Teaching Thoughts Week 35

Teaching Thoughts Week 35.

Is it me or are these past few weeks just flying by?  Why does a week in late April or early May seem to last about three days while a week in the middle of February seems to last six months?

A quick thought before I delve in to the contents of the Teaching Thoughts newsletter for this week: Our former principal, Shane Zutz, paid my College Comp II class a visit Monday to speak about one of the texts we are currently reading, Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You.

I could go on for eight pages about all the wisdom and truths he shared, but one thing that stood out to me was this: What are you doing now that others should know about because it’s so cool/important/impactful?

What should my seniors be able to talk about?  (Hopefully more than having binge watched Grey’s Anatomy six times or that my Snap streak is up to 300) What should we as teachers talk about?  (Hopefully more than I’ve been faithfully following the curriculum all week) What should administrators or leaders have to talk about? (Hopefully more than just having meetings and doing evaluations)

What are YOU doing now that other should know about because it’s so cool/important/impactful? I would love to here.  Please let me know.

Inside this week’s newsletter you’ll find –

Don’t miss my book recommendation, ‘Tis by Frank McCourt (author of Angela’s Ashes) and a long-time high school English teacher.  It contains one of the most vivid epiphany moments I’ve ever read in terms of developing one’s teaching persona.  Don’t miss it.

My teaching thoughts focus on a text I often use with my College Comp II classes: Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist.  If you’re a teacher, you know the importance of stealing good ideas.  If you haven’t read Kleon’s book, do it. It’s quick and brilliant.

Video of the week – I know it’s old by now, but if you need a pick me up, give Paul McCartney’s Carpool Karaoke with James Cordon a watch.

Finally, if you’re looking for some excellent thoughts on leadership, give the podcast The Leadership Show a listen.  The episode I link to features Dan Rockwell of Leadership Freak.  This is a great, quick listen.  As I always tell my students, if you aren’t working to make yourself better, who is?