time to you guys and parents about kid’s “next steps.”  We need to find a way to help them go beyond wherever they are currently to their next step whether it is playing catch up on some skills or enriching their mastery.  I hope this week we find ways to help EVERY child find their personal next step.  This makes them grow every single day…we can’t afford to not find ways to stretch every child.

Personally, we each have a next step too.  We might be overwhelmed with everything going on.  We may be burdened with everything to get done and the lack of time to do it.  Or, we may have some tasks that seem insurmountable.  Whatever it is, the cliché is true…the journey begins with one step. 

If you remember back to beginning of the year, we watched the “Eat that Frog” movie based on the Brian Tracy book. ( www.eatthatfrogmovie.com ) It is loosely the same concept.  We have large to do lists, but  we really can only focus on one at a time. 

So, this week try not to get overwhelmed with EVERYTHING you have to do, and focus on the SOMETHING you can do right now.

Happy Monday!

Friday "Flush" -- March 22nd

“Fall seven times….stand up eight”  -- Japanese Proverb

I love the simplicity of the proverb…it is true and powerful.  We get knocked down ALL the time in life, but getting up is the true test.  We are defined not by how well we handle the “day to day,” but we are truly defined by the tests of life that seem to come at us from all sides.  A boxer can’t win until his opponent doesn’t get up, and sometimes that mind set is what I need to keep going.  Whatever knocked me down isn’t going to win…I can’t give it the satisfaction!  So, I HAVE to get up. 

I am not sure what is going on in your life personally, but I hope that you are NEVER knocked down.  But, I am sure that is unlikely….   I hope that you are able to find strength to stand or a group of people that can hold you up.  We do that for our kids…they don’t know how to get back up.  They have learned that quitting sure seems a lot easier.  But, we can’t let them.  They need to taste success, and experience the satisfaction from winning by persistence/dedication. 

This weekend I hope everyone takes a moment to thank someone that has helped them up when they needed it.  Also, think of a student that needs your extra help in fighting against “staying down.”  Think of some ways to help them…

In a similar fashion to the quote, I once heard that Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was talking to his assistant coaches before a recruiting season was about to start.  He said, “Men, you will go out there and find some boys that get knocked down, and they stay down.  We don’t want that kid to play for Alabama.  And, then you find a kid that gets knocked down and gets back up.  He is knocked down again, but then he stays down.  We don’t want that kid to play for Alabama.”  Then, an assistant coach knowing where the story was going said, “Coach, we get it, you want the player that always gets up no matter what…”  Coach Bryant said,” NOOOO!  I want that big ole kid that keeps knocking everyone down.  THAT is what we need at Alabama!”

We won’t be able to only work with the “biggest and strongest” but hopefully you got a laugh out of that story at least.  I hope today is a great day for you….don’t give up on yourselves or this kids.  This is the time of the year we have to “white knuckle” it!  You can do it!  Let me know, if I can help!

 

Happy Friday!

Monday Mush (after Spring Break)

Ok, so spring break is now over…did you blink and miss it?  I hope not.  I sure flew by for me!  I hope you got rest, rejuvenation, and loads of family time.  I had plenty of extra paint brushes and hammers for all of my home projects, but no one showed up…crazy, huh?  Ha.  My break turned out to be a good blend of productivity and relaxation…I would say that means it was pretty good!

The attached quote sums up life in a proactive way.  We have to take the first steps in acquiring our hopes and dreams.  We have to take the steps of risk to be able to accomplish something you never have before….bust most importantly you get to inspire youngsters to do it too.  You get to teach kids how to get more out of themselves and reach beyond what they can imagine. 

I hope this week is great.   Remember the above saying this week so we keep moving forward.  I can’t tell you guys enough how much I appreciate your ability to keep going after what you want for these kids!

Happy Monday!

Friday "Flush" -- March 8th, 2013

I know by now most of you have seen this video of a then 9-year old Dalton Sherman in Dallas.  He did the keynote for Dallas ISD.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMe8Nil2i20  (it is 8:38, but you can fast forward to begin at the one minute mark)

 

I think the video speaks for itself.  This is a GREAT video and speech all around, and it is PERFECT in August.  I think it is PRICELESS to watch in March.  I think this is the time of year where we are tired, testing season is coming, and we are seeing achievement gaps widening and time running out.  But, we still have to BELIEVE in these kids, or they will never believe in themselves.  

 

I believe that you are right team for these kids right now.  I believe that you have a heart that is pointed at kids.  Help these kids see their potential to do amazing things. 

Some quotes that stuck out to me:

“Sometimes you are all we’ve got”

“You are the ones that love us when sometimes it feels like no one else does….and when we need it the most”

“Trust your colleagues and lean on them”

“We need you”

“Do you believe in yourself?”

 

Over the weekend as we “flush” out this week, think of how you can pass on your belief in your students in a way that builds them up.  Think of the students that might have no one except you to show them love.  Find a practical way to do it next week.

 

Thanks for working so hard for these kids….have a great Friday!

As I read this quote, I hear Bill Cosby’s voice saying “Challenge” from the old Cosby Show Sketch.  This is a tough challenge, but look at the clock…give yourself 30 seconds to get allllll those complaints out, then try for 24 hours more.  The good news is 6-8 hours will be sleeping, so that should help, right? 

This is a tough time of year…it is the uphill climb trying to push kids to the top that just want to sit down or roll back down the mountain.  But complaining doesn’t help.  I have found less and less patience in life for complaining when I started paying more attention to it.  It is time wasting and mentally defeating.  It just doesn’t productively do anything.  I thought it was cheesy when  I first heard of the “reframing concept,” but it really does ring true.  When you are faced with something that makes you want to complain, find a way to reframe it to be a positive.  There is always something to be thankful for…and it makes you feel better to find it!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I did.  I won’t be able to hear well on Monday though, so don’t take it personally if I don’t hear you/respond.  I spent a couple hours in the same stadium with tens of thousands of girls screaming for Austin Mahone.  If you haven’t heard of him, don’t feel bad…but it proves you’re not a 14 year old girl…ha. 

Thanks for all you do.  I won’t be complaining for the next 24 hours….so hold me accountable….it is 8:35am – go!  Happy Monday!