Every week I make it a priority to think about the pulse of the school and how people are feeling about their work as educators and themselves in general. We are in the midst of some changes to say the least. We have the common core to think about and of course, the new teacher evaluation system. (New principal evaluation too!) I understand this is stressful and can cause even the best of us to second guess ourselves and our teaching.
As luck would have it though, I am a hopeless optimist and strive to focus on the positive when I begin to feel the pressures of life, whether it be with my family at home, or my family at school. I'll even put myself out there and be goofy if it helps! For example, at the district grade level meeting I did a great job of modeling how to take a risk and showed you this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwND8J2SvGe.
Yeah, didn't go over so well. The view from the front was much more humorous than the video. : ) Lesson plans don't always go as well as you think!!!
Remember, we are in this together. Yes, BSRI will be with us for the next two days and mid-year cycle reviews are due February 1st. It's ok. This gives us a chance to reflect on where we are and make changes if necessary. And don't worry, as I reflect on staff meetings, I will show better video clips.
So ultimately it all comes down to perspective. I believe attitudes are contagious and try hard to spend time with upbeat, positive people. This is true in our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Make it a goal to stay positive and avoid any people that might bring you down. We are all in this together, and life is to short to view the glass as half empty.
Kudos
Laurie Cox for attending the PTO meeting
Grace for helping me with ordering MCAS materials
Keith for working with students and helping teachers
Stacie for putting up with my "choice times" for walk-throughs
Kara B and the AIM staff - WOW! Can't even write it on the blog. And can't make the stories up either.
Mary for cleaning up the staff room and helping with the Take a Book, Leave a Book initiative
Margy for starting her own class blog
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday: K-2 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Wednesday: 3-5 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Thursday: STAFF PARTY 4:00
Friday: Fundations Double Dose: Time TBD (for intervention staff)
28th: GLM 90 minutes each K-2
29th: GLM 90 minutes each 3-5, 9:45-10:30 Cape Ann Symphony performance 4/5, School Council 5:00 @Soma
30th: Lockdown Training by SGT Russo @2:30
Next BSRI Visit, February 4th.
Places Worth Checking Out
From@verizongiving Check out “I have an iPad- Now What?”: Free teacher training on integrating mobile tools in #STEMEd http://ow.ly/gYuLX
http://www.mindsetworks.com/default.aspx
What Are YOU Reading?
I am still reading Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt by Susan E. Craig and Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer. I love James Patterson books because they are easy and addicting. I am half way through Private #1 Suspect.
Enjoy the rest of the day! : )
As luck would have it though, I am a hopeless optimist and strive to focus on the positive when I begin to feel the pressures of life, whether it be with my family at home, or my family at school. I'll even put myself out there and be goofy if it helps! For example, at the district grade level meeting I did a great job of modeling how to take a risk and showed you this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwND8J2SvGe.
Yeah, didn't go over so well. The view from the front was much more humorous than the video. : ) Lesson plans don't always go as well as you think!!!
Remember, we are in this together. Yes, BSRI will be with us for the next two days and mid-year cycle reviews are due February 1st. It's ok. This gives us a chance to reflect on where we are and make changes if necessary. And don't worry, as I reflect on staff meetings, I will show better video clips.
So ultimately it all comes down to perspective. I believe attitudes are contagious and try hard to spend time with upbeat, positive people. This is true in our personal lives as well as our professional lives. Make it a goal to stay positive and avoid any people that might bring you down. We are all in this together, and life is to short to view the glass as half empty.
Kudos
Laurie Cox for attending the PTO meeting
Grace for helping me with ordering MCAS materials
Keith for working with students and helping teachers
Stacie for putting up with my "choice times" for walk-throughs
Kara B and the AIM staff - WOW! Can't even write it on the blog. And can't make the stories up either.
Mary for cleaning up the staff room and helping with the Take a Book, Leave a Book initiative
Margy for starting her own class blog
Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday: K-2 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Wednesday: 3-5 Data Meetings, schedule has been emailed to you
Thursday: STAFF PARTY 4:00
Friday: Fundations Double Dose: Time TBD (for intervention staff)
28th: GLM 90 minutes each K-2
29th: GLM 90 minutes each 3-5, 9:45-10:30 Cape Ann Symphony performance 4/5, School Council 5:00 @Soma
30th: Lockdown Training by SGT Russo @2:30
Next BSRI Visit, February 4th.
Places Worth Checking Out
From
http://www.mindsetworks.com/default.aspx
What Are YOU Reading?
I am still reading Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt by Susan E. Craig and Explicit Instruction by Anita Archer. I love James Patterson books because they are easy and addicting. I am half way through Private #1 Suspect.
Enjoy the rest of the day! : )
Thought I would give this a try :-) I just finished reading Damaged (can't remember the author)and continue to read educational stuff for my courses. My brain hurts!! Happy Monday :-) Jenn Bent
ReplyDeleteI just finished This Republic of Suffering..Death and the Civil War. I know that it doesn't sound too uplifting, but it was very interesting. I am a history buff, so I enjoy learning some new facts and trying to add them to my big picture schema..(great education term, huh?!).
ReplyDeleteNow I am going to start A Very Good Year...The Journey of a California Wine From Vine to Table. It should be a little more cheerful. I'll let you know. Perhaps I will finish it tomorrow if we have a snow day!!
Have a wonderful evening!
Mary
I love James Patterson books as well! :)
ReplyDeleteJen Chirco
I just finished Water For Elephants, and I really enjoyed it. Has anyone read any of her other books? Hope everyone had a great weekend. page
ReplyDeleteI read the one about horses, I can't remember the name off the top of my head. It was good, but pales in comparison to Water for Elephants. ~Meagan Grant
DeleteI am reading a fun, fast read right now, although I can't quite get myself to write the title on this blog. Let's put it this way, it is on the top 100 of free kindle romance novels.... it is absolutely junk candy for my brain. Love this blog Lisa! You help to keep things in perspective!
ReplyDeleteLynn F.
Thanks Lynn...and I read that book! : )
DeleteI am still reading The 68 Rooms for the 4th grade challenge group which is a great book. Over the weekend, I finished a book about Abigail Adams with my daughters and for a pleasure read I'm reading Toni Morrison's Jazz, just love it.
ReplyDelete