Time flies.
If you don't think so, try blogging.
Seriously, I had no idea that it has been more than six months since my last post.
Good grief.
If you are a parent, you understand.
The same baby who was just learning how to walk, is now getting ready to walk at graduation or a wedding.
Time has wings--fast, unforgiving wings. And it knows how to use them.
As summer zooms past and the school year looms all to closely ahead, it is never too early to begin focusing on how to make the upcoming school year the most successful one to date.
Consider one simple tactic--writing a letter to your student's teachers about your student. Keep it positive and include all of your contact information.
Yes, your contact information is available to your teachers from the many enrollment forms you have filled out already, but a teacher having it in hand in black and white is always a good thing.
Why do I call writing a letter a tactic? Because it is just that--a tactic to maintain positive communication between the school and the parent. Data shows conclusively that parents who are intentional communicators have students who are more likely to be intentional learners with better understanding, retention, and success in school.
Do not assume your student's teachers will contact you even if there are problems. I can speak from personal experience teachers are very busy and issues slip through the proverbial cracks. Imagine my surprise when a report card came home with a D- just this past school year?
So, join me and write a letter that will set the foundation of success for our students this next school year, but do let's do it before the summer time flies away.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
A cancer lesson
We are colleagues--teachers in the same building with some of the same students. Though we are not close friends, when I read her school-wide email announcing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and soon would be having surgery as well as undergoing treatment, I was deeply saddened.
I had several thoughts. But, you're only 37 years old. You're the picture of health. I can't believe this.What will you tell your students? How will you tell them? When is the last time I had a mammogram?
Thinking she had sent the email from home, I was surprised when I saw her leaving her classroom at the end of the day. We looked at one another and I offered a hug. She smiled and I asked her how she was doing.
She explained she was doing well. The doctors were confident. She was confident. Everyone was determined to be positive.
"I will beat this thing," she told me.
Knowing how much they loved her, I asked her how she would tell her students.
"I already have," she said. "And the best thing is many of them are taking biology, so we were able to talk about cancer and cell division."
"How did they take the news?" I asked processing that my colleague had actually turned her cancer into a biology lesson.
"Fine, though they are worried about me losing my hair, so I told them maybe I could wear one of their hats."
We laughed together. My eyes filled with tears.
"You truly have a teacher's heart," I told her. "Wow...to make your cancer into a biology lesson..."
Together we walked the span of the hallway and said our good-byes.
And I thought about what an honor it is to work with a teacher who in even her darkest moment sees clearly the importance of DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS.
I had several thoughts. But, you're only 37 years old. You're the picture of health. I can't believe this.What will you tell your students? How will you tell them? When is the last time I had a mammogram?
Thinking she had sent the email from home, I was surprised when I saw her leaving her classroom at the end of the day. We looked at one another and I offered a hug. She smiled and I asked her how she was doing.
She explained she was doing well. The doctors were confident. She was confident. Everyone was determined to be positive.
"I will beat this thing," she told me.
Knowing how much they loved her, I asked her how she would tell her students.
"I already have," she said. "And the best thing is many of them are taking biology, so we were able to talk about cancer and cell division."
"How did they take the news?" I asked processing that my colleague had actually turned her cancer into a biology lesson.
"Fine, though they are worried about me losing my hair, so I told them maybe I could wear one of their hats."
We laughed together. My eyes filled with tears.
"You truly have a teacher's heart," I told her. "Wow...to make your cancer into a biology lesson..."
Together we walked the span of the hallway and said our good-byes.
And I thought about what an honor it is to work with a teacher who in even her darkest moment sees clearly the importance of DOING WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A quick note about an "outloud" resolution
I hate to admit it but I am known for misplacing things--my cellphone, my keys, my purse, my shoes, my car. Yes, my car.
I have decided that 2011 is the year of NOT losing things. So, I am trying something simple and, so far, very effective. For instance, when I put my keys away in my coat pocket, I say outloud, "Keys in coat pocket." If I put my cell phone in my purse, I say outloud, "Cell phone in purse." If I park my car next to J.C. Penneys, I say outloud, "Car parked next to J.C. Penneys."
So far, this has proven very effective though I am still looking for a set of keys I put in a safe place before the holidays and before this resolution. That safe place is somewhere in my house, part of which underwent a complete overhaul with more than 15 bags of stuff going to Good Will. I am hopeful the keys are still in a safe place.
Too bad I can't rewind and say outloud, "Keys in top desk drawer." (I've looked. They are not there.)
What does this have to do with doing what is best for kids?
I challenge you as a parent or teacher to challenge your kid, who frequently becomes frustrated when he or she loses track of things, to try this method of keeping track of a cellphone, keys, or textbooks. Just imagine how much less stressful life would be if we always remembered where things were!
And less stress means doing what is best for kids!
I have decided that 2011 is the year of NOT losing things. So, I am trying something simple and, so far, very effective. For instance, when I put my keys away in my coat pocket, I say outloud, "Keys in coat pocket." If I put my cell phone in my purse, I say outloud, "Cell phone in purse." If I park my car next to J.C. Penneys, I say outloud, "Car parked next to J.C. Penneys."
So far, this has proven very effective though I am still looking for a set of keys I put in a safe place before the holidays and before this resolution. That safe place is somewhere in my house, part of which underwent a complete overhaul with more than 15 bags of stuff going to Good Will. I am hopeful the keys are still in a safe place.
Too bad I can't rewind and say outloud, "Keys in top desk drawer." (I've looked. They are not there.)
What does this have to do with doing what is best for kids?
I challenge you as a parent or teacher to challenge your kid, who frequently becomes frustrated when he or she loses track of things, to try this method of keeping track of a cellphone, keys, or textbooks. Just imagine how much less stressful life would be if we always remembered where things were!
And less stress means doing what is best for kids!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Communicating with teachers (and parents) Part II
As a teacher, nothing bothers me more than putting an F in my gradebook. Regardless of how unmotivated he may have been, I take it personally when a students fails. When a student fails, I fail.
As a teacher who is also a parent, I have a few ideas which I think can help prevent this from happening, but the key word is HELP. Everyone has to do his or her part.
For instance, as a teacher, I can personally vouch for the fact that the proverbial squeaky wheel will get the oil, the proverbial early bird will get the worm, the emailing, phone-calling, conference-attending parent's student will have a teacher's clear attention.
If your child's first semester grade card for the 2010-2011 school year had anything less than a C+ on it and you have yet to contact a teacher in any way, shape or form, then SHAME ON YOU! (Regardless of the grades though, communication is imperative.)
Please remember that your child is one of dozens of students and that teachers are only human. Timely communication is imperative. Study after study verifies that parental involvment enhances the educational experience. Parents who care enough to take the time to communicate with their child's teachers in one way or another will see better grades, better attendance and a better education!
Best of all, it shows your child you really do care. AND guess what? Your child may be a 17-year-old man-child who does little more than grunt as he leaves the house for school after breakfast, but I can assure you he really does want you to be involved. He wants you to email his teacher. He wants you to call his teacher. He wants to know you care enough to mind his school business.
To teachers, I offer this: We should relish having what we, at my school, call FIERCE conversations with parents letting them know we care about their child not only as a student but as a person and will do whatever we can to help their student be successful.
A phone call, an email, a note in the mail, can make the difference between failing and passing, apathy and excitement, between KNOWING what is best for kids and DOING what is best for kids!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
As a teacher who is also a parent, I have a few ideas which I think can help prevent this from happening, but the key word is HELP. Everyone has to do his or her part.
For instance, as a teacher, I can personally vouch for the fact that the proverbial squeaky wheel will get the oil, the proverbial early bird will get the worm, the emailing, phone-calling, conference-attending parent's student will have a teacher's clear attention.
If your child's first semester grade card for the 2010-2011 school year had anything less than a C+ on it and you have yet to contact a teacher in any way, shape or form, then SHAME ON YOU! (Regardless of the grades though, communication is imperative.)
Please remember that your child is one of dozens of students and that teachers are only human. Timely communication is imperative. Study after study verifies that parental involvment enhances the educational experience. Parents who care enough to take the time to communicate with their child's teachers in one way or another will see better grades, better attendance and a better education!
Best of all, it shows your child you really do care. AND guess what? Your child may be a 17-year-old man-child who does little more than grunt as he leaves the house for school after breakfast, but I can assure you he really does want you to be involved. He wants you to email his teacher. He wants you to call his teacher. He wants to know you care enough to mind his school business.
To teachers, I offer this: We should relish having what we, at my school, call FIERCE conversations with parents letting them know we care about their child not only as a student but as a person and will do whatever we can to help their student be successful.
A phone call, an email, a note in the mail, can make the difference between failing and passing, apathy and excitement, between KNOWING what is best for kids and DOING what is best for kids!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Intentional
The teenaged man-child sat across from me and wept openly. His Thanksgiving had been horrible, he told me. His sobs wracked my heart as I fought back tears of my own.
I took his hand and squeezed it three times. I didn't want to embarrass him but in my family that means I LOVE YOU.
I reassured him that his teachers wanted the best for him that we were his biggest cheerleaders.
He shook his head and smiled.
The fact is as much as some kids say they hate school, it is often their only respite. The warmth, the food, and the fellowship from 8 to 3 is the best they have in their lives for now.
I am an intentional teacher. The way I teach, the way I deal with students, the way I supervise--all intentional. I am on the look out constantly for those downward cast, sad eyes, which can be found on solemn and happy faces. Some think they are good at hiding the pain they feel in their hearts, but I am an intentional teacher, an intentional person. I am looking--constantly.
I will say hello. I will ask how you are. I will make conversation. I will be looking.
I am intentional.
Take my hand and squeeze. I LOVE YOU!
Merry Christmas!
I took his hand and squeezed it three times. I didn't want to embarrass him but in my family that means I LOVE YOU.
I reassured him that his teachers wanted the best for him that we were his biggest cheerleaders.
He shook his head and smiled.
The fact is as much as some kids say they hate school, it is often their only respite. The warmth, the food, and the fellowship from 8 to 3 is the best they have in their lives for now.
I am an intentional teacher. The way I teach, the way I deal with students, the way I supervise--all intentional. I am on the look out constantly for those downward cast, sad eyes, which can be found on solemn and happy faces. Some think they are good at hiding the pain they feel in their hearts, but I am an intentional teacher, an intentional person. I am looking--constantly.
I will say hello. I will ask how you are. I will make conversation. I will be looking.
I am intentional.
Take my hand and squeeze. I LOVE YOU!
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Teaching kids to outlive their life
What does it mean to outlive your life?
When I was a little girl, my daddy became temporarily disabled and was unable to work. My momma eventually found a job, but money was still tight. Later, I learned that a member of our church went to the school where my sister, brother, and I attended and paid for our school lunches for the year. That generous act made a big difference in my life and my attitude about giving and serving. In addition, through this act, this person outlived his life.
Outliving one's life requires a servant's spirit. As parents and teachers we serve our kids by feeding them, clothing them, and by teaching them. Each is important, but it is only in what we teach them that they can understand what it means to outlive their life.
How do we do that?
In my opinion, the best way to teach the concept of outliving one's life is by modeling through generosity and compassion. When is the last time you and your children volunteered together to help someone else? It can be something as big as spending time with an organization like Habitat for Humanity or as simple as working at a local clothes closet folding and sorting clothes.
Consider every time you open a door for someone, or offer your seat to a stranger, or take a meal to new mom an opportunity to outlive your life and model for your kids the importance of generosity and compassion.
Teaching kids to do for others is the first step in helping them understand how to outlive their lives!
When I was a little girl, my daddy became temporarily disabled and was unable to work. My momma eventually found a job, but money was still tight. Later, I learned that a member of our church went to the school where my sister, brother, and I attended and paid for our school lunches for the year. That generous act made a big difference in my life and my attitude about giving and serving. In addition, through this act, this person outlived his life.
Outliving one's life requires a servant's spirit. As parents and teachers we serve our kids by feeding them, clothing them, and by teaching them. Each is important, but it is only in what we teach them that they can understand what it means to outlive their life.
How do we do that?
In my opinion, the best way to teach the concept of outliving one's life is by modeling through generosity and compassion. When is the last time you and your children volunteered together to help someone else? It can be something as big as spending time with an organization like Habitat for Humanity or as simple as working at a local clothes closet folding and sorting clothes.
Consider every time you open a door for someone, or offer your seat to a stranger, or take a meal to new mom an opportunity to outlive your life and model for your kids the importance of generosity and compassion.
Teaching kids to do for others is the first step in helping them understand how to outlive their lives!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
In a split second
I was on my way to work, driving the speed limit, doing everything right when the next thing I knew I was on the shoulder of the road, then in the ditch, and then flying over a crossroads, and then back in the ditch.
Why? Because as I came over a hill a car was stopped in the road and I chose to evade a rearend collision.
It all happened in a split second while driving the speed limit. I wasn't texting. I wasn't changing radio stations or adjusting the CD player. I was attentive, though obviously not quite attentive enough.
My last thoughts before swerving to miss the stopped car? I think those red flags should be blue.
That's right. I was looking at a set of three flags waving across the entrance of relatively new subdivision and for a split second imagined the red flags were blue.
That split second of less than perfect attention to the road compounded by a car with no tail lights stopped in the road just over a hill, resulted in what will probably be a totaled car.
I am thankful no one was hurt. But I am also thankful to be able to share with my students the seriousness of driving will distracted.
What if I had been texting? What if I had been adjusting the radio or CD player? What if I had been speeding?
I dare say my reaction time would have been delayed and I would not be typing this right now.
Taking a difficult moment and making it a teachable moment is another example of how simple it is to do what is best for kids!
Why? Because as I came over a hill a car was stopped in the road and I chose to evade a rearend collision.
It all happened in a split second while driving the speed limit. I wasn't texting. I wasn't changing radio stations or adjusting the CD player. I was attentive, though obviously not quite attentive enough.
My last thoughts before swerving to miss the stopped car? I think those red flags should be blue.
That's right. I was looking at a set of three flags waving across the entrance of relatively new subdivision and for a split second imagined the red flags were blue.
That split second of less than perfect attention to the road compounded by a car with no tail lights stopped in the road just over a hill, resulted in what will probably be a totaled car.
I am thankful no one was hurt. But I am also thankful to be able to share with my students the seriousness of driving will distracted.
What if I had been texting? What if I had been adjusting the radio or CD player? What if I had been speeding?
I dare say my reaction time would have been delayed and I would not be typing this right now.
Taking a difficult moment and making it a teachable moment is another example of how simple it is to do what is best for kids!
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