Final Monday Mush (See you in 2014-2015)

So, this is the final Monday, so it is our last Mush of the year.  I won’t be doing an email/blog “flush” either…we will do that during the last day as we grab some breakfast together. 

http://digg.com/video/this-dance-routine-is-unreal (5:57)

This for sure caught my attention.  According to the caption, it was a second place performance. 

Now, for the record, I am not a dancer (I know this is quite a shocker).  Maybe because I am not a dancer, this impresses me more, but I think it is a fabulous way to end our Mush/Flush “season.” 

The act opens with a teacher leaving the classroom…so if you have ever wondered what kids do when you are there, maybe this is it?  Somehow, I think we would love for them to have this much teamwork though…

I learned several things watching this performance…some are probably pretty petty while others have a deeper impact. 

I learned that things can be much better together.  Often times the soloists get the attention…not with this group.  They looked alike, they danced alike, and they performed alike.  The spectacle wasn’t that one person could do it…it was that they all could do it.  Teamwork is really the heart of it.  How many rehearsals did that take?  How many slow learners were in the group?  How did they react when one person messed up?  Did they all have to come to practice?  Did they allow people to give 50%?  Were all ideas shared?  We don’t know the answer to these, but I can assume some.  I would bet the group norms were so strong because of the centralized mission that people confirmed.  I bet tardiness to a rehearsal wasn’t just discouraged…I bet it was shunned completed.  They wanted to be there because they needed to be and the team needed them.  You can’t do moves like that together and only practice by yourself.  I am sure they all had to be forgiving and encouraging.  I am assuming some didn’t pick it up the first time.  Maybe they did section too fast or too slow, but I bet they had a culture to accept that and work with that.  The final goal was more important than the frustrations along the way.

You don’t have to be racy or edgy to capture attention.  I don’t think is really an issue with us in elementary schools, but I was impressed that a dance team was able to be impressive and 100% “above board” in costumes, moves, and song selection.  That tells me that we don’t have to always “play the game the media tells us.”  They can do all of that without a wrecking ball.   We can inspire, we can impress, we can captivate using the tools we have always had.  We don’t have to change the game, we just have to play it well.

That took time….that took an investment.  I am sure they said no to some parties, some time with family, some other hobbies, and such.  It was worth it because of the mission.  They wanted to be the best…be together…so they devoted time. 

I bet you could come up with 20 more “take aways” from that….I hope you do.  I hope you know that I was proud to be on your team this year.  That I enjoyed getting better alongside of you.  I appreciate your willingness to go slow when the group needed more time than you did.  I appreciated how you curbed your frustrations when you had time you could have shown it more.  I appreciate how you helped establish and carry norms that don’t have to posted to be respected.  You set a high bar for excellence, and you didn’t stop until you got there.

I appreciate you guys…I brag about you guys…I am looking forward to summer, but I looking forward to even a better year next year too! 

Happy Final Monday!

Final Friday Flush -- Message from Morgart

Ok, so I outsourced again....thank you to Ms. Morgart for offering to write our Final Friday Flush (say that 3 times fast!).  It is a great topic and a great read!  The inspiration can be found in the blog article attached.

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2014/02/how-opening-up-classroom-doors-can-push-education-forward/?utm_content=buffer27058&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Transparency.

I read an article that made me think about my first few years of teaching. When I started, I taught in an open concept school that literally had no walls. I could hear and see everything that was happening in the other classrooms and as a new teacher, I remember how scary and amazing an environment it was. There were no doors to hide behind…

As educators, I truly believe that we are all committed to being life long learners. It’s what we want for our students and what we model for them every single day. We make the commitment to learn and grow in our profession and we do this out of the love that we have for our kids. Being transparent to what we do everyday is part of that growth. Sometimes we have wonderful and creative ideas to share with others and sometimes we have to be able to answer to the question….did I do everything I could for my class, the lesson, that one child that needs me the most…

It can be uncomfortable. Opening yourself up to your team, staff, and parents can be scary but think of the rewards. We have amazing teachers on our staff that I am sure in no time at all would drop what they are doing to share with you the happenings of their classroom. You just have to ask….and be willing to be open to how we all learn from each other (both our successes and our “not so great” moments). Be willing to answer the hard questions….own it…and gather new ways to achieve success for your students and for yourself.

My door is always open….as many others are too….

Lynda 

Monday Mush -- Rufo Style

From time to time I love having others write our mush!  Thank you Ms. Rufo for offering to do so.  There are some great reminders in there, and I loved the video at the bottom!   (And, if anyone else ever wants to write one or share your thoughts, I am certainly happy to have you do so!)

Happy Reading and Happy Monday!

Why Did You Become a Teacher?  By Jamie Rufo

Why did you become a teacher? Why did you on purpose, after FINALLY getting out of school.... COME BACK!!??

For me, it's an ego thing. I actually think that what I do MATTERS. I think I MATTER to the kids I get to share a small space with. They grow up, some remember me, some don't. But you can't ever convince me otherwise. I need these kids as much as they need me because I need to do something with my life that matters.

Ask yourself why you do what you do. Is your heart in it? Do you love it? Have you lost your passion and would rather be elsewhere?? What motivates you?

Every year I'm a different teacher. I learn from my mistakes- and man do I make them. (sometimes more than once). But every year I'm better. I'm stronger. I'm more motivated to get out of my comfort zone and meet that maybe not so lovable, challenging kid where THEY ARE, instead of where I am. THOSE kids... Make us better. They make what you do MATTER. 

I had a special young man hold my hand today and tell me that some adults in his life didn't believe him. What a bold statement. 

BELIEVE in your kids. See beyond those eye rolls and short comings. See potential in the ones that don't care. Be that one person that believes them and believes IN them. Because what you do MATTERS!!

Enjoy this video below. I had the honor of hearing Ms. Ooey Gooey herself speak a few years ago, and she's all about kids. 

I just love kids....well then you haven't met enough! LOL

Thanks!

Jamie Rufo

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjS2FdUrFPI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Friday Flush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h04_6GxIZhg (6:12)

I love the sentiments shared by the kids, parents, and the others displayed in the video about what it takes to be a teacher.  I think everyone is impacted by teachers, and we all carry the influence today of at least one inspiring teacher.

As we are pushing on to the end of the year, I thought it quite apropos to remember why we are in this field in the first place.  Right now, it feels like “summer” might be the reason, but I know that isn’t at all why you do what you do.  You do it because you care, and you do it because you have a special gift. 

We are an amazing team, and I appreciate you making a difference for these kids.  It is exciting to think about how years down the road, they will have jobs, careers, and be integral members of society because of your influence. 

I think you guys wear more hats than most professions do.  I love hearing the stat that 98% of teachers enjoy teaching.  You wouldn’t do it without loving what you do.

I hope that you take time to remember why you chose this field….I hope this weekend is a time to rest and be recharged for the “final push.” 

You guys are amazing…thanks for all you do!

Happy Friday!

Monday Mush

http://perceptiontrainers.com/?p=363

This is a website entry from a team of “perception trainers.”  It is a different approach then I typically take, but it is for sure worth the read and the reflection. 

You may be shocked to know that I am not a touchy-feely guy.  I am not a “tree hugger” type either, and I wouldn’t have made a very good Hippie.  But, there is a lot of truth in the 5 questions asked by this group.

I think we all have a purpose…I think we know it when we find it.  I have heard it said that it is like flying a kite….it is quite easy when you are being used for the right purpose.  A kite effortless flies, and it will go higher and higer just because of its design.  You have a “design” too…you have your own strengths, talents, desires, beliefs, attitudes, and values.  That is what makes our team so amazing because together we have so many talents on so many levels.

I will keep my words short for wants to give you ample time to read and reflect.

Thank you for all you do!  Happy  Monday!

Friday Flush

Thank you, Ms. Rufo, for today’s quote.  I think it is a great concept to remember this time of year, and I think there are several ways this could apply to us. 

First, I love the imagery of what we do.  We teach kids.  Kids that are not developed, and they don’t even look like what they will be in some years.  They are small, have a hard shell to protect themselves, and they have amazing potential.  They just need to stay in one place rooted in the promise that one day they will be something quite different.  We as teachers have to help students see the potential down the road…we have to help them stay rooted in who they are and what they know….we need to give them the care they need to continue to grow. 

I think we can also see this imagery in our own lives.  Sometimes it is hard to stand our ground and stay in one place.  Man, it sure would be easier to blow around with the wind, then to stand against it.  But, you need to be able to do that, so you can grow.  I am sure we can all find times in our life when we had the open to “blow around with the wind,” but we chose to stand our position instead.  I bet we developed a stronger character trait through that process.  I bet you are better today because of it.  If you never got rooted or stood for anything, you would rot.  Nuts don’t grow a little and stop when they aren’t planted….they just rot eventually.  They only way to grow is to stand firm. 

It is May.  In education that seems like a battlecry or mantra we should all know.  It seems like the answer to every issue we have.  Kids are crazy, well its May.  No one is focused, well its May.  My team is being snippy, well its May.  I lost my stapler, well its May.  May to me shows us that we are still nuts at times.  Kids, parents, teachers, and administrators all included.  Remember that patience as you put up with all us nuts.  We need it.

Thank you for your vision and your leadership!  Happy Friday!

Monday Mush -- Happy Mothers' Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcA4Ry65FU (2:10)

Ok, with yesterday being Mother’s Day, I thought this video was quite perfect.  I did so it at the beginning of the year during the teacher in service week, but it is worth a repeat.

Sometimes our plans just don’t seem to work out right.  We might feel like we are dragging others along to fit “into our frame.”  It is tough sometimes when we feel like we are spot on with our mission or objectives and others don’t see the importance. 

I think that is where the concept of “buy in” comes in.  Principals talk about it all the time…how to get buy in from the staff…how parents might buy in…what buy in is being communicated from the community.  Etc.  But, we don’t usually think about in terms of our students.

Can we find a way to get their “buy in?”  How much easier would our job be, if we had them on board.  If they not only knew the plan, but they saw the value and we working to achieve the same goals.

I hope we can take that concept as well to our teams.  We work together everyday, and I know sometimes that can be difficult.  I know that we all have a vision for the week, the unit, the subject, or the concept of study.  Yet, others may have their own perspective….maybe they don’t see the importance…maybe they want to do it a different way….   Whatever the reason, we need to be “in the same picture.”  We all want to be proud of the job on the other end…we don’t want to get to the end result and say “man, that would have been so much better if….”  The only way to achieve that is to be on the same page from day 1.  We need to communicate, compromise, communicate, give the benefit of doubt, communicate, believe the best in everyone, communicate, offer grace more than judgment, and oh yeah communicate (how could I forget that one?!)

Well I hope everyone had a great weekend and a great Mother’s Day…I look forward to a wonderful week…thanks for being a wonderful team, and thank for not smiling like a gopher!