Teaching Thoughts for Week 18

And just like that we are into the second week of the New Year! Coach Mumm shared an image of a board from an administrator welcoming his staff back. It read “Welcome back! Hope you had a restful break! Don’t forget that some of your students have waited nine days and are dying to see you.

You and your classroom are the only positive and safe place some kids have. Never underestimate the positive influence you have on your students. You Matter!” I love this. Even if your students (like many of mine) really wished they had a few more days of Christmas break, it was still vital for me to poor on the positivity and passion as they walked in the door. What’s the alternative? Negativity and just “being there” or “going through the motions” or just “winging it” inspires no one.

 Inside the teaching tips for week 17, you will find –

 The World is a Fine Place – a man on the way to work spots several deer stranded in the middle of a lake. What he does to help them out is amazing. I would love to work for him. If he is willing to all that for those animals, imagine how he treats his co-workers or customers? That’s leadership at its finest.

Book review – Relentless by Hamish Brewer. I bought this with my $20 stipend from the ShareCare app. So far the book isn’t quite living up to his larger- than-life personality portrayed in his TED Talk and the video series that feature him, but it’s an interesting read. I’m working through his back story and some of the clichés on “all students matter.” What I can’t wait to get into is how he pulled off some of the things that make his middle school so remarkable – unlimited field trips, setting up a boxing ring in the school, and free attendance to all athletic events are the main ones I can’t wait to read about.

 Teaching Thoughts – One of my favorite teaching tip is “actions speak louder than words.” I love this because it’s served me so well over my career. One way I model this is often (as often as I possibly can, anyway) is by doing the assignments with my kids. Over Christmas break my students had to read the first novel for their final College Comp paper. So I re-read a novel and typed up my notes on it (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskerville’s – if you’re curious). How can you show your students that you are working just as hard as you’re asking them too?

 Why I Teach – you have to check out what a student did to my stapler!

 Podcast of the Week – Hacking Your Leadership, episode “The World’s Best Place to Work 2019.” If I were a boss or administrator, I’d be looking at these lists every single year and steal ruthlessly from the places ranked at the top. Heck, I’m just a teacher, and I do this and try to emulate these things in my classroom.

 Thoughts from Twitter – There is a lot of gold here, but one of my favorite thoughts comes from Jimmy Casas. It reads “#ThoughtForThe Day Re-awaken your desire to make an impact. When a student’s name is read at graduation, remember that could not have happened w/o the support; encouragement of countless adults who believed that collectively they could make that happen Keep believing! #Culturize” Man, if that doesn’t jazz you up to get back to the classroom, you might need a new profession!

 Where are the Now? I have the chance to catch up with a fellow BSU grad, Lorissa (Craigmile) Skalsky, who is living the dream and teaching music in Goodridge. I hope you are having a great start to 2020. Remember, you matter and so does your work!

 Below is this week’s Teaching Thoughts. Hit me up with any feedback or ways to improve this!