tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25084931539734877882024-03-13T06:20:30.457-07:00A Principal JourneyReflections, views, and ideas of a growing school administrator
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-91123295461352698662022-06-22T12:00:00.001-07:002022-06-22T12:00:38.500-07:00Losing a beloved pet<p> Yesterday, I had Quigley, my canine companion of 13 years, put to sleep. A couple of years back, she had developed a tumor in her throat. The vet gave her about six months to live. Our plan was to help her live a good life for at least that time period. She had other plans. She stayed strong for close to 18 months before beginning to slow down about six months back. Still, she got around well and wasn't above snapping at our other dogs when they got into her business. She even tolerated the new puppy we adopted a month back. </p><p>I still remember the day I met her. I was working in the yard and my wife called to tell me about a cute puppy her friend had found. Needless to say, I was not excited about getting another dog. One was enough. But, being a dutiful husband, I went along to see her, if only to say no to keeping her. What I found was a tiny little thing that was so small she would fit in my shoe and I fell in love instantly. She had been walking by herself on the side of the road and, according to our vet, was already at least three months old. She was malnourished, full of worms, but still feisty. When we took her home, our four year old dog growled and snapped at her. Instead of pulling away, she bit her tail and didn't let go for the next year. </p><p>Two days ago, after arriving home from work, my wife told me Quigley just didn't seem right. When I checked on her, her neck was extremely swollen. The tumor had ruptured and was filling her with fluid. We called the vet, realizing that she was suffering and barely able to get around. We made her comfortable in our utility room and then took shifts just loving on her. Mine included a 2:30 am crying session along with my son. The next morning, we called the vet and set up a time to have her put to sleep. </p><p>It was the longest drive. We were all in tears and she seemed to know that something was up. As we sat with her in the examining room, we tried our best to stay composed. Not an easy task. I kept having second thoughts, but her labored and raspy breathing was confirmation it was time. The vet gave her a shot that caused her to begin to sleep and then came back shortly after and administered the euthanizing dose. It took less than a minute for her heart to stop. I was reminded of sitting by my father's bed, holding his hand as life support was removed. Honestly, I think this was harder. </p><p>After getting a paw imprint, we wrapped her in a blanket and drove her to our property in the woods. After finding a suitable spot directly across from our deer stand, we spent the next 30 minutes digging her grave. My wife sat in the truck holding her while my son and I dug through the roots and clay. I gently laid her body in the rectangular hole, covering her with a mixture of dirt and concrete to keep out any critters. At three feet down, I didn't expect any, but just in case. After we had covered her up, I realized that we buried her right in front of a tree with two trunks, making the spot impossible to miss. We can look right at the spot as we hunt this winter. </p><p>As I got up this morning, it hit me again that she was gone. Tears flowed as I realized I wouldn't be opening another can of her soft food. I fed the other dogs and cried as they ate, then spent time loving on them. I'm not sure whether they even know she is gone, but I like to think so. </p><p>Losing a beloved pet is like losing a member of the family. I have to give myself and my family time to grieve and heal, remembering the good times we had together. </p><p><br /></p><p> </p>breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-30972881265083018502020-11-18T15:40:00.000-08:002020-11-18T15:40:36.645-08:00Quarantine Blues<p> I hate Covid-19. For the past two weeks, I've been stuck at home due to the virus. I don't have it, but my wife does. She is over most of the symptoms now, but is still fatigued and sleeps about 16 hours a day. And, from what I understand, that is a fairly mild case. </p><p>Due to her illness and my close proximity (she is my wife), I am required to quarantine. Which means I don't go anywhere. The farthest I've been is Walmart to the Curbside Pickup. The rest of the time has been spent at home. I've realized over the last two weeks that I'm not cut out for working from home. </p><p>When I first went into quarantine, I decided to try and follow my regular schedule: Get up at 4 am, pray, read, then plan out the day, start work at 5:30 by listening to the two-way radio and helping when I could, work on admin tasks throughout the day, and then repeat the two-way radio gig from 2:00 to 5:30 pm. That is my typical day at the office. Needless to say, that lasted about three days. I soon realized that I wasn't needed for the morning or the afternoon runs. And, since much of what I do requires spending time with people and on campuses, I couldn't get a whole lot accomplished in those areas either. </p><p>The second week, my alarm still went off at 4, but I wasn't getting up until 5. I'd listen to the two-way while praying and planning and then try to accomplish a few things on the computer. After a couple of hours, I was pretty much done. Something I would need would be at the office and I couldn't get to it, so I would have to put the task aside. I'd help my wife around the house, check e-mails periodically, field a few phone calls, and then be done. That lasted another two days, </p><p>Now, my alarm goes off at 4 and I get up at 8. If I'm needed, someone will call. I take my time going through the tasks of the day and do what I can at the kitchen table. After that, I spend time with my wife when she's not sleeping. </p><p>Honestly, this has been a miserable experience. I love to work and accomplish my goals and that has been extremely difficult during this quarantine. When things were shut down in March, I was able to go to the office as our department was considered essential. I think that kept me sane. People tell me they would love to be off all the time. I find it exhausting. </p><p>I guess I should be glad that no one in my family is seriously ill. Instead, I am just inconvenienced. </p><p>On the bright side, I am only on quarantine for two more days. And, the following Monday is Thanksgiving break. At least I won' feel obligated to work over the holidays. Not that I would get anything done anyway. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-42809941896339099262020-04-15T16:44:00.001-07:002020-04-15T16:56:39.689-07:00Coronavirus- Shining a Light on School Support ServicesOver the past few weeks in Texas, schools have been closed due to Coronavirus (Covid-19). Campuses are virtually ghost towns, teachers go to classroom only when they have to, and students are working from home. Yet there are a few people in districts who are not stopping. In fact, a new light is illuminating their importance to the education system.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm talking about support services people (Transportation, Food Services, Custodial, Maintenance). These folks usually fly under the radar. We often forget they are even a part of the educational system. They are the epitome of "out of sight, out of mind." But, the work they do behind the scenes is essential and invaluable. The coronavirus has shone a much needed light on their importance to school districts. </div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUwy57BCbgZJ5zCJ1h6LTm_nu0PpnWm7Ka45d4vJx5C8E3SzPlFQmgV_VgJJHUGmbi8cHq6CWwbtOQNW5zuWhCWQaaPPGIQzkNl8mkjMPlDL6C8cLI2MCrvfGlljuSN54k_GLVD1OtJZD/s1600/1804964--dj-inkers-math-png-239_200_preview.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="239" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUwy57BCbgZJ5zCJ1h6LTm_nu0PpnWm7Ka45d4vJx5C8E3SzPlFQmgV_VgJJHUGmbi8cHq6CWwbtOQNW5zuWhCWQaaPPGIQzkNl8mkjMPlDL6C8cLI2MCrvfGlljuSN54k_GLVD1OtJZD/s200/1804964--dj-inkers-math-png-239_200_preview.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In my district, <b>bus drivers and monitors </b>are now delivering meals and work to students daily. As they run their route, they are bringing hope to families. Dressed in gloves, masks and maintaining social distance, they bring breakfast and lunch along their routes and let kids know they haven't been forgotten. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UPNzp62EwEUYF38l-Xp_m_iFaW_aAe1CNdRvz_5_W-rsD5Sv-MXjT9UhL7IhDKHqqqNdvGr8mmA8oG7-JvYC-M5gwngb0i4gli5CuDOtHcMvS_pIpoPFfysAAYNuzm6inFw61eaxsjZg/s1600/1064332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9UPNzp62EwEUYF38l-Xp_m_iFaW_aAe1CNdRvz_5_W-rsD5Sv-MXjT9UhL7IhDKHqqqNdvGr8mmA8oG7-JvYC-M5gwngb0i4gli5CuDOtHcMvS_pIpoPFfysAAYNuzm6inFw61eaxsjZg/s200/1064332.jpg" width="200" /></a>We started with around 750 meals each day and are now up to over a 1000. Someone has to make those meals. That's where <b>Food Services</b> comes in. Every day, these men and women make over a thousand sandwiches, pack them with love in old-fashioned brown bags, and sort them for delivery to hungry kids. They are at work before dawn, making sure the food for that day is ready to go. Once that is done, they start preparing for the next day. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I am writing this, a young man is cleaning my office. He is not only emptying trash and sweeping, but is doing the extra job of disinfecting work surfaces. <b>Custodial staff</b>, like other support persons, often fly under the radar. We don't notice them unless something is not done. When they do their jobs well, we rarely know they are even there. During this outbreak, their services are even more important. Who know whether their disinfecting is keeping someone from contracting the virus.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOHMXD8GjhWLvMj795B2H4SDB7xYBXFWnCoa70TJlvPS-bRImZU-Gp3o0QAoN0ArLnosdqcJCf1hGBtlK9wh2E4gOIZLR0qS-m5_kDKwfE6u5cIzXXb9YMkMsvPjIaN4eqG0-CIoBkdCn/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOHMXD8GjhWLvMj795B2H4SDB7xYBXFWnCoa70TJlvPS-bRImZU-Gp3o0QAoN0ArLnosdqcJCf1hGBtlK9wh2E4gOIZLR0qS-m5_kDKwfE6u5cIzXXb9YMkMsvPjIaN4eqG0-CIoBkdCn/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6XWZ5fE-oNl3ncDW24n3yiLDSi3W6ivODNGdQaF86jAa0EZYB8PkZwaFDwvkfzoVUdM5CFFWJGrj9j4N2Js2V_-wcwF9ePh4dpz5opdK_eVYofyY51NjftENgEXB3KUCDE7Gwr2eSMQI/s1600/handyman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="500" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6XWZ5fE-oNl3ncDW24n3yiLDSi3W6ivODNGdQaF86jAa0EZYB8PkZwaFDwvkfzoVUdM5CFFWJGrj9j4N2Js2V_-wcwF9ePh4dpz5opdK_eVYofyY51NjftENgEXB3KUCDE7Gwr2eSMQI/s200/handyman1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Finally, I can't forget the district <b>maintenance</b> crews. They are quietly keeping the buildings operational, doing summer projects, and ensuring that anything that breaks gets fixed expediently. With them on the scene, students and teachers can return to stellar facilities ready to support learning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope that, once school resumes, we don't forget the invaluable work of our support people in school districts. Without them, the district could not function effectively. The coronavirus pandemic is just making this more obvious.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you know someone who works in a support service in a school district, please take time to thank them (but remember to practice social distance when you do). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-59034208043729984932020-01-03T11:09:00.000-08:002020-01-03T11:09:06.919-08:00New Year This holiday season, I realized that I've strayed from some of my core principles. One of the main ones is to focus on essentials and let everything else take a back seat. In my work, I'm doing well on that, but not so much in my personal life. At work, the essentials are discipline and morale. I've been able to focus in those two and make some pretty impressive moves forward. In my personal life, I realize that I've not truly developed essentials. I've been flying without any real direction. <br />
<br />
For that reason, one of my main goals as I enter the new year is clarify the essentials in my personal life. I cannot do the most important things if I don't know what they are. So, this weekend, I will develop the essentials for my personal life so I can have a direction to go in. Only then will I be able to make progress in the right direction instead of being scattered in a hundred different directions.<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-24068284573792110942019-11-22T12:10:00.004-08:002019-11-22T13:07:17.121-08:00Bus Drivers: The invisible cog in the wheelBus drivers might be considered an invisible cog in the wheel of education (no pun intended). They drop kids off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon, but are usually not on campuses. But, the bus driver has an impact that extends well beyond the walls of the bus. For many, bus drivers are the first school related face a child sees in the morning and the last they see in the afternoon. Their approach to kids can make or break a child's day. It can also affect a campus as kids who get off the bus upset or wild carry that demeanor into the school. On the flip side, kids who leave the bus orderly and with a pleasant ride bring that calmness into the building.<br />
<br />
Drivers often carry fifty or more students at a time and must both safely drive the bus and maintain order. This is not an easy task and requires strong student management skills. Effective bus drivers have developed routines for their buses and built relationships with their kids. Just like a classroom teacher, they teach the kids the expectations and routines early on in the year and reteach as needed. They know the kids by name, set up seating charts, have consistent rules and consequences, and hold kids accountable. These drivers know the impact they have on students.<br />
<br />
Another thing bus drivers see daily is where students live. This gives them a glimpse into the lives of kids that other educators often do not. If you are wondering why a student has suddenly started acting up, ask their bus driver. They may be able to give you a glimpse into the child's world that those at the school cannot.<br />
<br />
For those on campuses, I encourage you to find the time to ride a bus at least one day a year. Call your Transportation Director and ask how to set that up. I promise that it will change your perspective on the role of the bus driver and may even help you see your students in a different light.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB6y5TPss1Q0ItJdgasT5ERU9PCMd3oDgT-P7ECvdr69LvqPLnZ4XqlF2nF6VNKJEnbB_E-SOWvyxtWvVMzabHHjlvl07yDgRqLjw-7RIgmhCWwUr7nnlYuK0USW4xXSenxesrOAacgPa/s1600/1804964--dj-inkers-math-png-239_200_preview.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB6y5TPss1Q0ItJdgasT5ERU9PCMd3oDgT-P7ECvdr69LvqPLnZ4XqlF2nF6VNKJEnbB_E-SOWvyxtWvVMzabHHjlvl07yDgRqLjw-7RIgmhCWwUr7nnlYuK0USW4xXSenxesrOAacgPa/s1600/1804964--dj-inkers-math-png-239_200_preview.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-9905141957613265892019-07-15T17:56:00.002-07:002019-07-15T17:56:52.760-07:00In Process Part 4 - New PositionAs of July 24, 2019 I will officially be the new Director of Transportation for my school district. This was not a position that I sought out, but one I do feel that I am supposed to be in. While I won't be in the role by contract until the date above, I started several weeks back. As I moved into the position, the first thing I knew I had to do was get to know the drivers. I did this by riding bus routes twice a day for two weeks. Since I am learning to drive a bus myself, I asked the drivers to tell me what they were doing in the different stages of the drive. I not only learned their personalities, but I also learned a lot about driving a bus. <br />
<br />
As the new director, I've been tasked with helping to reduce the number of discipline issues on the buses along with parent complaints as well as help build morale among the drivers. Fortunately, I have a supervisor working for me who has been on the job for years and can help keep things running while I focus on these priorities and learn the various aspects of the transportation program. I've also joined the state transportation organization and been to their conference and training. It was quickly apparent that transportation people are a strong group who are willing to help a newbie like me. <br />
<br />
As I transition into this position, I know it will be challenging. It already is. But, I know I'm where I need to be and will continue to make a difference in the lives of kids, albeit in a different way. breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-39022781746814410882019-07-15T17:46:00.000-07:002019-07-15T17:46:58.725-07:00In Process Part 3Please note: This was written in June 2019, but I chose to wait to publish until July.<br />
<br />
For the last several days, I've been sharing about a new opportunity that has opened for me. It is far from anything I've ever done in the past. Still, it feels right. I will be using many of the skills I have acquired as an AP just in a different way. While this is not the path I would have chosen for myself, it is the one I know I am supposed to be on. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They say that when you start something new, you have to leave other things behind. I will miss the day to day action of the campus and interacting with teachers and students. There will be opportunities to do this, but not in the same way. I will, however, be able to impact many of these kids both directly, but more importantly, indirectly through the staff that I serve. In this new position, I will be leading a group of people who interact directly with children and help start and end their day. I have ultimate responsible for ensuring the safety of kids. My work will indirectly impact social and emotional growth by increasing positive interactions with kids on a daily basis. Interacting with parents to help their kids be successful will play a role in this position. I must learn new skills, new systems, and be able to put new ideas and processes in place. The learning curve for me feels like a wall. But, I've climbed that wall before and I can do it again. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-22737099721231767212019-07-15T17:45:00.001-07:002019-07-15T17:45:52.513-07:00In Process Part 2Please note: This was written in June 2019, but published in July of the same year.<br />
<br />
Two days ago, I started writing about my progress in finding a Principal position at our district 4-6 campus. I had interviewed twice for the same position and felt like both they went well. In fact, I heard through the grapevine that my interview was excellent. That made me feel even more confident. <br />
<br />
Yesterday evening, I received a call to come to Central Office this morning at 7:30 am. All night long, my mind kept going back to this thought: "My life is about to drastically change tomorrow." Before I left the house, I completed a list of questions and requests for when I got the job such as, Would the district allow me to attend a New Principal Academy in July and when would I be able to meet with the outgoing principal? I wanted to be as prepared as possible. I sat down in the room with the Superintendent over Personnel and the Financial Director. After greetings and a little small talk, the next words out of the Superintendent's mouth were, "You weren't chosen for the Principal's position." Strangely, I felt a sense of relief rather than loss. It felt as though I wasn't supposed to get the position. Then she said, "But we have something else we would like you to apply for." They then began to tell me about a position they had been working on for the last several months and provided an overview of the expectations. While I won't go into details, I can say it would allow me to be over a large department that affects probably two-thirds of the children in the district. They wanted me to apply for it. After asking a number of questions, I left the meeting with a sense of both excitement and fear. Excitement that district leaders thought enough of my skills to ask me to look into the position and fear because it is nothing that I ever done before (although it requires many of the skills I have developed in my current position.) I don't have any idea if I will get it, but I was honored to even be asked to consider applying.<br />
<br />
I spent much of the remainder of the day praying. I called mentors and asked their thoughts. I made lists of pros and cons. And I reflected over the last several months as I've begun to feel it was time to move from my current position. I remembered that, of all the positions I have had in education, only two have come from a formal interview. The rest were because people knew me and offered the opportunity. Also, I remembered thinking recently that it would be amazing if someone did the same thing again, particularly if I wasn't expecting it. That is exactly what happened. <br />
<br />
At this point, I am trusting that this the direction the God is leading me and that He has laid out the steps. I'll do the application tomorrow and keep you posted.<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-91707219341761856542019-07-15T17:43:00.000-07:002019-07-15T17:44:04.978-07:00In process Part 1Please note: This was written in early June 2019, but I waited to publish.<br />
<br />
Last Friday, I started interviewing for a principal in my current district. The position I applied for is at a 4-6 campus with about 800 students. It is also the campus where I started my admin career as an Assistant Principal. For the past several months, I have had a gut feeling that this will be my last year at my current campus. I wasn't really sure why, but I couldn't shake the feeling.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Interestingly though, the day after I interviewed for the 4-6 campus, I was also invited to interview for the Principal position at my current school. The position won't open for another year, but the district wanted to start the process early. Build a candidate pool, maybe. During that interview, I couldn't help but feel a sense of loss if I wasn't the Principal here. At the same time, I think they need someone with more of a background in literacy. Everything I know I've learned in the last four years. I've never taught someone to read in my life (except my son. I did have a hand in his learning using old basal readers). </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyhow, this week, I've been waiting for a response to either position. Today, I got one. I was asked to come back in and interview again for the 4-6 position. Talk about stressful. But it is nice to know that the district and hiring committee from that campus think enough of me to ask me back. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At this point, "imposter syndrome" is setting in. I'm thinking of all the reasons why I would not be the best choice for this position. Strangely, though, everyone who knows I am seeking the position is sure I am not only qualified, but ready. I have to trust they are right. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Moving into a new position that I've never held would be a difficult transition. Still, I know deep down I am capable. I just have to convince myself of that. I wonder if others who go through this process feel the same way. Maybe "imposter syndrome" is the best indicator that I'm ready. I certainly wouldn't have applied if I didn't think I was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As soon as I get a response, I will write an update. It could be turning out to be a very busy summer. </div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-4495118840061470452019-03-02T06:29:00.000-08:002020-04-15T17:02:43.613-07:00Targets on their backsI hate to say it, but we have students all around us with targets on their backs. "What do you mean, Quarles?" I mean that we have kids who are seen as the troublemaker. They are targets of the ire of adults. Sometime in their lives, they did something wrong. Probably lots of things. Maybe they are the child who fights or hits. Perhaps they are the incessant talker or the kid who lets curse words fly. Maybe they are the one who has to save face, so they argue with adults. In any case, they are being watched and, at any hint of a slip up, adults are quick to pounce. You might say these kids can't catch a break. They simply stand out in the crowd like a walking target.<br />
<br />
For a kid with a target on their back, turning over a new leaf can be an almost impossible task. They often get blamed even when they didn't do anything wrong. And, when they do the right thing, do you notice? You see, we tend to watch these kids and wait for them to screw up. Why do we do that? Why can't we give them a new start every single day like we do with everyone else? Why do we heap on the punishment and ignore the positives? <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, it is human nature to look for problems. It is what we do. It literally takes a concerted effort to find the positive. Plus, in many cases, these kids have done something to personally offend us. Maybe they talked back or lashed out at us. In any case, we were hurt and we can't let it slide. To do so would be to lose face ourselves. Of course, we don't say that, but inside we know it's true.<br />
<br />
Would you join me in a mission to help wipe the targets off, or better yet, never let them get put on in the first place. How? First, by building relationships. It is hard not to like someone you have come to know. You might get criticized by those looking only at the target, but who cares? Second, by letting each day be a fresh start. This can be hard. Grudges are easy to hold, but hard to release. Until you do, though, no change will occur. Third, by teaching kids that there is a better way to do things. Many kids lack social skills. You have to teach them. They tend to react to situations. You can teach them to respond. It takes time, but is worth the effort. Fourth, you can watch for the good they do and acknowledge it. Not a long, syrupy speech. A simple, "Hey, I saw the positive thing you did. I am proud of you," will suffice. Finally, and most importantly, you can listen. Listen to kids who you want to chew on. You want to tell them what to do and how wrong they are. Instead, open your ears and listen to what they are saying. You might find out there is more going on than you see on the surface. You may find that the tough exterior many of these kids wear is nothing but a facade hiding a scared child. <br />
<br />
As adults, we need to do everything we can to help erase the targets so many of our kids wear on their backs. We need to erase the target so they can have a chance to become the people they were meant to be. As long as they wear a target, it will never happen.<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-51517392267500009002019-01-14T18:50:00.000-08:002019-01-14T18:50:14.015-08:00Lessons from Little DribblersEarlier this week, I had a student in my office for behavior issues. He was having a rough start to his day, so I called his Dad to talk with him. In the course of the conversation, Dad reminded him that his first basketball game was on Saturday and warned him that he might not be playing if his behavior continued. After I hung up the phone, I told him, "I really want to see you play basketball. I'll come to your game Saturday. I sure hope you are able to play." His behavior was great the rest of the week.<br />
<br />
On Friday, I called his Mom to verify the game time and location. She said he'd been talking about me coming to his game for the last two days. So, this morning, I went to the game. When I got there, his game had not started yet. In fact, he wasn't even there. "Oh, no. He didn't get to play," I thought. Fortunately, games were just running long. As I watched the kids on the court, I began to recognize Northside students among the players. In fact, many of the players were my kids. And, they were quite talented for 6 and 7 year olds.<br />
<br />
After the first game, several of the players came into the stands to give me a hug. They were surprised I was there. Honestly, I was surprised how many played Little Dribblers ball. I was able to watch the second game, when the student from my office played. They won 12 to 0.<br />
<br />
As I sat in the stands, I was reminded of the fact that kids have so many different sides to them. At school, we only see a few of those. It takes stepping out into their world to see the rest. Kids who struggle in school just to stay focused were running down the court, handling the ball and shooting with ease. They were in their element. Many of the kids I saw playing are also the ones I have seen regularly in my office for behavior issues. They weren't misbehaving on the court. Instead, they were working together as part of a team.<br />
<br />
This experience reminded me of a couple of things. First, it is important to get to know our kids. Really get to know them. By connecting with them outside of school, we can better connect with them in school. Second, each of our kids has talents. Sometimes those are not academic. But, if we can identify those talents, maybe we can use them to help these kids do better academically. Finally, kids need to know that adults care about them. By showing up, we let them know that we care. <br />
<br />
Going to the ball game took about an hour out of my day. The results will last much, much longer.<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-53708437280894094622019-01-04T14:21:00.000-08:002019-01-04T14:21:14.229-08:00Start the year with success<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Roboto, Lucida Grande, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">The following is my weekly post to teachers and staff at my campus. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: Roboto, Lucida Grande, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Roboto, Lucida Grande, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #444444; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">January 2019 marks the 25th year since I started as an educator. A lot has changed since January of 1993. At the same time, much has stayed the same. A big part of that is because we are in the people business. While things change readily, the needs of people, particularly kids, rarely do. As I've been reflecting on how we can meet the needs of Northside kids this year, I've come up with the following short list. I'm sure you can come up with many more.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">* <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Safety </span>- "My job is to keep you safe. Your job is to help me keep you safe." People, young and old, respond positively when they feel safe. In unsafe situations, we tend to revert to our lower brain and go into fight or flight. So how can we help our kids feel safe? Several ways include</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- following regular, predictable routines, procedures, and rituals;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- using an assertive voice and language;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- giving two positive choices to help kids feel more in control;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- being clear on expectations and consequences and then following through;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- having a schedule in place and always giving advanced notice of changes</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- teaching assertive responses to negative behaviors from others</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">- giving a fresh start each day, no matter what occurred the day before</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">* <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Focus on strengths</span> - As teachers, we are regularly looking at weak areas in our efforts to help kids get better. That is a big part of our job. Unfortunately, that can easily cause us to overlook our kids strengths. When we take the time to focus on strengths, it gives us a better picture of the whole child. It also lets them know that we see them for who they are and gives us points to encourage them. I encourage to you to make a list of your kids strengths and refer to it often as you interact with them every day.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">* Hydration</span> - No matter what age we are, the brain needs lots of water to function properly. Be sure your kids have water readily available and are drinking regularly.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">* Breathing</span> - Taking in oxygen through breathing is essential for our bodies to function properly, but how many of us really know how to breathe? Deep breathing takes focus and practice. Take time to practice deep breathing with your kids and don't be shy about helping them to take deeper breaths when you notice them starting to get upset or stressed. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">* Brain Breaks</span> - The brain needs time to recharge before moving to new learning. When you notice your kids are getting antsy, it is time for a short break. GoNoodle, Brain Gym, stretching, and breathing are all good ways to stop and let the brain recharge before moving to something new.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">*<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;"> Remember, it's not about you!</span> - Our kids bring lots of outside concerns into the building with them. Many are carrying burdens that adults would struggle with. Others have issues with brain chemistry and mental health. Many have not had positive role models to show them social skills. Some kids act out as a means to avoid something they see as negative or unsafe. As educators, we have to recognize that when kids act out, it rarely has anything to do with us personally. We just happen to be the ones who are there when the behavior occurs. We have to train ourselves to take a few deep breaths, remind ourselves that we are safe, and then respond to the behavior, hopefully by helping the child choose a better behavior.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">* However, it is about you!</span> - I know this sounds like a contradiction. What I mean is <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><u>take care of yourself</u></span>. We are in the care-giving business, but if we don't take care of ourselves, we will be hard pressed to help others. Find a time in your day to do something positive for yourself: Go to the gym, take a walk, take time to reflect on the good that is around you, eat well, spend quality time with the people you love. When you take care of yourself, you are better prepared to take care of others. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Roboto, "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">These are just a few things to help us get the new year off to a good start. I'm sure you can add others to the list and would love to hear them.</span></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-69082709289788972852019-01-03T15:17:00.002-08:002019-01-03T15:17:55.954-08:00Power of HabitThis year, instead of New Year's resolutions, I've decided to make some new habits instead. Better yet, I've decided to replace some negative habits with positive ones. <br />
<br />
In <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business-ebook/dp/B0055PGUYU/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1546555797&sr=1-3&keywords=habits">The Power of Habit,</a></u> Charles Duhigg explains that you don't break old habits. Instead you replace them with new ones. For example, I used to have the habit of biting my nails. I noticed that I had the urge to bite them just after I'd ran my finger over the edges and found any rough spots. This was my trigger. So, I devised a plan. I purchased a package of emory boards. Every time I found a rough spot, instead of biting, I filed it down. So, now I have replaced the habit of biting my nails with the more positive habit of filing them. It was a worthwhile trade off.<br />
<br />
This year, the habits I plan to replace are:<br />
<br />
1) <u>Starting the day looking at the phone</u> (I have the habit of reading the news first thing in the morning)<br />
<b>Replacement Habit</b>: Start the day with a time of prayer followed by Bible reading. When I get up, my first step is to go into the living room and pray while kneeling in front of the couch. No one is awake yet, so I have quiet time to myself. This is followed by breakfast and Bible reading. <br />
<br />
2) <u>Spending time at work after I've reached my mental limit</u> (I have developed the habit of trying to push a little further and get a little more done. I don't produce quality work and I just get exhausted.)<br />
<b>Replacement Habit</b>: Leave the office no later than 6 pm each day and go to the YMCA to work out. This will renew my mind and help me mentally prepare to go home and spend quality time with family.<br />
<br />
3) <u>Watching TV at night</u> (It has become a habit to go home and turn on the TV. This is both non-productive and time wasting)<br />
<b>Replacement Habit</b>: Read at least one chapter in a book and write in my blog each evening. (Please note: I do reserve Friday night for watching Netflix)<br />
<br />
4) <u>Looking at my phone while people are talking to me </u>(This habit has gotten me into a lot of trouble with my family and it really is disrespectful to others)<br />
<b>Replacement Habit</b>: When someone is talking to me, turn my phone upside down and leave it there. Devote my full attention to the person at hand.<br />
<br />
I'm sure I will come up with more as the year progresses, but this is a good start. What habits do you need to replace and what will you replace them with?breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-88180525855123662942019-01-02T09:42:00.000-08:002019-01-02T09:42:26.399-08:00A New CommitmentIt's a new year. 2019. One of my goals this year is to start back blogging by writing at least 250 words every day and posting at least twice a week. I did this challenge once before and it was beneficial to my focus as an educator. I'm still not sure what pulled me off, but for the last year or more, I've written very little. During that time, I've noticed some changes in my own personal and professional life. Here a few:<br />
<br />
1) <b>Lack of focus:</b> I've noticed that I seem to be less focused this year. I attribute much of this to a lack of reflection on my part. This has led to a reduction in my ability to see what may be right in front of me. My goal in writing each day is to help me reflect on my practice and really hone in on areas that need improvement and areas for my own personal growth. <br />
<br />
2) <b>Lack of Motivation</b>: There is a power in accomplishing something tangible each day that helps with motivation. However, as an educator, much of what we do doesn't bring immediate results. Learning and behavioral change are both growth processes. They don't take place overnight. We must constantly review our data in order to see this growth occur. So, while we are doing something tangible each day, we can't really see it unless we look at the results over time. Writing, however, is different. The words hit the page immediately and are easily measured. I can count 250 words easily (or better yet, I can let the computer do it for me). There it is, I've done something today and have a reason to go on tomorrow.<br />
<br />
3) <b>Lack of Creativity</b>: I've never been an extremely creative person to begin with. Most of my ideas are stolen from others with credit given. Isn't this true for many educators? However, when I write I am creating something original, something unique to me. I am putting out original ideas or at least my own take on the ideas of others. In doing so, I open the doors for this creativity to spill out into other areas of my life. <br />
<br />
4) <b>Lack of Reading</b>: I've noticed that since I stopped writing, I've also stopped reading as much. I still read a few books a month, but I find that I don't apply my reading as I once did. Instead, I let it sit and simmer and don't do anything with it. When I write, it helps place what I'm learning in a usable context and gives me motivation to keep reading so I can keep learning. I also don't lose what I'm learning because I can go back and read it again. This year, my goal is to read 40 books. I've already got three almost completed for a very strong start.<br />
<br />
As I restart this writing journey, I have to make a couple of commitments to myself. <br />
<br />
1) <b>Plan a time each day for writing</b> - Usually, immediately after I have finished my work or right before bed work best for me. Both of these times are quiet and I have time to reflect. <br />
<br />
2) <b>Don't go to bed without writing</b> - Simply as that. If I haven't written 250 words, my head doesn't hit the pillow. Strangely enough, I usually sleep better after I've written.<br />
<br />
<br />breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-81783659542191636442018-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:002019-04-26T17:15:39.631-07:00The last six can be the best sixSix more weeks. This is the time when people are getting tired. You and your kids have experienced intense learning and growth and that takes hard work from everyone. Behaviors tend to become more erratic as the year comes to an end. Students (and adults) are getting anxious and ready for a break. The temptation as the year comes to a close is to think, "I hope I can just make it through." I've felt this way and I know others have as well. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But, I'd like to make another suggestion. Instead of just making it through these last six weeks, how about we do the opposite. <b>How about making the last six weeks the best six weeks</b>?</div>
<div>
<br />
Here are some ideas:</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>1) Focus the fun</b> - As you create your lessons, intentionally ask questions like, "How can I add some more fun to this?" For example, you could turn a lesson into a game. You could let kids create something related to what they are learning. You could let them teach something, possibly using an app like FlipGrid. The possibilities are endless. </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2) Can the count down </b>- When you count down the days to the end of school, you may be doing the exact opposite of what you want. You could be sending the message to kids (and possibly to yourself) that school is something to be endured until summer break instead of an opportunity to learn to the very end. We could also be creating a sense of anxiety in some of your kids, especially those to whom school is the one stable factor in their lives. Instead of counting down the days, think of ways to make each day count. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>3) Love em' with letters</b> - Write a note to every student to give them at the end of the year. Start now. Remind them of all the positive things they have done and learned. Tell them what you appreciate most about them. Reflect on a fun or funny moment you had with them. In doing this, you are also reminding yourself of how special your kids are. When we focus on the good things about people, we start seeing more of those good things in people. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>4) Pursue the positive</b> - As the school year wraps up, there tend to be more challenges than usual. Calendars are full, time is short, behaviors are often less than desirable. The interesting thing is, you tend to get more of what you focus on. If you focus on difficulties, you are going to see more difficulties. However, if you focus on the positive, you will see more positives. Like how much growth your kids have experienced. How so many have matured since the beginning of the school year. How you have improved and grown in your profession. Focusing on the positive helps you keep a positive attitude and that spreads to your kids. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>5) Leverage the learning</b> - Squeeze as much learning as you can out of the year. Although routines will be altered due to activities, it is imperative to stay focused on learning. Indeed, that is why we are all here. Do everything you can to use these last days to help your kids continue to grow academically. Stick to your learning routines and keep the expectations high. It is not always easy, but I've never met an educator who looked back and said, "I wish I hadn't taught my kids as much as I did." It will be worth it. </div>
<div>
<br />
The last six weeks can be the best six weeks. We just have to choose to make it so.<br />
<br />
What would you add to this list? I'd love to hear more ideas from you. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-32688417508736118542018-02-19T08:49:00.001-08:002018-02-26T15:17:56.161-08:00Political involvementI've never been very politically active. For whatever reason, politics were not a priority. Now that I'm older, I see the mistake in that. Politicians make laws. They determine how are taxes are used. They decide the direction of our cities, our state, and our country. By not being politically active outside of voting, I've let others decide my fate and the fate of my state and nation.<br />
<br />
This year, all of that changed. My eyes have been opened and I see the potential harm that can come from allowing the wrong people to be in office. Politicians (I wish I could say statesmen, but they aren't) are elected to serve the people. All the people. Sadly, many choose to serve their base and leave the rest to fall. I've let that happen. I've not let my voice be heard. By not speaking out and talking to our leaders, I've allowed others (lobbyists, special interest groups, campaign contributors) to get the ears of our leaders and take us places we don't need to be. It is time to change that.<br />
<br />
My voice may be small and quiet, but it is a voice. When I join with others who have the same voice, we can bring about change. That is what we are trying to do right now with public education in Texas. The first hurdle is the Republican Primaries. If we win this race, change will be much easier to put in place. If not, we will be running uphill. But we will keep running. The future of Texas is on the line and I will not give up. Not now. Not ever.breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-91182818272792414092018-02-17T07:40:00.002-08:002018-02-17T07:40:39.807-08:00Where do they stand? - For Texas Educators<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Normally, I don't get very involved in politics. This year is different. The public school system in Texas is under attack and I refuse to stand on the sidelines and watch the battle. I wrote this post for educators to see the stances of those who wish to represent them as Lieutenant Governor of Texas. I was especially disturbed by current Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's responses, or should I say lack of responses. It seems to be a thumb of the nose to Texas educators saying, "If you want to know where I stand, go look it up yourself. But don't bother me."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Where do they stand? </span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Recently, the Texas PTA sent out a questionnaire to the four candidates for Texas Lieutenant Governor. The questions had to do with education and public schools.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Below are links to the responses from all candidates, both Republican and Democrat. Please read so you can make an informed decision when you go to the polls and vote in the Primaries. Remember, whoever wins the primary for each party will be their candidate for Lieutenant Governor. In Texas, which tends to vote Republican, whoever wins the Republican primary is usually the favorite to win the general election in November.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">As public school educators, it is imperative that we choose someone who best represents the interests of public school children, educators, and retirees.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Republican Candidates:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Scott Milder: <a data-id="l-6880390278" href="https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-milder" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-milder</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Dan Patrick: <a data-id="l-1498354892" href="https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-patrick" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-patrick</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Democratic Candidates</span>:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Mike Collier: <a data-id="l-1453681723" href="https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-collier" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-collier</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Michael Cooper: <a data-id="l-8397439703" href="https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-cooper" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">https://www.txpta.org/questionnaire-cooper</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: #f3f3f3;">Remember, <u>early voting begins Tuesday, February 20</u> and <u>the official Primary Election Day is Tuesday, March 6. </u></span></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-14622297143189475832018-02-11T13:42:00.000-08:002018-02-11T13:53:06.270-08:00#BlowingTheWhistle<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "open sans" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Last week, Empower Texans sent a </span><a data-id="l-9184378324" href="https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2018/02/04/conservative-group-casts-wide-net-looking-texas-school-districts-get-political" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text; font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">letter</a><span style="font-family: "open sans" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> to a number of Texas educators asking them to be "whistleblowers" against districts that used school resources to encourage people to vote. Empower Texans is a highly conservative group that is also vocally pro school choice/voucher and supports candidates with this same stance. </span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Instead of firing back angrily, Texas educators decided to turn the tables instead. They took to Twitter this week to "blow the whistle" on the great things that public educators are doing.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">The next step is for Texas educators and public education supporters to get to the polls and vote for pro-education candidates in the primaries, particularly the Republican primaries, in March. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">I’m <a data-id="l-3048951356" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">blowingthewhistle</span></a> on my teacher friends who spend extra hours, use their own money, and lose sleep trying to ensure that their students have the best learning environment possible. (@bbcorno)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hey <a data-id="l-8620103736" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> I’m <a data-id="l-1243859615" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">blowingthewhistle</span></a> on our Sped teachers and aides who work with students across every grade level and subject no matter the students disability all in a public school setting with no vouchers needed. (@bagrumbles)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hey <a data-id="l-2903995797" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@empowertexans</a> I'm <a data-id="l-7803069617" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on my daughter's kinder teacher and all the parents who chip in our own money to buy snacks for her class, so everyone can have enough brain power throughout the day to learn to read and no one goes hungry. (@mrsbriggle)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hey, <a data-id="l-1644868329" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a>, I’m <a data-id="l-4639271342" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on <a data-id="l-6018445059" href="https://twitter.com/Roxanne_Will" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@Roxanne_Will</a> & all the librarians who make sure kids have the books they love to read. <a data-id="l-9129825813" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blockvote?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blockvote</a> (@breckq)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><a data-id="l-7180045260" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> <a data-id="l-8187460026" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on teachers who will stop at nothing to get students with disabilities the services they deserve Bc we want to see them SUCCEED <a data-id="l-0215695299" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blockvote?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blockvote</a> <a data-id="l-6052893701" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txed?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#txed</a> <a data-id="l-2000585569" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TxLege?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#TxLege</a> (@heyitsjay14)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hey, <a data-id="l-8892358448" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a>, I'm <a data-id="l-9089371650" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#<u>blowingthewhistle</u></a> on every teacher working late tonight and heading in early tomorrow, staying late, spending their own money on classroom needs and somehow staying relentlessly positive day in and day out... <a data-id="l-7893389061" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txed?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#txed</a> <a data-id="l-0711962112" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/txlege?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#txlege</a> (@JoelNihlean)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><a data-id="l-4927332798" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> I’m <a data-id="l-4395442771" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on my colleagues and myself who love our students like our own kids. We do more than just teach, we build relationships. We spend our own $ on supplies and foster a safe environment in our classrooms. (@celintx55)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><a data-id="l-6088215438" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> I am <a data-id="l-6781874536" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#<u>blowingthewhistle</u></a> on a teacher who takes her student’s clothes home to wash every Friday afternoon so they will have clean clothes to wear on Monday morning. <a data-id="l-7465578759" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ETgohome?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#ETgohome</a> (@CajunTexan77)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><a data-id="l-5291040223" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> I am <a data-id="l-3898217335" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on my math team. We all completely turned our classrooms into operating rooms when teaching ‘order of operations.’ The kids had their own surgical masks and caps, simulated operating room sounds...the works! (@CarolJFernandez)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">I am <a data-id="l-9418099733" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on my children's teachers. They are a second mom/ dad to them while they are at school. They love them, push them, and grow them. <a data-id="l-0494521156" href="https://twitter.com/EmpowerTexans" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">@EmpowerTexans</a> go slink back to whatever rock you came from (@CounselorCG1)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hey @EmpoweringTexans I’m <a data-id="l-3308432751" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/blowingthewhistle?src=hash" rel="nofollow" style="cursor: text;" target="_blank">#blowingthewhistle</a> on all the dedicated paraprofessionals who serve kids faithfully despite being paid so little. (@breckq)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Public educators in Texas are doing great things, often with very limited materials or funding. If it will benefit a child, Texas public school educators will do it. That's just who we are. Don't ever let the words and actions of those who don't support public education change that.</span></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-39543611426115836202017-11-30T19:33:00.002-08:002017-12-02T15:20:36.511-08:00Behavior Influences Behavior<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I spent the first four days of last week at<a href="https://www.crisisprevention.com/"> CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention</a> training. I am now a certified NCI Instructor. </span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The NCI course is focused on developing skills to minimize crisis situations as well as respond to them when necessary. It was beneficial and I hope that we can get more in our district trained soon.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of the key points in the training is a concept called Integrated Experience. In layman's terms, this means "Behavior influences behavior." Think about that. Behavior Influences Behavior. Simply put, the way we behave can influence the way our students (or spouses, coworkers, family, etc) behave.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let me give you some examples. Let's say you are teaching and your keep raising your voice. What do your kids do? Usually raise their voice. If you are talking softly, but with authority, your kids will usually talk quieter as well.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I am at home with my teenage son, I will sometimes get frustrated and raise my voice at him. He responds by raising his voice back. What do I do? "Don't you raise your voice to me!" This only causes him to raise his voice again.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A student is visibly anxious, slumped over, tapping their feet. Their teacher approaches them and says sternly, "Sit up straight and stop tapping! You've got work to do." The student jumps back and shouts, "Leave me alone."</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Picture the same situation. This time the teacher approaches, bends down, and quietly says, "You look like something is bothering you. How can I help you?" The student says they are not feeling well and asks for a drink of water. The teacher sends them out and they come back and go to work.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In each of these cases, the adult's behavior directly impacted the child's behavior.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As educators, the way we respond to a situation can either help defuse it or cause it to escalate. The course goes into this in detail, but in a nutshell, our behavior is often the deciding factor in how a situation turns out.</span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I encourage you to spend some time reflecting on situations you have faced this week. Ask yourself some tough questions such as, "How did my behavior influence how the other person behaved?" and "What could I do differently the next time I'm faced with this?" </span></div>
</div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-12028017121627594892017-11-20T10:46:00.002-08:002017-11-20T10:46:42.955-08:00Mission Statement Breakdown<br />
<div class="post-footer" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #01050c; color: #77e4ff; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 50px 0px 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1" style="line-height: 2.3;">
<div class="byline post-share-buttons goog-inline-block" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="post-body-container" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div class="post-body entry-content float-container" id="post-body-870793803334771138" style="font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.7;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Below is a post I sent to staff this week as we introduce our new Mission and continue working on our Vision, Values, and Goals. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“The Mission of Northside Primary School is to create a safe, nurturing environment where each Kindergarten and 1st Grade child learns to his or her highest potential.” </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-27fc4215-d8bd-0467-58e1-be353d2bc389" style="background-color: #666666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Last year, a team of Northside staff took input from the entire faculty and crafted our new mission statement. It was a time consuming process going through all of the great input to craft a succinct word picture of what we are about. We literally selected each word with care and a fair amount of debate. In this post, I’d like to break this mission down and talk about each part. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: #666666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Mission of Northside Primary School”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - While this may seem like just a placeholder, it is really saying this: “What follows is why we are here.” </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To create a safe, nurturing environment”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - When kids walk into Northside Primary School, they should feel that this is the safest place they could be, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. They should know that every adult is working hard to keep them safe all day long. They should also know it is a place where they can grow and develop among people who love them unconditionally and are committed to their success. </span></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: #666666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Where each Kindergarten and 1st Grade child”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - We are a Primary campus. Our focus is on primary kids and everything we do must reflect that. Every lesson, every activity, every word we say, every action we take. What we do here may not be the same as at higher level schools, but it will be what is best for our Kindergartners and 1st Graders.</span></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: #666666; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Learns at his or her highest potential”</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - The primary purpose of Northside Primary is learning. That is the reason we exist. We recognize that every child is capable of learning at high levels, often much higher than we give them credit for. We also know that every child is different (hence the “his or her”). For this reason, we will do whatever is necessary to help each and every child reach their potential. We will set goals that stretch them instead of holding them back. If a child needs extra support, we will give it. If they are not learning in the way we teach, we will teach differently. We will ensure that every child is successful, no matter how much we have to stretch to make it happen. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #666666;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #666666; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Will fulfilling this mission be easy? No. Will it stretch us and make us uncomfortable at times? Yes. Will fulfilling our mission be what is best for Northside kids? Absolutely. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-3115878400698380882017-11-20T10:22:00.000-08:002017-11-20T10:24:04.744-08:00Protecting your bestOften, our mistakes teach us our greatest lessons. This was brought home to me clearly this week. I had a student who was behaving poorly for a number of reasons in a class. His behavior was interfering with the learning of the rest of the students in the class. The teacher was fairly new and had a demeanor that seemed to conflict with the student. She also was regularly visibly upset by the child's behavior. So, after spending a couple of days trying to find a solution, I chose to move the student. I moved them to one of my best teachers classrooms, hoping that the change would help the student. It didn't. Instead, it disrupted the better teachers classroom and affected the learning of her kids. Now, my average teacher is happy and my better teacher is threatening to retire if she makes it through the year. <br />
<br />
In his book, <u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IUDB972/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1">Shifting the Monkey</a></u>, Todd Whitaker says that we need to do everything we can to protect our best people by not putting someone else's monkey on their back. I did just the opposite. I took the problem child monkey from my poorer teacher and placed it squarely on my better teacher's back. Bad move.<br />
<br />
What should I have done? I should have left the child where they were and provided support and additional training to their original teacher. This would have helped her grow professionally while protecting one of my best. It would have created more work for me, but in the name of protecting my my best, it would have been worth it.<br />
<br />
This was a hard lesson to learn, but one I will take to heart. As Todd Whitaker says, monkeys need to stay on the back of the people to whom they belong. breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-13579130290728147352017-11-16T14:22:00.002-08:002017-11-16T14:22:49.765-08:00Thanksgiving<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">1 Thessalonians 5:18 - "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">We're coming up on Thanksgiving and a much needed week of rest. I hope yours is refreshing and that you come back rejuvenated for the three week run until Christmas.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">For you trivia buffs, the first Thanksgiving is recorded in 1621 when the colonists at Plymouth and the Native American Wampanoag tribe shared an autumn harvest feast. The holiday did not become official until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to be held in November.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">If you are like me, your Thanksgiving consists of lots of food, time with family, and a good amount of fun. Okay, I admit, my Thanksgiving also has lots of hunting in it. But, in the middle of the food, family, and fun, please remember that this is a holiday of Thanks Giving. Literally giving of thanks.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">I hate to say it, but it is our tendency as humans to hone in what is going wrong and forget to spend time focused on what is right. So, this Thanksgiving week, I challenge you to refocus your heart and mind on all that you have to be thankful for.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">I've included below my list of Thanksgiving ABCs. This is an alphabetic breakdown of things I have to be thankful for. Just making it gives me a glad heart. Plus, as Paul says, it is God's will that we give thanks in everything.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; color: white;">Hope you have a restful week!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">A- Ability to work every day</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">B- Bible</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">C- Church</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">D- Ducks and Dove and Deer</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">E - Education</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">F- Family</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">G- God’s provision</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">H - Hunting</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I- Internet</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">J- Jesus death, burial, and resurrection</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">K- Kids</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">L- Laughter and Love</span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">M- Music</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">N- Northside Primary School</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">O- Opportunities to serve</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">P- Patience</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Q- (William) Quarles</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">R- Relationships</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">S- Sheryl Quarles</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">T- Time </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">U- Unlimited data on my phone</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">V- Vacations</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">W- Wildlife</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">X- X-Men movies</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Y- (Feeling) Young</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Open Sans", "Lucida Grande", arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: white;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ca873752-c6ea-e7ac-9aee-20f1696e6cc8" style="background-color: #444444;"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Z- Zany fun </span></span></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-32884981452488673742017-10-08T12:14:00.002-07:002017-10-08T12:14:51.738-07:00How Many Days?<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
As I write this post, I have been on Earth 19,127 days. For some reason, when you think of time in terms of days, it brings it into a new light. As I look back on those days, I am amazed at how many great things have happened, but also a little depressed with how much I have not accomplished, especially when I consider the things I set out to do. If I had used every day productively and intentionally, just think of all I could have achieved by now. However, I am also encouraged that I still, God willing, have days ahead to accomplish even more. That is the wonder of time.</div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
At my campus, our students are with us two years, or 730 days. During that time, they are on campus 350 days. That means we have 350 days to teach them and lay the foundation for their future. We do some amazing things during those 350 days. Kids who can't read leave able to do so. Kids who can barely count are doing math problems. Kids who struggle to make the proper sounds end up speaking clearly. Kids who don't know what proper behavior looks like leave able to sit still and learn.</div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
Still, I wonder if we can use those 350 days even better? Are we using every day, every hour, every minute, in the most productive way possible? If not, we still have time. Think of the result if we used every day that we have with kids in the most intentional and productive ways possible. Think of how that would affect not only our kids, but also our own view of ourselves as we see kids grow beyond our wildest imaginations.</div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
As educators, we have the ability to make a massive difference in the lives of kids. Unfortunately, we only have a limited amount of time to do this with each child. Starting today, will you join me in asking a simple question each morning: "Am I using this day in the most intentional and productive way I possibly can?" </div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #e9e9e9; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.25px; padding: 0px;">
A big Thank You to William Parker for getting me thinking about this during his "Principal Matters" podcast</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-86281568650585378232017-09-25T19:37:00.000-07:002017-09-25T19:37:15.078-07:00BIPsBehavior Intervention Plans or BIPs are plans designed to help students learn to engage in positive behavior. BIPs are usually used for students with students who are ED or exhibit extreme behaviors. They usually consist of one to three negative behaviors to eliminate and specific positive behaviors to replace those. Then, action steps are designed to provide support for the student as they work the plan. There are also consequences attached to the plan. Creating a BIP can be a time-consuming process involving teachers, administrators, parents, other support personnel, and in some cases, the child.<br />
<br />
One of the most difficult aspects of implementing a BIP is giving it time to work. While you may see results in just a few days, sometimes it takes several weeks to see any progress. This can be a trying time for teachers and parents. The key is to not give up, but implement the plan consistently. This is not always easy and it is very tempting to quit when immediate results are not seen. However, we should not expect a child's behavior to change overnight anymore than we expect a baby to walk the first time it pulls itself up. In many cases, a child has been demonstrating a behavior for months or even years and it is all they know. These behaviors may also be a part of their disability. In order to help them learn new behaviors, we must consistently implement the BIP for a reasonable amount of time. If we quit too soon, we will never know if the steps could work. <br />
<br />
If, after a reasonable amount of time, no progress is being made, it is time to sit down and develop a new or revised plan. This must come after evaluating the effectiveness of the original plan. What is a reasonable time? Usually around 3 weeks is a good checkpoint, although a shorter or longer period may be required depending on the behavior. The key is to meet and evaluate the plan at regular intervals. <br />
<br />
One of the greatest things I've witnessed as an educator is seeing students with a BIP develop new positive behaviors to override the negative ones. This usually comes after consistent implementation, review, and follow up.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I've also seen plans fail due to lack of follow through or inconsistent implementation. <br />
<br />
One of the key points to remember is that, just like an IEP, a Behavior Intervention Plan is a legal document and, as such, must be implemented as written. The time to give input about how the BIP is designed is during its development, not after it is put into place. Once in place, it is expected to be followed. <br />
<br />
Thankfully, most children do not need Behavior Intervention Plans. But for those whose disabilities and behaviors require it, a well-designed and implemented BIP can mean the difference between success and failure in education. breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508493153973487788.post-26184908150142475702017-09-23T07:35:00.001-07:002017-09-23T07:35:30.003-07:00Follow the Process<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>The following is my weekly post to the staff at Northside Primary.</i> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif;">For the past three years, we've had a successful WatchD.O.G.S. program at Northside Primary. Over 150 men have served in our classrooms and on our campus. Many come back numerous times. It has gone beyond my wildest dreams. Many times, these men tell me how much they enjoy being a WatchD.O.G. and then say what a great job I'm doing with the program. My answer is always the same. "I just read the manual and follow the process." You see, there is no magic to WatchD.O.G.S. There is no magic formula to get 150 men to come to the school and serve. There is no magic formula to get them to sign back up again and again. In fact, anyone willing to do the work could make WatchD.O.G.S. successful. The reason is that WatchD.O.G.S. follows a process that has been tried and proven at hundreds of schools across the nation and the world. (I will admit, though, that the staff at Northside has done some magic to make these men feel welcome and allow them to serve.)</span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">I've been at two other schools where WatchD.O.G.S. was in place. Neither achieved the level that we have for one simple reason. They did not follow the process. In one school in our town, they tried to reinvent the wheel by doing it their own way and ended up tanking the whole program.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">Is the WatchD.O.G.S. process easy? Not at all. It takes a lot of work and a commitment before success is realized. But, that is the same for anything worth having.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">So, Mr. Quarles, besides that fact that we are kicking off WatchD.O.G.S. again in one week, what does all this have to do with me? I'm glad you asked. As an educator for over 20 years, I've realized that our profession has a lot to do with processes. We teach kids to follow processes (we just call them strategies) when they are learning. These processes help them do things like decode words and solve math problems. We also teach kids processes (procedures) to help them successfully navigate the classroom and school. The great thing is, when they follow them, they usually are.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">As educators, we also have processes that we follow. For example, Lucy Calkins Writing is a process. Guided Reading is a process. M.A.T.H. is a process. Each has been proven to help kids successfully master their learning. But, like any process, they are only truly effective when they are followed. They lose their full effectiveness when steps are left out or not done with efficacy. When I decided to start WatchD.O.G.S., I made a deliberate choice to do exactly what the National Centers for Fathering said to do. I trusted the process and it worked.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">I encourage you to do the same. Rather than try to reinvent the wheel, simply trust the process. Will it take lots of reading, lots of work, and mistakes along the way? Absolutely. But, as our kids grow into high level readers, writers, mathematicians, and most importantly, learners, it will be worth the work.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Lucida Grande', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: #444444;">Have a Great Week!!!</span></div>
breckqhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532124661587602967noreply@blogger.com0