It is the time of the year when television and magazines are doing their "A Look Back at 2016" specials. Time Magazine has picked a "Person of the Year". Barbara Walters is picking her "10 Most Fascinating People". Merriam Webster has picked a "Word of the Year" (it is "surreal"). And there is always a reflection on those we have lost during the year.
A lot can happen in a year. I understand why people journal. As I began writing this blog, I looked back at everything that happened in the world this year and there were many things I forgot about. Having that reflective piece can help you remember the bad and the good of the year. That is why I push the reflective piece of growing as a professional. We are so busy we can't remember what we did first period TODAY, much less first period five months ago. Don't be afraid to journal and to keep those journals. Not only will you be able to jog your memory about what you did to teach a particular lesson, you can also view your growth as an educator, no matter how long you have been in this game.
The end of 2016 also means the formation of resolutions for 2017. Don't always focus on changing everything. Rather; focus on changing one thing. Focus on a minor change for those minor ones can lead to big ones. Don't say you are going to loose 50 pounds. Take the small step of eating better. This small step can lead to bigger changes. Don't say you will develop a library of extensive, cross curricular lesson plans for every subject you teach. Take a small step. Say you will focus on a specific skill and develop lessons to teach and reinforce that skill.
So here is the semi-serious link about teacher resolutions:
https://www.weareteachers.com/6-new-years-resolutions-for-teachers/
And here is the not so serious link about teacher resolutions:
https://thepensivesloth.com/2014/12/27/top-10-teacher-new-years-resolutions/
I wish you the best ending possible to 2016 and an even better 2017.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Thursday, December 8, 2016
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
It is December! There are officially two weeks until break!
The excitement level is through the roof! I had a junior high teacher talk about how excited the 8th grade was at the beginning of the week. I relayed I had spent time after lunch in kindergarten. The word Santa was mentioned in a reading. The teacher got out just ONE "Ho" and the crowd went wild!
It doesn't matter the age, this time of year is exciting and magical. Between the lights, goodies, parties, and presents, it is important to make this time of year a time for reflection and self improvement. We have a clean slate being presented to us soon. What can we do as a professional to make the second half of the year great not only for us, but for our students?
Santa is a huge part of Christmas for many students. As I explained Santa to my daughter, we talked of magic. There is a feeling you get inside when you see Santa...heck even when you play Santa for your kiddos. You have this feeling that is hard to describe, but we have all gotten it. It is more than presents. It is about this guy who unselfishly gives of himself...and all on one night. Don't we feel like that many times as a teacher? We give and give...sometimes we get some great stuff back, but sometimes we don't. And you know what is also great about Santa? He NEVER gives up on you! You can make it on the Naughty List one year and the next year, he starts you on the Nice List, hoping you will pull through. Santa looks at the wonder of the world through the eyes of innocence...the eyes of children. Everyone is his friend. Everyone is a good person.
What would the school (or even the world) look like if we looked at things like Santa did? Last night in the Empire Mall, I watched my daughter play at the play land with kids she had never met before. She just went up to kids and said, "My name is Khloe. I am five." Then they just started playing. As a little girl was leaving, she looked at her parents, pointed to Khloe and said, "That's my friend!" I looked at the parents and said, "When do we lose that? They have known each other for seven minutes and are friends." As the dad grabbed his coat, he turned to me and said, "Someone of us never lose that." Wow. That was either Jesus or Santa talking to me. Look at those around you as friends...help out your fellow man...do the right thing...be kind...care.
Be more like Santa.
The excitement level is through the roof! I had a junior high teacher talk about how excited the 8th grade was at the beginning of the week. I relayed I had spent time after lunch in kindergarten. The word Santa was mentioned in a reading. The teacher got out just ONE "Ho" and the crowd went wild!
It doesn't matter the age, this time of year is exciting and magical. Between the lights, goodies, parties, and presents, it is important to make this time of year a time for reflection and self improvement. We have a clean slate being presented to us soon. What can we do as a professional to make the second half of the year great not only for us, but for our students?
Santa is a huge part of Christmas for many students. As I explained Santa to my daughter, we talked of magic. There is a feeling you get inside when you see Santa...heck even when you play Santa for your kiddos. You have this feeling that is hard to describe, but we have all gotten it. It is more than presents. It is about this guy who unselfishly gives of himself...and all on one night. Don't we feel like that many times as a teacher? We give and give...sometimes we get some great stuff back, but sometimes we don't. And you know what is also great about Santa? He NEVER gives up on you! You can make it on the Naughty List one year and the next year, he starts you on the Nice List, hoping you will pull through. Santa looks at the wonder of the world through the eyes of innocence...the eyes of children. Everyone is his friend. Everyone is a good person.
What would the school (or even the world) look like if we looked at things like Santa did? Last night in the Empire Mall, I watched my daughter play at the play land with kids she had never met before. She just went up to kids and said, "My name is Khloe. I am five." Then they just started playing. As a little girl was leaving, she looked at her parents, pointed to Khloe and said, "That's my friend!" I looked at the parents and said, "When do we lose that? They have known each other for seven minutes and are friends." As the dad grabbed his coat, he turned to me and said, "Someone of us never lose that." Wow. That was either Jesus or Santa talking to me. Look at those around you as friends...help out your fellow man...do the right thing...be kind...care.
Be more like Santa.
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