I returned last week to my parents' home, the home where I was raised, to gather with my family to celebrate my father's 90th birthday. Prior to the event I was consumed with all the details a family reunion required and didn't have time to reflect on the significance of the occassion.
As the photographer gathered us all together for commerative pictures I was struck by many things. Fifty-six years ago my family moved into this house and I can't imagine a time when it won't be a part of my reality. My little brother is a grandfather, my children are adults, my sister is sixty-something, and my parents have lived beyond the lives of most of their friends.
There is only one conclusion I can draw - I am no longer young! I congratulated my dad on his accomplishment and he said, "No big deal. I just stayed alive." I plan on doing the same thing and living with an awareness of the value of family, love, and celebrations that bring us together.
I am convinced that life is full of pebble moments. What I mean by this is that there are many times when we feel that we are one person and would have difficulty making a difference or changing a system. Yet if we truly examine our lives, each one of us has just that -- the power of one that starts a ripple effect and the opportunity to touch, and possibly even change, another's life. The power of one is so significant that it may not be others that are changed, but oneself through the process.
I recently was invited to be a member of a team of six that traveled to a foreign country with our ideas about what we hoped to accomplish, and results of the trip were even more grandeur than we imagined. As we made connections and built relationships with people, our circle of friends managed to grow even in an environment of oppression and prosecution. We were in a combat zone, and pretty much everything we did there could have been illegal, or made illegal, by their government. Yes, their police came after us and yes, we were stopped several times when traveling. Although we had some "pickle" encounters (their police wear green so we lovingly named them pickles) our work progressed and somehow we were protected. We learned quickly how to identify ourselves, and trigger words that may get us into trouble. While we had our fill of "pickles," the people were nothing but hospitable and welcoming.
It happened again. I've been engineering end of the year parties for eight years now, and I am still amazed at the Serendipity that is so much bigger than my feeble attempts at a small, well-timed celebration. Yesterday I hosted 9 30-minute 'parties' for my 52 students. Many of my students live in families where parties are celebrated at expensive locations that provide elaborate activities geared for children.
My parties consist of a small container of juice and two or three chocolate chip cookies for each student. That feast is followed with a 20-minute game of Memory or Uno. This is not exactly a Disney World experience.
Yet the Catapult parties are anticipated for weeks, and every one of my students will tell you they rate very close to the high point of their school year.
At this time of the year, most of us are winding down our programs and eagerly completing all of the items on the closedown checklist. Before we fast forward to next year, let's stop for a moment and reflect on this year's quality of instruction.
If you could return to the beginning of school year 2008-2009, how would you shape your instruction? Would you proceed in the same manner and make the same decisions? Would you make different decisions? What would be the impetus for your changes?
To assist with this process, I encourage you to think about and respond to the following questions. They are not all-inclusive but are merely a sampling and serve as a springboard for self-reflection.
1. What information did you gather from students to understand them as learners?
2. What information was most valuable to you when planning your instruction? Why?
3. How did you determine that students were meeting objectives?
4. What changed in your attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding student learning and your instruction? Why did it change?
5. How did you change your teaching practices to meet your students' needs?
I am so lucky! Lately I've noticed that many of my favorite things have been proven to either improve my health or increase my effectiveness. I can have a glass of wine with dinner. Dr. Oz agrees. I can indulge in dark chocolate, and nuts, or chocolate-covered nuts! Even naps in the afternoon increase my ability to focus later in the day. So, after my snack and my power nap I decided to do some research on another of my favorite things - laughter!
I did a Google search entering brain research and laughter. I found that when we laugh endorphins are released which create a positive emotional state. Brain effectiveness is increased and memory can actually improve when learning and positive feelings are combined. The brain also likes and recognizes novelty. Laughter is often created when material is presented in an unusual way. My students love to see me exaggerate the wrong way to read or solve math problems and, with surprise and laughter, rush to correct me.
As I laugh and enjoy my students my joy certainly increases and results in more energy and patience to deal with the frustrating aspects of teaching. I love to make fun of myself with my crazy taped reading glasses and propensity to lose my dry-erase markers and erasers in the middle of a demonstration. I assign helpers, often the sullen student who doesn't pay attention or the crazy one who bounces off the walls, to be on alert to find my missing materials. We improve our relationship and learning increases as we snicker and guffaw.
Now that I can enjoy wine, chocolate, naps, and laughter, guilt-free, I must research another of my favorites - reality TV. Surely there is a study out there somewhere that confirms watching American Idol and Dancing with the Stars increases my life span or promotes world peace. Please let me know if you find something. Keep laughing!
Spring has sprung. In May, as most of us gaze upon the flowers, and bathe in the sunlight, a renewed spirit is born. Innately, it is understood; Summertime will arrive within weeks. Surely, the teachers in Tennessee have thought through this soon-to-be reality. In the May 2009 edition of the Parent Link educators from The Volunteer State express their sincere thanks for the privilege of serving parents and pupils. They also address the concerns that tend to creep into the minds of many parents as the warm weather approaches.
Research has grown in the last 15 years into the factors that help some children at risk flourish. According to Bonnie Benard, who has been at the heart of this work, a single positive contact with an adult can provide the "protective factors" that are needed to make a dramatic difference in how children weather the storms and find success in their journey toward adulthood. I had the pleasure of hearing Ms Benard speak at a conference in California about child abuse.
In the small group teaching model we do in Portland, we really have the opportunity to make a difference with the students that we work with by incorporating all of the qualities of resiliency into our work with children. The categories from the Benard research are 1) caring and supportive relationships with an adult 2) positive and high expectations and 3) opportunities for meaningful participation. We are so fortunate to have contact with children over a year's time in a way that helps, not only success with reading and math, but offers the potential to be that adult who makes all the difference in helping a child believe in themselves.
Hello everyone. My name is Rhonda Houston, and I am a school counselor in the Milwaukee area. I transferred here from Mississippi after living there for twelve years. I'm originally from the state of Wisconsin and would like to retire here. I chose the path of school counseling because I like to listen to people and help people with their dilemmas. I would like to reflect what it is I do as a School Counselor and the many roles we play.
Graduation is really more about beginnings than endings. Cleveland Career Starters Graduates distinguish themselves because they have chosen a new "beginning" for themselves. I am always amazed at the pleasure my staff takes in the accomplishments of every client. Following is a letter given to each Catapult "graduate". It was written by Brandon, our Center Director, and I am sure, after you read it, you will realize that Brandon doesn't believe in "just doing his job".
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The entire staff of Catapult Learning would like to extend our congratulations to each of you! You are to be commended for your hard work and commitment to this program. As you move forward, we would like to offer a few thoughts:
Catapult: 1. An ancient military machine for hurling missiles, as large stones or arrows.
2. A mechanism for launching aircraft without a runway or with a short runway, as from an aircraft carrier.
(Verb: to be catapulted.... As in "catapulted into stardom")
Education: 'Educate' comes from the Latin word 'educare' meaning "to educate," which is derived from a specialized use of the Latin word 'educere' (from e- "out," and ducere, "to lead")
Catapult recognizes that you are endeavoring to "take off" into your flight of life, sometimes with little runway beneath you. Choices all of us have made in the past sometimes leave us with only our dream, our imagination, and our will. Resources may have become low and increasingly hard to come by, support may have become shaky and difficult to identify, and expectation may have become drastically diminished in our immediate environment. And, yet, in spite of all this, our vision and hope of an uncompromised life is still alive in our minds. It is still alive!
Catapult takes pride in being a powerful part of the launching force that can lift you into uncompromised life through education. Education positions you to have influence and to make an impact in the world, for the benefit of yourself and your family. Education empowers you to articulate your heart, and defend your point-of-view. Education enables you to observe your environment with greater accuracy, which will allow you to effectively challenge what you discover to be false and wrong, and advocate what you discover to be real and right.
It has been our pleasure to assist you thus far, and we are still here for you. Take courage, believe in yourself, work hard, be strong, and never ever give up. The promise is unto you...
Learning styles are a way to help improve your quality of learning and teaching. By understanding your own personal styles and the learning styles of your students, you can adapt the learning process and techniques you use in the classroom. This edition of PD Notes will help you better understand learning styles, as well as provide websites to further explain the concept and ways to help you find your learning style and the learning styles of your students.
Please download the document. Print the page, and share with parents, Principals, and other teachers. We can all develop professionally, personally, and these PD Notes will help.
Due to an unexpected seven day hospital visit last week I've had some significant realizations that I want to share. I want to commit them to print before I lose the intensity of the feelings and return to my ordinary taking-life-for-granted consciousness.
Most important of all, being perceived as ME, as a unique individual with my own needs and desires which I can freely express, is a tremendous luxury. I have been spoiled by innumerable opportunities to make choices, from my morning caffeine vehicle to wardrobe options to pillow and blanket combinations. Yes, all small things but they are constant reminders that I have power over my environment.
Medical personnel, for efficiency's sake, gave me no choices - one-size-fits-all hospital gowns, banana(!) flavored liquid to drink prior to x-rays, trips down innumerable hallways in a prone position, lights on or off depending on others' needs, and on and on. I hope to not take for granted again my ability to function in this world with multiple opportunities for choice which reflect my individual experiences and tastes.
I am not suggesting that hospitals or medical facilities change their efficient methods, but that we all become more aware of the value of choice. Generalizing to our work with children, I believe that nothing is more motivating than choice. Treats and stickers are not substitutes for recognizing our students as individuals. Do they have a favorite author, skill-reinforcing game, or math manipulative? Let's recognize and respect their preferences.
Another realization I came to as I was stuck, cut, probed, examined, and tortured was the power of compassion as expressed by a medical professional pausing to look me in the eyes, touch me without a diagnostic goal, or share a personal story with me. That recognition was better than a hit of morphine to reduce my pain and fear. I could take another step down the hall, sleep a little longer, and have a better attitude when a personal connection was made.
Being a teacher I can't resist, again, thinking about how I can use this information with my students. Can I put the canned greetings aside, become aware of their reality, and accept them without judgement? I believe I'm now better equipped to compassionately work with my students, knowing their learning will increase as I motivate them with genuine recognition of their individuality.
I'm so grateful for my experiences and have newfound appreciation for all the luxuries I experience daily. Thank you for your positive thoughts, prayers, and cards. Have a wonderful Easter weekend. I will.
Along with Spring come many wonderful memories. One childhood memory for me happened every Easter Sunday afternoon when my dad, my brother and I would play a game my dad simply called "knock". The object of the game was to be the first one left holding a hard boiled egg that was not cracked after trying to crack each other's egg by knocking them in each other's hand. I eventually became a parent and passed this on to my children then to my grandson, though I believe he was a little too young to understand the game because he cracked every egg in site. I consider this to be a positve lifetime memory.
It is my hope that everyone has a positive lifetime memory for someone to pass on to another.
As educators, we are always searching for the best ways to inform parents about key educational issues that impact their children's learning. We are also always on the lookout for good resources of information and educational strategies to assist us as teachers. Recently, I was asked to be on a panel set up for parents to provide information on how teachers use differentiated instruction in the classroom to help their children. In the process of preparing my part of the presentation, I was introduced to a web site called Reading Rockets (www.readingrockets.org). I would like to share it with the EncourageEducation community.
My journey as a Catapult teacher finds me firmly rooted in two very different cultures. I teach at both Notre Dame Academy, a large Catholic school (400 students) and at Nur Islamic, a small Muslim school (30 students) in Louisville, KY. There's five miles between the two schools, but they often feel like light years.
It is my belief that most of the wars in our world could be averted if people just spent time talking to each other. With that in mind, I started a pen pal program, where I matched up the five Jr. High School girls at Nur Islamic school with five girls at Notre Dame. For weeks, I served as the mail carrier between the two schools - watching their friendships develop while using the very old fashioned custom of note writing.
I was very excited when Wendy Sims, my supervisor, as well as the teachers at both schools encouraged me to arrange 'shadowing' experiences for the girls.
A few days ago, I got an email from a parent. When I saw the name, my initial reaction was worry. This parent sent a simple email that said, "Thanks for all you do!" This really made my day! This also made me think, how many happy notes, or phone calls am I sending?? I am determined to make a child's day by a simple happy note!! What about you??
The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,?
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March. ~ Robert Frost, Two Tramps in Mud Time, 1926
Spring has sprung or at least soon will. In the month of March we felt the wind come off of frozen peaks. In the weeks that follow showers are expected to fall. The sun will shine brightly on fields of flowers. Children of every age will think of the fun to be had in the rain. Some will remember the joy they felt when they first froliced in the snow. Dreams of summer sun may stream through their consciousness. Regardless, of the season there is bliss to build on, and personal powers to persue. Pupils know this. Parents also comprehend this veracity is too true. Tennessee teachers, well, they are ready to tap into the knowledge that provides an inner strength. In the April 2009, Parent Link, educators from the Volunter State teach us all a vital lesson. We can compose a letter, a work of art, a piece of music, a masterpiece, if only we embrace as the Catapult Learning collegaues instruct children to do, Plan, Orangize, Write, Edit, and Revise!
As parents, students, staff, administrators, persons in schools or on the streets, we all know, knowledge is POWER. Any individual can be empowered if they follow through on a thought. . .
POWER is an acronym to help children remember the steps used in the Writing Process. Remembering the meaning of this acronym gives children power to succeed when writing by encouraging them to use an organized, systematic process. Each letter in the word power stands for a single step the child needs to perform.
The specifics, the steps, help to expand on this notion. We need only concieve, act on an agenda, outline, organize, inscribe as inspired, correct, change, rework, rearrange, and then finally, review for a final revision. Please peruse the path any of us might take when we endeavor to complete a powerfully presented project.
I am a counselor in Milwaukee and I have enjoyed another year working with the students and hopefully making a difference. Just as soon as it started the school year is quickly coming to a close.
Once again we will be celebrating Title l month. The students are also excited and have been asking about the Scavenger Hunt. We had such a great time last year with this activity.
Students are all different. Therefore, behavior strategies may be different for the variety of students in each classroom. What works for one child may not work for another. What works today may not work tomorrow. What works in first period may not work in last period. Teachers are constantly searching for behavior strategies to assist with classroom management. This edition of Professional Development Notes gives teachers an overview of behavior strategies along with several websites that can provide a wealth of information and assistance.
Be prepared ahead of time to deal with student misbehavior.
Correction procedures can only be effective if they reduce the future occurrence of the misbehavior they are intended to address.
Correction efforts for specific misbehaviors will be more effective if they address the underlying causes of those behaviors.
Reasonable consequence is one that follows logically from the behavior rather than one that is arbitrarily imposed.
Please download the document. Print the page, and share with parents, Principals, and other teachers. We can all develop professionally, personally, and these Professional Development Notes are meant to help.
I walked out to my car this morning and it really felt and smelled like spring. Yes, there is still a little snow on the ground from our "lake effect snow", but it is mostly melted. The last couple days have been above freezing and even sunny! I am now beginning to look forward to warm weather and the coming season. True, it is only the beginning of March, but it feels like we are on our way.
The new season means more than just warmer temperatures. As individuals, we can renew ourselves, as well. Everyone should take a deep breath and then do something for OURSELVES. It is easy to do for everyone else and put us at the bottom of the list. Anyone who knows me knows that means only one thing - SPA! There is nothing like total relaxation and being pampered! Whether that is for one hour, one day or a weekend! It is amazing how rejuvenated you feel when you take a little ME time.
So you say you can't go to a spa for one reason or another, that's OK. Take a bit of time, go into a quiet room, close the door, light a candle and listen to music or read a book. If it's nice outside, go to a nearby park. Take a book or just sit and breathe in the fresh air - "inhale nature". It's amazing what a little sun and blue sky can do for you. It's a good time to clear your mind and contemplate your life and blessings. Just for this time, make you the priority.
In our busy lives it's easy to let the weight of the world come down on our shoulders. Release that anxiety and know you can only control so much of what happens to us. Then, go back to the real world, to your family and to your job with a fresh new outlook.
It is time to renew our spirit. Happy spring to all of you! See you at the SPA!
The end of the school year is fast approaching. With this being said, it is important as educators to take time to reflect upon the school year and months that have passed. Most importantly, to reflect upon the many and numerous student lives we have influenced and those that have influenced us. I offer you a summary of the article Joy in School by Seven Wolk from the publication Educational Leadership.
All I can say is WOW! When I saw this video I was uplifted. This young lady is POWERFUL! I could not just watch this video and not share with you all.
ENJOY
