Learning to use anger is no easy task. Yet the alternative—letting anger use us—makes us prisoners of our own minds.
— Mark Epstein
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-teachers-should-blog.html
Fabulous post about why teachers should be bloggers as well.
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey
It's the end of week two and the dust has finally settled. The routine of the day is beginning to sink in - and I can honestly say that I know 99% of my students' names. Do study halls count in that scenario though?
I was thinking about how for teachers, the new year begins in August and September - rather than January 1st, like the rest of American society. Wouldn't it be great if we treated the new school year that same way we treat the new calendar year; bells, whistles, banging pots and pans - dare I say it?, fireworks! In the spirit of the new year we could all make resolutions to become better people as well. This is an idea I stole from Daniel Pink, and his book Drive. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it - it really gets you into the heads of the people around you, and gives you insight into your own personal motivations. The main daily mantra that I take from Pink's work is,"Am I better today than I was yesterday?" I have it written on a post it and taped to my desk - so I have no choice but to reflect on my actions and motivations from the previous day. Along with Pink's mantra - I have some other goals and ideals taped to my desk with post-its as well. It forces me to face my demons everyday - and also to spur me into action to be a better individual, leader and teacher. So - I suppose my New Year's resolution is to be better everyday.
I am also striving to bring these ideas to my kids as well. I've adopted some personal standards from Ron Clark as well. I put off reading his books for as long as possible. I thought that as a high school teacher he would have little to offer me. I thought the books would be "mushy" and childish. Wrong again...I love it when I find myself judging literature before I delve into it and give it a chance. The same things I chastise my kids for doing. Back on track though - Ron Clark's one book, among his three, The Excellent 11, really offered a great deal of insight and cleared my mind coming into the new year. His ideals have also become part of my mantras everyday - another item taped to my desk. Here are the basic ideas he presents:
2. Adventure
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
~Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)
3. Creativity
“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” ~Muhammad Ali
4. Reflection
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is
bitterness.” ~Confucius (c. 551 – 479 B.C.)
5. Balance
“There is time for everything.” ~Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931)
6. Compassion
“An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed
highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but
with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so
much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing
plant and for the soul of a child.” ~Carl Jung (1875 – 1961)
7. Confidence
“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” ~Henry Ford
(1863 – 1947)
8. Humor
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~E.E. Cummings (1894 –
1962)
9. Common Sense
“The freethinking of one age is the common sense of the next.” ~Matthew
Arnold (1822 – 1888)
10. Appreciation
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963)
11. Resilence
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ~Martin Luther
King, Jr. (1929 – 1968)
Clark's ideals are simple and straightforward. He provides insight and examples into each topic - and for me, his ideals were refreshing and rejuvenating. After what I refer to as a "rough" year last year - summer was a welcome experience. I have always been the type that immersed myself in my work. My first three years I very much did that. I love my job, I loved my kids, I loved my colleagues - I ate, slept and breathed education. Last year, I must have ran out of steam, or hit a wall, or something of the like. My thunder was gone. I had large groups of tough kids - not tough to teach - tough to manage. They tested my patience, my skill and my creativity. They made me a better teacher, and through all the bumps and bruises I thank them for it. That being said - summer was a welcome break this year. I chilled out, I read, I recouped. And Clark's books brought me back to center - back to focus. I now remember what I am doing here, in this district, in this building, in this room.
My personal reflections through the summer and into the beginning of the year aren't unique to me. I am sure teachers around the world charge themselves with mantras, reflections and activities. It all goes back to the idea of a New Year's celebration - and the tradition of making resolutions. Mine, I'm going to be a better human being, and a better teacher. So, "Happy New Year!" to my friends and colleagues, and like the quote from Oprah that started this blogging adventure - it's another chance for us to finally get it right.
I was thinking about how for teachers, the new year begins in August and September - rather than January 1st, like the rest of American society. Wouldn't it be great if we treated the new school year that same way we treat the new calendar year; bells, whistles, banging pots and pans - dare I say it?, fireworks! In the spirit of the new year we could all make resolutions to become better people as well. This is an idea I stole from Daniel Pink, and his book Drive. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it - it really gets you into the heads of the people around you, and gives you insight into your own personal motivations. The main daily mantra that I take from Pink's work is,"Am I better today than I was yesterday?" I have it written on a post it and taped to my desk - so I have no choice but to reflect on my actions and motivations from the previous day. Along with Pink's mantra - I have some other goals and ideals taped to my desk with post-its as well. It forces me to face my demons everyday - and also to spur me into action to be a better individual, leader and teacher. So - I suppose my New Year's resolution is to be better everyday.
I am also striving to bring these ideas to my kids as well. I've adopted some personal standards from Ron Clark as well. I put off reading his books for as long as possible. I thought that as a high school teacher he would have little to offer me. I thought the books would be "mushy" and childish. Wrong again...I love it when I find myself judging literature before I delve into it and give it a chance. The same things I chastise my kids for doing. Back on track though - Ron Clark's one book, among his three, The Excellent 11, really offered a great deal of insight and cleared my mind coming into the new year. His ideals have also become part of my mantras everyday - another item taped to my desk. Here are the basic ideas he presents:
1. Enthusiasm
“Your enthusiasm will be infectious, stimulating, and attractive to others. they
will love you for it. They will go for you and with you.” ~Norman Vincent Peale
(1898 – 1993)
2. Adventure
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
~Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)
3. Creativity
“The man who has no imagination has no wings.” ~Muhammad Ali
4. Reflection
“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is
bitterness.” ~Confucius (c. 551 – 479 B.C.)
5. Balance
“There is time for everything.” ~Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931)
6. Compassion
“An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed
highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but
with gratitude to those who touched our human feeling. The curriculum is so
much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing
plant and for the soul of a child.” ~Carl Jung (1875 – 1961)
7. Confidence
“Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.” ~Henry Ford
(1863 – 1947)
8. Humor
“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” ~E.E. Cummings (1894 –
1962)
9. Common Sense
“The freethinking of one age is the common sense of the next.” ~Matthew
Arnold (1822 – 1888)
10. Appreciation
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963)
11. Resilence
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ~Martin Luther
King, Jr. (1929 – 1968)
Clark's ideals are simple and straightforward. He provides insight and examples into each topic - and for me, his ideals were refreshing and rejuvenating. After what I refer to as a "rough" year last year - summer was a welcome experience. I have always been the type that immersed myself in my work. My first three years I very much did that. I love my job, I loved my kids, I loved my colleagues - I ate, slept and breathed education. Last year, I must have ran out of steam, or hit a wall, or something of the like. My thunder was gone. I had large groups of tough kids - not tough to teach - tough to manage. They tested my patience, my skill and my creativity. They made me a better teacher, and through all the bumps and bruises I thank them for it. That being said - summer was a welcome break this year. I chilled out, I read, I recouped. And Clark's books brought me back to center - back to focus. I now remember what I am doing here, in this district, in this building, in this room.
My personal reflections through the summer and into the beginning of the year aren't unique to me. I am sure teachers around the world charge themselves with mantras, reflections and activities. It all goes back to the idea of a New Year's celebration - and the tradition of making resolutions. Mine, I'm going to be a better human being, and a better teacher. So, "Happy New Year!" to my friends and colleagues, and like the quote from Oprah that started this blogging adventure - it's another chance for us to finally get it right.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)