Writing the blog and the book is an outlet to encourage the masses that although we face many challenges we cannot give up on the dream. We must get to the final act and be able to look back and say that we gave it our all. We will beam with pride and relief as we watch our students go to the next level, ready for the new challenge.
This is the time when we need to hold ourselves accountable for what goes on in our classrooms. Yes, I know you may not have everything you need or want but that is irrelevant. You must press pass that and find ways to give your students what they need! Leave the pity party and get in the game! Renew your zeal and passion for teaching. Become contagious and the leader that your school so desperately needs. It's up to you!
Craig Harper list fifty things that highly successful people do, here are four:
7. They rarely complain (waste of energy). All complaining does is put the
complainer in a negative and unproductive state.
21. They don’t believe in, or wait for fate, destiny, chance or luck to
determine or shape their future. They believe in, and are committed to actively
and consciously creating their own best life.
26. Their desire to be exceptional means that they typically do things that
most won’t. They become exceptional by choice. We’re all faced with life-shaping
decisions almost daily. Successful people make the decisions that most won’t
and don’t.
37. They are resilient. When most would throw in the towel, they’re just
warming up.
Do not give up on yourself or the students that you teach. I hope over your break you have taken time to refocus and renew your mind. In the midst of the battle sometimes it is hard to know whose winning, but as long as you keep fighting for the one everyone else has given up on, you win!
Have a great new year!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Are You Someone's Superman?
I just finish watching the documentary, "Waiting for Superman." If
you have not seen it, you should make a point to watch it soon. One of its main
messages is that any student can learn if they are taught by a "good"
teacher. It made me think about how effective I am and how much more effective
I could be if I tweak a few things.
The film sheds light on the red tape that prevents us from moving forward in our education system here in the United States and how we are behind in Reading and Mathematics. There is a discussion about public schools versus charter schools and what they call "dropout factories." The differences in them all are teachers that are effective. My question is how can we become effective within our own schools.
I would venture to say that it has a lot to do with our attitudes. Currently and in the past, I have worked with many teachers that are frustrated with the system or comfortable with the minimum. There are teachers that seem to thrive on complaining from the time they enter the building until they leave with some taking it beyond the school house and complaining in any forum they can find. I wonder how so much complaining affects their ability to teach and deal with their students. If they are always mad about something I am sure that it is seeping into their classroom.
The film spoke on teachers’ tenure and how hard it is to fire someone who is not producing. In my opinion, these are teachers that either have a lack of training and accountability or those who have been teaching one way for so long that they are out of touch with today's realities.
The "fixes" discussed did not focus on changing the paradigm of teachers so we need to change it from within and ask ourselves some questions. Why would you want to be mediocre? Why would you not want to give a child hope to go beyond whatever his/her living conditions may be? Why wouldn't you want to be part of the solution? Certainly complaining about and continuing to do what you have always done is not working? Do you believe that one person can bring about change for a community? Are you the one who can do it?
There are parents out there that know that they are not in a great environment and want more for their children. We can be a bridge for those parents and their children right where they are. We should purpose to partner with these parents and teachers that have not given up and make a difference.
For those that would like to strive to go beyond the average teacher there are steps that you can take. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has a program where you can become a nationally certified teacher. It helps teacher become more engaged and a master at their craft. The process forces educators to evaluate and analyzes the “what”, “why”, and “how” they teach in the classroom. It is designed to make educators the best at what they do, building collaborative relationships, videotaping lessons so that the teacher could analyzes what was effective and what was not, as well as examining what could have been done differently to reach every student. This isn’t the only way but the concepts used in the program causes you to really think about what you are doing.
Whatever direction you take purpose to become a “Superman” for some child who needs hope injected into their life. Be the catapult of success for someone who may not see a need to read or do mathematics. Show them that they can make options for themselves.
The film sheds light on the red tape that prevents us from moving forward in our education system here in the United States and how we are behind in Reading and Mathematics. There is a discussion about public schools versus charter schools and what they call "dropout factories." The differences in them all are teachers that are effective. My question is how can we become effective within our own schools.
I would venture to say that it has a lot to do with our attitudes. Currently and in the past, I have worked with many teachers that are frustrated with the system or comfortable with the minimum. There are teachers that seem to thrive on complaining from the time they enter the building until they leave with some taking it beyond the school house and complaining in any forum they can find. I wonder how so much complaining affects their ability to teach and deal with their students. If they are always mad about something I am sure that it is seeping into their classroom.
The film spoke on teachers’ tenure and how hard it is to fire someone who is not producing. In my opinion, these are teachers that either have a lack of training and accountability or those who have been teaching one way for so long that they are out of touch with today's realities.
The "fixes" discussed did not focus on changing the paradigm of teachers so we need to change it from within and ask ourselves some questions. Why would you want to be mediocre? Why would you not want to give a child hope to go beyond whatever his/her living conditions may be? Why wouldn't you want to be part of the solution? Certainly complaining about and continuing to do what you have always done is not working? Do you believe that one person can bring about change for a community? Are you the one who can do it?
There are parents out there that know that they are not in a great environment and want more for their children. We can be a bridge for those parents and their children right where they are. We should purpose to partner with these parents and teachers that have not given up and make a difference.
For those that would like to strive to go beyond the average teacher there are steps that you can take. The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has a program where you can become a nationally certified teacher. It helps teacher become more engaged and a master at their craft. The process forces educators to evaluate and analyzes the “what”, “why”, and “how” they teach in the classroom. It is designed to make educators the best at what they do, building collaborative relationships, videotaping lessons so that the teacher could analyzes what was effective and what was not, as well as examining what could have been done differently to reach every student. This isn’t the only way but the concepts used in the program causes you to really think about what you are doing.
Whatever direction you take purpose to become a “Superman” for some child who needs hope injected into their life. Be the catapult of success for someone who may not see a need to read or do mathematics. Show them that they can make options for themselves.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Back to School Pep Talk
Here we are at the beginning of another school year. There is so much to do to prepare for the influential generation that is stepping into our classrooms. Don't procrastinate! Start your year off the way you want to finish...strong!
Have a plan and stick to it. Of course there will be things that will come up that will make your plan hard to implement in some areas, be flexible. Flexibility will keep your frustration and stress levels low. Remember that everyone in the school is responsible for a workload that seems impossible. Everything isn't always what it seems. Teachers all over the world are making the seemingly impossible - possible and changing the lives of their students one day at a time.
Focus on the end and what it takes to get there successfully without leaving one student behind!
P.S. General Education Teachers with students that have special needs in their classroom: DON'T count these students out! They are smarter than you think! They CAN achieve the seemly impossible but they need a great teacher supporting them! Don't let them down. Motivate them to give more, be more and do more.
Have a GREAT Year!!!
Have a plan and stick to it. Of course there will be things that will come up that will make your plan hard to implement in some areas, be flexible. Flexibility will keep your frustration and stress levels low. Remember that everyone in the school is responsible for a workload that seems impossible. Everything isn't always what it seems. Teachers all over the world are making the seemingly impossible - possible and changing the lives of their students one day at a time.
Focus on the end and what it takes to get there successfully without leaving one student behind!
P.S. General Education Teachers with students that have special needs in their classroom: DON'T count these students out! They are smarter than you think! They CAN achieve the seemly impossible but they need a great teacher supporting them! Don't let them down. Motivate them to give more, be more and do more.
Have a GREAT Year!!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Invest in Yourself
Another way to be a lifelong learner is to invest in yourself and your craft. I just spent 4 hours in Barnes and Noble to going through many teaching books. There is a wealth of information out there that can guide you through just about anything. Take advantage of it. Build a professional library.
Just because you teach does not mean you stop learning or stop seeking ways to improve your craft. Several people can look at the same situation and come away with a different perspective. Those different perspectives can cause you to see a bigger picture of what is happening in your world. We need to learn strategies and techniques from one another.
I encourage you to find books, website, magazines, and research that go in-depth about topics concerning your craft. It benefits you, those you teach, and those that teach in your district. Have you ever learned something new and could not wait to share that strategy with your coworkers or try it out right away? What YOU learn has an impact on how you teach.
Invest time in yourself. Take a "timeout" and add bricks to your own house by increasing your knowledge and perspective.
Invest money in yourself. These enlightening "timeouts" may cost, so focus on what yields the most benefit. Investing your time and money in yourself will help you now and later by making you a more productive member of your staff.
Just because you teach does not mean you stop learning or stop seeking ways to improve your craft. Several people can look at the same situation and come away with a different perspective. Those different perspectives can cause you to see a bigger picture of what is happening in your world. We need to learn strategies and techniques from one another.
I encourage you to find books, website, magazines, and research that go in-depth about topics concerning your craft. It benefits you, those you teach, and those that teach in your district. Have you ever learned something new and could not wait to share that strategy with your coworkers or try it out right away? What YOU learn has an impact on how you teach.
Invest time in yourself. Take a "timeout" and add bricks to your own house by increasing your knowledge and perspective.
Invest money in yourself. These enlightening "timeouts" may cost, so focus on what yields the most benefit. Investing your time and money in yourself will help you now and later by making you a more productive member of your staff.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Life Long Learner
Receiving your degree is a good foundation to start your career but it is not or should not be the end of your educational journey.You will have many opportunities to participate in professional developments. Some of these development opportunities are mandated by your school division. These opportunities can be very useful but over time, if presented the same, may be more relevant to new educators coming into the district.
When it gets to this point for you, seek out new opportunities to develop yourself. Expand you horizons, find conventions or conferences that will cause you to see things differently or build on what you already have learned. Do not let yourself get stagnant or to comfortable in the things that you know. Our world is changing, don't let it leave you behind.
You could also share what you know with your colleagues and with those that are coming into the field. You may find that these experiences are very educational for you, especially if you have interactive sessions and research out what you are going to teach. This will give you an opportunity to listen to others share their ideas. You may be able to take these ideas back to your classroom and implement them or share with your colleagues.
When it gets to this point for you, seek out new opportunities to develop yourself. Expand you horizons, find conventions or conferences that will cause you to see things differently or build on what you already have learned. Do not let yourself get stagnant or to comfortable in the things that you know. Our world is changing, don't let it leave you behind.
You could also share what you know with your colleagues and with those that are coming into the field. You may find that these experiences are very educational for you, especially if you have interactive sessions and research out what you are going to teach. This will give you an opportunity to listen to others share their ideas. You may be able to take these ideas back to your classroom and implement them or share with your colleagues.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Students Who Modify Their Own Behavior
Behavior management is a part of any teacher’s job description. For some teachers it is a bigger part of their day than others. There are some situations that require students to have a behavior plan to establish a list of current behaviors, goals and strategies to modify those behaviors, and a time frame for adjusting or achieving the goals.
Teachers remind students, in settle or not so settle ways of the expectations of the classroom/school. These reminders may or may not include some sort of incentive or contract to keep the student on the right path. Many of these goals are external supports for the student to assist them in modifying their behavior.
However, the ultimate goal is to get students to go from having the external supports to making an internal decision to modify their own behavior. You want your students to be able to make decisions that are appropriate for the situation without you or someone else getting involved.
To get the student to that point, you may have to model the right behavior as well as praise other students when they make good choices. You may also have to start with the incentives and slowly wean the student away from these incentives as the student begins to make better choices.
We are not just educators of reading, math, science, and social studies but we must assist in giving our students life skills. We are preparing our students for making good decisions in and outside of the educational environment.
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